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)

We had a wonderful experience on our first visit. Food, service, cocktails, all excellent! We…read morestarted with cocktails (duh!) and they do a good pour. For appetizers, we did the poke nachos (paired with a very good salsa) and Korean short ribs. Some good flavors going on. For dinner, I had the Twice Fried Chicken w/ risotto, collard greens, and a side of potlicker sauce. This meal cemented the 5-stars!! Chicken skin was crispy, the meat moist. Pour the pot liquor sauce on the chicken and DAMN! Risotto was very good, but collard greens brought the dish home. Superb. Wife had the orecchiette w/ shredded short rib. Also superb. Desserts were okay, and the pear bread pudding stood out. Lastly, some outstanding service from Jen put a nice cap on a wonderful dinner. A+ Cheers! RS

We were hungry after a long drive in Los Alamos. Not much open on a holiday weekend (but there's…read morenot much in this small town anyways). We were grateful The Maker's Son was open and graciously sat at a table inside the bar. I had a headache from the heat so it was nice to cool off inside. It looks like this has recently opened and is only serving the bar menu until their full kitchen opens up next week. We ordered a 6 piece Smoked Chicken Wing Set and The Maker's Burger. The portions of these are ridiculously generous! We thought the wings would be small but these are so huge! The burger was tasty and came with great waffle fries. Great food, nice and friendly staff (currently masked up due to the pandemic) - this place is awesome! Wishing it nothing but the best after it fully opens!

I cannot recommend Olive + Lavender Farms highly enough. From the moment you arrive, it feels like…read morea hidden gem tucked into the heart of Los Olivos. They offer a complimentary olive oil tasting, allowing you to truly appreciate the depth and character of each variety. The fresh bread served alongside the tasting is crafted from scratch in nearby Los Alamos at Bob's Well Bread Bakery, and it is delicious. A few of my personal favorites were the Santa Ynez, Garlic, and Habanero olive oils. The Garlic was so outstanding that I immediately purchased a bottle to take home. It is incredibly versatile. The setting itself is just as memorable as the tasting. There is ample charming outdoor seating beside a small creek, and the gentle sound of flowing water creates a peaceful, almost meditative atmosphere. The vibes are truly immaculate. Inside, the shop is beautifully styled and filled with thoughtfully selected gifts and, of course, an impressive array of olive oils available for purchase. Hayley (sorry if it's spelled wrong) was especially warm and helpful, making the visit feel welcoming. They also offer WiFi, which allowed us to linger a bit longer and get some work done. It is rare to find a place that combines quality, hospitality, and atmosphere so seamlessly.

A great experience. Cute outdoor space for pets, kids, and adults…read more The free olive oil tasting also gave us 7 different oils and 2 vinegars to sample with pieces of bread to enjoy. My favorite are the white truffle, SY herbal blend, and garlic olive oil for the flavored oils. The arbequina and korineiki were great balanced flavors. I enjoyed the barrel aged balsamic vinegar so much I bought some to enjoy at home. The two women who assisted us were so nice and welcoming as well

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.

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.

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!

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*&%.

I had my wedding here, both the ceremony and reception. It is a beautiful venue with lots to offer…read more We were able to have an outdoor ceremony and cocktail hour and the reception inside the barn. There was an area outside with a bonfire going and we had a smore's bar. The barn was great and seated our 140 guests comfortably with a good sized dance floor. Angela and her family were so amazing. They were all very friendly and professional. They took care of so much behind the scenes that made our day go smooth. We cannot thank you enough Angela, you were a blessing!!

My friend had her bridal shower in the garden area of the venue and it was absolutely stunning. The…read moreowners and staff did a great job of setting up, making sure everything was refilled, set up, food was out on time and cleaned up. The bathrooms were clean and the outside was lush with great landscaping. There is plenty of parking. What a great venue to have any event. Also, the tri-tip sandwiches that we had were delicious!!! And I am very picky about my tri-tip.

On a random Saturday my brother, mom, and I decided to go to Bodega Los Alamos for the first time…read more(well at least for me)! We had planned on getting there around opening time but some delays lead us to arriving around 12pm. There was a fair amount of people but plenty of seats thankfully. After ordering some wine, my brother and mom got in line for food (Priedite bbq in the back!). Once everything was good to go we were able to start enjoying our drinks. I got the orange Bodega wine. It was a light refreshing drink that provided a nice start to the visit. I got a second drink which was a mango beer that was on the menu. It was soo delicious. The ambiance of Bodega is really lovely. Although the sun was hot, there were plenty of tables with umbrellas to block out the rays. The staff were very nice and helpful as well. Overall, we had a really good time at Bodega. My mom and I even returned a couple of weeks later. Definitely recommend to anyone wanting a laid back visit!

