Los Olivos: Tips for Visiting
Parking, food, bathrooms and hidden discounts — everything we picked up from repeat trips to Los Olivos wine country.
If you haven't tried the cupcake pairing at Saarloos & Sons, you haven't lived.
Our reviewerWhat We Wish We'd Known Before Our First Trip
Los Olivos is an easy wine country day trip, but a few local quirks are worth knowing before you go — from where to park to where to actually find a clean bathroom. Below are the tips we've picked up from our own visits.
The town doesn't restrict overnight parking, which matters if you end up drinking more than planned — grab a rideshare home and come back for the car in the morning rather than risk the drive.
Food and bathrooms are the two things most visitors get wrong. The best sandwich in town isn't at the obvious spot on the corner by the flagpole — it's the Tri Tip at R-Country Market, sold only Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, and it sells out fast. Bathrooms mostly mean the shared porta-potties around town, though one church nearby offers a nicer alternative.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Los Olivos
Parking: Los Olivos has no overnight parking restrictions, so if you've had too much to drink, grab an Uber or Lyft home and retrieve your car the next morning.
Food: Panino, on the corner by the flagpole, has the widest sandwich menu in town, but the best single item is the Tri Tip at R-Country Market — available only Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, and it sells out quickly, so aim to arrive before 11:30am.
Cupcakes: Saarloos & Sons pairs rotating weekly cupcake flavors with specific wines on their menu. The cupcakes are a separate purchase from the wine pouring, and there's a small outdoor patio around back that's a good bet when the indoor space gets busy on weekends.
Bathrooms: most businesses direct visitors to shared porta-potties, which are kept reasonably clean but can get smelly in hot weather. St. Mark's-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church has nicer bathrooms off its courtyard — a small donation is a nice gesture if you use them.
Ask for the Discount Card
Pay for your first tasting as normal, but before you leave, ask your pourer if they have a discount card for other wineries in town — most do.
We Recommend This To Readers Who:
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Plan on drinking more than one tasting's worth
There's no overnight parking restriction — grab an Uber or Lyft home and get your car the next morning.
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Want the best sandwich in town
Get to R-Country Market before 11:30am on a Thursday, Saturday or Sunday for the Tri Tip, before it sells out.
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Have a sweet tooth
Saarloos & Sons pairs rotating weekly cupcake flavors with specific wines.
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Need a clean bathroom
St. Mark's-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church has nicer restrooms than the town's shared porta-potties.
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Want to save on tastings
Ask your pourer for a discount card to other wineries after you've paid for your first tasting.
A Closer Look
A Little Local Knowledge Goes a Long Way
None of these tips require extra planning — just knowing where to park, when to show up for the Tri Tip, and which bathroom to use makes a Los Olivos day trip noticeably smoother.
