The Ballard Inn and Restaurant in the heart of Santa Barbara County wine country near Solvang, California

800-638-2466

The Ballard Inn and Restaurant in the heart of Santa Barbara County wine country near Solvang, California

The Inn &
Its Environs:
Built in 1985 as a country inn, The Ballard Inn & Restaurant is set in the historic township of Ballard, centrally located in the heart of Santa Barbara County’s noted wine country. Ballard is 35 minutes north of Santa Barbara, and just a few minutes drive from the larger towns of the Santa Ynez Valley, Solvang, Santa Ynez, and Los Olivos.

The township of Ballard was founded in 1880, named for the proprietor of an original Wells Fargo stage coach station, and remains a very small town, with a population of under 1000. Just a short walk from the Inn, Ballard's Little Red School House, built in 1882, is still in operation today.

The Owners:
The Kazali Family purchased The Ballard Inn & Restaurant in 2004, becoming the third owners of this beautiful property. Chef Budi Kazali opened The Restaurant at The Ballard Inn at that time, gaining much respect and notoriety both locally as well as nationally. His cuisine has been featured in publications including Food and Wine, The Wine Spectator, and Central Coast Magazine.

Chef Budi Kazali has been named
CCM® 's Ultimate Chef for 2009.