Hello,
Planning a day trip to the Santa Barbara wine country. My mother is joining us, but is not a big wine fan and would like to explore boutiques, etc. while my wife and I go tasting in the area. Any opinions on whether Los Olivos or Solvang would be best for her? Thanks.

Solvang is a cute little town! There are all sorts of fun little stores and pastry shops to check out. There is also a mission that is interesting to see. The setting is beautiful! It would be perfect to spend a relaxed day.

Los Olivos is mostly wine shops and restaurants.

Los Olivos is charming but there is not enough there to kep Mom busy for a whole day... ditto Santa Ynez. Solvang IS big enough to keep her shopping all day but it's one of those places that people either LOVE or HATE.

Have you googled? Check it out and see it it would suit her tastes.

If you have specific questions I'm happy to help.

Solvang for her, Los Olivos for you! Solvang is a darling little town with much charm, there is also the Hans Christian Anderson museum there! ***kim***

>> My mother....like to explore boutiques, etc. while my wife and I go tasting in the area

Very creative. Ours was more like a "Throw Mamma From the Train" moment.

They are both so close that it will not really matter. A few miles in one direction or another.

Solvang is more of a touristy danish town which Mom will probably like since it has lots of shopping.

I took my Mom for a getaway and wine tasting for her b-day and we both loved the new Hadsten House Inn which is right in the heart of Solvang. The owner was a past stylist/designer for Pottery Barn, so you can only imagine how richly appointed and attention to detail this place is. It's fairly new and they offer some really great rates during mid week.

http://www.hadstenhouse.com/

In Los Olivos....Fess Parker's Inn and Ballard Inn are both very nice, but pricey.

http://www.fessparker.com/html/wine_country_inn.htm

http://www.ballardinn.com/

Fave Wineries (great wine and excellent grounds)
*Alma Rosa in Buellton
*Rusack Winery in Ballard (a great place to go in late afternoon when the sun goes down...gorgeous deck and old oak trees)
*Sunstone Winery in Santa Ynez (you'll think you're in France!)

Fave restaurants:
*Trattoria Grappolo in Santa Ynez (we eat here every time we're in the Valley)
*Brothers at Mattei's Tavern (if not for dinner, a great place for a cocktail)

other fun stuff:
*picnics at one of the wineries (my vote goes to Sunstone for the most idyllic alfresco setting)
*if Mom gambles, Chumash Casino
*the old town of Santa Ynez has a handful of nice boutiques and antique shops

Cheers!

Whenever we motor to Santa Barbara, Solvang/Los Olivos is a must sidetrip. I LOVE to shop and this is the place for trinkets, etc. There is a wonderful French store named **Pearls of Provence** , kitchen items, linens, beautiful provencal material that came be made up to order...tableclothes, etc.which is a do not miss located on Aliso St. across the st. from a bakery. And right next door or a few doors down is the **Bit O'Sweden** restaurant which is a good stop for lunch...smorgesbord, etc. We stayed once overnight at the Fess Parker Inn/Los Olivos. Enchanting bedroom decor, decorated french-country. If you have a chance, lunch or dinner directly across the st. from the inn is the Los Olivos restaurant. Great place to eat. Other than that, not much to do there but visit wineries, lavendar farm, visit small horse farm. The locale is breathtaking, but of course, this is beautiful central California.
Enjoy.
**Francie**