Los Olivos, California

Los Olivos is an unincorporated place in Santa Barbara County, California. Approximately 1000 people live in and near Los Olivos. The ZIP Code is 93441, and the community is inside area code 805.

The town of Los Olivos is one of the communities that make up the rural, but somewhat upscale collection of hamlets that populate the Santa Ynez Valley. The name in Spanish means, "the olives" or "the olive trees". The town center is near SR 154, which is a scenic road going north from Santa Barbara over San Marcos Pass, through the coastal Santa Ynez Mountains. This was the route of the Santa Barbara north-south stageline, which operated until 1911.

Los Olivos was connected by a narrow gauge railroad from Santa Maria, which was scrapped in 1934. The terminus of the railroad, heading south, Mattei's Tavern, and nearby outdoor depot/water tower, built in 1884, was the terminus of the stagecoach line that continued over San Marcos Pass into Santa Barbara. This route connected Santa Barbara with points north such as San Francisco. The tavern is still in operation, and is one of the highlights of the area, and a well respected restaurant with historic charm. The town is typical of small communities in the area, with most residents living on small farms and ranches. The town was founded in 1861 and had stage service from 1865 until 1911.

Los Olivos is renowned for its wineries, such as Firestone Wineries, and wine tasting shops. Grand Avenue has several wineries, conducive to a walking tour. Starting in Los Olivos and stretching north is the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail.

Solvang, a community founded as a Danish farming colony in 1912, is about six miles (10 km) to the south. The are several horse ranches breeding Arabians and racing stock.

Trivia

Several movie stars and directors have called the Los Olivos area home. It is not uncommon to see former movie-stars shopping in the markets wearing jeans, boots and spurs.

In May 1986 Los Olivos was used as the location setting for the fictional town of "Mayberry" in the made-for-TV movie "Return to Mayberry", based on the popular 1960s sitcom "The Andy Griffith Show".

Several locations in Los Olivos were featured in the 2004 movie "Sideways".

Action star/actor Steven Seagal calls Los Olivos his home.

A small hotel, The Los Olivos Inn, was built in the 1980s and is now operated by former "Daniel Boone" and "Davy Crockett" star, Fess Parker.

Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan lived about nine miles (14 km) south at Rancho Cielo ("Sky Ranch"). While President, he would occasionally fly into Los Olivos in Marine One H-3 Sea King helicopter to attend church services at the Episcopal Church.

Singer Michael Jackson's property Neverland Ranch is located about convert|5|mi|km north.

ee also

*Midland School, Los Olivos, California

External links

* [http://www.losolivosca.com/ Los Olivos]
* [http://www.experience-wine-country.com/los-olivos-ca.html Los Olivos Wineries]
* [http://www.polosyv.org/ Preservation of Los Olivos and Santa Ynez Valley Group]