This has become a must-stop when we visit this area every few months. Delightful atmosphere…read more Helpful, friendly staff. Love that so far they have always had a tasty sour beer for sale. Comfy seats. Gorgeous trees which give lots of shade cover on sunny days. Love that you can bring over BBQ from Priedite. Easy free street parking.

We stayed at the Inn at Mattei's Tavern this past weekend and had dinner at the titular Tavern, an…read moreupscale contemporary restaurant in a reincarnated central California stagecoach stop dating back to 1886. The inn leans into the old west aesthetic, but the tavern is just elegant and attractive, with leather furniture, a high vaulted ceiling, and a lot of windows. It was pleasantly bustling on a Friday night, with what seemed like a mix of hotel guests and other visitors. Los Olivos has a population that hovers around 1,000, so this restaurant, like the stagecoach stop, is there to serve travelers. Accordingly, service was first class. There was a full bar with elaborate cocktails and plenty of wine from the area. We ordered two rounds of cocktails, as we planned to drink wine all weekend, and they were all very good. The Vaquero Campfire was a refreshing mezcal drink with pink peppercorn, honey, and charred grapefruit. The Cigars & Horses was a boozy mix of bourbon, yellow chartreuse, and smoked cinnamon. Los Rancheros Vistadores was a pleasantly bitter tequila cocktail, with reposado, amaro, Aperol, and orange olive oil. And the Pinochle Punch was a smooth blend of milk-clarified rye, cognac, and orange. We ordered wines by the glass to go with our entrees, and these were both lovely, too. The Sandlands Lodi Red Table Wine and the Racines Mattei's Cuvée, a Chardonnay that must have some connection to Mattei's Tavern. The food was delicious. We started with a half dozen oysters with mignonette and lemon and Gin's tuna carpaccio, topped with scallion, radish, ginger dressing, and cold-pressed California olive oil. Then we had Mattei's house focaccia, served with cultured butter and herb oil, and the country pâté, with cherry, tarragon, and sourdough. The entrées were both excellent. The Channel Islands rockfish was beautifully cooked, served in a vibrant tomatillo sauce with hoja santa, with sides of roti, grilled avocado, and grilled lime. The Colorado lamb was tender and juicy with a nice spiced crust. It came with couscous, vadouvan, mint yogurt, onion, and dates. For dessert, we shared the affogato: vanilla ice cream, Handlebar espresso. Hard to think of a better way to wind down a big meal. We charged dinner to the room and got $100 through a hotel promotion. This covered some of our drinks. The Tavern is not a cheap restaurant, but it is a great one, well worth checking out on your visit to Los Olivos.

Been here twice now and trying to be fair about it…read more The food is genuinely great and pricing feels in line with other spots around here. Not cheap, but not over the top either. Service is where things fell short both times. It took about 40 minutes to get our breakfast after ordering, and it was pretty obvious the plates had been sitting under a heat lamp for a bit. I used to work in food service, so it's something I tend to notice. We weren't in a rush, but we did need to be in and out within an hour. By the time the food came, we had maybe 15 minutes to eat and had to ask for the check right away just to stay on schedule. Overall, it's a great spot if you have the time to hang, but I'd be cautious coming here if you're on any kind of timeline.

This is a wonderful event space! We hosted 150 of our best customers here for a lovely wine and…read moreappetizers reception, and it was just right. The room is pretty and very versatile with various setups and bars available. The banquet staff worked with us to plan every detail of the event and exceeded our expectations. The food was fantastic and we received many compliments from our customers. This won't be my last event here.

From the owner: Located on the top floor of the Far Western restaurant, our flexible, well-appointed event space…read morecan accommodate up to 200 guests for business meetings, family celebrations or training seminars. With a full-service banquet team to help with event planning, our reception hall is the perfect banquet room rental for an anniversary dinner, wedding reception or birthday party. Built in 2012, the large meeting room and banquet facilities can be configured for employee training, sales meetings or even a company holiday party. Whether you want to play music, showcase photos or project a PowerPoint presentation, our multi function room with complete audio-visual setup includes state of the art in-ceiling speakers, two wall-mounted flatscreen televisions and a large drop down projection screen. The adjoining private dining room is a picturesque circular space that occupies the building's signature tower, providing the perfect spot for a wedding cake, baby shower gifts or other event centerpieces. The outdoor terrace offers additional meeting space overlooking the town and coastal hills, while a restored antique bar from the Righetti Ranch contributes distinctive ambiance.