Hello! I spent the day in Los Olivos with my friend Lisa. But, before I went I did a 10-ish mile run. I’m not sure how much because my Garmin stopped at mile 2. I reset it when I turned around, but I’m not sure the official distance.
On the way to meet Lisa I stopped to get scones. Pumpkin Pecan for me. This was a lot better than the WF pumpkin scone I got yesterday. A LOT BETTER.
I crumbled it over my yogurt bowl, which I took to go 🙂
Then, Lisa and I were headed north!
Los Olivos is a small city inland of Santa Barbara in the San Ynez mountains. It’s about two hours north of LA (three hours from Orange County).
It felt so good to be back driving up the California coast. 
I’m home.
Welcome to Los Olivos! It is Santa Barbara Wine Country 🙂 
Hmmmm. That name is super similar to “Olivas” my last name. I wonder if my ancestors were wine makers. Maybe wine drinkers? That’s where I get it from!
Our first stop was the highlight of the day…
but not because of the wine. 
It was the highlight of the day because you can buy a flight of cup cakes with your wine tasting.
As we tasted the wines, the pourer told us which cupcakes to eat with which wine. The strawberry cheesecake cupcake was a “palate cleanser”. I can’t make this stuff up. I was in Heaven.
Wine and cupcakes. Think about that. Wine and cupcakes. 
This place needs to be on every corner. It’s on every corner of my heart already.
As we were walking out we asked one of the owners to take a picture of us. A glass of wine and a silly mood means it was a production.
This is one of the owners. I didn’t catch his name 🙁 But he swears this is his Halloween costume. I’m not sure.
Then, we met Henry. He greeted us at the door of stop #2. In case you’re wondering, I lost count after #2.
Henry says, “Drink up bitches!” 
Per usual, they gave us a piece of chocolate with the port tasting. I bought it. 
After another tasting or so we needed lunch.
Tuna salad is my favorite. It just is.
I fell in love with the sparkling wine at Evan’s Ranch. I am a fiend for sparkling wines. Apparently, I think I’m Kimora and should drink champagne as my only source of liquids.
The day started off drizzly, but turned extra gorgeous to make up for the gloomy morning.
Today was a good day.
This whole day sounds like my idea of heaven. So jealous!
Small world! One of my old high school friends (from El Rancho/Pico Rivera) lives is Los Olivos! I love it up there!
Kicking myself for not spending more time in Wine Country when I lived in California….I used to gaze at maps plotting my weekend escapes from Costa Mesa, but alas, work always got in the way!
It looks like you had a wonderful day indeed and, on a totally random side note, I think we have the exact same color hair. Long live the redheaded tribe :)!
Those cupcakes and that scone look AMAZING!
Those cute little cupcakes look almost good enough to drive all the way to California for… from across the country!!
Great photos! Thanks for sharing.
I’m so jealous…the drive from LA to Santa Barbara is so beautiful! I would have loved to switch places with you today 🙂
It’s wonderful to see you having so much fun! And cupcakes with wine? What a great idea!
oh monica, this looks like such an incredible day.
We don’t live too far away from Los Olivos but neither of us have ever been! this looks amazing, I want to go sometime!
Henry is totally adorable.
These pictures are so pretty.
“Cupcakes and wine” hahaha sounds like heaven. Sparkling wine is my favorite too, nothing wrong with popping some bubbly 😛
looks like such a great time. i’ll have to check out los olivos some time! i love good wine. 🙂
Wine and cupcakes!!!! I was sold with the wine…throw in cupcakes and that’s just a bonus.
Looks like you had a great day with your friend. I love cupcakes, but wine, notsomuch.
I’m in love with the green and grey wallpaper at your first stop. I miss Cali…
wine and cupcakes. the best.
i want to go there now just to try that pairing. and i dont even really like wine. now if only they had champagne and cupcakes…
Champagne and cupcakes would make my life complete.
Great job on a 10ish mile run…its double digits, thats what matters! 🙂
I’m not much of a wino, so I have little input there, although it looks like a beautiful day. I do have to say that your hair is really cute braided and pulled back like that! I really like it and might have to try it!
i didn’t know we had (kind of the same) last name! My mom’s maiden name is Oliva 😀 Looks like you had lots of fun!
Cupcakes and wine? That is amazing. That winery knows what it’s doing.
That pug is adorable! Henry is a cute name for a dog!
I know, I love “people” names for dogs.
What a delightful day! Hahah if the owner is wearing his costume, it’d very realistic!
What a fantastic day. I could spend an entire vacation just doing wine tours. I think I need to check out Napa Valley. I would be in my glory.
Glad it was such a wonderful afternoon!!
Wow, running 10 miles is awesome!! I know to you that is probably nothing after running 26.2, but I don’t think I would ever be able to do that! I really want to go wine tasting for my 21st birthday, either in Santa Barbara or in Palo Alto area. The new hair looks cute!
Paso Robles is great for that too!
Haha, though you are even better (kinder) than Kimora, and ought to drink sparkling as your only source of liquids! In today’s Wall Street Journal (Satuday), in the Review Section on page D9, there is an article about 13 different ways to use pumpkin, complete with FABULOUS recipes, with everything from pumpkin cake to marmalade to entrees. I don’t read the editorial of the WSJ, because I am a loud and proud DEMOCRAT, but sometimes they are really rockin’ when it comes to food, wine, and all things cultural! Thought you might enjoy! 🙂
Thanks Jesse! I’ll check it out 🙂
I’m so jealous!! I’ve love to go wine testing in wine country!!! Looks like so much fun 🙂
What. Fun. Ahhh!!! I’m so jealous that after birthing me in California my cruel parents ripped me away from the beauty (and wine country) of CA to bring me to the Midwest. That’s the kind of day vacations are made of, yet you just did it on a random Saturday…. so awesome!
hey!
beautiful photos. i love travel photos.
glad you had fun! and those cupcakes those cupcakes those cupcakes.
dude is totally lying! not a costume 😉