suehoff

Okay here's the premise: my friend and I frequently moan about the kids having all the fun so we are setting off in Nov for an abbreviated college road trip. We are flying into Santa Barbara, driving north to San Luis Obispo to visit my daughter then eventually heading south to San Diego to visit her daughter.
Thus far we plan to do: the Thursday market in SLO and Hearst Castle at our northernmost point. We then are open and would like to visit some wineries (whineries)(Sideways referent), shop some, sightsee and not miss anything special like the big ball of string, stay in 3-4 star hotels, walk on beautiful beaches, and eat great food.So I feel pretty versed on the SLO stuff but would like pointers on don't miss wineries and on the points in between SLO and San Diego. I think we'll skip the split pea soup in Buellton but we're open for suggestions.

moneygirl

Boy, am I jealous! I've been wanting to do the same thing... and I live here! (here being the central coast near SLO.)You're in for a treat!

I would look into staying at Fess Parker's Wine Country Inn in Santa Ynez and get the Spa Special. (About $250.00 per night, includes breakfast and a spa treatment for each of you... 1 hour massage or facial)

I've posted before about wineries... do a search on foxen wine trail, santa ynez wine trail and santa maria wine trail.

Explore the (small) towns of Santa Ynez and Los Olivos and enjoy! SOlvang is much more commercial but it does have a few good shopping opportunities... check out First Street Leather!

There is a mission in Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez, Lompoc and San Luis Obispo. If you've never been to one, these are full of California history and the tours usually last 30 minutes or so.

Favorite restaurants? Hitching Post, Brothers Restaurant at Mattei's Tavern, the Los Olivos Cafe'! Tried and true, these are on the top of the list for visitors and locals!

I will check back to see if you have specific questions. (Sometimes I feel like I answer too often for this area... but it seems as if not too many posters are familiar with this area who are willing to share.

suehoff

Thanks for the suggestions. The hitching post is the restaurant in the movie isn't it? I had forgot to include that we were also considering spas, my friend and her daughter often do a spa day when she goes to visit in San Diego so thanks for the spa rec too. The central coast seems underreported to me with LA and SF and Big Sur getting most of the attn which is why I like SLO so much-it's not crazed. Thanks again I 'll start reseraching!I've already done the missions in SLO and Santa Barbara so we'll look at other stuff probably.We are pretty excited too to just do a road trip and not be too planned.

moneygirl

There are two Hitching Post's! One (the one in the movie which is in Buellton on 246) and the original in Casmalia ( a little cow town off of Highway 1 between Santa Maria and Lompoc.) We most often go to the one in Casmalia...You can click on my name for posts about this area. This is a great place to "wing it!" I'm sure you already know about the Madonna Inn.. breakfasts and desserts that are the best! A very girlie place to take your friend and her daughter.

Pilotbrat

Not sure if you already have plans to stay somewhere near Hearst Castle, but checkout the Fog Catcher Inn in Cambria. It's on Moonstone Beach. It's a great little stretch - rocky beach - but the best part is the boardwalk above the beach for walking and watching the sunset at night. (Not a place to get into the water.) Cambria has good eating and antique shopping - if you're into that. Also, when you go by Pismo Beach, stop at the beach area and rent a four-wheel ATV and ride the dunes. What a thrill. I did it with my three girlfriends and we were timid at first, but running the dunes with the best of them by the time we were done. It's right on the beach and a blast. I've also found that part of CA is wonderful. If all you do is drive into towns and explore, you won't be disappointed by what you find. Enjoy!

moneygirl

I almost forgot... in San Luis Obispo there is a company called Nolan's Carriages... you may access them directly or through the lobby of the Apple Farm Hotel. They have carriage rides through the downtown area after dark and it always looks really fun.

When are you coming?

suehoff

Hi Moneygirl-

I just copied your post about wine/restaurants to another poster asking about Santa Barbara. My friend and I are arriving on Thursday the 10th of Nov so we can do the farmers market. I really like Petit Soleil in SLO because of the wine/appetizers and great breakfasts.The rooms are pretty nice too.
However we took a long walk at Moonstone beach last spring and loved it, also had a glass of wine at a restaurant which was great too. We'll definitely checkout the hotel there.
ATVs are a good idea too kinda goes against the girl stereotype and that's always fun. We are very excited, I copied the LA Times article on wine and restaurants too so I am hoping to expand my experiences.
My husband and I are also going down in 2 wks (make that warm weather stay please-it's raining here in Wa.) so I figure we can do some of this stuff too.
Thanks for all the great ideas.I love that part of Ca. and since my baby daughter is there we go there quite a few times a year.

bear900

High Street Market and Deli in San Luis Obispo is a favorite for college students, business people and farmers alike. They have daily specials that are never repeated and are located on 375 High Street, in a residential neighborhood off South Higuera, in SLO. They serve great sandwiches that can easily be shared, with old-fashioned soda bottles, fancy chips and tunes from the 60’s and 70’s. It belongs in SF’s Haight!

I also recommend The Gardens of Avila Restaurant for breakfast or lunch at Sycamore Mineral Springs, 1215 Avila Beach Rd, on the way to Avila Beach, off Hiway 101. They also have private hot tubs under the oaks to rent day or night, and a massage spa.

Across the street from Sycamore Springs is the Bob Jones Trail that you can walk along San Luis Creek to Avila Beach. You can catch See Canyon Road off Avila Beach Rd for a great driving tour of SLO’s apple country. It’s a beautiful drive about 3 miles in to Gopher Glenn apple farm. Try a bottle of their home-made apple sauce! It’s a perfect time of the year to do and see that.

A relatively new State park is the Elfin Forest, a pigmy oak woodland with an easy to walk boardwalk, and great view of Moro Bay’s back-bay just off South Bay Blvd in Los Osos. While there, check out nearby Montana de Oro Sate Park.

Gina makes great home-made ravioli at Gina’s Italian Cuisine at 138 E. Branch in the Village at Arroyo Grande, a great place for dinner. The Village is a small but nice place to walk in Arroyo Grande for great deli’s and Doc Bernstein’s ice cream.

Los Alamos has a fairly large antique barn that has some nice collectables if you’re into that. You can also start your Sideways Wine Tour from Betteravia just out of Santa Maria. Google Foxen Canyon Wine tour or click my name for past posts of the area.

If you are near Chumash Casino on a Wednesday, they have all you can eat lobster/seafood buffet for $19.95. What a deal! Enjoy!

~ ben

suehoff

Wow Ben!
Thanks my husband and I really enjoy long walks and your tip is great, we knew about the trail but weren't sure where exactly it was located so we will head there for sure. Also thanks for the resto tips. Our daughter is just starting her second yr there so she is not really up on the dining tips. I have an old school friend who lives there but she's always traveling or tending to her 12 yr old when I am in town so we just meet quickly. I'm going to feel like an insider!!