When traveling, the more unique the stop the better, in my opinion at least, and Nitt Witt Ridge is one of the most unusual places I have been to in a long time. Michael the tour guide is a very knowledgable and I highly recommend making the stop here for a fun history lesson of a very strange California coastal house.

Details

• Tours most days at 11,12 and 2
• Suggested donation of $10

History

This house was owned by an eclectic man names Art Beal who lived by his own rules. He upset half of the city with his constant building and strange personality, but did actually build a house that is still standing today, made largely of trash. He loved his “coffee” which meant beer (he even built with the empty cans), and turned this 2 and a half acre property into a modern work of art. There are tons of storys about him available online but my favorite is that he had a toilet on the roof and used to sit up there and converse with people walking below, sometime clothed sometimes not. He passed away in 1992 at the age of 96 and his ashes were spread on the property.

The current owners bought the house about 15 years ago for less than 50,000 and have dedicated their time to keeping it up and running and providing tours for visitors of the awesome piece of California history. This house is a registered California Historical Landmark.

Here is a little video from Michael about how they came upon the house.

The Tour

The tour starts at the base of the house and heads up the stairway to the plaque that designated it a CA landmark.

This is also where one of the two pieces that were taken from Hearst Castle are, the above tile in the ground. He worked at Hearst Castle and so many of the items are said to have come from there.

The tour proceeds to the women’s room, which was in pink and I guess was to impress any women that he had over.

I also thought it was amazing how well Michael had keep everything original, there was letters he had received in this room and in the kitchen and other rooms there was still bills and even canned food.

He also hanged toilet seats on the walls as picture frames where he put some of his favorite people, mostly cowboys from the movies.

As you continue to climb you will walk through the staircase that served as his fridge. Yes, his fridge. He apparently told people it kept all of his food at a cool 55 degrees.

There is a video that you can watch here that interviews the man himself and is informative to his personality. He seems like he was a total character and it was fun that they showed this video to give you more background on the man himself and make him more real.

From here you will see his room, complete with old clothing still in the closet and really unique wallpaper.

The tour then heads into the kitchen which is one of the most well preserved and unique rooms in the house. It is also one of the nicest as it has more light then the others.

The kitchen had old canned food still, bills he never paid and even a skylight that let light into the room. Here are a few pictures.

As you continue up there are lots of unique spots such as the bathroom with two toilets cause it’s always better with a friend right?

There are beer cans everywhere and even some walls that were built with the cans themselves.

In the back of the property is the original house that he lived in as he was working on the main attraction. You cannot get very close to this house but it is cool to see from behind the fence.

When you get to the top of the property you will also see the second piece from Hearst Castle, the cement pillar.

Art also put in what he called the wedding chapel. I am not sure if there were any weddings here but it did have a nice view!

One of the best parts of the house to me was the toilet that was on the roof. Michael said that he heard he would sit up there and watch the people who would come to visit.

The last stop on the tour is the old work bench where a massive redwood has grown up around it. This is an interesting addition from Mother Nature into the house and this is also where his ashes were spread

After that the tour was over. I really appreciate the way Michael has stepped in to keep this historical place running and I hope it is able to be maintained the way it currently is as it truly is the poor mans Hearst Castle.

This is a great stop in Cambria on PCH and you should take it at least once. Check out the rest of the pictures below.

Photo Gallery

Get Directions

As a foodie I am always trying to find the best place to eat on travels. Yelp usually helps me with it, but when the recommendation comes from someone who appreciates food like I do then I know I am in for a treat. Black Cat Bistro came highly recommended to me and in a city with many food options I knew I had to pick wisely. We got a reservation on Saturday night, thanks to Victoria at Victoria’s Last Resort and settled in for the meal.

Details

• Reservations are highly recommended on the weekends
• Cost : 30-40 a person for dinner
• Hours: 5PM – 12AM everyday except Tuesday and Wednesday when it is closed.

I will start this review by saying this place is not cheap. If you are looking for a cheaper option check out many of the other great Cambria eateries. If you are looking for good food though I can say that the cost is justified by the taste. The chef at Black Cat Bistro has an uncanny sense for taking things that do not seem like they would work tell together and turning them into a mind-blowing dish.

While the menu does change with the seasons here is what I got.

The lightly seared salad appetizer. I cannot recommend this more, they take a head of romaine lettuce and sear it on the stove, then they add a ridiculously good lemon buttermilk Caeser dressing and a piece of bread with bacon jam. I am salivating just writing this, it was that good. Three out of the four people at our table ordered that and all would agree. it was one of the best and most unusual salads I have ever had.

The fourth person ordered the mushroom and sage gnocchi and loved the way that it tasted as well as its presentation.

For dinner I went with the seared scallops that included corn pudding, tomatillo cream, micro cilantro, shiitakes, brown butter. I know it sounds strange but was mind-blowing. I savored ever bite and was sad when it was over.

Other entrees at my table were the flat iron steak with quinoa and black beans and the fresh yellow tail ahi with fried rice. Everyone was happy with the selection.

The other thing I liked about this place was the beer and wine pairings that were recommended with each dish. I got the recommended beer and really enjoyed it, especially since the price was right at 4 dollars.

If you are looking for a good place to eat in Cambria I highly recommend the Black Cat Bistro. The price makes it something I could not eat at very often but it was worth it and I am happy I got to experience it.

As I sit here listening to Jackson Browne on vinyl, while warming up by the fireplace and waiting for the French toast and banana I ordered for breakfast, I am reminded that this is not a traditional hotel, and that is what makes it so amazing. Victoria’s Last Resort is a unique and fun place to stay that I cannot recommend more, especially if you are a fan of the unique like I am. I got the opportunity to stay there and here is my review.

Details

• $325 a night which includes breakfast
• Only one couple can stay there a night
• You can really spend the whole day relaxing here

The Room

Victoria’s Last Resort is a retro themed Hotel / Bed and Breakfast that has only one reservation per night and in doing that focuses its attention on providing a perfect experience for that person / couple. From the minute you enter to when you leave, Victoria and Justin are welcoming hosts that make you feel like you are an honored guest.

When I arrived, easy to miss so make sure your keep your eyes peeled, Justin gave me a full tour of the property and Victoria had home-made truffles and cookies waiting for our arrival.

To say this spot is unique would be an understatement, there is so much awesome here it is hard to portray it all in this one post.

The room itself has leopard print floor, a queen sized bed, two couches, a stand up piano, a turntable and a stereo system, and that is just the first room. Did I mention it had a turntable? I listened to records the entire time I was there.

Form here you move into the kitchen, which has a full fridge, coffee, fruit and space to make food if you desire.

After that is the bathroom, which has this amazingly tiled shower that you will not soon forget.

These rooms combine to make up a lot of space that you really can relax and enjoy in, much like having your own house for the night.

Outside there is a patio with lots of tables and chairs and binoculars and a bird guide for looking at birds in the morning.

There is also an outdoor spa that I sat in every night I was there. In the mornings there is a fountain and outdoor couch if you want to relax and read a book as well.

Upstairs is the main room, which is open all of the time and has a fireplace that turns on with one button (like the room fireplace) and an eating area where Victoria and Justin serve breakfast in the morning.

Breakfast

If I skipped over this it would be a disservice as breakfast was one of the best things about staying here. Victoria and Justin are both ridiculously good cooks and they will cook up stellar breakfasts that will keep you full till dinner. You simply call up 45 minutes before you are ready to eat and it is waiting for you when you come up.

Morning 1

This breakfast consisted of french toast with fresh fruit, hand squeezed orange juice, sausages and caramelized bananas. It was one of the best pieces of french toast I have ever had.

Morning 2

We had peppers and eggs which was bell pepper with scrambled eggs and cheese, home style potatoes, apple sausage and bacon. With french toast as a second serving cause it was too good the day before.

They don’t take shortcuts on the breakfast and I really appreciated the food and company that they provided. Victoria was able to recommend a lot of great spots in Cambria as well for food and fun.

All in all this is a great place for a splurge stop on your PCH road trip or a relaxing weekend in Cambria. I highly recommend it and you can see a short video I made on it below.

Disclosure: This room was provided to me as part of the Cambria Ambassador Program, this is no way influenced my review as Victoria and Justin are really that awesome.

During a weekend in Cambria, one of the hardest tasks you will encounter is figuring out where to dine at the cities numerous eateries. After going to Black Cat Bistro the night before and having a fabulous breakfast at Victoria’s Last Resort, I knew the lunch was going to have a lot to live up to. Many people recommended Robin’s to me though so I went in with high expectations, here is my review.

Details

• Price: $10-15
• Hours: 11AM – 9PM

The first thing you notice as you walk up to Robin’s is that it doesn’t look like a typical restaurant. That is largely because of the building, which is a house that was built in the 1930’s. This immediately adds to the charm, as you walk through the door it feels like you are being ushered into someones home, not a commercial restaurant.

The interior continues to embrace this charm, but we were sat on the patio which provided a great way to enjoy our food while watching life pass by outside.

The menu itself is very eclectic, with everything from Salmon Bisque to Pad Thai. They call it a global menu and it is easy to see why. They also had a few unique drink options such as Dry Lavender Soda.

For appetizers we went with the artichokes and the homemade potato chips with cauliflower dipping sauce.

I for one love artichoke and the way it was grilled was on point. I especially liked the addition of the lemon which adds a lot to the flavor.

Cauliflower is one of my least favorite things but it was actually done well as a dipping sauce. It probably helps that the chips are as good as they were, I could have just continued to eat them as my meal.

Salmon Bisque is one of they most popular things so we had to try that, I can’t actually remember ever having salmon bisque before so I didn’t have much to compare it to. I would say I liked it but its not something I need to eat everyday. Here are some of the main courses our group had

As you can see, there is a wide selection of food here, we got burgers, soup and even noodles. I got a dish called Robin’s Chow, which includes pasta, vegetables, garlic and ginger. it was really tasty and I am glad I ordered it. The only thing I really wanted to try but didn’t was the lamb curry burrito, so if you get this be sure to let me know in the comments. All in all, Robin’s is a great little eatery in Cambria. From the style of the house to the taste of the food everything was on point here, and I have no problem recommending it for a good lunch spot.

If you have never had brown butter cookies before, then I think it is safe to say you probably have not lived, they are really that good. I stumbled upon this place once when I was in downtown Santa Barbara. A shop owner that we were talking to offered us one to try. Since then I have kept the business card on my desk as a reminder that I need to have them again. While heading home from Cambria I saw a sign with their logo and literally stumbled onto their bakery in the small town of Cayucos (North of Morro Bay). Safe to say it is a must stop in my opinion on Pacific Coast Highway, here is the review.

History

Here is a video about the company

In 2008 Traci and Christa set out to do what they loved everyday, make cookies. They did so by launching a website which got so much traffic that they opened a small store in Jan 2009. In 2013 they opened their first retail shop in the small town of Paso Robles as well.

After finding a parking spot along the main street in Cayucos (2 minutes off Highway 1) I found the building right next to the “Cookies, Enter Here” sign.

This small one room shop is mostly a bakery but has a small area for buying cookies and best of all, sampling them!

As soon as you enter you will be free to try the plethora of cookies they have available ranging from espresso to coconut lime. I tried them all and there was not one I didn’t want to eat more of. There is just something about the brown butter and sea salt that makes the cookie melt in your mouth. I am not saying these are healthy, but they are good enough to make you forget your diet. The samples are also generous, which is nice since the cookies are pretty expensive.

