Travel & Lodging

Hotel

Sideways Inn in Buellton - rate ends on 10/17!

We have a hotel block of 35 rooms (Friday/Saturday) for Sideways Inn and would love you to stay there. Stefanie and I stayed there the weekend we toured the wedding venue and thought it was great! Friendly staff, on-site bar/restaurant, hot tub, fire pits, free continental breakfast, and pet-friendly. It is about 16 miles from the venue, so a car is necessary to go between the venue and the hotel, but we'll help you figure out carpools or group taxi rides. Let us know. $169+taxes for a standard king room. To reserve: Call and ask to book with the Visser-Dowdell wedding and mention group confirmation number #459048.

Discount Code - 459048 - call to access hotel block

Travel Note

Lodging in Walking Distance

Lodging The Sideways Inn is a 15-minute drive from the wedding venue. If you prefer to stay closer to the wedding venue location, there are a few options in walking distance or >5-min drive from the wedding. Motels: The Alamo Motel (500ft away) and Skyview Motel (<5 min drive) are very small (21-30 rooms) and our wedding coordinator has informed us that both of these may have additional requirements (in-hotel dining minimum or resort fees). If you investigate either of those, we’d love to know your experience so we can advise other guests. Victorian Mansion: Very unique upscale themed suites in a boutique hotel a block away from our venue. Link: http://www.thevick.com/index.html AirBnBs: These are the best bet if you want to be close by the venue. There are several AirBnBs in walking distance: https://www.airbnb.com/wishlists/385056163/join?invite_code=BJIRIPAO&inviter_id=13977797

Travel Note

Getting to the Area

From Los Angeles: For those of you traveling from the Los Angeles area, we recommend the ~2.5 hour drive up the coast through Santa Barbara. It is just long enough to make it a weekend getaway and short enough to enjoy the gorgeous views. Amtrak will also bring you about 20 minutes from the venue (stop in Goleta, CA), where you could technically go carless with Lyft/Uber to Los Alamos and then arranging carpool or group taxi with us; though, you’ll probably find a bit longer wait times than in major cities. Flights from LAX to Santa Barbara Municipal airport (SBA) are around $220rt. Traveling by air: You can fly to Los Angeles (LAX, BUR) airports or Santa Barbara Municipal airport (SBA). SBA has a more limited schedule and very few direct flights to LAX; tickets seem to be $100-200rt more expensive than LAX. It is probably best to rent a car if you plan to explore the area beyond our wedding itself.

Travel Note

Important Details about Getting to/from the Venue

Our wedding coordinator has informed us that Lyft/Uber ride-sharing can be unreliable in Los Alamos. There are taxis but wait times can be longer than in major cities. If you are staying at the Sideways Inn or in Solvang, we recommend you carpool to the venue or arrange with other guests travel by taxi or shuttle in advance. Reach out to us and we can provide more information on these travel options. Directions to the 1880 Union Hotel From the Sideways Inn (~15 mi): Turn right onto E Hwy 246 and take US-101N to San Antonio Blvd in Los Alamos. Take exit 154 and drive to Bell Street. From Los Angeles (~150 mi): Follow US-101N to Calle Real in Santa Barbara. Take exit 101B to follow CA-154 W/San Marcos Pass Road to Bell Street in downtown Los Alamos.

Travel Note

Parking

On-street parking is free and available on surrounding blocks of the 1880 Union (cross streets are Centennial and St. Joseph). Please keep the rear gates to the venue on Waite Street clear. Allow time to get a spot as downtown Los Alamos can be a popular location on Saturdays.