Exploring California's Central Coast
Sep 14th, 2009 | 03:16 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 26,501
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Exploring California's Central Coast
Sep 14th, 2009 | 04:11 PM
#2
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,639
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Nice article! We stayed at The Cliffs the end of Jan. for the weekend, very nice place! We have also stayed at the Inn @ Morro Bay which is another great property on the Central Coast. We enjoyed meals at Lido @ the Dolphin Bay Resort, Mirasol at The Cliffs, Cracked Crab and Steamer's in Pismo Beach. So fun! ***kim*** 
Sep 15th, 2009 | 10:33 AM
#3
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,829
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That was a nice article.
The area is often overlooked by tourists running up or down the coast. I read recently that Pismo is called the Bakersfield Riviera, LOL. Partially true however.
We have had some good weekends lately and it's been fun strolling the beach, people and wave watching.
The Cliffs is great. An occasional Sunday brunch or Sunday afternoon concert on the lawn is nice too.
I had the tough job of working in Shell Beach for a time.
I'm glad it talked about See Canyon which should be just starting to pick up right about now with the apple season.
She failed to mention the Avila Barn too, which is a must stop.
By the way, just around the corner at Sycamore Hot Springs is another Upper Crust Italian place. There is one in Oceano, and one in SLO at the Creamery. Small but some of the best Italian food in the area. We haven't tried the one in Avila but it looked a bit larger when they were working on it. Our friends are always surprised by the delicious food served at these tiny places.
The writer didn't mention the Bob Jones trail which many people don't know about. I take valley people there whenever I can.
It also gave a thumbs up to SLO. If you're in town on a Saturday, vist CalPoly's Leaning Pines Arboretum. Another favorite we take people to, who mostly never knew it existed.
In SLO, sometimes the least fancy place has the best food. Whenever we can, we lunch at the deli in New Frontiers health foods off Foothill Blvd. Less then no frills; more then a good deli. Grab a sandwich and head to Montana de Oro.
Sometimes we drive a windy road to a tiny thrift store just behind Cuesta college just for the fun side drive on our way to Moro Bay. It's beautiful that direction with peacocks and deer grazing.
There are a lot of 'little' unknown by many, places to see and things to do in the area. I try to introduce these to valley friends and they are always wowed.
This Thursday at SLO's famous farmer's market: WOW week welcoming new Cal students. We will be there.
The area is often overlooked by tourists running up or down the coast. I read recently that Pismo is called the Bakersfield Riviera, LOL. Partially true however.
We have had some good weekends lately and it's been fun strolling the beach, people and wave watching.
The Cliffs is great. An occasional Sunday brunch or Sunday afternoon concert on the lawn is nice too.
I had the tough job of working in Shell Beach for a time.
I'm glad it talked about See Canyon which should be just starting to pick up right about now with the apple season.
She failed to mention the Avila Barn too, which is a must stop.
By the way, just around the corner at Sycamore Hot Springs is another Upper Crust Italian place. There is one in Oceano, and one in SLO at the Creamery. Small but some of the best Italian food in the area. We haven't tried the one in Avila but it looked a bit larger when they were working on it. Our friends are always surprised by the delicious food served at these tiny places.
The writer didn't mention the Bob Jones trail which many people don't know about. I take valley people there whenever I can.
It also gave a thumbs up to SLO. If you're in town on a Saturday, vist CalPoly's Leaning Pines Arboretum. Another favorite we take people to, who mostly never knew it existed.
In SLO, sometimes the least fancy place has the best food. Whenever we can, we lunch at the deli in New Frontiers health foods off Foothill Blvd. Less then no frills; more then a good deli. Grab a sandwich and head to Montana de Oro.
Sometimes we drive a windy road to a tiny thrift store just behind Cuesta college just for the fun side drive on our way to Moro Bay. It's beautiful that direction with peacocks and deer grazing.
There are a lot of 'little' unknown by many, places to see and things to do in the area. I try to introduce these to valley friends and they are always wowed.
This Thursday at SLO's famous farmer's market: WOW week welcoming new Cal students. We will be there.
Sep 15th, 2009 | 10:38 AM
#4
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,829
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Correction: Those three Italian places are called Mamma's Meatball. Don't allow the name to distract you, although the places are tiny and there usually is a line.
Upper Crust is another favorite on Los Osos Valley Road in SLO.
Upper Crust is another favorite on Los Osos Valley Road in SLO.
Sep 15th, 2009 | 05:17 PM
#6
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 550
Likes: 0
Favorites:
DePalo and Sons in Shell Beach for a gourmet sandwich and watermelon cookies to take to the beach.
Cioppinot: Newer restaurant in SLO that is incredible!
Village Grill in The Village of Arroyo Grande for comfort food, grilled cheese sandwiches or a wonderful omelette!
Fat Cats at the Avila Pier: Clam Chowder that is out of this world.
Dolphin Bay: For fancy Sunday brunch with a view.
Hmmm... getting hungry!!
DePalo and Sons in Shell Beach for a gourmet sandwich and watermelon cookies to take to the beach.
Cioppinot: Newer restaurant in SLO that is incredible!
Village Grill in The Village of Arroyo Grande for comfort food, grilled cheese sandwiches or a wonderful omelette!
Fat Cats at the Avila Pier: Clam Chowder that is out of this world.
Dolphin Bay: For fancy Sunday brunch with a view.
Hmmm... getting hungry!!
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They are my favorite!!
Sep 15th, 2009 | 09:58 PM
#10
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,829
Likes: 0
"Cioppinot: Newer restaurant in SLO that is incredible!"
Onemoneygirl, that's the old Tortilla Flats right? The manager (and part owner)was one of my neighbors. He also managed The Old Port Inn at Port San Luis.
He was the only neighbor that was never around, always working. I'm anxious to give it a try, just haven't got around to it.
Onemoneygirl, that's the old Tortilla Flats right? The manager (and part owner)was one of my neighbors. He also managed The Old Port Inn at Port San Luis.
He was the only neighbor that was never around, always working. I'm anxious to give it a try, just haven't got around to it.
Sep 15th, 2009 | 10:24 PM
#11
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
Taco Temple south of the main part of Morro Bay (on the frontage road on the east side of the freeway) really does have sme amazing dishes. I know it has received some mixed reviews, but I thought it was great.
For coffee in Morro Bay, Top Dog is a nice spot.
In Pismo, Long Boards is a teeny little burger place that has really good burgers and fries and shakes
I second the farmers market in SLO on Thursdays. There are lots of great farmers markets in California, but I don't thihnk any of them have barbecue as good as the SLO Thursday market!
The great thing about the California Central Coast is that folks are really nice, there are a lot of working towns (not just tourism), the pace is a little slower and the landscape/seascape is wonderful.
For coffee in Morro Bay, Top Dog is a nice spot.
In Pismo, Long Boards is a teeny little burger place that has really good burgers and fries and shakes
I second the farmers market in SLO on Thursdays. There are lots of great farmers markets in California, but I don't thihnk any of them have barbecue as good as the SLO Thursday market!
The great thing about the California Central Coast is that folks are really nice, there are a lot of working towns (not just tourism), the pace is a little slower and the landscape/seascape is wonderful.