Even at $7 for three cookies I still left with 2 bags, and they didn’t make it all the way back from my 5 hour road trip as I just couldn’t say no.

I will say that I also bought a regular chocolate chip cookie, not brown butter, when there and was underwhelmed. This is probably due to the fact that when you reach the level the brown butter and sea salt ones have got to, everything else just isn’t as good.

All of that to say that Brown Butter Cookie Company is now a must stop for me when I am driving up the coast. Don’t take my word for it though, go in and have a sample and see if your idea of how good a cookie can be wasn’t changed like mine was.

Get Directions.

Located right off Highway 1 in the beautiful town of San Luis Obispo is a nice steep hike that provides amazing vistas of the town and coast. It is 3.5 miles round trip, but does about 1000 feet of elevation gain during that short hike and is not a walk in the park. When you get to the summit though you will realize why you did it and be ready for a meal at Firestone or Splash Cafe. This peak is also the largest of the nine sisters which are the nine peaks that line the drive along Highway 1 from San Luis Obispo to Morro Bay.

Details

• 3.5 miles round trip
• 900 feet of elevation gain
• Not much shade so don’t attempt when it is hot

I have been told there is a better trail head then the one I went to on Patricia Drive near Anacapa Circle, but I wasn’t aware of that till after I hiked this. These directions are from the trail head at the top of Highland Ave, but be warned there is not a lot of street parking up there and it can fill up fast.

After parking proceed up to the trailhead which is easy to see as it has a plaque to mark the open space area you are entering.

From here the trail hugs some wooden fencing before it heads into the forest. This is a beautiful area with lots of shade and is a great way to start the hike.

After about .4 miles the trail leaves the forest and heads back out into the sun. This is also the split for another trail but you can see a sign that will tell you which one to take.

The trail again enters the forest and actually heads downhill for a little while as it goes around the mountain to the South side.

From here it is nothing but switchbacks to the top. It should be noted that the trail is never very flat either, it is mostly loose dirt and big rocks that you will be walking up and over. Again, I stress that even though the mileage seems like it is small the hike is not “easy.”

As you climb up the switchbacks you will see lots of great views of the other mountains in the area and the city as well.

Watch out for snakes as I saw one crossing the trail when I was there.

After pushing through the uphill grind you will see the two benches that mark the top.

If you are a true peak bagger though then you will want to scramble up the rocks to reach the peaks high point. There is not an easy trail through this section though so make sure not to push yourself if you don’t like to scramble on large rocks.

From the top though the view over the city of San Luis Obispo is amazing, I have climbed this peak multiple times and I still coming back to see it again.

You can even see the dunes and the beach out near Pismo if you squint your eyes.

If you are looking for a way to earn your calories you will intake at Splash Cafe then I highly recommend Bishops Peak as it is a popular trail with a great vista. The mileage is short but you will feel like you worked hard when you get back to your car. Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

Located 20 miles off Highway 101, past wine country, is the unfortunate place where James Dean hit another car and died in a fatal car crash. As a beloved movie star even with only 3 movies under his belt, this place is still a highly trafficked spot on the highway. When we were there over a dozen people were paying their respects. We checked out the monument to James Dean and the actual accident spot itself while in the area, here are the details.

The Monument

If you are coming from the West, the first spot you will hit is the monument to James Dean located right next to the Jack Ranch Cafe, which also has memorabilia on him and his life.

The monument is a clean silver bar that is wrapped around the tree and has his name on it.

There is also a plaque with one of his favorite quotes to the right of the monument which was very hard to read.

Along the front there are two big plaques which tell about the accident and the actor’s life as well. It is a short stop but a good way to get an understanding of the man and his work.

The Crash Site

About 900 yards East is the actual site of the crash which also holds a unformal memorial to the actor. You have to keep your eyes peeled as you drive to see it as there is not any signs.

The items here are always changing as people will leave new things and other things will blow away. There is always the headstone that was brought here with his name on it though.

When I was there everything from a bra to a biography on the actor was present at the small site.

There was also a picture showing the crash that eventually claimed his life.

I have never known much about the actor but I love seeing the many different parts of California’s history, so I was glad to be able to see this unique monument to a sad event as well. Let me know what you think in the comments, especially if you have been there to see the monument yourself as well.

Located right near the main downtown area in Pismo Beach, Old West Cinamon Rolls is like a donut shop for cinnamon rolls. I know, I was blown away by that idea as well. The inside has the typical donut shop menu sign, a windowed display case of rolls and the traditional metal chairs; however, where the donuts would be they have been replaced with a plethora of cinnamon roll options and boy is it magical.

Details

• $2-$3 for a roll
• Hours: 6:30 AM – 5:30 PM

The Store

When I went there were eight different options for cinnamon rolls. They had a plain, plain with cream cheese frosting, crumble with granola and cinnamon on top, almond, pecans and few others.

You could even see them cooking up the rolls in the back as well ,and if you order an original there is a good chance it will come out warm.

I went with the original, cream cheese frosting and crumble as I felt like that would give me a good variety to indulge in and a good sampling of what they had to offer.

Of the rolls I had I think the plain one was my favorite. It was like a Cinnabon roll but not as sweet, which is the way I would prefer it. As I am sure you are aware, the closer you get to the middle of the roll the more gooey and amazing it becomes.

The cream cheese frosting roll was a close second as it was just a plain roll smothered in the frosting and the frosting they had was really good.

The crumb was least favorite of the three as it was just nothing special, but since the other too were so great it is hard to compare. They also had mix so that you can make your own roll at home if you want to as well. I did not try this but I can’t imagine I could make a roll as good as they were there.

