OLD TOWN ORCUTT - Images of Old Orcutt 100 years ago are painted on a large mural in the heart of the old town.
In the early 1900's it was an oil boom town that also catered to farmers and ranchers.
A century later Old Town Orcutt is booming again, this time catering to locals and tourists with restaurants and shops amid the throwback western theme.
"Its exciting, there's new people coming into town all the time", says Brian Kea of Jack's Restaurant, "we're real optimistic about the future."
Recent years have seen remarkable investment in Old Town Orcutt, positioned to rival nearby Los Alamos and Los Olivos with its old world western charm.
"The more businesses that come in the area, the more restaurants, the more shops, the bigger draw of people that come and support Old Town, its just a wonderful thing", says Marna Noblitt of Trattoria Uliveto restaurant.
Most Old Town merchants agree the one piece of the puzzle missing in the renaissance of Old Town Orcutt is overnight accommodation.
"We have plenty of restaurants here now, we have plenty of wine bars", says Brian Kea, "we need a place for people to stay overnight."
A "bed and breakfast" or country inn-style motel coming to Old Orcutt is now the talk of the town.
"I think you do need to have an establishment where people can stay and come for the weekend and just be able to hang out", adds Marna Noblitt.
