Don’t Miss the Beauty in Your Own Backyard

When COVID hit in March 2020 and we went into lockdown, I could feel the beginnings of a panic attack in my stomach. And, with every month that went by, it became more and more pronounced. Aside from not knowing how long this lockdown was going to last, it was obvious that traveling as we knew it was over, at least for the time being. For someone who has traveled since I was two years old, this was a nightmare and I started to feel the walls closing in. Did anyone else feel this way?

Several months in, I decided it is time to pack my bags and go somewhere, anywhere, I just had to start driving or I’d go stir crazy. While I live in and have explored parts of California, I decided it deserved closer scrutiny, so I packed my bags and started driving toward Northern California. Thanks to my network, I found places to stay, triple sanitized everything, got delivery and breathed. I discovered the most incredibly beautiful, unspoiled beaches stretching endlessly without interruption, and drove through quiet small towns that I promised myself I would re-visit as soon as the pandemic was over. I hiked deserted mountain trails covered in a misty blanket as the sun rose, and watched mesmerized as the sun set over the ocean, glass of wine in hand, just myself and nature. As the human footprint had lightened considerably during that time, nature was bouncing back, and it was beautiful. I survived the worst of the COVID lockdown by creating bucket lists and chasing sunsets.

Then it hit me, why are we so bent on traveling overseas when our own backyard has so much beauty to explore? Yes, discovering new cultures, exotic countries, and destinations, or re-visiting our old favorites overseas is certainly exciting, but why do so many ignore the beauty here in our own country? Each state has its own charm, culture food and landscape that makes it unique from others and more than worthy of exploration.

Photo credit to Cliffs Hotel Pismo

Along the Central California Coast is beautiful San Luis Obispo County, also known as SLO County, inferring that we should ‘SLO’ down and enjoy the 80-plus miles of stunning beaches, beautiful hotels, tasty farm-to-table food and delicious wine. The cherry on the proverbial top is the San Luis boutique wine region with 30 member wineries about five miles from the coast. Additionally, the region is home to one and two-day wine-tasting trails like Avilla Beach Wine, Core of the Coast, Edna Valley Backroads, Points North, Southern Charm and SLO Urban Wine. And, for us bubbly lovers, there is even a Sparkling Wine Trail.

Also in the SLO County region is Paso Robles, a charming stretch along Coastal Highway 101 with easy access to gorgeous beaches, world-class food and wine and a variety of lodging from historic inns to luxury resorts and rustic vineyards. The area is a popular tourist spot, but it still retains that small-town charm. And, if you love a winery wedding, you’ll find everything that you need in SLO wine country.

Photo credit to Pasa Winery Wedding

One of the most charming towns just outside of Los Angeles is Pismo Beach. Located near the Central Coast, I suggest you drive to Pismo Beach, park in a public parking lot and walk the world-famous Pismo BeachPier. As you look to your right, you will see one gorgeous hotel after the other, perched high on the cliffs with the most beautiful unobstructed views of the ocean. If you can stay on the Pier until the sun sets you will not be disappointed. If you want to have a bite while you admire the sunset, Woolys is a casual option. Alternatively, The Oyster Loft offers more fine dining. Both are located next to the parking lot.

Pismo is an amazing wedding and/or honeymoon destination, perfect for family fun, and has an outstanding selection of outdoor activities such as kayaking, surfing, hiking and biking all in absolutely beautiful surroundings. If you are booking a wine tour from LA, add Pismo beach as a stopover for at least two nights, but I recommend a week for the full experience. That way you can enjoy the beach and the activities including several wineries to explore close by. The little wine bar Tastes of the Valleys, on Price Street and Giuseppe’s next door are also highly recommended. As for lodging recommendations: I stayed at both the Cottage Inn and The Tides Hotel and you can find a review and more pictures of both those hotels HERE.

Photo credit to Spy Glass Inn

As you leave Pismo and head further up the coast, the next city that will charm you into spending way too much time there is San Luis Obispo. I’ve always been drawn to smaller country towns known for their friendly locals, enticing regional cuisine, local art and fascinating history and San Luis Obispo checks all the boxes. Life is definitely too beautiful to rush here in SLO Cal.

This is also where I discovered the Apple Farm Inn, a delightful hotel where I stayed for a few nights. But what makes this spot truly unique is its marketplace and wine cellar where you can taste and purchase wine and spirits from the local wineries and distilleries, as well as culinary and skincare items, art, beer and mixers created by a local bartender. Rachel, the manager at the Marketplace, told me that the companies that they support are all local farmers and distillers and most are family companies. The rooms at the Apple Farm Inn are about to be renovated but they are spacious and comfortable and I just love the fireplace.

Photo credit to Apple Farm Inn

If you don’t feel like driving up to SLO Cal, you can always go by train! The Pacific Surfliner travels from San Diego to San Luis Obispo and offers coach and business class seating. If you are coming from LA, I would stop in Santa Barbara for lunch and then get to Pismo before the sun sets so that you can either watch it from your room or the restaurant on the Pier. Then, I would stay in Pismo for a few days and head up to San Luis Obispo to end my trip in Morrow Bay. in between discovering these cities, I would do a few wine tours as well.

There are several more cities in SLO Cal County so keep following me here for more information and travel inspiration.

If you are heading up to the stunningly beautiful Central Coast of California, take some time to plan your trip HERE, and for wine region information tap HERE.

Thank you to the lovely people from SLO, SLO-WINE and Pismo for your kindness in helping me with my research and suggestions. Follow me here for hotel reviews and travel inspo.