I couldn’t believe how good the price was on these rolls, they were good sized and only a few dollars. I guess that is why they have so many good Yelp reviews and a line out the door when we came. If you are driving Pacific Coast Highway this is a great stop for breakfast or for lunch, I wont judge. Let me know your favorite in the comments.

In Pismo Beach and San Luis Obispo there is no shortage of good places to eat. I like to try to break it down into the three main meals.: Lunch is Firestone and Splash Cafe, dinner is Mclintocks and breakfast is Nova, Honeymoon Cafe and Old West Cinnamon Rolls. Honeymoon Cafe is a great stop for me because the food is good and the atmosphere is excellent. Here is the info.

Details

• Hours: M-F: 7AM-3PM, Sat – Sun: 8AM – 2PM
• Cost; $6 – $10 a person

When you turn off onto PCH from Highway 101 you will be on one of the main roads that runs through Pismo Beach as you pass art galleries, restaurants and the Honeymoon Cafe. It is not in the main downtown of Pismo Beach near the pier but is only a quarter-mile walk away.

On the weekends it can have a line but they are fast and there is ample outdoor seating, plus it is worth the wait. I especially like the style of the cafe as it is very low-key and homey in a good way. They have lots of random mugs for coffee and even a sign pointing to a separate entrance for hipsters which creates a fun atmosphere. It is also very dog friendly and you will always see dogs on the patio, which is a plus for some people and a negative for others.

The food itself is on the healthy side as opposed to a normal American diner and I really enjoyed that. They even have a quinoa breakfast burrito which I have never seen before and Amie was very excited to try. They actually had a few other quinoa bowl options so it is a great spot for vegetarians.

I opted for the smoked salmon scramble which was a different take on Eggs Benedict with a wheat english muffin and cream cheese then a smoked salmon and capers omlette on top. It was a good breakfast that didn’t leave me feeling bloated. Top it off with orange juice or coffee and it is a filling place for a good healthy meal. I like the Honeymoon Cafe and have no problem recommending it as it is a fun atmosphere with good food, let me know what you think in the comments.

In the small city of Cayucos, North of Morro Bay is one of my favorite cookie places, Brown Butter Cookie Company and one of the most unique fish taco places, Ruddell’s Smokehouse. It is a great place to get dinner and dessert all without moving parking spaces.

Details

• $6 a taco
• Free street parking

The restaurant itself is tiny with only room for a few people inside at a time. That is fine since you will just walk in to order and you would rather sit outside with the view they have anyway. The tacos are 6 dollars a piece and they are more like burritos then tacos, I only needed one to fill myself up, especially with cookies in my future.

The Food

The three taco options are albacore, shrimp and salmon and they come in a fried soft tortilla with apple, celery and lettuce.

All of the fish is smoked and has a great smokey flavor which works well with the aforementioned add ons. The highlight for me though was the pepper sauce that they had to garnish your taco with. This sauce has a mind-blowing flavor and I smoothed my taco in it. Honestly, I think I may be able to just drink the sauce if that was an option.

As for the tacos, the shrimp was my favorite of two I tried. it had a great flavor and was more unique than the albacore which had a tunaish consistency to me. I am not saying that is bad, I just prefer the shrimp. Both of the meats are generously smoked to have a rich flavor that is not overpowering.

Location

The location adds to the greatness of this place as it is literally right across the street from the beach and the pier. You can sit at one of the tables outside and see Morro Rock while eating. That is hard to find a better place to eat a taco an hard to find a taco prepared like this.

All in all you really should stop here on your PCH road trip as you need to try the brown butter cookies and smoked fish taco. I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Yes, luffa’s like the ones you use in the shower and yes they do grow out of the ground. Now that we have that out of the way we can talk about the awesomeness that is a luffa farm. Located in Nipomo, right off the 101 freeway, the Luffa farm is a great stop for the whole family as the farm is informative but doesn’t take itself to seriously either. Heck, you can even buy a new farm grown luffa to take home if you feel so inclined.

Details

• Free for the tour
• Open 10AM – 4PM, Closed Mon and Tues

As soon as we got off the freeway we started seeing signs for The Luffa Farm. You can easily see that it must be a draw for the area with all the small signs that lead you there.

When you pull off on the small one lane dirt road that leads you to the farm you will see signs on pretty much every tree encouraging you forward.

After parking we were greeted by Joseph the tour guide of the day for our time at The Luffa Farm and he was very knowledgeable, the tour began quickly.

It started with him showing us the difference between a luffa you would buy in the store with a bunch of chemicals in it and a fresh luffa from the farm, it was a big difference for sure.

After that he took us into the luffa greenhouse where they were actually growing.

When we were there it was pretty scarce as they had recently been picked but there were still a few on the vine that he showed us.

He also told me that you can eat them as well, they are like a zucchini in consistency. He showed us the process for creating the luffa’s which is essentially drying them out then shaking out the seeds and preparing them for sale.

He also took us to their herbs secretion which they use for creating all the soaps they sell.

The tour was done as fast as it started but it was great for a quick and informative understanding of this weird plant.

The shop had all shapes, sizes and delicacies of luffas as no two luffas are the same. Amie grabbed one of them and a pet soap they make there for a total of 12 bucks I believe.

After that we head back to the freeway and onto our next stop. I have to say though this is a fun adventure that is free for the whole family and I really do recommend it. I am glad I can now tell people all about how luffas are grown and it will blow their mind I am sure.

Morro Bay is one of those iconic coastal California spots that you have no doubt seen in travel magazines. The massive rock the city is known for looms over the ocean and is easy to marvel at. The downtown itself has a small street of shops, restaurants and museums that make it a great place for a leisurely stroll. One of those museums is the Morro Bay Skateboard Museum, home to the second largest skateboard in the world and a fun stop for the whole family.

