Los Alamos TOWN INFO

WELCOME TO LOS ALAMOS, CALIFORNIA
Los Alamos, which means "The Cottonwoods" in Spanish, is located midway between San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara. Approximately 150 miles north of Los Angeles and 280 miles south of San Francisco, the town site is at the junction of U.S. Highway 101 and State Highway 135. The Los Alamos Valley is bounded by the northern Solomon Hills and the southern Purisima Hills. It is graced with cottonwood trees, oaks, creeks, farms, ranches, vineyards and an estimated 1200 residents.

HISTORY
In 1839, during Mexico’s rule of Alta California, Jose Antonio de la Guerra was granted title to 48,803 acres in the Valley and named it "Rancho Los Alamos" The land grant was confirmed by the United States in 1872. During the USA’s centennial year of 1876, Thomas Bell along with his son John S. Bell, and Dr. James B. Shaw (all from San Francisco), purchased acreage from Rancho Los Alamos and neighboring Rancho La Laguna. Both families allocated a half square mile from each of their new ranches to create the Los Alamos town site—with "Centennial Street" as the central thoroughfare.

The Los Alamos Valley continued to prosper and grow quickly; serving as a popular stagecoach stop from 1861-1901.The narrow-gauge Pacific Coast Railway ran from San Luis Obispo between 1882-1940. The train station is today’s Depot Mall featuring more than 50 antique dealers. The Union Hotel opened in 1880 to serve overnight travelers and currently is available for special events. Oil was discovered in the Valley around the turn of the 20th century and provided more economic prosperity. The town flagpole at Centennial and Bell Street was dedicated in 1918. The Chamber of Commerce was active from 1920-32 and instrumental in forming a lighting district, obtaining telephone service, street paving and mail service. Residents today still pick-up their mail from the Post Office downtown, as no street delivery is available.

The Los Alamos Valley Men’s Club was legally chartered in 1947 and dedicated to "civic betterment, local recognition and the promotion of social and welfare activities for youth and adults." Today, membership is open to both men and women, who continue their dedication to community service. In cooperation with the Los Alamos Valley Visitors Association, the Club sponsors the popular "Old Days Celebration" on the last weekend of September each year—a tradition that honors the area’s Western heritage and hospitality.
~Source material gathered from Santa Barbara Historical Society and Los Alamos Valley Men’s Club archives.

INFORMATION LISTINGS
Compiled from Phonebook and Internet search records. Please send any requests for changes to:

ANTIQUES & SHOPPING
Art Brut Gallery/Morley Bryant & Co., 458 Bell Street; 805-344-4440
Gussied Up Antiques in the 1880 Leslie House, 349 Bell Street; 805-344-2504
Los Alamos Depot Mall Antiques & Collectibles, 515 Leslie Street; 805-344-3315
Prop Shop, 438 Bell Street; 805-344-3121
Rock Depot, 515 Leslie Street; 805-344-1042

FOOD & BEVERAGE
Bedford Thompson Vineyards & Winery, 9303 Alisos Canyon Road; 805-344-2107
Café Quakenbush at the General Store, 458 Bell Street; 805-344-5181
Charlie’s Restaurant, 97 Den Street; 805-344-4404
Chevron Gas & 24-hour Food Mart, 605 Bell Street; 805-344-3974
Chimere Wine Tasting, 425 Bell Street; 805-344-1033
Collins Market, 290 Bell Street; 805-344-6755
Ghostriders Tavern, 550 Bell Street; 805-344-2111
Javy’s Café, 380 Bell Street; 805-344-2228
Lariat Saloon, 406 Bell Street; 805-344-2412
Los Alamos Market, 405 Bell Street; 805-344-2291
Nicky’s Pizza, 448 Bell Street; 805-344-5514
Twin Oaks Restaurant, 645 Bell Street; 805-344-4084

LODGING
Alamo Motel, 425 Bell Street; 805-344-2852
Skyview Motel, 9150 U.S. Highway 101; 805-344-3770
Union Hotel & Victorian Mansion, 362 Bell Street; 805-344-2744

ORGANIZATIONS & AGENCIES
Los Alamos Community Services District (Water & Sewer), 82 N. St. Joseph Street; 805-344-4195
Los Alamos Grange Organization, C/O Jackie Rantz; 805-344-4965
Los Alamos Valley Men’s Club, 429 Leslie Street, 805-344-3500
Los Alamos Valley Senior Center, 690 Bell Street; 805-344-2208
Los Alamos Valley Visitors Association, C/O Jan Klaft, President; 805-344-2504
Olga Reed School (K-8), 480 Centennial Street; 805-344-2401
Presbyterian Church, 490 Main Street; 805-344-1686
St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 270 Helena Street; 805-344-4555
Santa Barbara County Fire Department Sub-Station, 385 Leslie Street; 805-681-5500
U.S. Post Office, 497 Bell Street; 805-344-3602

SERVICES & BUSINESSES
Bob Berkemeir Insurance Services; 805-344-3911
Branquinho Farming & Ranching, 7500 Alisos Canyon Road; 805-344-4565
Caldera Fence; 805-344-6845
Chevron Gasoline & Food Mart, 605 Bell Street; 805-344-3974
D.L. Electric Company; 805-344-1020
Judy’s Kiddie Kare Preschool & Day Care Center, 405 Helena Street; 805-344-2255
Los Alamos Video, 448 Bell Street; 805-344-1034
Los Alamos Vineyard, 2625 Highway 135; 805-344-2390
Mariah Marketing; 805-344-1717
Mimi’s Custom Cuts Salon, 388 Bell Street; 805-344-3348
Pet Guardian; 805-344-1007
Ranchland Real Estate, 349 Bell Street; 805-344-1515
Red Oak Roofing; 805-344-3441
San Marcos Equine Practice; 805-344-2212
Scheller Beefmasters; 805-344-5901
Unocal 76 Gasoline, 290 Bell Street; 805-344-6755