When in Los Alamos
When in Los Alamos
Los Alamos is small but mighty. This one-street town packs an exceptional mix of experiences into just a few blocks—curated shops, antique stores, tasting rooms, galleries, and destination-worthy restaurants all line historic Bell Street.
GREATEST HITs
1. Skyview Los Alamos. Perched atop a five-acre hillside overlooking town, Skyview began life in 1959 as a classic mid-century motor lodge. Its bold yellow MOTEL sign became a landmark along Highway 101, though the property later fell into decline—locals even dubbed it the “Psycho Motel.” In 2016, we at Nomada Hotel Group purchased and restored Skyview, reviving its vintage spirit while elevating it into a design-driven boutique experience. Today, it blends nostalgic Americana with contemporary comfort. The on-site restaurant and bar, Norman, is a tongue-in-cheek nod to the motel’s darker past, serving elevated American fare and expertly crafted cocktails against sweeping vineyard views.
2. Bell’s. Housed in the town’s former post office, this cozy, Michelin-starred French bistro is owned and operated by chef Daisy Ryan and her husband, Greg. With just ten tables and an open kitchen, Bell’s feels timeless—equal parts warm hospitality, impeccable wine list, and refined yet relaxed cuisine. It’s the standard we all aspire to in hospitality.
3. Bob’s Well Bread. Helped define Los Alamos as a culinary destination. Bob Oswaks’ artisan loaves rival those of Parisian bakeries, and the daily line out the door is a testament to his devotion to his craft. Don’t miss the country toast with housemade jam—or anything from the pastry case.
4. Pico at the Los Alamos General Store. Set inside the original 1880 general store, Pico honors the town’s history while championing a farm-to-table ethos. Everything—from charcuterie to condiments—is made in-house, using locally sourced vegetables, grains, and meats. Their carefully curated wine and spirits program focuses on small, sustainable producers.
5. Priedite BBQ at Bodega. A weekend pop-up worth planning around. Priedite serves smoked brisket, ribs, ranchero sausage, and pulled pork—all cooked low and slow over local oak—inside Bodega, a natural wine bar with a laid-back garden setting.
6. The Depot Bar. Inside the town’s Antique Mall lies this unpretentious local watering hole—the only spot in town open past 10 p.m. Expect live music, billiards, shuffleboard, and a cast of locals who play as seriously as they drink. It’s the perfect counterpoint to the town’s otherwise refined energy.
7. Wine Tasting in town. Lofi by Mike Roth. Clementine Carter by Sonja Magdevski. A Tribute to Grace by Angela Osborne.
8. Los Alamos Theatre Group. Founded in 2018, this community ensemble of actors, musicians, and designers stages original and classic works in true small-town spirit—collaborative, clever, and heartfelt.
9. 1880 Union Hotel. A must-see local landmark. Originally built as a Wells Fargo stagecoach stop in 1880, destroyed by fire in 1893, rebuilt in 1915, and restored decades later—the hotel now houses themed rooms, a saloon, and a collection of vintage memorabilia that transport you back in time.
10. Eye of the Day. Newly relocated from Carpinteria, is a standout. The shop specializes in European garden décor, including Italian terracotta urns, French Anduze pottery, and Greek planters, alongside statuary, fountains, and garden accessories that feel straight out of Provence.
11. A stroll down Bell Street reveals an array of vintage treasures and antique finds—records, books, décor, and garden curiosities abound.
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