Erik
Actor
Arroyo Grande
Day one:
The Central Coast is absolutely beautiful and there is no better way to see it than from the water. My perfect 72 hours on the Central Coast would begin with a morning Kayak trip in Shell Beach.
You can rent Kayaks from Central Coast Kayaks just a few blocks from the water, and Shell Beach is amazing! The coast line is spectacular, the rock formations and caves are incredible, and the wild life is abundant. I can almost guarantee that you will see otters and seals just a few feet from your Kayak, and tons of different birds are everywhere.
After my paddle and a rest on the beach, I would head to Two Blocks Off the Beach in Pismo Beach for lunch, then out to Avila Bay for some wine tasting. You have to visit Salisbury winery (amazing wine and beautiful art gallery) & Kelsey See Canyon (incredible wine in the stunning Avila foot hills.) Next stop would be your hotel, The Sycamore Hot Springs where I would enjoy an afternoon massage. Dinner is amazing at Sycamore’s restaurant, The Gardens of Avila, and then I would take in a show at The California Cabaret Theatre. Dessert is included at this professional theatre located at the Avila Beach Golf Resort, and you can enjoy a glass of wine while you watch professional actors perform high quality off-broadway contemporary comedies and musicals. The shows are usually PG-13, so you might want to check with the box office before you bring the kids.
Day two:
I would start with a round of Golf. There are so many Golf resorts to choose from, but my favorite is The Avila Beach Golf Resort.
You’ve got the ocean on one side and the beautiful Avila Hills on the other. It feels like you are golfing in Tuscany & the Malfi coast at the same time. In the afternoon I would drive to San Luis Obispo for lunch at Big Sky, a stroll through San Luis’ amazing Mission district, and a sampling of wine at Taste. You can taste hundreds of different wines at this one spot. Dinner would be at the best restaurant in San Luis, NOVO. NOVO has wonderful Mediterranean Fusion Cuisine served in a beautiful outdoor setting. In the evening I would stop by the Madonna Inn for drinks, a live jazz combo, and a little dancing.
Day three:
It’s time to relax on the beach. After breakfast at the Custom House in Avila, I would grab a book and head for the beach.
Again, so many beautiful beaches to choose from, but my favorite is the secluded and unknown Pirates Cove. Only the locals can tell you how to get there. It is an absolutely stunning beach, however, it is clothing optional, so if that worries you try out Avila Beach. It always seems to be sunny in Avila. After lunch at the Old Port Inn out on the end of The San Luis Bay Pier in Avila Beach, I would jump in the car and drive up highway 1 about 20 minutes to Montano de Oro state park. The hiking is beautiful, the coastline is stunning, and the trails are easy. Next I would drive another 30 minutes north on highway 1 to the little town of Cambria. The drive is spectacular and Cambria is a fun little artsy town very close to Hearst Castle. I would take the sunset tour at Hearst Castle, eat dinner at Robyn’s in Cambria, and then head back to Sycamore Hot Springs for a soak in my own private natural mineral hot springs hot tub. Throw in a bottle of wine and the one you love, and you will never want to leave.
