Things to do in Paso Robles, Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo

Joyful Thanksgiving, everybody. Let’s hit the street — whereas avoiding the worst of the vacation site visitors over the weekend.

California holds a bounty of produce, wines, seafood and different regional specialties that simply rival the (typically inaccurate) depictions of the unique Thanksgiving. I like to recommend turning your vacation weekend right into a last-minute street journey up the coast, hitting farm stands and vineyards alongside the best way.

On this version of Escapes, you’ll discover a couple of methods to take pleasure in California’s best meals and drinks on a Central Coast street journey this weekend.

Earlier than you go, check out the perfect and worst occasions to journey this vacation weekend, based on AAA. Basically, it’s a good suggestion to get an early begin in your day, effectively earlier than 11 a.m., when many vacationers hit the street.

The place are you heading this winter? As at all times, my inbox is open for any journey suggestions you’d prefer to cross alongside.

Pattern a cornucopia of treats and produce off U.S. 101

I first wandered by Avila Valley Barn’s inviting picket doorways in October 2015, shortly after relocating West. Born and raised in a small Pennsylvania city, I missed the crisp air and rolling corn harvests of an East Coast autumn.

I discovered all the autumn vibes I might ask for at this San Luis Obispo County landmark, simply off U.S. Route 101.

A straightforward cease on a street journey up the California coast, Avila Valley Barn is a well-liked apple-picking vacation spot throughout autumn. Now, U-pick season has ended and the vacation celebrations are underway.

Christmas bushes might be out there for buy right here starting Friday, and Santa Claus has visits scheduled all through the vacation season, beginning Saturday.

Feeling exhausted after Thanksgiving? For a sugar increase, choose up sizzling chocolate and different vacation treats from the barn’s Candy Shoppe, open daily from 10 a.m. to five p.m. (besides Thanksgiving).

The bounty of fall isn’t fully gone, although. Avila Valley Barn’s farm stand, corn roaster and rooster shack are open for hungry guests hoping to pattern California produce and extra.

With all its choices, it’s simple to see why this place made our checklist of the 43 greatest California experiences so as to add to your fall bucket checklist, compiled by my colleague Christopher Reynolds. Take a look at the remainder of his checklist right here.

Mix glamping and wine tasting

Wine tasting and tenting are two traditional California experiences. So why not mix them?

Final week, Instances contributor Melinda Fulmer rounded up a listing of 9 “ready-to-camp” experiences round L.A. The checklist consists of lakeside yurts, classic trailers close to the seashore and tent cabins alongside a bluff on Catalina Island.

Luxe tenting in wine nation will be the most quintessentially “California” choice of all of them.

Flying Flags, a 44-acre property in Santa Ynez wine nation, has a glamping expertise for everybody, she says. “It not solely has Airstreams but in addition three ranges of tent cabins — the least costly jupes characteristic a double reminiscence foam mattress on a wooden ground with solar-powered lights and a fan, whereas the luxe safari tents come geared up with precise furnishings and an outside kitchen.”

It’s additionally a mere seven miles from Rideau Winery, whose founder is extensively celebrated as the primary Black girl to personal a vineyard within the U.S. Final yr, I spent the day with Iris Rideau, and she or he took me on a tour of her favourite spots within the Santa Ynez Valley. You could find her suggestions right here.

An hour and a half up the coast is one other wine-forward web site: Tentrr Winery Glamping. “Situated proper above a working winery in Paso Robles, this contemporary rustic setup … contains a safari-style canvas tent, a queen reminiscence foam mattress, a camp range and Adirondack chairs, a fireplace pit with grill, tables, a camp rest room and solar bathe,” Fulmer writes.

Particularly applicable given as we speak’s vacation, Fulmer notes you might even see wild turkeys wandering across the property.

Pattern oysters in Morro Bay

This Thanksgiving weekend, skip the turkey or tofurkey leftovers in favor of a few of California’s greatest oysters, sourced from the Morro Bay waters.

On this Central Coast metropolis, identified for its colossal seaside rock, vacationers can go on a tasting tour of oysters by visiting eating places corresponding to Tognazzini’s Dockside, Giovanni’s Fish Market, Dutchman’s Seafood Home and extra.

You may as well choose up contemporary oysters instantly from Morro Bay Oyster Co. and Grassy Bar Oyster Co. to take pleasure in at dwelling. Morro Bay Oyster Co. recommends scheduling a pickup with at some point of discover.

Grassy Bar’s retailer is open from midday to five p.m. Friday by Sunday, whereas Morro Bay Oyster Co.’s retailer is open solely on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to five p.m. throughout the winter.

The following few months are an particularly good time to indulge with California oysters.

“Individuals often simply affiliate oysters and seafood with summertime,” Christopher Tompkins, founding father of Broad Road Oyster Co. in Malibu, advised Instances contributor Esther Tseng in 2019. “However the winter is definitely the perfect time for seafood. Water is colder, the oysters are simply popping out of their spawning season. ” Be taught extra about California oysters right here.

A fast facet journey to Tanzania

Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, one of many world’s seven well-known summits, is excessive atop many vacationers’ bucket lists. However there’s quite a bit to think about earlier than deciding to attempt a trek up the 19,341-foot-high behemoth.

“Climbing to the roof of Africa has by no means been simple, however as local weather change turns the storied snows of Kilimanjaro to mud, and issues about moral journey complicate the very concept of journey within the growing world, it’s arguably extra fraught than ever,” writes investigative reporter Jack Dolan in a current piece.

Dolan’s story will transport you from your own home in California to the “unimaginably steep” trails up Kilimanjaro — no street journey required. Learn it right here.

One last item

Staying dwelling this weekend and beginning your vacation buying?

You may go to Japanese and Japanese-inspired outlets on this checklist, courtesy of Instances contributor Julie Wolfson.

Stocking stuffers — suppose rubber stamps, pens, playing cards and extra — abound at Paper Plant, a stationery retailer in Chinatown. Looking for a present for the bookworm in your life? Cease by Kinokuniya Books in Little Tokyo.

“If you’re dreaming of your first or subsequent journey to Tokyo, browse these areas,” Wolfson writes. “And choose up some scrumptious and fantastically designed objects whilst you’re there.”

🎸Highway music

“The place I Go” by NxWorries feat. H.E.R.

Play it as you drive previous 576-foot-tall Morro Rock in your solution to pattern some oysters.

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