Don't forget to
check out our WebCams area for some really nice
cams. Two of our favorites: The "Hollywood
Sign" Cam and the Grand Canyon Cam.
SPOTLIGHT:
California "Central Coast's" Little Known
Arroyo Grande by Joe Williams
Needless to say, I enjoy
a glass of wine on occasions while visiting friends or going out to
dinner. I've visited many places and try to visit wine tasting rooms
when time allows. Most wine connoisseurs and novices alike know of Napa
Valley but now there is a second wine region that is rapidly becoming
just as famous.
The locals refer to it as the Central Coast and it is
comprised of several wine regions including, Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez
Valley, (where the movie 'Sideways' was filmed), Santa Maria Valley,
Arroyo Grande, Edna Valley, and Paso Robles. Out of these, Arroyo Grande
was my favorite to visit.
Arroyo Grande has a unique Old Western Village that is
quaint and charming with restaurants and shopping. Part of the old stage
coach route from the 1800's Arroyo Grande hangs on to its rural roots.
Some of my favorite places to eat were Klondike's Pizza, Gina's
Italian, Taco Loco, F. McLintocks steak and saloon, and Village Café.
You can see some of the attractions online at
www.arroyograndevillage.org .
One in particular event that gets a lot of attention
is the annual Memorial Day weekend Strawberry Festival. There are many
local and national vendors, rides, music, and of course, lots of
strawberries to be eaten. Just outside of town are several wineries and
tasting rooms, sporting some of the world's finest wines.
For travelers coming from the south on the 101, there
is a great place to find luggage and accessories called Luggage Base
right off the freeway. They are normally an online retailer, but they do
have a show room and you can get great deals on luggage.
Just to the west 3 miles of Arroyo Grande is Pismo
Beach for you who enjoy the beach. And to the east 10 miles is Lopez
Lake and campgrounds. Besides the great beauty, the weather is always
great in this region, usually 60-75 F all year round.
There are few places left that give you that small
town western feeling, Arroyo Grande still has it. I do recommend a
weekend visit and for longer stays you can venture 10 miles north to San
Luis Obispo and Avila Beach. But that's another story . . .
Information and photos submitted
by:
Luggage Base
670 S Frontage Rd
Nipomo, California 93444 805-929-8191 | 888-832-1201
For
information about accommodations, recreation, dining and much
more in this area and many other US destinations, take a moment
to visit our US Travel Directories:
