A little slice of nostalgic Americana, you may have never even heard of the small-town of Orcutt.
Within the confines of Santa Barbara County, its ten square miles house many of the same attractions as its better-known neighbors—access to wine tasting in the Santa Maria Valley, farm-to-fork dining, and family-owned shops. Old Town Orcutt especially bursts with all of this—and more—in a tidy and walkable downtown, once the center of an early-1900s oil boom.
But how do you best spend a weekend in this quaint little oasis? We’ve got you covered.
Where to Stay in Orcutt: Wine Stone Inn
The 12-room, boutique Wine Stone Inn
(Courtesy of @winestoneinn)
Wine Stone Inn is the town’s pride and joy. The 12-room boutique property doesn’t lack the country charm that permeates Orcutt, but it also leans heavily into the luxury extras that have earned it status as a four-star property. While staying, visit with friends in the Vintage Room—a bar stocked with award-winning wines, premium beers, light snacks, and deli-style meals. There is also a wine cellar rentable for special occasions and events.
// 255 W. Clark Ave., winestoneinn.com
Where to Eat + Drink in Orcutt
Far Western Tavern specializes in Santa Maria-style BBQ.
(Courtesy of @farwesterntavern)
The majority of the food found in Orcutt is a mix of high-end California cuisine and classic American comfort food (with a notable Mexican restaurant called Burritos Lalo, 105 W. Clark Ave.). With its proximity to farms, restaurants change with the seasons, focusing on what’s fresh.
Cups and Crumbs
For breakfast, Cups and Crumbs is paradise in the midst of Orcutt’s low-stakes action. The coffee shop meets creperie meets bakery turns out a long list of fresh pastries, sweet and savory crepes, and breakfast sandwiches, along with daily specials. The small indoor space feels like a step back in time with walls clad in kitschy country signs, and the outdoor patio not only expands seating but brings the vibes with plenty of plants and dessert and teacup decorations throughout. // 156 S. Broadway #B, cupsandcrumbsoldtown.com
Jack’s
Down the street, Jack’s in Old Orcutt offers a more traditional diner experience, filling up especially after church lets out across the street on Sundays. Stop in for all-day dining with classic breakfast options, salads and sandwiches for lunch, and a dinner menu filled with hearty platters heavy in carnivore favorites. // 156 S. Broadway,jacksinoldorcutt.flavorplate.com
Far Western Tavern
If you’re looking for a more upscale dining experience, Far Western Tavern serves contemporary California ranch cuisine and is especially popular for its Santa Maria-style BBQ (which is, like, a whole thing, in the Santa Maria Valley), a regional specialty with Native American roots. The old-school steakhouse atmosphere is brought into the here-and-now with a menu made from the bounty of nearby farms. There’s a long list of steaks served in cuts from sirloin to filet mignon, plus bone-in chicken, baby back ribs, and tri-tip. While there is a short list of appetizers, we recommend starting any meal with the ravioli platter to share. Stuffed with spinach and beef, these pillowy little puffs covered in bolognese sauce and perfected over decades (they were first served in 1958!) practically melt in your mouth. // 300 E. Clark Ave., farwesterntavern.com
Blast 825 Brewery
This local gathering place/watering hole is filled with television screens and boasts a full bar—a great place to watch the game, have dinner with family, or meet up with friends. The beer not only comes from nearby spots but also features some brewed on site. If you’re craving a quick bite and an indoor reprieve, grab one of the pizzas to share. They also offer a full menu of American pub favorites. // 241 S. Broadway, blast825brewery.com
Naughty Oak Brewing Company
Old Town Biergarten (125 S. Broadway) serves local brewskis in addition to Blast 825, but the closest thing to a party in Orcutt is live music nights at Naughty Oak Brewing Company. Drinks flow freely as local bands take to the outdoor patio and belt out tunes and neighbors dance like it’s their own personal stage. // 165 S. Broadway #112, naughtyoak.com
What to Do in Orcutt
The Gatehouse at Bien Nacido
(Courtesy of @biennacidoestate)
Wine Tasting
Orcutt is best known for its wine. Downtown has a handful of wine bars where you can taste wines from both near and far. Stellar’s Cellar (400 E. Clark Ave.) doesn’t just offer wines by the glass and bottle, it also serves tasting flights. Sit and sip through a handful of vinos and pick your favorites; one of the flights even ends with a complimentary glass of your top choice. Stellar’s also doubles as a bottle shop so you can pick out what you like most to take home and enjoy. Orcutt is also home to the tasting room for inviting, small-lot winemaker El Viñero (130 N. Broadway St.) and curated wine and beer bar Lark + Sparrow (165 S. Broadway, #101).
Wine tasting in the surrounding Santa Maria Valley is a must. Those rolling hills hide some unexpected gems that take advantage of the unique geology of the area, where an ancient seismic shift in the tectonic plates allows ocean breezes to blow inland and create pockets for cool-weather grapes like pinot noir and chardonnay. The wine has just as much prestige as better-known Santa Barbara County AVAs, but takes a homier approach.
Just the views at The Gatehouse at Bien Nacido (3503 Rancho Tepusquet Rd., Santa Maria) make it worth a stop—though the wines certainly won’t disappoint either. The winery was opened in 2023 by multi-generational farming family The Millers to showcase grapes grown on the estate (and its sister property). On select weekends, live music plays on the patio while groups sip on comfy couches and chairs, sharing charcuterie boxes, looking out over the vines, and learning about the terroir that turns out their elegant varietals.
Rancho Sisquoc Winery (6600 Foxen Canyon Rd., Santa Maria) is another notable choice. The working cattle ranch doubles as a winery, pouring from its own vines, some of which were planted as far back as 1968 on the mesas north of the Sisquoc River. The sprawling property is picturesque, and the wines in the glass represent everything from cellar select blends to bold, blue-fruited syrahs; deep, heavy red blends; and refreshing whites ranging from chardonnay to sylvaner.
Shopping in Old Town
Old Town has several cute boutiques worth stopping by. Deasee’s Boutique (1130 E. Clark Ave., Ste. 120) is a mother-daughter venture that dates back to 2010, with more than 350 square feet for women’s clothing and accessories. // Steller Home & Boutique (255 Union Ave.) sells both shabby chic home décor items as well as gifts, furniture, and apparel. // For vintage, antique, and repurposed goods, check out Stellar’s sister shop, Déjà Vu Antique Mall (315 S. Broadway), which specializes in furniture, jewelry, and other home goods.
