M. M. Whitaker
Hospitality Consultant
Arroyo Grande
Day 1 – Tuesday
Plan to arrive in SLO County by 11 am.
A perfect way to begin your relaxing visit to the Central Coast is to experience its most famous product… fine wines. Winery tours and tastings usually begin between 10 and 11 am.
My favorite local wineries are Edna Valley Vineyard and Laetitia Vineyard & Winery.
Both are set amidst lovely rolling hills with wide expansive views. Edna Valley has the prettiest and most elaborate tasting room. Both focus on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, however, Laetitia, specializes in my favorite beverage, Champagne! Okay, it is technically Méthode Champenoise Sparkling Wine.
Splurge, hire Breakaway Tours, and you will have time to visit several south county vineyards. The tours are educational and seriously fun! Caution, each winery offers wine club memberships. Unless you resist the temptation, you might return home to find boxes of wine at your doorstep.
Dinner at Tanner Jack’s, 2796 South Halcyon Road (Highway 1 and Halcyon)
It is the home of “Comfort Cookin’ With a Smokin’ Attitude” on the Central Coast. One word …beef! In addition, you can’t miss with any of the sides, mac and cheese, Cajun cream corn, or sweet potato fries. And, the pork, chicken and catfish are excellent too.
Take Halcyon and understand just why it the area is called “The Mesa.”
Day 2 – Wednesday
Spend your day on the secluded Arroyo Grande Mesa.
First, begin with breakfast at the Grill at Cypress Ridge. Be sure to sample the incredible pancakes!
Play 18 holes of golf at the This Peter Jacobsen Signature Course at Cypress Ridge. It is as challenging as it is beautiful. The Jacobsen Hardy Design Team utilized the natural surroundings of the area to make this Central Coast golf course truly unique.
Return to your hotel for a rest stop, as you will be off to an early dinner at
Gina’s Italian Restaurant, 138 East Branch Street. Don’t even think of looking at the menu. Check out the Special Board and order the special seafood or the homemade ravioli, you can’t go wrong. If you must peek at the menu, try the Butternut Squash ravioli.
No dessert for you here, take a stroll through the charming Arroyo Grande Village and make your way to Doc Burnsteins for the famous Wednesday evening, Doc Burnsteins Ice Cream Lab Show (7–10 p.m.)
Live performances begin at 7:00 p.m. sharp. The highlight of the show is the creation, (with your help!) of brand new flavors that you watch being made! Doc’s latest flavor is Coca Cola Ice Cream with Pie Crust and Chocolate Chunks. Yummy!
You won’t find that combination at 31 Flavors! Great fun for the whole family.
Day 3 – Thursday
Today is your day to experience the largest city in the County… San Luis Obispo.
Begin with an early lunch at Oprah Winfrey’s favorite dining spot, The Art Café at 570 Higuera St. All the sandwiches are great, but “O’s” favorite is Curried Chicken Sandwich.
Artwork all by local artists adorn the walls and the pieces are for sale. Want to see more art work… simply walk behind the café to the Creamery on Higuera, which actually was a creamery in the early 20th Century, and is now home to the studios of some incredible artisans. Spend a few moments with Abbey at the Sprits of Africa Gallery. He is a delight and will talk with you for an hour, so plan ahead. Tour the entire “artist colony of the West End”.
Time for some shopping… window or otherwise. Stroll along Higuera and Marsh streets, be sure and note the old world architecture of San Luis’ charming downtown. On Higuera, across from the Surf Shop is the Bubblegum Alley… it defies description, don’t miss it.
Every Thursday beginning at 5:30 p.m. is the best show in town, the San Luis Obispo Farmer’s Market, a local institution, which draws as many as 20,000 shoppers. The delicious fruits and vegetables are all seasonal, plus there are arts/crafts booths, live entertainment, and barbeques galore for your evening meal! If a meal for you means forks, knives, linen napkins, a table, perhaps a chair, and an extraordinary meal… Novo. The restaurant at 726 Higuera, was rated by the local tabloid as the Best of the Best. Period! For a Thursday night, I’d make a reservations.
Day 4 – Friday
Breakfast in Arroyo Village Inn. Last stroll through the Village, be sure to walk over the Swinging Bridge, Constructed in early 1875, is the only one of its kind in California. You’ll likely hear or see the city’s rooster.
