Our 41 modern farmhouses at Vintage Ranch are located on California’s gorgeous Central Coast, halfway between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo. Vintage Ranch is close to the renowned wineries of Santa Maria Valley, craft breweries, and northern Santa Barbara County's best casual and fine dining.
These large home sites are right on the edge of one of the most charming small towns in California: old town Orcutt. It's about 10 miles from the ocean, less than 5 miles from vineyards, and a 30-minute drive to many famous California beaches and cities. It’s a wonderful place to live, and Vintage Ranch is just 2 minutes from the sleepy downtown.
Old Town Orcutt retains the charm of the storied wild west—and the history to back it up! Its food, wine and beer scene is a burgeoning gourmet spot while still retaining that down-home feeling. Folks greet their neighbors as they float through the afternoon visiting cool new places as well as old favorites.
Photos by Santa Maria Valley
You’ll find walkable streets and friendly faces, along with great shopping, antiques, farmers markets, award-winning restaurants and wineries. The town’s various events during the year, along with a wine country trolley and holiday celebrations, evoke a hometown feeling where everyone is treated like family.
Photos by Santa Maria Valley
From Santa Maria Valley: “Founded at the height of oil production in the early 1900s, Orcutt became a center for trade and shipping. Today, it appeals to locals and visitors alike as the perfect place to eat, drink and shop. With five tasting rooms, eclectic boutiques, art galleries and special events that happen year-round, Orcutt is a small-town cultural hub in the Santa Maria Valley.”
Photo by Liz Dodder, Cali Coast Wine Country
New Restaurants in Old Orcutt
The newest eatery in Orcutt is the Shift, built out of a loyal food truck following of the same name. It’s the home of the Original Tri Tip Burger, where the owners emphasize quality ingredients and dishes made from scratch. The casual, comfort-food menu has some twists and gourmet infusions throughout, without sacrificing flavor and satisfaction. Make sure you have time to wait in case there’s a line, and check their social media channels, as they’ve been known to run out at times.
Homestead Bakery & Deli opened during the pandemic, and has been adding to its offerings. Get coffee and baked goods, traditional deli items like sandwiches and soups, plus grilled panini and weekend specials of the day, like French toast panini with bacon, and more. They also have beer and wine by the glass, house-made ice cream sandwiches, an outdoor garden seating area, and live music on the weekends.
Pizzeria Bella Forno was also born out of a mobile catering business, and has built one of the nicest outdoor patios in town. Pizza dough is made in house daily, and cooked to perfection in a Tuscany-imported wood-fired oven. Look for interesting topping combinations like pear and prosciutto, asparagus and goat cheese, sour cherry and sausage plus traditional meat lover and New Yorker pies. Along with great appetizers, salads and beer and wine by the glass, it’s gourmet pizza for an affordable price.
Old Favorites in Orcutt
Kay’s Country Kitchen remains the go-to breakfast choice for locals, as they serve up traditional morning eats right on the sidewalk, with a line of folks waiting. Jack’s in Old Orcutt and Cups & Crumbs are other favorites for full meals, lunch and bakery items. For more upscale dining, check out historic steakhouse Far Western Tavern and Italian food at Trattoria Uliveto. Both have full bars, large dining areas and daily specials. Mexican restaurants are a staple in the Santa Maria area, with some of the best here in Orcutt: Cielito Lindo and Old Town Mexican Café.
Wine & Beer in Old Town
There are two great places in town to try local wines—without having to drive all over. Vino et Amicis features local wines, bites paired with the wines, and special times for food trucks, live music or comedy and winemaker evenings. The Wine Stone Inn is Orcutt’s only hotel, with a cozy boutique feel, and a casual, modern lounge and bar carrying rare bottles and latest releases from the area’s top wineries. It’s a great place to try some local pours.
If beer is more to your taste, there are two breweries just a few blocks apart, plus a Kombucha bar. Blast 325 Brewery has a large taphouse with a full menu plus a bar where you can pour your own tastes and pay for what you try. Naughty Oak Brewery is locally-run with the whole family contributing to the California beer styles, graphic murals on the walls and labels for the bottles and cans. And it’s not just beer they’re creating—they’ve got hard seltzer and unique coffee and tea drinks as well.
But Wait, There’s More
Old Town Orcutt also has unique shopping. Déjà Vu is a massive antique mall with over 35 separate dealers, Old Town Quilts, clothing boutique, candle shop, home décor, gardening supplies, and more.
Plus, major shopping is very close in Santa Maria, as well as golf, and outdoor recreation. Further afield, you’ll find more than 80 wineries in Santa Barbara County’s world renowned wine country, all within a 30-minute drive.