Central Coast, CA Birthday

I needed a weekend getaway for a birthday and while I live in the Bay Area of California, Napa is absolutely out of the question in summer in my opinion. Not only is it overcrowded with tourists, it’s hard to get restaurant, winery, spa reservations without paying upfront or scheduling months in advance. In short the prices are cra-cra. (The homogenous Marriott is over $500/night.)

When in doubt head 2+ hours the opposite way to the Central Coast.

Bits

-Paso Robles lies 2.5 hours south of the San Jose Airport. Easy and straight shot down Highway 101. With only 30,000 residents and 200 wineries you’re bound to get several tastings under your belt. What’s also nice about the location it’s not super close to Northern or Southern California, making it an ideal spot in the summer with way less people.

Bites

Cambria has several restaurants I’ve been visiting for over 20 years. A few standouts are:

-Lynn’s restaurant. Solid breakfast/lunch and olallieberry and other pies plus baked goods for sale.

-Robin’s farm-to-table cuisine. It has a fantastic outdoor garden to eat in and has a wide range of options.

-Sow’s Ear has been in business for roughly 40 years and is a local’s favorite.

-The Sea Chest has been open for 50 years and sits on Moonstone Beach. They don’t take reservations so you might stand outside for a while but the seafood is local and classic.

-I had a recommendation from a friend to try the Hearst Ranch Winery. I was told the wine is a 7 but the grounds and views are a 10. I did have to make reservations but easily got the time I wanted with only a weeks advance notice.

The property is situated right on the coast and the outside tasting area is pretty large and tables are spread out under trees. While it was foggy in Cambria, 9 miles south the winery is typically sunny due to the banana shape of the coast. Definitely worth the visit. It was beautiful and not too breezy, the appetizers and wine were decent.

Beyond

Though I’ve stayed on the coast in Cambria proper there aren’t many high end resort or lodges (save one on Moonstone Beach called White Water) we decided on Allegretto Winery and Resort in Paso Robles. It is a fantastic spot as a home base. Large property surrounding a courtyard, a large art collection scattered throughout the resort and grounds, pool with cabanas, full services spa, full service restaurant with bar, free bikes, and everything else one could imagine. I will definitely be staying again.