dkrause

My husband and I (mid 50s) will have 4 days to spend on the central coast of California in early August. We will be in the LA area and will rent a car and trying to decide where to spend our time. We want to head north up the coast but go no further than Cambria. We enjoy visiting wineries, the ocean, good food and exploring. As I have not traveled much in California besides the Napa/Sonoma area I'm not sure where to stay. What would be your favorite places to see between LA and Cambria?

MmePerdu

If you're fond of interesting gardens, there's a masterpiece in Montecito, adjacent to Santa Barbara, called Lotusland. Here's the website for more information and note, you need to make reservations:

http://www.lotusland.org/

bon_voyage

The Central Coast is now on the food-and-wine map as this recent article in Condé Nast Traveler attests:
http://www.cntraveler.com/features/2...-road-trip-usa.

Here's the link to my brief trip report of our visit to the area five years ago: http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...uis-obispo.cfm.

clarkgriswold

If you could go in September you'd have lots less traffic, fewer kids and teens, better prices on accomodations.

http://www.fodors.com/search/results...ast+California

jamie99

Santa Barbara is nice and has really good wineries in the nearby Santa Ynez Valley, and Cambria is lovely as well with wineries in nearby Paso Robles (take Highway 46). I'd probably split my stay 2 and 2. Or maybe stay one night Santa Barbara and one in the wine area, there is a nice Marriott in Buellton where we have stayed, a block off the highway so nice and quiet.

dkrause

Thank you clarkgriswold for the link, very helpful!

dkrause

I am looking at several lodging choices and also trying to decide between staying in Cambria or Pismo Beach. The hotels I am trying to decide between are Cambria Pines Lodge, Blue Dolphin Inn and Fogcatcher Inn in Cambria and in Pismo Beach ~Cottage Inn by the Sea or The Cliffs, which is on Shell Beach I think.

mdwest

We haven't stayed at the Cambria places you mentioned because we really like Moonstone Landing and when we can afford it room 203 is my favorite. It looks right out over the ocean and I go to sleep with the sound of the waves crashing. Otherwise we try to get a room to the front and still have a partial view.
http://www.moonstonelanding.com/gallery/

I do hope you venture a bit farther north of Cambria to see the fascinating elephant seals as well as Hearst Castle.

mdwest

dkause, I forgot to mention that personally I would recommend Cambria over Pismo but it depends on what you are looking for. Pismo to my mind is much more hectic and commercial. Some would probably say it has more energy. We find Cambria a bit more mellow. It has some great galleries and shops, wonderful places to eat and most of all Cambria has beautiful vistas and walking trails along the ocean.

When in Pismo we stayed at the Oxford Suites and liked the nice big rooms and the easy location but it is not on the water.They had a nice "evening reception" and a good breakfast.

dkrause

Thank you mdwest, we are definitely more the "mellow" type than hectic so that's good to know. I will check out Moonstone Landing. We will be visiting Hearst Castle as well as wineries and love to walk beaches.

socaltraveler

I would also choose Cambria over Pismo, especially if Hearst Castle is also being planned. It's a nice drive from there.

clarkgriswold

The Cliffs at Shell Beach is an awesome spot, do stop by for a photo op at least. But I've never been there in August, wouldn't dare. Late September, early October is just our speed.

AustinTraveler

Here are some not-to-be-missed wineries on the west side of Paso that are easily visited from Cambria:

Calcareous
Tablas Creek
Opolo
Croad
Daou

LCBoniti

If you are on Highway 101 when you pass through Los Alamos, (just after Buelton), you might pull off and visit the Casa Dumetz tasting room: 388 Bell Street, Los Alamos. Excellent wines and lovely people. It's not far off the highway and would be a nice stop on your way up the coast if the timing is right.

There are also some great tasting rooms in the Lompoc Wine Ghetto - but that will take at least a day of your trip.

That whole Santa Ynez area has wonderful vineyards.