The big shindig happens once a year when the city hosts "Old Days" in September. Vendors with a variety of foods, bands, dancers, and displays of old farm equipment, automobiles and other items bring out the town and those of use who love history and old fashioned things. This land that is flanked by mountains and sits in valley filled with neat rows of wine grapes, has a great history the brings meaning to the town's "Old Days".
Los Alamos is Spanish for "the
cottonwoods" and describes graceful
trees lining the banks of the San
Antonio Creek. Located in a valley
bounded on the south by oak studded
Purisima Hills and on the north by
Solomon Hill, Los Alamos is an
interesting side tour off Highway 101.
Halfway between San Luis Obispo and
Santa Barbara, the historic town which
was once a stage stop has two historic
hotels, several restaurants, antique
shops, a winery and an annual street
celebration in September. When Mexico
broke free of Spanish rule in 1821, Los
Alamos valley was granted to Antonio De
La Guerra y Noriega who controlled
49,000 acres known as "Rancho Los
Alamos". The hills above his town served
as a hideout for highway bandito,
Solomon Pico, whose escapades were
popularized by the character "Zorro". As
cousin to Mexican governor Pio Pico, he
enjoyed immunity from the law. Skulls
with bullet holes found in isolated
canyons and stories about Pico fueled
legends. This lawless character who
frequented the region during the 1840s
was said to terrorize gringos, even
wearing a necklace made of his victims'
ears. The Victorian Mansion (above)
was built in 1864. It currently operates
as a resort hotel offering theme rooms
which include hidden bathrooms, spiral
staircases, hot tubs, swaying sea
lanterns, a chariot and a 1956 Cadillac.
Remote control units operate some of
each room's special effects. Egyptian
Room: Persian rugs, images of sand dunes
and palm trees and a life-size King Tut
hides the entry to your bathroom. The
50's, Roman, French, Gypsy and Pirate
are your choices. Selected as a #1
favorite by magazines in the US and
France, guests find this fantasy retreat
a diversion from their busy lifestyles.
362 Bell Street, Los Alamos, California
93440 Rooms are also available next door
at the Alamos Hotel.
Leslie House , 349 Bell Street, Los
Alamos
Antiques, Collectibles, Vintage
Curiosities, Falderal and Nonsense. The
shop is owned by Jan Klaft, who also is
your point of contact for information on
Historic Days in September. (805)
344-2504.Los Alamos was founded in 1876
when John S. Bell and Dr. J.B. Shaw
purchased property released from Spanish
land grant after California became a
state. Its location and distance from
the Los Olivos stage stop created a need
for lodging so Union Hotel was built and
the town also became a stage stop.The
Wells Fargo stagecoach began making
daily trips from the Union Hotel in Los
Alamos to Los Olivos and then to Santa
Barbara. Hold-ups and robberies were
common so passengers traveled at their
own risk. Historical data includes
reports of highwaymen along this route
demanding valuables, watches, and the
Wells Fargo strong box on several
occasions.Stagecoach, horse and buggy,
wagons, and horseback were the only
means of transportation to and from Los
Alamos until the opening of the Pacific
Coast Railway in the early 1880's.
Oil was discovered at the turn of the
20th century and a few years later in
1902, an earthquake destroyed all but a
few buildings in town. Los Alamos now
has about 1,000 residents and a variety
of shops, including a winery.
Winery
Bedford Thompson, 9303 Alisos Canyon,
Los Alamos 805-344-2107
Daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free Tasting,
Picnic Area and Chardonnay, Cabernet
Franc, Pinot Gris, Syrah and Viognier
winesWhere to stay? Lompoc, Solvang,
Buellton and Santa Maria all make great
options for your visit to Los Alamos.