We happen to be in town for the wifey's birthday weekend. After doing some research, I knew this…read moreOlive + Lavender farm would be a great spot to check out. Glad we added it to the itinerary. We arrived on a Saturday afternoon. The olive oil tasting farm is located in a nice neighborhood area in downtown Los Olivos. There is parking accessible in the back parking lot and limited parking next to the olive oil tasting area and boutique shop. As soon as we parked and headed to the olive oil tasting area, we were greeted by a very friendly and hospitable staff member. I appreciated all the information she told us about the property and instructions about the olive oil tasting experience. Their complimentary olive oil tasting was unique and unlike any other olive oil tasting I had ever done before. There were 10 different olive oils to taste from. You are given a freshly made sourdough bread slice to go along with a tray with a menu sheet of all the olive oils. Some of the olive oils that stood out to me were the white truffle, garlic, and Italian honey. We were then encouraged to explore the rest of the property where there was a charcuterie cart, pottery vendor, and complimentary wine tasting on the other side of the premises. This enhanced our olive oil tasting experience even more. The rest of the property was beautiful as there were a lot of tables and chairs for guests to enjoy. Overall we enjoyed our experience at Olive + Lavender Farms. The staff were nice and accommodating. The vibe was relaxing and inviting. The boutique shop were selling a lot of wonderful and distinctive local products in the area. The olive oils price point are in the higher end. Next time we are in the area we would love to come back.

Such a gem of a place. Popped in to hopefully buy some lavender plants in pots. And while they…read moredon't sell lavender to plant (why not!?), they had a lovely selection of other things. We did a free olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting, and both my friend and I bought a bottle of habanero olive oil, so yummy! They sell bundles of lavender, soaps, cute kitchen things, candles etc etc. A great stop to pick up some gifts and great way to support local businesses.

A Dream Wedding Come True - Thanks to Diana & Steve!…read more It's hard to put into words how truly exceptional our experience was at Foxen Canyon Ranch--but we'll try, because this place (and its people) deserve to be recognized. Diana and Steve are the heart and soul of this venue. From our very first visit, it was clear how much passion and care they pour into every wedding they host. Diana has a gift for bringing a couple's vision to life with warmth, grace, and a standard of perfection that is rare in the industry. Her communication, attention to detail, and calm presence made the entire planning process a joy. What's often underappreciated in the wedding decision process is everything that happens behind the scenes to make a venue look effortless--and Foxen Canyon is a masterclass in that. Steve and Diana work tirelessly, day in and day out, to maintain the ranch in pristine condition. From the majestic longhorns to the charming rose buses to the lovingly restored barn, every inch of the property feels thoughtful and intentional--because it is. Their dedication ensures that on your wedding day, everything is perfect without you even having to think about it. Our guests were in awe--not just of the stunning setting, but of how smooth, joyful, and grounded the entire day felt. That's the magic of Foxen Canyon Ranch: it's not just a venue; it's a deeply loved and beautifully run family operation that truly elevates your entire wedding experience. Diana, Steve, and the whole team--thank you from the bottom of our hearts for giving us a day we'll never forget. You made it perfect. Brides to be: If you're searching for a venue that combines breathtaking beauty with top-notch service and the most genuinely caring owners you could ever hope to meet, look no further. Diana and Steve, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making our wedding unforgettable. You are truly the best of the best!

Booked this wedding venue today! When first arriving at the venue our jaws dropped at how stunning…read morethe area is. They have a huge barn area (string lights included) along with a nice green grass area shaded by two possibly 300 years old Oak trees. Perfect spot for the ceremony. This venue is cool because you can do literally whatever you want with how you want to set it up. You can get really creative with it. The owners were incredibly helpful and accommodating to all of our questions. They offered advice and recommendations of vendors in the area. We are so excited to have the wedding at this location!! (Also there is a horse and some long horns on the property for all you animal lovers)

After reading Monty's book we knew we wanted to visit his ranch. We were met by his son-in-law who…read moreintroduced us to Debbie (Monty & Pat's daughter). We didn't know what to expect but she is so kind and took time to show us around the ranch and explain how the incoming wild mustangs and other horses are "gentled" into a loving and trusting relationship with their handlers. After meeting several horses on the property it was clear how effective their methods are. Each horse was so at peace and comfortable with us. The atmosphere on the ranch is serene and inviting and makes a horse lover want to linger. It truly is a wonderful place and all credit goes to Monty and Pat and their amazing lives and perseverance. They've built something beautiful and are so kind to share it with the world.

I was on a company incentive trip and this was listed as one of the options for an excursion. I…read morealways like to pick things that I normally wouldn't pay for if I was on vacation and this was a place I would have put in that category. The bus ride was about an hour from Santa Barbara which was a beautiful ride. When you pull into the facility you're pulling right into wash the barns and the horses and the round pens. Basically what you would consider a large but typical kind of horse farm. This farm is owned by Monty Roberts who has been training horses for a long long time. What he does is train unbroke horses to be able to have a rider get on within a very short amount of time by using techniques that make the horse trust what you're doing. Today we were there the owner of a horse was there at the facility videotaping the process. Within 22 minutes he had one of his writers on that horse without a single buck. The owner of the horse was nearly in tears. This visit wasn't about him training a horse, it was about life in general and how getting people to perform at their highest level without forcing anything out of them. This really was a life lesson not a horse lesson. After this was over he allowed us up to his house where they had cooked an unbelievable lunch for us and set in his backyard overlooking the entire valley and his ranch. The entire experience was unbelievable and something I will never forget and I would encourage anyone to see what it's like.

My husband and I were in Santa Ynez this past weekend celebrating our wedding anniversary. I booked…read morea tasting at La Tarantella after reading about it on their website and seeing the beautiful pictures. As soon as we got there, my husband and I knew it was going to be a very unique wine tasting experience. The grounds and the villa are absolutely beautiful. We were greeted by Matt who was an absolute pleasure. He was a gracious host, and taught us so much about the history of the vineyard, as well as the property itself. He took the time to explain the different wines that we tasted and answered all of our questions. We have been to several vineyards within the state, as well as on the East Coast and Mexico. The experience we had at La Tarantella was very unique and memorable.

THE most beautiful wedding setting I have ever seen. My godsister said her vows at sunset under a…read moregroup of oak trees with wine colored silk draped through the branches. The "barn" had one wall open with white fabric panels blowing in the wind creating a romantic passage way in and out of the reception area. White lanterns illuminated the grassy area which housed the buffet tables and a few fire pits with smores fixings available. Inside the barn old jam jars with votive candles lit in the windows and vintage lanterns hung from the open beams. The have a little stage and a little bar area which of course will be serving Firestone wines. It was one of THOSE weddings. The kind you dream about as a little girl and envy as a big girl. The oaks, vineyards and old ranch house looked beautiful as the pink sunset splashed them with golden color. F*&%.

Picturesque and beautiful ceremony; even Mother Nature could not have ruined this perfect venue…read more My cousin just got married this weekend in the hottest, humid, and raining (before the wedding starts & during the dinner)- 102 degree weather! The Crossroads Estate was a last minute changed due to unforeseen circumstances from the original venue at Firestone Vineyard; 5017 Zaca Station Rd. Crossroads Estate is a winery in the town of Los Olivos situated inside the Santa Ynez Valley on Foxen Canyon Road with views of the San Rafael Mountains, features a mixture of grapevines, floral meadows, and dramatic oak trees. It was constructed during the early 20th century, the Crossroads House on the estate is an extraordinary craftsman style home with plenty of rustic vineyard charm. The beautiful ceremony was situated under a very old Oak tree. The Bride came down the path with my Uncle Louie & his wife while a live band playing soft music. She was glowing and very glamorous! It was picturesque and breathtaking. The staffs were in black serving hot appetizers after ceremony. There was a nice table setting with cheese plates and open bar both outside and inside the barn until 9:45PM. The bar had a very nice selection of wines from local wineries nearby; and even serving Belvedere vodka all evening (not your usual cheaply vodka). The buffet dinner was set outside next to a open barn. Pole Barn, which offers an oak bar, raised stage, and iron chandeliers. The salmon and steak was cooked perfectly (not too dry or over cooked). Across the way was a nice selection of the veggies (squash, zucchini, asparagus, portobello mushrooms and mixed green salad bar. They also have a pasta buffet bar serving pappardelle or penne with your choice of cream or tomato sauce and toppings to your liking. I was very impressed with the venue! After dinner they served crepes with sliced bananas, strawberries, freshly made jam, vanilla ice cream with a drizzle of hot melted dark chocolate. I also appreciate the entire staffs. The poor staffs were running around and were very accommodating during the heavy downpours moving the canopy around for the outdoor Chefs and the patrons trying to get their food at the wedding. We danced the night away (while drenched in sweats or rain) in our fine evening wears with a live dj. Most importantly; at the end both the Bride and Groom were very happy! And so were the guests!

