Long Weekend in Los Alamos, CA: Crafted for Couples and Friends

Relax by the pool at the Skyview Motel

Perfect if you’re after a relaxing, 21+ vibe. Whether you’re lounging with a book or sipping a glass of wine, it’s the ideal way to slow down and soak up the California sun. Pro tip: You don’t have to be an overnight guest—day passes are available through OpenTable.

Eat (and eat again)

This is why a long weekend is essential—so many incredible places to try, and never enough meals! Come hungry, pace yourself, and don’t skip dessert.

Taste small-production wines

Pop into local tasting rooms pouring unique, small-batch wines you won’t find in stores. Each has its own personality and story—well worth sipping your way through.

Go vintage-hunting

Los Alamos has some seriously good vintage and antique finds. Even if you’re just browsing, odds are you’ll leave with something special.

Explore the quirky charm of Downtown

Take a stroll down Bell Street and wander into tasting rooms, antique shops, and artist-run boutiques. This tiny town is full of surprises—each corner has something to discover.

Bob’s Well Bread Bakery

Yes, it’s hyped—and yes, it’s absolutely worth it. Their handmade breads, buttery pastries, and savory breakfast sandwiches are the kind of food you’ll dream about for weeks. Not only do they make my all-time favorite pastry—the canelé—it’s the best I’ve ever tasted. Seriously, I literally dream about the next one I’ll eat there. Beyond the pastry case, they also serve a full breakfast and brunch/lunch menu, with rotating weekly specials that make choosing nearly impossible.

Everything is uber delicious, but my personal favorites are:

• Beans on Toast: house-baked beans, fried farm egg, roasted tomatoes, Toulouse sausage, and toasted Pain de Mie (a fancy take on a comfort dish I loved back in my NYC days).

• Classic Ham and Cheese on Ficelle: made with imported French ham, Emmentaler cheese, and house butter.

The butter! Just go. You’ll see.

Bell’s

You’d never guess that this modest little building is home to one of California’s most celebrated dining destinations. Since opening, Bell’s has earned a Michelin star (since 2021), landed on Esquire’s Best New Restaurants list, and brought home major honors—including Food & Wine’s Best New Chef and James Beard nominations for Best Chef: California and Outstanding Restaurateurs.

Behind it all are chef Daisy Ryan and her husband Greg, who balance French-inspired cuisine with laid-back California charm. Their tagline—“BELLS. VERY FRANCH.”—says it all. The menu changes daily, but expect elevated comfort with a European twist: moules frites, steak au poivre, and other seasonal surprises. Bell’s serves lunch and a prix-fixe dinner (with caviar and uni canapés, no less)—and every bite is worth the hype.

Pico

Pico is beloved for its handmade pastas, locally sourced ingredients, and a thoughtful selection of unique wines and spirits. They proudly feature their partner farmers on the menu, all of whom are small, family-run, and committed to humane, regenerative practices.

Must-tries include the cast iron bacon (seriously—get two), the burrata with Santa Maria strawberries, basil, arugula, balsamic, and candied walnuts, and the shrimp tagliatelle with spring peas, parsley cream, and Brannum microgreens—yes, that pasta is made in-house.

Just here for a drink? Grab a seat at the cozy Lumen Lounge inside Pico, where you can sip Lumen Wines, crafted in the spirit of California’s early, hands-on approach to honest winemaking.

Norman at the Skyview

I absolutely love Norman, the restaurant at the Skyview Hotel. Open for lunch and dinner—with a tempting small bites “Apero” menu for those in-between moments—everything on the menu is worth trying. Don’t miss the garlic parmesan fries, pork belly crispy tacos, or the classic caprese. Honestly, you can’t go wrong.

Bonus: they make their own rosé—Skyview Vineyard’s Rosé of Pinot Noir—a crisp, easy-drinking summertime wine (which, let’s be honest, is basically year-round in California).

Full of Life Flatbread

“When one chooses to eat good food, one becomes Full of Life.”

I love that statement—and at this warm, welcoming spot, it rings true. Their wood-fired hearth sits right in the middle of the dining room, making you feel like part of the kitchen magic. A generous portion of the menu is vegetarian, whether that’s your lifestyle or just what your body’s craving.

My top picks? The Li’l Alamos Salad (the raspberry ginger and tamari vinaigrette is so good), the Shaman’s Bread flatbread with oven-charred onions and local pistachios, and the Central Coast Sausage Flatbread—packed with heritage pork, smoke-dried tomatoes, and just the right amount of indulgence.

A Tribute to Grace

This was such a special find for me! A Tribute to Grace focuses exclusively on single-vineyard, 100% Grenache wines—and as a Grenache lover, I was instantly hooked. Winemaker Angela Osborne, originally from New Zealand, moved to California with one dream: to make beautiful Grenache. The tasting room is open midday Friday through Sunday and offers two experiences: a seasonal tasting flight or a library flight featuring rare, older vintages.

If you fall in love (and you probably will), you can join their wine club to keep the magic going at home. My favorite? The Grenache Blanc, with its delicate notes of jasmine and apple blossom—pure joy in a glass.

Bodega

For a laid-back wine tasting experience, Bodega is the perfect spot to unwind. Set in a dreamy garden with a greenhouse, fire pits, and shaded seating beneath live oaks and olive trees, it feels like a little slice of wine country heaven. There’s even a bocce ball court if you're feeling playful.

Bodega pours a rotating selection of natural and low-intervention wines, and their on-site shop is full of curated gifts and off-the-beaten-path bottles to take home. It’s the kind of place where you can linger for hours—and you’ll probably want to.

Lo-Fi Wines

If you’re into a “less is more” approach to wine, Lo-Fi is your vibe. Created by lifelong friends, this label focuses on easy-drinking, lower-alcohol wines that pair well with just about anything—perfect for daytime sipping. The tasting room is open Friday through Sunday afternoons, and if you find a favorite (you will), you can take a few bottles home or join their wine club for regular deliveries. I especially love their creative labels, which channel retro vinyl record art—fun, nostalgic, and totally gift-worthy.

My personal favorite? Their Sauvignon Blanc-Chardonnay blend. It’s crisp, balanced, and happens to have my favorite label of the bunch.

Babi’s Beer Emporium

What if wine isn’t your thing? Don’t worry—Babi’s has you covered with a rotating tap list of craft beers, plus a curated selection of champagne, sparkling wines, chilled ales, and ciders you can enjoy on-site or take to-go. They also serve up tasty eats like paninis, cheese and charcuterie boards, and other homemade creations—perfect for a casual snack or a takeout picnic. (They had me at paninis made with Bob’s Well Bread focaccia!)

Pro tip: book their Wine + Cheese pairing experience (6x6) or Champagne, Bubbles + Cheese (5x5) tasting. You won’t be disappointed.

Sister’s Gift and Home

Are you a treasure hunter at heart? Owner Ana Lomeli Curiel has created a charming haven for collectors and creatives alike. Since moving her shop into the oldest home in Los Alamos in 2017, she’s welcomed six antique vendors and two local artists to join her, each with their own beautifully curated rooms—so you’ll discover something new with every step. Whether you’re drawn to vintage finds, original art, unique décor, or home and garden treasures, Sister’s has it all.

Bonus for plant lovers: there’s a lush selection of greenery ready to brighten up your space. It’s the perfect place to pick up a one-of-a-kind memento from your time in Los Alamos.