Suggestions for Top SLO Wineries and Cambria Dinner

We are headed to San Luis Obispo and Cambria in about a week for 4 days. Realize it will most likely be a very quiet part of the year and we have done the Hearst Castle tour. Right now, we plan to do the following come rain or hopefully a glint of sunshine mixed with fog:

Thursday - Drive to San Luis Obispo and stay the night at San Luis Creek Lodge. Dinner at Novo Restaurant

http://www.novorestaurant.com/

Friday: Wine tasting San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles area - finishing the day by driving to Moonstone Beach area and checking into the Best Western there with ocean view and fireplace room.

Of course, with a new bottle of wine from our days%26#39; adventures. We then plan to probably go to Moonstone Beach Bar and Grill for dinner.

I have read the forum - but if you were to list your TOP 3 wineries to VISIT what are they?

I must admit I now understand what it feels like when someone says they are overwhelmed by the excellent choices. So many - so little time, so appreciate your suggestions. We tend to like bold chardonnays, reds (i.e. cabernet), and port.

Saturday: its sort of open right now...depends in part on the weather (Note: We have gone to Hearst Castle and taken their various tours...so probably a pass this time.). Any other ideas from Morro Bay to San Simeon appreciated....

We will seek out the elephant seals also earlier in the day and most likely go to Hunt Winery, but other than that an unplanned day.

Dinner: We were planning on dinner at The Black Cat - but alas it is closed. Any great suggestions for Saturday appreciated.

Thanks so much and Happy New Year to all.

Suggestions for Top SLO Wineries and Cambria Dinner

Note: The Black Cat is closed temporarily for painting, etc. and will reopen. Just wanted to be sure people know its not closed - closed.

Suggestions for Top SLO Wineries and Cambria Dinner

Sounds like a very nice trip is planned! I would probably go with the Sow%26#39;s Ear Cafe since Black Cat is closed. The food here is very good and the ambiance cozy and romantic. We love the Salmon in Parchment Paper here and the Fried Brie appetizer. The service is very friendly and personable, salads are included with your entree and bread is served in little clay pots which is a nice touch.

There are so many great places in Paso to wine taste, we loved our time at Doce Robles this past October. If you want to have dinner in Paso, Artisan is an excellent choice, I have a review of our time there in October. Robert Hall has pretty grounds and excellent wines, another favorite of ours is Turley, a small boutique-style winery specializing in fantastic Zins.

Cheers and have a great trip! We are going to the Pismo/Shell Beach area later this month, can%26#39;t wait! :)

Mini,

I lived in Cambria for a number of years and still visit there about three times a year to see my friends.

I love eating at Moustache Pete%26#39;s http://www.mustachepetes.com/ because they have the best prime rib in the area and the bartender Derek is terrific at his job. The menu is varied and you will find something for everyone in your group and great dessert too.

Most restaurants in town have a web page where they post their menus so you might want to check them out before you decide.

Robin%26#39;s Restaurant also gets a lot of great reviews http://www.robinsrestaurant.com/

It just depends on what you are hungry for.

Have fun!

If you only visit 1 winery in the SLO area, make it Edna Valley Winery off Highway 227 (AKA: Broad Street) on Biddle Ranch Road. You go past the airport to get there.

Edna Valley Winery has an awesome view tasting bar overlooking the vineyards and Islay Hill (a dormant volcano). Their chardonnay is very good.

In the Paso area there are hundreds of wineries to choose from.

Some of your choices:

Wild Horse in Templeton

Castoro in Templeton

Opolo off Vineyard Drive north of Highway 46

You can also visit the following website to explore other options:

www.pasowine.com

I guess I should offer some suggestions for other activities other than Hearst Castle and wine tasting. :-)

If the weather is good, take a drive down to Morro Bay and kayak on the bay/estuary. The estuary is very peaceful and meanders around Morro Bay State Park and the town of Los Osos. You could also go on a whale watch tour from here. The embarcadero offers lots of specialty shops and eateries.

You could also drive down to Los Osos (South Bay Blvd exit off Hwy 1) and visit Montana de Oro State Park. There are good hiking trails out to a bluff top overlooking the ocean. Look for the stairs leading down to a small beach. There are tidepools located in the rocky crags just off the beach.

Take a walk on the boardwalk across the street from your hotel in Cambria and take a detour down to the beach and look for those famous moonstones that are known to wash ashore.

And have fun, mini.

Just wanted to comment on the the BW Fireside Inn, you will love this place! There is a nice heated pool outside and an outdoor jacuzzi, complimentary breakfast is very nice. Moonstone Bar %26amp; Grill is walking distance from your hotel and a nice choice for dinner. Have fun! :)

Thanks so very much for all your wonderful suggestions - this will really help to make this a really special vacation for us. Have a wonderful 2009!