San Luis Obispo for a weekend!
Mar 17th, 2014, 05:24 AM
#1
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San Luis Obispo for a weekend!
My wife and I will be meeting my son, his wife and their 21 month old child in and around San Luis Obispo for a weekend in April.
Can you please suggest where to stay in the area? We are interested in seeing the town, traveling to the beach, visit some wineries, hike and find some restaurants that cater to vegetarian friendly individuals.
Thanks!
Can you please suggest where to stay in the area? We are interested in seeing the town, traveling to the beach, visit some wineries, hike and find some restaurants that cater to vegetarian friendly individuals.
Thanks!
Mar 17th, 2014, 10:00 AM
#2
You have to decide if you would like to be in SLO proper or out at Pismo/Shell/Avila Beach area.
I was just in that area this past weekend. I stayed in Shell Beach this trip, so my elderly mom could enjoy the ocean views. Stayed at Cottage Inn by the Sea. Nice weather,views of the ocean, not far from SLO to visit my daughter at college. I usuallY stay in SLO at the La Cuesta Inn. This makes it handy to downtown. Plenty of Vegetarian friendly options in downtown:
http://www.happycow.net/north_americ...n_luis_obispo/
I am not vegetarian, but have been to Big Sky. Very good. Linnea is well regarded.
Paso Robles has the largest concentration of wineries, but there are also wineries located near Avila beach, Arroyo Grande, and the Edna Valley. Closer for you if you stay in SLO or Pismo Area.
http://www.slowine.com/taste/wineries.php
I was just in that area this past weekend. I stayed in Shell Beach this trip, so my elderly mom could enjoy the ocean views. Stayed at Cottage Inn by the Sea. Nice weather,views of the ocean, not far from SLO to visit my daughter at college. I usuallY stay in SLO at the La Cuesta Inn. This makes it handy to downtown. Plenty of Vegetarian friendly options in downtown:
http://www.happycow.net/north_americ...n_luis_obispo/
I am not vegetarian, but have been to Big Sky. Very good. Linnea is well regarded.
Paso Robles has the largest concentration of wineries, but there are also wineries located near Avila beach, Arroyo Grande, and the Edna Valley. Closer for you if you stay in SLO or Pismo Area.
http://www.slowine.com/taste/wineries.php
Mar 17th, 2014, 10:27 AM
#3
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Thanks Michelle for your help. A few questions regarding Cottage Inn by the Sea:
Is it an easy access down to the beach?
How far to downtown San Luis Obismo and the Paso Robles wineries?
Is it an easy access down to the beach?
How far to downtown San Luis Obismo and the Paso Robles wineries?
Mar 17th, 2014, 12:09 PM
#4
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It's about 30 miles north on US 101 to Paso Robles. Many of the wineries are located on or near Highway 46 just a mile or so south of Paso. There are several right along the highway and many more on the side roads.
Also as Michelle noted, a nice selection a bit south and east of San Luis in the Edna Valley region.
If yo want hearty reds, then Paso is the area. SLO area better know for Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs.
Also as Michelle noted, a nice selection a bit south and east of San Luis in the Edna Valley region.
If yo want hearty reds, then Paso is the area. SLO area better know for Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs.
Mar 17th, 2014, 12:10 PM
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I stayed at Cottage Inn by the Sea for a long weekend this past Feb. It was a nice place, beach access is down a long set of stairs because it is on a cliff. It's a little ways outside of Pismo Beach (2 min in a car, 10 min slowly on a bike, 20 min walking on the beach). There's a small pool and hot tub on the property. The staff were excellent--truly friendly and helpful. It's probably 20-25 min from SLO.
There's a restaurant really close to it called Ventana that had veg options--amazing veg enchiladas. I had no problem finding vegetarian choices as long as we avoided straight-up seafood places. We also had delivery to our hotel from Giuseppe's Cucina Italiana (in Pismo) and Zorro's (in Shell beach).
Not sure how far to wineries but really close--probably 20 min to our first stop on a tour with Breakaway Tours and had a blast. They offer driving service even if you aren't up for a tour (understandable with a 21 mo/o in tow): http://www.breakaway-tours.com/
There's a restaurant really close to it called Ventana that had veg options--amazing veg enchiladas. I had no problem finding vegetarian choices as long as we avoided straight-up seafood places. We also had delivery to our hotel from Giuseppe's Cucina Italiana (in Pismo) and Zorro's (in Shell beach).
