Community Corner
This Is The Most Charming Small Town In California, New Report Says
It is described as a "rare gem" that has a walkable wine community, world-class cuisine, luxury amenities — don't overlook its deep history.
SANTA BARBARA, CA — A new report has named the most charming small towns across the nation. Travel magazine Afar, in its new analysis, picked Los Olivos as the most charming in California.
Located 45-minutes northwest of Santa Barbara in the Santa Ynez Valley, Afar praised Los Olivos for its walkable wine community, world-class cuisine, luxury amenities and deep history. For example, The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern was an 1886 stagecoach stop before becoming a Prohibition-era hangout and, currently, a member of the Auberge Resorts Collection.
Afar pointed out that "the wine town of Los Olivos gained a bit of fame when it was featured in a number of scenes in Sideways. In the past two years, it welcomed luxury hotel the Inn at Mattei’s Tavern and seafood restaurant Bar Le Côte from the team behind the Michelin-starred Bells in nearby Los Alamos, adding to the town’s draw—and demonstrating its innate appeal to seekers of the finer things in life."
More than two dozen wineries pour their wines around town, which allows visitors to forgo finding a designated driver and relax into the cooling breezes of the Santa Ynez Valley.
Other towns listed in the report include Jerome in Arizona, Virginia City in Nevada, and Hood River in Oregon.
For the list, Afar said it defined a small town as a place with around 25,000 people or fewer. The pick for each state was chosen based on a unique attraction or characteristic to draw in visitors – whether it’s “singular streets or spectacular outdoor adventure opportunities,” according to Afar.
For example, the standout Maine small town, Belfast, was chosen for its “palpable hippie-meets-hipster energy,” while Waterbury, Vermont, got a nod for being the home of the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream factory.
Meanwhile, ski towns (and ski-town "vibes") made several appearances on the list — including Whitefish in Montana and Leadville in Colorado, while Wyoming, Georgia, and South Carolina all featured towns with deep histories: Cody, Dahlonega, and Beaufort, respectively.
Looking to pick up a delicious block of cheese? The list has you covered there, too, suggesting a visit to Harman’s Cheese and Country Store in Sugar Hill, New Hampshire, for its “beloved” white cheddar.
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