$2,054,113Average Value$1,406Average Price per Sq Ft4Homes For Sale
Tiny Santa Barbara County area close to vineyards and local shopping
Known for its access to vineyards and olive trees, Los Olivos is an unincorporated area in northern Santa Barbara County close to family-owned eateries and lush country estates. Farmhouse-styled storefronts with Adirondack chairs line Grand Avenue near the community’s central business district; Mia Huerta, Realtor for Better Homes and Gardens who sells in the area, says going to wineries is a big part of the local culture. “When our kids are little, we take them to the wineries with us because they’re so beautiful,” she says. “You go, sit on the lawn with a blanket, and the kids have games to play with.” The neighborhood offers a laid-back lifestyle, well-rated schools and a CAP Index crime score of 2 out of 10, lower than the national figure of 4.
Grand Ave runs through downtown Los Olivos.
Los Olivos is located in a rural part of the valley.
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Multi-acre homes in Los Olives
The neighborhood’s residential streets vary from curving county roads to wide, marked one-way roads near local stores. Most yards are shaded by mature pine, palm or oak trees, and many properties have sheds or parked RVs. Single-family homes include mid to late-20th-century farmhouses, cottages and ranch-style homes; these properties have cement walkways up to their entrances, spacious backyards and wide porches with growing plants. Some houses are further on the outskirts of town, with gravel driveways and up to ten acres of farmland. Horses and goats live on these properties, raised behind hilly valleys. Prices typically range between $1 million and $3.5 million.
Some homes have their own vineyards in Los Olivos.
Residential streets in Los Olivos are full of greenery.
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Leisure time at Carhartt Family Wines
Los Olivos is in the heart of Santa Barbara County’s wine country, so there are plenty of wine-tasting opportunities. Los Olivos Wine Merchant and Café offers different pours of white and red wines and serves rustic soups with pizza. The establishment has been awarded “Best Restaurants for Wine” by Wine Spectator magazine since 2007; Huerta says celebrities visit from time to time. Carhartt Family Wines has a partially enclosed tasting room with lounge chairs; it offers private tours of its Rancho Santa Ynez estate. Other vineyards and wineries outside the community have sweeping views of valleys and mountain peaks. Folks can pick up items at Los Olivos Grocery and buy specialty olive oil and balsamic vinegar at Olive and Lavender Farms. The center of Los Olivos has small clothing stores like Avec Moi Décor and Jedlicka’s, but locals also travel 10 miles to Buellton for more retail options.
Carhartt Family Wines is a popular winery in Los Olivos.
Los Olivos Wine Merchant Cafe is a staple.
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Driving to Hans Christian Andersen Park
Foxen Canyon Ranch is a go-to place for hiking past lavender farms and tree groves. Many people use the space for a wedding or event venue. Families can also travel a couple miles south to Solvang for playtime at Sunny Fields Park. The area has a baseball diamond and plenty of green space, and the nearby 52-acre Hans Christian Andersen Park features a playground with a rock climbing wall, a skate park with half pipes and several shaded areas with benches. Huerta says people also like driving 12 miles southeast to Cachuma Lake for a weekend getaway of fishing and relaxing by the water.
Foxen Canyon Ranch is a go-to place for hiking past lavender farms and tree groves.
Hans Christian Andersen Park is near Los Olivos.
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Football starts at Santa Ynez Valley Union High
The area is zoned for the Los Olivos School District, where kids attend Los Olivos Elementary from kindergarten through eighth grade. The school earns an A grade from Niche. Students move on to Santa Ynez Valley Union High, which also scores an A and is known for its successful Pirates Football Team, which made it to the playoffs in 2024. The school also takes pride in its SYHS Theatre Group, which is sponsored by several local businesses.
Santa Ynez Valley Union High School near Los Olivos is central to the area.
Los Olivos Elementary School is conveniently located.
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Celebrating jazz, wine and olives
Locals gather for the Los Olivos Day in the Country celebration in October. The event starts with a parade of horses and antique cars down Grand Avenue, and afterward, onlookers browse through vendor booths showcasing arts and crafts. The annual Jazz and Olive Festival is also popular among locals; people gather near Stolpman Vineyards and Los Olivos Tasting Room for nearly 28 savory olive dishes made by local chefs as jazz music plays in the background.
Stolpman Vineyards is a popular winery located just off of Grand Ave.
Los Olivos Tasting Room is one of the many shops off Grand Ave.
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Easy access to major highways in Santa Ynez Valley
California State Route 154—also known as San Marcos Pass Road—curves through the center of the area and connects to the east side, giving access to Ballard and Buellton. Downtown Solvang is about 6 miles south. Traffic remains relatively calm throughout, except for certain parts of Grand Avenue, where several businesses are located. Santa Ynez Valley Transit buses also stop throughout the community. Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital is 5 miles south, and Santa Barbara Airport is 34 miles southeast via 154.
Staying prepped for fires and floods
Los Olivos is at risk of wildfire and flooding destruction because of its dry summertime climate. To protect against fires, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department recommends residents create defensible spaces around their homes by pruning trees, removing combustible outdoor furniture and raking leaves routinely. Homeowners are also advised to use sandbags or plywood to prevent erosion on their property after heavy flooding.
Santa Barbara fires stations are located close to Los Olivos.
Los Olivos is full of many tree varieties.
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Written By
Hannah Baggenstoss
Photography Contributed By
Joseph Palacios
Video By
Patrick Johnson
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Tiffany Dore,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Los Olivos, CA sell after 88 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Los Olivos, CA over the last 12 months is $1,820,000, down 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
A rare corner-lot retreat in the heart of Los Olivos. Tucked behind lush landscaping, this private haven features a large backyard with a beautiful paver patio and a park-like atmosphere filled greenery. The spacious layout offers great separation, with the primary suite thoughtfully positioned at the opposite end of the home for added privacy. With an attached 2-car garage, RV parking, and
The Mountains Are Calling...And this is your opportunity to own a piece of the past.Welcome to the Historic RANCHO CIELO featuring forever views of the Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country to the Gaviota Coast and so much more. First time on the market, this one-of-a-kind property embraces a stunning combination of natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and endless possibilities. Located near the
Discover a stunning 5.08-acre parcel nestled in the picturesque Ballard Canyon AVA, offering breathtaking views of both Los Olivos and Ballard Canyon. This prime piece of land is ready for your dream home or agricultural pursuits, providing ample space for vineyards, orchards, or a charming estate. Accessed via a private road behind the world-renowned Alamo Pintado Equine Clinic, this property
Three separate legal lots totaling 3.49+/- acres create a rare opportunity in the heart of Los Olivos, a town celebrated for its wine tasting, gourmet dining, and renowned hospitality. The premier upper parcel of approximately 1.49+/- acres, features an impeccably maintained 1,900+/- sqft residence built in 1967 with four bedrooms and two bathrooms, newer windows, and a double-sided fireplace
Discover this spacious and versatile 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom multilevel home, perfectly positioned within walking distance to the charming town of Los Olivos. Enjoy a variety of dining options and renowned tasting rooms just steps away. This home features an updated kitchen ideal for cooking and gathering, complemented by two flexible living spaces and an open dining area. The multilevel design
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