Details

• Open 7 days a week from 10 AM – 5PM
• Suggested donation to enter

History

Don’t just take it from me, here is a video on the museum itself.

The Museum

This small museum really is full of charm. From the minute we entered the people working there were happy to have us and eagerly told us about the museum. Even though it is small there is a ton of history packed into the small space.

I immediately made my way to the back where they have a section that showcases the history of skateboarding through the actual boards from each of those eras. I myself was never much of a skateboarder, but I always enjoyed the culture and really loved seeing how well it was relived in this museum. It reminded me a lot of the Surfing Museum in Huntington.

How often do you get to see gems like this fun old board with Nelson Mandela on it. I really was impressed by how creative a lot of the art was on the old boards.

This board below was also pretty crazy to me. It seemed to mimic a snowboarding type approach with its full articulation on the bottom. I have to imagine it would be pretty hard to ride but it looks like it could be really fun.

After looking at all of the old boards I headed back to the front of the museum to see some of the actual history they had collected. This included boards from some of the legends such as Tony Hawk and a display with a lot of the different stickers from the skate companies over the years.

Lastly, when we were there they had the worlds second largest skateboard on display. This thing was really massive and it is hard to envision the actual worlds largest board.

The coolest thing about it was that for a few bucks they would let you climb up onto it for a photo. My group happily threw down the requested donation and jumped up on the board. You can see how large it is in this picture with us on it.

If you love skating then obviously you do not need me to tell you to go here, but even if you don’t I recommend walking the boardwalk of Morro Bay and sticking you head into this fun museum. I would love to hear your comments below.

Pismo Beach and San Luis Obispo are not hurting for good places to eat as there are so many options such as this, this and this. If you are looking for an upscale place for a great dinner in the city though than look no further than F. Mclintocks, the historic tavern and steak spot right on Pacific Coast Highway. 

Details

• $10-$20 for a meal
• Hours: 4PM – 9PM

The Location

When you are driving Pacific Coast Highway it is impossible to miss the famous F. McLintocks with its 30 foot tall wooden cowboy perched outside the restaurant. It is especially fun at night-time when the neon lights are lit up beckoning you into its glow.

From the moment you enter you will realize this is one of those places that doesn’t take itself seriously. There is a stuffed bison, gift shop and Polaroids all over the walls.  The restaurant itself has the appearance of a rustic cowboy tavern or cabin and the bar is dimly lit and inviting.

The Food

Before ordering know that the portions are huge here and know that onion rings, beans, garlic bread, chips and salsa and after dinner ice cream are all complimentary if you order a dinner. You will leave full, I guarantee it.

Of course for me the only thing to get here is some form of steak or ribs. It is not a very vegetarian friendly place as my wife will attest but there is always salad or sides for the non-meat eaters.

The ribs are smothered in BBQ sauce and they fall off the bone in a good way. I usually get the full rack but that is only so I can take some home as I am usually too full from the accessories to eat them all. 

The waiters also do a fun thing where sometimes they pour water onto a cup that you hold on your head (I am guessing this is by request only?). Obviously, you only want to do this if you are prepared to get a little wet, but it really is amazing how good they are at this. 

I don’t have much else to report on this spot other than to tell you it is a fun, more expensive stop on PCH. If you are looking for something cheaper than I would recommend Splash Cafe which is across the freeway from here and has a killer bread bowl with clam chowder, but you will get your moneys worth if you eat at F. McLintocks and I always enjoy myself. Let me know what your favorite place is to eat in the area in the comments.

Sitting high on the mountainside at about 2,200 feet, Daou Vineyards is a magnificent spot to visit in Paso Robles equally beautiful west side. After driving through windy roads covered in trees you will see a sign for this 200 acre estate and move from the tree level to above them in less then 5 minutes. This is one of my favorite spots to watch the sunset in Paso Robles and here is all the information if you want to visit it yourself.

Details

• Cost: $20 for tasting
• Hours: Daily 11AM – 5PM
• Location: 2777 Hidden Mountain Rd, Paso Robles, CA 93446

After turning off Adalaida Road onto Hidden Mountain Road you will make your way up to the top of the hill and the big parking lot for the winery.

The winery building itself is set in a Spanish Colonial style and it looks like something you would see while touring the famous wine regions of Europe.

The tasting room is simple but beautiful with neutral colors and a beautiful lit up angel that sits behind the bar. The bar is big and a full circle so there is a lot of room alongside it and there are tables and chairs in the room as well.

I did not try the wines myself but many people in my group raved about the reds they had. I wandered outside and was immediately enthralled with the fantastic exterior experience they offered in the backyard area as well.

It was full of chairs made from reclaimed wine barrels, tables spaced out in a way that encouraged a relaxing atmosphere and a bocce ball court.

The highlight for me though was the view of the surrounding mountains that went as far as the eye could see. It was just such a peaceful place to relax that you can’t help but enjoy yourself at.

When the sun starts painting its way across the sky you are in for a treat as well. I witnessed one of the best sunset I have ever seen from up here as it was full of reds, purples and yellows, I couldn’t look away.

As you can see this is a fascinating spot for wine tasting in the area. Even if you do not like wine tasting you will still love experiencing the atmosphere and beauty that this spot has to offer. Let me know if you have been and what you thought in the comments.

This is a quick historic stop in the quaint little town of Arroyo Grande, South of Pismo Beach. This bridge is one of the only swinging bridges of its kind in California and even though it has been rebuilt, it is still a fun little piece of history to explore and walk across. Here is all the information and be sure to check out my favorite California bridges here.

