This month, share your love of California’s Central Coast with a fun road trip, and check out these cool spots to stay in Orcutt, Los Alamos, and Nipomo/Arroyo Grande!
Rice Ranch is located in northern Santa Barbara County, in the beautiful Santa Maria Valley. This master-planned community is nestled among 580 acres of open space filled with oak trees, hiking trails, farms and vineyards. It’s one of the best places to live in California, with mild temperatures, award-winning food and wine, plus lots of recreation and family activities.
You can easily experience the area with a quick road trip, along with a hip place to lay your head in one of these charming towns nearby: Orcutt, Los Alamos, and the Nipomo/Arroyo Grande area.
Orcutt: Wine Stone Inn + Historic Farmhouse
The sleepy town of Orcutt is near the ocean, vineyards, and many famous beaches and cities. The small downtown area is known as Old Town Orcutt, retaining the charm of the storied wild west–and the history to back it up. Folks greet their neighbors as they float through the afternoon visiting cool new places as well as old favorites. Read more about Orcutt.
Stay at the new-ish Wine Stone Inn (shown above and at top), walking distance to all the Old Town eats and hangouts in Orcutt. They have stylish rooms with gorgeous views (sunsets on the balcony!) plus a cool bar with lots of local wine or beer. This is a place where friends can visit and feel at home in a Santa Maria Valley neighborhood of friendly people, casual pubs and eateries.
Ever wanted to sleep in a historic, 19th-century California farmhouse? There’s one in Orcutt with awesome views of the rolling hills and oak savanna surrounding the area. Or choose from a brand-new home in the area or various guest homes, one with its own tennis court. See VRBOs in Orcutt.
Los Alamos: Skyview Motel + Cool Vacation Homes
Just 13 miles south of Rice Ranch is Los Alamos, which may be Santa Barbara County’s coolest town. It’s another old west town made new again, with many eateries, wine, art, history and friendly townfolk. You can certainly eat well in Los Alamos, now that we have a Michelin-star rated restaurant: Bell’s. There are lots of great dining options here, plus antiques, wine, beer, cider and many colorful, warm people.
One of the coolest places to stay is the Skyview Motel, close to the 101 freeway. This revamped, funky perch-on-a-hill has plenty of reasons to stay: cozy rooms, views for days, vineyards on property, bikes for use, firepits, a pool, great bartenders and a restaurant onsite. You’ll want to move in after relaxing in your room, patio or at the pool the food at Norman doesn’t disappoint (named for the motel’s nickname, from being empty for so long).
There are also plenty of vacation home options here in town, and these are all within walking distance of all the fun things to do. Rent a ranch cabin, a Palm-Springs-esque abode or a house on a hill, and drink it all in. See vacation homes in Los Alamos.
Nipomo/Arroyo Grande: Victorian B&B + Estates & more
Nipomo and Arroyo Grande are 20 minutes north of Rice Ranch, where you can find family farmstands, the Central Coast’s largest Sparkling Wine house, and great Santa Maria-style BBQ and steaks. There is also plenty of golf, with three of the region’s top golf courses in a one-mile radius. Oso Flaco Lake is also a wonderful hike, bird sanctuary, and trail from the lake to the ocean. See all the things to do in Santa Maria Valley.
One of the most picturesque places to stay in Nipomo is the Victorian Kaleidoscope Inn & Gardens, built in 1887 as a family home. One hundred years later it was converted into a bed & breakfast and wedding venue with lush gardens.
Hip Hotels & Lodging near Rice Ranch
To rent a vacation home, you have many options like a tiny house, farmhouses, a grand estate, homes with golf course views, and even a country castle! See vacation homes in Nipomo.
