Bonnie
Concierge
Arroyo Grande
Day One
From Highway 101 take Avila Bay Drive to Port San Luis. Enjoy breakfast at Fat Cat’s Café. Afterward, drive right onto the pier to park. Look for sea lions on the floating dock nearby.
Take Avila Beach Dr. back into the town of Avila. Walk along the promenade and enjoy the warmest beach in the county. For kids, there is a playground near the beach. If it is a weekend, take a ride on the Avila Beach Trolley. Continue again on Avila Beach Dr. and stop in for a visit at the Avila Valley Barn on the left. It is open late spring, summer and fall and has fresh produce with u-pick hay rides, an old fashioned ice cream and candy store, a country gift store, and even animals in the back for the kids of all ages to enjoy. Get on to 101 South to Pismo Beach, and exit on Hwy 1. Pomeroy St. is the central hub with the beach access, so stop and enjoy some clam chowder at Splash Café, or the best tri-tip sandwiches at Brad’s. The beach is beautiful if you’d like to walk out on the pier.
Next, continue south on 101 to Arroyo Grande. Exit onto Grand Ave., and turn left, into the historic village. There are wonderful shops here: antique stores, a quilt shop, apparel stores, specialty gift shops, and don’t miss the Susan Branch store, Heart of the Home.
On Saturdays, there is a Farmer’s Market, and don’t miss walking across the swinging bridge. Visit the one room schoolhouse, and other museums open on the weekends. There are many great restaurants here in the village. You might try Alphy’s Broiler, the Old Village Grill, Klondike’s or Branch St. Deli. The best way to top it off this town is with an ice cream from Doc Bernstein’s Ice Cream Store, the best ice cream on the Central Coast!
Continue east out of the village, on Branch St., and drive east on Huasna Rd. towards Lopez Lake. Stay on Lopez Dr. along the scenic countryside, until turning left onto Orcutt Rd. (5-6 miles from the Village) There are many wineries in this Edna Valley, such as Baileyana, and Edna Valley Vineyards, or follow the white picket signs to find more. Stay on Orcutt Rd., and return to San Luis Obispo, via Orcutt, and onto Johnson Rd. Enjoy a wonderful dinner to end the day, at the Koberl at Blue, on the corner of Osos and Monterey.
Day Two
Begin with Breakfast at the Apple Farm in San Luis Obispo. Visit the wonderful gift shop, and beautiful gardens. Ask for a room tour in the country Victorian Inn. Don’t miss the Millhouse where there is a grist mill has working parts that are over 100 years old. Drive downtown, and visit Mission San Luis Obispo, on Monterey and Chorro St. Walk and shop along Monterey, Higuera and Marsh Streets.
Next, drive to Montana de Oro State Park. Follow the road to the ocean, and visit the visitor’s center. For a fun and easy hike, follow the Ridge Trail 3.2 miles, and you’ll enjoy a nice view of the coast, and hills of Montana de Oro. You may see otters, and dolphins!
Next, visit Morro Bay, by turning left on South Bay Blvd. Along this street and the intersecting Main St., there are many little shops and restaurants. Find your way down to the waterfront, on Embarcadero St. Enjoy more shops, grab lunch at the Great American Fish Company, and enjoy wonderful views of the Bay, and Morro Rock.
Keep traveling on Hwy 1 north to Cayucos. There are several fun antique stores and galleries here to see. Enjoy an ice cream or a coffee, and walk out on the beach and the pier. It is fun to explore the tidepools at the north end of the beach.
For dinner, eat at Hoppe’s Garden Bistro in a historic building in Cayucos.
Day Three
Enjoy breakfast at the historic Del Monte Restaurant in San Luis Obispo. Next, drive North on 101 towards Paso Robles. Fifteen miles north of San Luis, visit the Green Acres Lavender Farm in Atascadero. From there, go to Olea Farm in Templeton, where you can taste some olive oils. Down the road, visit the Wild Horse Winery, and taste some of their reserve wines. Drive through the quaint town of Templeton, and have lunch at McPhee’s Grill on Main St. (Closed Sundays) Then travel north, and exit off 101, onto 46 West, just south of Paso Robles.
This 20 mile drive to Hwy 1, is spectacular! There are many wineries along this route. Pull off on the left along the way, to take some pictures and enjoy beautiful valley views and the coastline. When you come to Hwy 1, turn right and drive up to the coast to Hearst Castle for a must see, if time permits. Enjoy Tour One, if this is your first time, or if you are returning again, Tour Two is wonderful. Continuing north on Hwy 1, drive about 4 more miles, and you will see the elephant seals viewing area on the left. Afterwards, drive south, back along Hwy 1.
Look for the Moonstone Beach Drive sign at the north end of Cambria. It runs along the ocean in a scenic loop that parallels Highway One. You can walk along the cliffs, and view the ocean. Drive into the town of Cambria. It is a town filled with fun shops, galleries, and great restaurants. The town is split into 2 parts: East and West Villages so be sure to visit both of them. Have dinner at the Moonstone Beach Bar and Grill, where you can enjoy oceanfront dining inside or outside on the patio.
