Wine Country Gourmet; The Delights of Californias Central Coast

San Luis Obispo wine country is what Napa and Sonoma used to be -- an unspoiled area where you can enjoy tasting at hundreds of wineries in Paso Robles, Edna Valley, Arroyo Grande and more.

Plus, SLO County has many features that its more commercialized big brothers lack:

• A central location half-way between LA and San Francisco, making it the perfect mid-way stopping point on Highway 101 or the scenic Pacific Coast Highway -- roughly three hours from either metro area.
• Nearby beaches, such as Pismo Beach, where you can surf, drive on the beach, and observe the wintering grounds for thousands of Monarch butterflies.
• Several lost-in-time coastal villages that are great fun to poke around in and where you can indulge yourself at good restaurants for a reasonable price.
• Hot springs resorts with private hot tubs underneath spreading oak trees, larger pools, yoga classes, an upscale farm produce stand with fresh-baked goodies and gourmet foods, and an off-road shaded bike path that goes right to the beach.
• The Hearst Castle in San Simeon, just a few miles north of the lovely Highway 46 west wine area, with its own IMAX theater. A herd of elephant seals takes up residence part of the year a little further up the Pacific Coast Highway.
• The delightfully quirky little town of San Luis Obispo, where you'll find an old Spanish mission still holding mass in the heart of a vibrant and well-preserved downtown, with myriad mom-and-pop shops and eateries serving dishes from Belgian frites to Oprah's favorite sandwich. Or how about al fresco dinners served in an old courtyard or on a lovely patio along San Luis Creek?
• The Madonna Inn is known far and wide for their famous homemade pies and cakes, theme rooms and, yes, even their internationally renowned waterfall urinal.
• There's even a working drive-in movie theater, but no drive-through restaurants! Who says the '50s are gone forever?

Afterwards, you'll comment like most of our other visitors: "Next time, I'm spending less time in LA or San Francisco and more time in San Luis Obispo."

"I believe the (Paso Robles) region already shows some of the most striking potential in all of California."

Robert M. Parker Jr.
http://www.foodandwine.com/articles/the-promise-of-paso-robles

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