Details

• Free
• Always Open

History

The bridge itself was designed by the Short family is 1875 to span across the Arroyo Grande Creek and connect their two sides of property. Originally it was a held together with rope but when a tree fell on it in 1995 it was rebuilt more sturdy with cables. So while this is not the original bridge it was built to mimic it and a bridge has sat in this spot for over 130 years.

The Bridge

After parking in the small lot that serves as both parking for the bridge and for the businesses near by, you can get out and start exploring.

You can still walk across this bridge fully and it does have a sway to it. It feels completely safe, but it one of those bridges that you can still cause to have movement by the way you walk across it.

The bridge it beautiful from both sides though so make sure to walk fully across it.

After playing on the bridge you can actually take a trail to get down below it and see it from a different angle. This is a awesome little trail as it runs alongside the small stream and gives you a unique perspective on the bridge.

Lastly, don’t forget to say hello to the chickens that wander around in the park.

After exploring you can head back in your car or head to the town and walk around their unique shops. All in all this is a fun little stop along a road trip and a good way to explore a historic walking bridge in California.

So I can honestly say that I don’t know really anything about this spot, but I stumbled on it while researching places to go on the way back from the James Dean Memorial. This small chapel on a hill is a beautiful hike and a beautiful view of the surrounding wine country of Paso Robles and if you are in the mood for a random stop then this trip is for you. Update – The kind people from TravelPaso let me know that Chapel Hill was built by “Judge” Clark, an adviser to Ronald Reagan and longtime resident of Shandon, just east of Paso. Judge Clark passed away in 2013 and they are not sure if the chapel is still opened for special events or not.

Details

• Half mile hike
• 300 feet of elevation
• Location: McMillan Canyon Rd, Shandon, CA

Getting Here

Off Highway 46 you will want to turn on McMillian Canyon Road which sneaks up on you and is not very well marked. From here you will see the chapel on the hill in the distance and just need to drive down the road to the base of the hill. I went past it to see if the road up to the chapel was open for driving, but it was not. The parking lot was open though and we were the only car so we parked and started up the hill.

The hill is covered in grape bushes and while beautiful, it’s pretty steep. Remember this if you go in the summer when the area can be really hot. 

I took my time as I walked up the steep hill and within a tenth of a mile the view was already getting beautiful behind me. I often forget that the rolling hills of Paso Robles can be amazing even when they are brown.

As you near the top of the hill the chapel will start to come into focus.

When we reached it I was impressed by the style and beauty of it. It had a Spanish style architecture that was a stark contrast with the rolling hills around it.

I walked around the mission to see if it was open but unfortunately it was not so I wasn’t able to go inside. It was still beautiful from the outside though and I would love to see photos if any readers have been inside.

After 15 minutes of walking around and taking in the views we headed back down the steep road to the car.

It was a beautiful excursion in wine country and I would love to learn more about this unique spot. Make sure to let me know in the comments if you have any information on it.

Located in the beautiful downtown Paso Robles, The Hatch Rotisserie & Bar is a fun little spot with a pristine brick laid interior, fun cocktails & unique deconstructed southern food. The menu really does have everything here, from drinks with whiskey and pickle juice to ramen and chicken and waffles. Its a fun spot for a night out in Paso Robles, here is my full review.

Details

• Cost: $15-$19 a person
• Hours: Mon- Wed: 5PM-9PM, Thurs – Sat: 5PM-10PM
• Location: 835 13th Street, Paso Robles, CA

The interior is relatively small with a large bar on one side and a bunch of tables on the other. It is a simple yet minimal style that goes well with the unique food that they serve.

The Food

The menu is eclectic with everything from meatloaf and ramen to creole mussels and chicken & waffles. I was there with a large group so we tried a little bit of everything. Here are some of the things we ordered.

Roasted Cauliflower Appetizer – The roasted cauliflower is to die for, which is saying a lot as I try to stay away from cauliflower. It’s grilled to perfection and has Parmesan on top. The sauce that goes with it is a like a sweet sauce with a little spice and it is fantastic.

Potatoes – Another fantastic side, the potatoes are roasted in buttermilk aioli and lightly crusted in salt. The buttermilk aioli they put on top is a great addition that is super creamy and the whole thing comes out in a cast iron pan.

Hatch Chicken – Juicy chicken with a lot of flavor that falls off the bone. It comes with two sauces, a buttermilk dip that is creamy and hot sauce that is really spicy. I liked putting both of them together and mixing it with the chicken.

For dessert we also got two different options which were:

Hootch Cake – A moist cake with butter pecan ice cream, caramel and liquor on top. Strong liquor flavor but really good with a small crunch in the cake.

Chocolate Crémeux – Served in a mason jar, this chocolate pudding dish had a vanilla buttermilk creme and a light blood orange taste. My favorite of the desserts as it was rich but fantastic.

As you can see this is a unique spot with southern food, lots of buttermilk sauces and nontraditional takes on a fresh cooked meal. I really liked the atmosphere here and thought it went well with all of the crazy flavors and fun drinks. If you are looking for a good spot in downtown Paso Robles then I recommend you give The Hatch Rotisserie and Bar a try. Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

Located right off Highway 101, just minutes from the Firestone Brewery and many local wineries, Hampton Suites Paso Robles is a great jumping off point for exploring the beautiful central coast and Paso Robles. They have amenities that include a free breakfast, cookies at night and Wifi, all of which will make you feel at home while staying there. Here is the full review from my time at Hampton Suites.

Details

• Book here
• Location: 212 Alexa Ct, Paso Robles, CA 93446
• Amenities: Pool / Spa, Fitness center, wine tasting at night, cookies, snack packs, free breakfast, Wifi

Getting There

The Hampton Suites is a Hilton property and it is located right off the freeway on the East Highway 46 exit. You will see it right when you get off as it is visible from the freeway and close to another hotel called the La Bellasera.

