Ballard, the smallest community in the Santa Ynez Valley, is also the oldest. Founded in 1881, it was originally a stagecoach stop, but was eventually bypassed by nearby Los Olivos railroad depot, allowing Ballard to remain a tiny, quaint neighborhood. 
The little red schoolhouse, built in 1882 and still in operation today, is the kindergarten classroom at Ballard?s excellent and well respected public elementary school. The Ballard Inn, a graciously situated four- star bed and breakfast also makes its home here along the main street of town. A stream flows year round across its western edge, and an elegant 19th century cemetery presides over the crest of the nearest hilltop. Ballard lies along the Alamo Pintado corridor, which is also the home of many of the area?s most picturesque wineries. In the vicinity is a miniature horse farm, as well as one of the top equine clinics in the country, pioneering groundbreaking surgical and rehabilitative techniques in the equestrian world.