Not sure how far to wineries but really close--probably 20 min to our first stop on a tour with Breakaway Tours and had a blast. They offer driving service even if you aren't up for a tour (understandable with a 21 mo/o in tow): http://www.breakaway-tours.com/
Mar 17th, 2014, 01:21 PM
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If you are interested in staying at the beach with really easy beach access, then Avila Beach is a good place to stay. There are park grounds for kids too right at the beach. There are some condo options via vrbo if you are interested in all five of you staying together.
I have stayed at one of the big Shell Beach hotels a couple of times and the beach access is as described above. I would choose Avila Beach over Pismo Beach or Shell Beach with a toddler -- calmer, less traffic, more walkable, easy access.
In SLO, we stay at a friendly family-owned budget-oriented motel called the Peach Tree Inn. We like it and have stayed there many times. You can check out the trip advisor reviews to see if it appeals. All the hotels/motels on that street have Easy access to downtown, we drive down the street and park in one of the parking garages downtown. Thursday nights are good for the big Farmers Market - if you start the weekend early.
I have stayed at one of the big Shell Beach hotels a couple of times and the beach access is as described above. I would choose Avila Beach over Pismo Beach or Shell Beach with a toddler -- calmer, less traffic, more walkable, easy access.
In SLO, we stay at a friendly family-owned budget-oriented motel called the Peach Tree Inn. We like it and have stayed there many times. You can check out the trip advisor reviews to see if it appeals. All the hotels/motels on that street have Easy access to downtown, we drive down the street and park in one of the parking garages downtown. Thursday nights are good for the big Farmers Market - if you start the weekend early.
Mar 17th, 2014, 01:21 PM
#7
Cottage inn is up on a cliff. As schlegal pointed out, there is a looooong stair way to the beach. I have also stayed at the Sandcastle Inn in Pismo, it is right near the pier, in downtown Pismo. Another option is to stay in Avila Beach, which has easy access to the beach.
Paso would be about 45 minutes from Pismo. Edna Valley, AG are only about 20.
Paso would be about 45 minutes from Pismo. Edna Valley, AG are only about 20.
Mar 19th, 2014, 10:19 AM
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Moonstone Beach is very nice, only stayed there once at the Sand Pebbles Inn, nice place, good breakfast (continental). Cambria is close to Paso Robles if you want to go wine tasting. If you go to SLO, Wolff Vineyards is a very nice place to visit, small and family owned. The owner himself was giving a tour and pouring when we visited. It is not far from Edna Valley Vineyards.
Mar 19th, 2014, 11:26 AM
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Moonstone Beach is nice and lots of places to eat in Cambria.
We ate at Robin's Restaurant which is vegetarian/vegan friendly.
http://www.robinsrestaurant.com/home
We ate at Robin's Restaurant which is vegetarian/vegan friendly.
http://www.robinsrestaurant.com/home
Apr 7th, 2014, 05:21 PM
#12
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We ended up at the Quality Suites in San Luis Obispo and absolutely loved this hotel. The rooms were spacious, breakfast was tasty and offered many choices including eggs cooked to order. They had a free wine and beer Happy Hour each night and a barbecue including veggie burgers for a small fee. Visited Cambria, Seal Beach, Paso Robles, a few wineries, Firestone Brewery, Pismo Beach and the lovely downtown San Luis Obispo. Stopped off on the way back to LA in the Santa Ynez Valley and Solvang. All in all a most wonderful weekend! Thanks!
Apr 8th, 2014, 06:55 AM
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A few more things...
We went to Peachy Canyon Winery in Paso Robles ( loved the wine and the setting) and also Sausalito Canyon near San Luis Obispo. A wonderful Italian restaurant in SLO is Buono Tavola!
In our trip up north to see the whales we took Route 46 around Cambria to Paso Robles. Magnificent scenery!
*** connecting SR 1 on the Central Coast near Cambria and US 101 in Paso Robles with SR ... SR 46, known as the Paso Robles Highway, ..
We went to Peachy Canyon Winery in Paso Robles ( loved the wine and the setting) and also Sausalito Canyon near San Luis Obispo. A wonderful Italian restaurant in SLO is Buono Tavola!
In our trip up north to see the whales we took Route 46 around Cambria to Paso Robles. Magnificent scenery!
*** connecting SR 1 on the Central Coast near Cambria and US 101 in Paso Robles with SR ... SR 46, known as the Paso Robles Highway, ..
Apr 9th, 2014, 05:02 AM
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We stayed at Pismo Lighthouse Suites in Pismo Beach last October and loved it. We stayed in a one bedroom suite with two bathrooms and they also have two bedroom suites. It had a kitchen and living room and was right on the ocean. It is right next to Shell Beach. Highly recommend it.
http://www.pismolighthousesuites.com/
http://www.pismolighthousesuites.com/
