Do you know the feeling of being in a movie? I had this several times when I came to visit friends in the United States. That feeling to see a movie, to listen to the sounds you know from American movies. In this case I felt like being in an old Western. I was waiting for Clint Eastwood or John Wayne coming along on a horse.
Where? In the mountains east to Santa Barbara, California. The Santa Ynes Valley. We visited a place high at the San Marcos Pass where one was a stage stop. You know, one of the places where old coaches stopped to change horses, to give the possibility of lunch or even stay overnight. A kind of mix between tavern and guesthouse. In the middle of nowhere apparently.
When I was for a few days in Santa Barbara the three of us were driving in the mountains. Of course, they knew this place well but for me it was definitely an experience, a Western experience
The place is in the middle of the mountains, a surrounding really of savage nature, unspoiled, a little river running nearby, birds of an intense blue color and this little tavern.
On their website they say you can time travel, go from Santa Barbara modern time in less than 20 minutes 130 years back in time.
This place was built in 1848 right in the Santa Ynes mountains. The tavern itself was constructed in 1865 and started to serve good food and drink since then. The horse drawn stage line ceased operation in 1901. The road is still operating and today instead of coaches cars stop buy for some good food.
Of course, we had a look into the tavern even though it was closed at that time.. or not serving food anyway. It looks super cozy and it’s easy to imagine that real Western actors from time to time come here for a meal. But they offer also events and the possibility to have a wedding or similar event organized. The place is simply amazing.
The road through the Santa Ynes mountains is the Highway 154. Make sure you stop here at meal time, for lunch or better dinner. Defuse light, Western feeling, good life music and incredible homemade food… the best combination for an unforgettable weekend. I hope I can do this one day.. or night!
Cold Spring Tavern, California/USA:
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Cold Spring Tavern
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