My wife and I had a very fun evening at Mattei's. rhe wait staff were just fab, informative and…read morefriendly. When they found out it was my birthday, they treated me very nicely and that was greatly appreciated. The Tavern is also a pretty space for dining and that made it even better. My wife had the kale salad (she loved it) and we shared the fried cauliflower and mashed potatoes (also good) The one downside was that I had the pork chop as my main and it was way overdone. It was a bit tough to eat. Otherwise Mattei's would have been 5 stars for sure. The next morning we went back and visited the coffee bar. Drinks were excellent, we got the cheesy eggs/toast which was very good and they have a nice seating area.

The main dinner courses were very sub-par. I would not suggest having dinner here…read more The chef is trying to make bold pairings that become a disaster on a plate. Pork sausage paired with berries- not good, thin dry branzino swilling in over acidic tomatillo salsa with roti flat bread on the side that tastes like hockey pucks, over whipped mashed potatoes that taste like they have glue added to the mix. They definitely need a new head chef! However the ambience, appetizers and dessert were worthwhile for a pitstop.

Last Saturday my son married my beautiful daughter-in-law, and we had the reception at a fabulous…read morenew place here in Lompoc, Events Mission Valley! This is a great environment for gatherings of all kinds! We were able to seat 70+ and have food, and room for dancing! The owner and staff are very welcoming and they really made this event perfect! I highly recommend this space for your gathering!

From the owner: Events Mission Valley is the newest venue in Lompoc for all your family, neighborhood, club or…read moreprofessional events. Call for a tour of the facility or to talk to us about availability.

My daughter took her WSET Level 3, and we chose this spot in San Ynez, famed for red wines, to…read morerelax post-test Opting for white wine added a fun twist. Sommelier Jessica not only knows her stuff but also makes the experience enjoyable. The overall vibe here is comfortably inviting.

Beautiful venue for upcoming nuptials. Love the location. Multiple options for how to use the…read morespace, which is great!

Where to begin... this venue was an absolute nightmare to work with and completely ruined my…read morewedding. A day planned for over a year and now have constant PTSD from. In short DO NOT have an event here or support these people. They have not kept up on maintenance, leading to several broken glass ceiling tiles throughout both greenhouses. We toured the space over a year in advance, and the ceilings were reasonably kept. Fast forward a year; the venue has completely gone down hill. Our event was suppose to take place during a rainstorm, and when we toured the venue THREE DAYS prior, it was completely unusable. It was flooded with open ceiling tiles, massive puddles down by the ceremony. There was NO way. Contrary to what the manager says, they did not attempt to help make their venue work for our event. They haven't taken care of the venue in over a year, why would they now when the money is already in their account? The amount of emotional distress that was caused by this venue is unmeasurable and do not wish this on my worst enemy. Worst yet, they kept our full venue fee of $20,000. We had to scramble to find another place within three days. The manager talked in circles and believes this venue is in reasonable shape to have a wedding. It is not. Even without the rain. Please, do not support.

We honestly don't have enough words to express how incredible our experience was at Villa + Vine!…read moreFrom the moment we first visited, we knew it was special--but they truly exceeded every expectation and gave us a wedding day more magical than we ever imagined. The staff was nothing short of amazing--professional, warm, organized, and genuinely invested in making sure everything was perfect. They anticipated our needs before we even thought of them and made the entire planning process feel effortless and fun. On the day of the wedding, everything ran flawlessly, and we were able to completely relax and soak in every moment. The venue itself is absolutely stunning-- the outdoor courtyard, cozy fireplace, magical string lights and more. So many of our guests told us it was the most beautiful wedding (and fun!) they've ever attended, and we couldn't agree more If you're looking for a venue that will go above and beyond to make your day unforgettable, this is it. We truly couldn't have asked for a better experience and are endlessly thankful to the entire team at Villa + Vine for giving us memories we'll treasure forever.

Went to a wedding here and it was so perfect. It is a smaller venue and was perfect for the size…read more Loved everything about this place, the location, the staff was awesome, the food was so delicious . I was only a guest so I do not know who did the florals or DJ but it was a very fun and memorable night. Would recommend