Tips For Central CA Coast Trip?

[smokin5]

My dear mate (the Queen B!tch) & I are heading to Central California Coast
in October for a week-long road trip, starting at Santa Barbara & working our way as north as we get. Maybe as far as Santa Cruz, but who knows?

Can anyone recommend some good hotels and/or restaurants along the way?

Food-wise, we're pretty much game for anything except sushi or vegetarian.
We'd prefer smoker-friendly lodgings, but we realize it IS California,
so that's a long shot.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Ashcan Bill]

The Madonna Inn is well worth stopping at, even if you don't stay there. Eclectic to say the least. It's in San Luis Obispo on Highway 101.

There are also some great wineries north of Santa Barbra. Zaca Mesa and Firestone come to mind.

[smokin5]

Nice - Thanks for the info!

Winery recommendations are welcome, as well. There
appear to be 6,872 wineries in the area, & I don't think
we'll have enough time to hit all of them. I'm partial to
Merlot, Zinfandel & Shiraz. The QB prefers sickeningly
sweet whites, like late harvest Riesling & Moscato.

[bobarian]

MoTheMan is your CC winery expert.

Hearst Castle and the Big Sur coast are cant miss sights.

[Ashcan Bill]

Originally Posted by bobarian

Hearst Castle and the Big Sur coast are cant miss sights.

Forgot about Hearst Castle in San Simeon. If you don't do anything else, check out the castle. I've never run into anything like it. The have several different tours available. It's mind boggling to see how ol' man Hearst lived and spent his money.

[smokin5]

Thanks for the tips - please keep 'em coming.

[T.G]

If you make it to Santa Cruz, Shadowbrook restaurant in Soquel. Make reservations, a day in advance if you can.
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