The Hotel

There is ample parking in the large lot outside the hotel and even a fun sign that points to all of the wineries that are close by, letting you know you are have made it to wine country central CA. The lobby itself is welcoming as well, especially when it has cookies waiting for you at night.

The main area has a lot of tables and overstuffed chairs. This is where the breakfast is in the morning and wine tasting at night. Each night they bring in a different local winery to showcase their wines and they have cheese and crackers for you to have while tasting. The morning breakfast was great for a continental breakfast, featuring coffee, eggs, bacon, oatmeal and fruit, among other things.

The pool is in the back and is a good size with small spa next to it. I didn’t go in but I saw others enjoying it.

The Rooms

The rooms themselves are big and inviting. I stayed in a room with two queens beds and had a lot of room. It also had a flat screen TV, desk, lounge chair and a small lap desk that I could use to work while sitting in bed.

The bathroom was also nice with lots of towels, a full shower and a large sink with space to put your toiletries.

I didn’t spend a lot of time at the hotel because there are so many great places to explore in Paso Robles, here are a few of my favorites.

Firestone Brewery

Right across the freeway, this is a great spot for a brewery tour and for dinner.

Downtown Paso Robles

Less than 10 minutes away this is a fantastic spot to walk around, shop and eat. I recommend The General Store for shopping and The Hatch for dinner.

Wineries

Most are within 15 minutes and I couldn’t begin to tell you where to go as there are so many. Here are my favorite ones that offer a unique attractions in addition to the wine.

All in all I have no complaints about Hampton Inn, it was a great spot with good staff, nice rooms and a good location. If you are looking for a place to stay while exploring Paso Robles,  check it out.

I like historical spots as much as the next person, but when I heard about this hotel in Paso Robles I was immediately excited to see it for myself. This spot has a history over a century old and was even a hiding spot for Jesse James when his gang was on the run (because it was his uncles hotel back then). It has since be destroyed and rebuilt, but all of this makes it a really fun spot to explore or a great place to stay in Paso Robles.

Details

• Book here
• Location: 1103 Spring St, Paso Robles, CA 93446

History

The history found below is largely from their website you can read here.

Paso Robles became widely know in the 1800’s due to the thought to be healing hot mineral springs in the area. From 1844-1864 there was the Hot Springs Hotel owned by the Blackburn Brothers and Drury James who was the infamous Jesse James’ uncle. Legend has it that Jesse James hid out here and would escape in the under ground tunnels that ran under the Inn. In 1886 the railroad arrived to Paso Robles bringing a lot of travelers and in 1889 the city of Paso Robles is incorporated.

In 1913 Ignace Paderewski, a famous pianist from Poland, discovered Paso Robles and the hotel for it’s healing waters, suggested by a friend when he couldn’t play piano any longer due to pain in his hands. He stayed at the Inn often and bought land there. In late 1920’s many celebrities stayed at the Inn while filming western movies – most notably John Wayne. Other celebrities traveled by rail to relax in style and enjoy the hot springs (Bob Hope, Judy Garland, John Barrymore).

In 1940 Paso Robles Hot Springs hotel burned down almost entirely, but firefighters were able to save the ballroom. The Ballroom is the only remaining building from the 1891 hotel complex. The new hotel reopened with a coffee shop and it’s now modern look as Paso Robles Inn– they used bricks from the ruins in the new building. In 1999 the Martin family, the current owners, purchased the Inn. They wanted to make the Inn the landmark it once was, so they re-drilled for the mineral springs to have private tubs in 18 hotel room balconies and fully restored the ballroom.

What to See

If you go on a self guided tour of the property there are a few things you must see and a few things that you probably can’t see as they are not always open. Here are a few of my favorites:

The Old Horseshoe Bar

Right in the front of the hotel is an old diner type bar that fits with the uniqueness of the hotel. It even has a full mural over the back wall which harkens back to the area’s history through its art.

Cattlemen’s Lounge

Above the lobby is the historic cowboy bar called Cattlemen’s Lounge. This spot was visited by many famous people over the years, including John Wanye when he was filming in the area. Their cocktail list pays homage to some of their more famous visitors and they have a full patio which overlooks the park across the street.

The Wine Rooms

Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see any of these rooms during my time here but I was told all about them and essentially they are rooms designed by some of the areas wineries. Each of the selected wineries have a room and can decorate it however they would like, adding a unique twist to a traditional hotel room. Most of these rooms have mineral spas on the patio as well, which is a fantastic touch.

The Pool

Right across from the rooms is a big pool and mineral hot springs that you can take advantage of while there.

Wedding Tree

In the large middle courtyard there is also a grass area with a beautiful tree that serves as the backdrop for weddings that take place on the property.

The Original Building

The old building on the back-end of the property houses a lobby, renovated rooms and the ballroom.

The Lobby

The lobby has been meticulously recreated to match photos of the old hotel itself. It has a beautiful reception desk, lots of memorabilia from the history of the hotel, a charter of its owners and a piano from the famous Paderewski who you read about in the history section.

Paderewski Piano

Mr Paderewski, the famous pianist, stayed here many times over the years and was known to come down and play this piano in the lobby.

The Ballroom

The ballroom is the only room that survived the fire which destroyed the hotel in the 1940’s and it is a beautiful spot that can be rented out for events. I was fascinated by the ceiling as it had the original lights still in it.

The Rooms

From the ballroom we went upstairs and got to check out a few of the rooms. One of the rooms we saw had a balcony with a spa tub outside and I would have loved to have stayed in this beautiful room.

On the other side of the hall was another room that was basically the same except it did not have a mineral tub, so its tub was inside the bathroom.

Either way you choose, the rooms here are beautiful.

The Weather Rock and Koi

As you walk back to the main lobby from the original building be sure to check out the weather rock which is sure to give you a laugh and stop to see the massive koi fish they have in the ponds.

