Field Trip: Central Coast
The Central Coast of California is just a short drive from Los Angeles and opens up a whole new world for would-be road trippers. This fall, experience the changing colors, temperate climate, pristine vineyards and breathtaking sights offered by San Luis Obispo and the vicinity. One hotel gives you a handy introduction to the area and its unique features.
How to Get There
San Luis Obispo Visitors Center
1039 Chorro St.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
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The 3-1/2 hour drive, which is scenic and comfortable, takes visitors along U.S. 101 and offers numerous photo opportunities. Driving is the easiest way to navigate the central coast, so having or renting a car is advantageous. Visitors from Los Angeles or San Francisco areas can also opt to take a one hour flight into the city's regional airport via United Express.
A more leisurely option is to take the train from Los Angeles which will get you into San Luis Obispo in approximately 5 hours (provided Amtrak is not running late). Once you've entered town, be sure to stop by the San Luis Obispo Visitors Center for information regarding local activities, restaurants, accommodations and day trips outside the coastal city.
Where To Stay
Apple Farm Inn
2015 Monterey Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(800) 255-2040
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While there are dozens of hotels in the vicinity, the Apple Farm Inn - ideally situated within about a mile of downtown San Luis Obispo and approximately 10 minutes by car from the ocean - can serve as a base camp for your adventures in the Central Coast. As part of the prestigious Boutique Hotel Collection, Apple Farm Inn blends the intimate, personal experience of a bed and breakfast with the luxury of an upscale hotel.
Upon entering the main lobby, you'll notice the inn has a distinct Victorian feel and the overall decor creates the sense of being at home. The main building is open and accessible by stairs which also create the warmth of a bed and breakfast. Spend some time perusing the halls where you'll find Country Victorian dressers, wardrobes, desks, and more.
From the art and decor accents throughout the inn to the home-style menu offerings at the restaurant, the apple theme is consistently evident throughout the property. Each of the 104 guest rooms boasts a unique design theme and is accessed by a real key. Many of the guest rooms are furnished with canopy beds, gas fireplaces, seating nooks and shower-tub combos. Upon arrival, guests receive a welcome basket and are invited to take part in a daily afternoon wine reception (3:30 to 5:00 pm) which includes tastings of Apple Farm wines, sparkling cider, teas, appetizers and bakery treats. Be sure to stop by the lobby in the evening (7 pm) on the way back to your room for complimentary beverages and baked goods. For that VIP experience, guests in the luxury rooms have access to plush robes, fresh flowers, turn down service, and breakfast in bed (for an additional fee).
To help you make the most of your stay in the area, Apple Farm offers a variety of Fall Specials which allow guests to enjoy a luxury stay at the inn while taking in some of the most unique finds on the Central Coast. Their Hidden Treasures of the Central Coast Package includes a 2-night stay at the inn, a detailed itinerary and narrated CD to guide guests on a self-drive through the region, a gourmet picnic lunch for two, a $25 gas credit, a $5 dining credit for each night at either the inn's restaurant or bakery, and two vouchers each for a glass bottom boat ride, a tour at Nit Wit Ridge, and wine tasting at Hearst Ranch Winery and Sculpterra Winery. (Package available Sunday through Wednesday night through November 16th, 2011).
What To Do
Sub Sea Tours
699 Embarcadero #9
Morro Bay, CA 93442
(805) 772-WIND
Explore the beauty of historic Morro Bay on one of the only vessels approved for underwater viewing on the Central Coast. The 45 minute narrated tour offers visitors the unique vantage point traditionally only accessible by those who venture to scuba diver or snorkel. View schools of fish, kelp, jelly fish, and more from the inside of the vessel. The tour also offers the opportunity to view sea otters, harbor seals, and sea lions (depending on the season).
Nitt Witt Ridge
881 Hillcrest Drive
Cambria, CA 93428
(805) 927-2690
They say that one man's trash is another man's treasure. For Arthur Harold Beal (aka Der Tinerpaw), this couldn't be further from the truth. The house, which is a California Historical Landmark, was constructed out of "junk." Sustainable? Maybe. Throughout the property (which has now been deemed unsuitable for occupancy) you'll find beer cans, abalone shells, car rims, old stoves, toilets, and more serving both functional and decorative purposes. The house is outlandishly intriguing and is deserving of a visit. Tours are available by reservation only.
Elephant Seals
Piedras Blancas Rookery
250 San Simeon Avenue
San Simeon, CA 93728
(805) 924-1628
One of the little known facts about the central coast is the large presence of elephant seals, particularly during late January, late April, and late October. These magnificent mammals spend 8-10 months in the ocean, migrating to a land-based rookery for birthing, breeding, molting, and resting. This particular rookery, which is easily accessible via US Highway 1 and is home to approximately 15,000 elephant seals. Visitors can view them daily without a reservation or a fee.
Sculpterra Winery & Sculpture Garden
5051 Linne Road
Paso Robles, CA 93446
(805) 226-8881
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Fusing wine and art, the winery offers visitors a space to learn about and taste a variety of blends while taking in the beautifully manicured gardens and sculptures. Established in 1994, the winery is best known for it's Cabernet Sauvignon. The winery seeks to offer visitors a unique, immersive experience and along with offering tastings, hosts a weekly songwriter series. Guests are invited to pack a picnic lunch and enjoy live music on Sundays from 1 to 4 pm.
Where To Eat and Drink
Hearst Ranch Winery and Tasting Room
442 SLO San Simeon Road
San Simeon, CA 93452
(805) 927-4100
Located inside Sebastian's General Store, which was built in 1852, visitors may be pleasantly surprised to learn that the winery won the 2011 Winery of the Year award at this year's Central Coast Wine Competition. The winery, which has been open for a year and half, sources their wines from Saunders Vineyard in Paso Robles where they are hand-harvested. Visitors can taste a variety of the winery's offerings for a $10 tasting fee. Tip: Pick up a sandwich from the adjacent general store and have a picnic on the beach.
Apple Farm Restaurant
2015 Monterey Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(800) 255-2040
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Looking for a home-cooked meal? Steps away from your room you'll find fresh, gourmet foods and home-made desserts. The restaurant, which is a favorite among the locals, features an expansive menu including traditional American favorites like chicken and dumplings and more upscale dishes like prime rib and fresh seafood. The portions are generous and the atmosphere charming. The restaurant, which is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, also offers boxed lunches to take with you if you'll be out exploring the vicinity.
Caryn Bailey is a writer and mother of two from Orange County. She blogs at Rockin' Mama.