All in all this is a beautiful hotel with a ton of history, and one that I really enjoyed visiting on my time in Paso Robles. I highly recommend you consider it if you are looking for a fun place to stay in the area, let me know if you have been in the comments.

What is there to say about the magical castle nestled on the hills of San Simeon that hasn’t been said one thousand times before? I won’t try to say it myself as you can read about it on countless books and websites; I will however share some photographic inspiration that will hopefully inspire you to go out and explore this beautiful and historical spot on the California coast yourself. Here is all the information and a boatload of photos, have fun.

Details

• Cost: $25 a person, book tickets in advance
• Time: Plan a half day
• Location: 750 Hearst Castle Rd, San Simeon, CA 93452
• They have a new Holiday Twilight Tour you can read about here

Stats:

• 15 years to build
• 770,000 people visit it a year
• Summer is 4,000-5,000 people a day, winter is 400-500 a day, so visit in the winter
• 115 rooms in the main building, 46 in the guest houses
• Neptune pool holds 345,000 gallons and indoor pool holds 290,000

History

If you are interested in the all of the history I would recommend you check out this site. That being said you can show up with very little understanding of the area and learn a ton on the tour and by watching the IMAX movie. The thing I found most interesting was that it was donated to the state of California, with all furnishings and art, in 1958 about 6 years after William Hurst died. It was donated to fulfill a stipulation in his will to leave something that honored his mother. You will learn all of this and more while you are there.

Visitor Center

When you drive up to the parking lot for the visitors center, you have to take a shuttle to get to the park, be sure to watch for zebras as they are often grazing the hills near the center.

After grabbing your tickets I would recommend watching the IMAX movie. Normally I am not a huge fan of museum movies but this one is really well made and gives a lot of history, as well as beautiful views of the area. After watching the video you will board the tram for the 15 minute ride, narrated by Alec Trebek, up to the castle.

The Tour

Depending on what tour you book it may or may not include all of the pieces mentioned here. Also, we went in November, which is why you will see Christmas trees in a few of the pictures.

The Entryway

Right when you get off the bus you will see the main staircase that leads you up to the property. This staircase created a feeling of anticipation for me as I imagined what would greet me when I got to the top.

The Neptune Pool

Unfortunately, due to the drought, the Neptune Pool was completely dry. This is one of the best areas to see on a tour of the castle so it was a bummer to not see it. I fully understand though as the drought has hit California hard, especially this area.

The Guest House

On the right when you come up you will see the first of two guest houses. If you saw a photo of this place, not know what it was, you would swear it was the mansion not just a guesthouse. Complete with a two-story fountain, golden door and ocean views, it is a pretty amazing place. We didn’t get a chance to go inside but the outside was cool enough.

The Gardens

Above the guesthouse is the main gardens that fill the courtyard leading to the house. This area is full of sculptures, art, beautiful plants and immaculate views of the main house itself.

After your tour is over you can walk around this area to take it in more as well.

The Interior

After exploring the grounds you will be ready to enter the house itself. The house has over 100 rooms and on the tour you only see a half-dozen or so, but this is enough to get a good feeling for what the castle was like.

The Main Room

This is the first room we went into and it was the room that the guests waited in before Mr Hearst came and let them into the dining hall. This room features an amazing stone fireplace, lots of tapestries and multiple Christmas trees (we went in November).

The Dining Room

From here we headed into the dining room which is pretty awe-inspiring when you see it. The room is very long and features a table down the middle that looks like it could hold 50 people. Again there were tapestries and Christmas decorations here as well.

The Kitchen

While not as massive as I anticipated, the kitchen does have ample room for preparing epic meals. I was surprised that it actually looked quite modern as well.

They had a lot of unique pieces in here such as spoons used for bone marrow and chicken faucet handles (we should start this trend back up again).

The Wine Cellar

Depending on the tour you book you may also go down into the wine cellar. This two room cellar features many of the wine bottles that were present when Mr Hearst passed away.

Fun Fact: You can’t donate alcohol to the government, so technically the Hearst family still owns the wine in here.

The Theater

The theater was said to have shown a lot of the movies from the famous guests that spent time at the castle. It could easily hold 50 people so I am sure it was a fun spot to watch a movie.

The Billiards Hall

I imagine this room has a lot of fun stories it could tell since everyone from Clark Gable to Charlie Chaplin spent time in this house.

The Tennis Court

The tennis court was another popular attraction at the house. The glass windows that go down the center add light to the indoor pool below.

The Indoor Pool

Of course one of the main attractions on the tour is the indoor pool which is just as amazing as you would anticipate in person. The way the reflections play off the still water is mind-blowing, and the inlaid gold that is all over the pool and walkway is something you won’t forget.

The pool is much bigger then I anticipated, with a section that T’s off to the right creating even more room. I wish I was able to swim in this pool as I bet it would be ridiculously fun.

If you book a private tour you can sometimes go and see the back area of the pool, including the high dive itself. I was able to do this, but this is not standard on most tours.

This is one of those areas where you just can’t stop taking pictures. Every angle looks better than last and I walked away with way more pictures than I needed to.

The Dressing Room

Some tours also include access to the dressing room, which has eight rooms for changing and getting ready to experience the pool. I liked the old look of this room and thought it was preserved really well.

The bus then picks you up from the exterior of the indoor pool and takes you back down to the visitors center. The bus comes every 15 minutes or so so you can take your time exploring and leave when you are ready.

As I am sure you already know, Hearst Castle is a really fun stop on Highway 1 and a unique piece of California history you really should explore. If you are in the area be sure to check out the poor mans Hearst Castle in Cambria and to see the elephant seals as well. Let me know your favorite spot at Hearst Castle in the comments.