Backroads: Cayucos to San Simeon
By Bennett Barthelemy
“Slow the f-* down! Get out of the car and pee — feel the earth,” my partner Rita admonished me. Her words were softened by her relaxed bright smile as I dove the van aggressively into the well-crowned twists of Old Creek Road out of Cayucos. She then challenged me to find three bird species and to identify them. I listened to her, and looked for the birds, and even stopped periodically. The drive was exponentially enhanced.
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Signed, Seal-ed, Delivered
San Simeon’s elephant seals provide some of the Central Coast’s best (free!) entertainment
By Michele Roest
Elephant seals are creatures of extremes. From their massive size to the depths of their dives, these mammals live to go big. Most elephant seals haul out on islands, but there are some spots where they come to the mainland in substantial numbers. One such spot is the Piedras Blancas Rookery, located in northern San Luis Obispo County just 5 miles north of Hearst Castle State Historical Monument©.
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Cambria is calling
By Jessica Frakes
If you grew up in the diverse state of California, you have likely been on many road trips. What makes California so great for road trips is that, although it is undoubtedly associated with the beach, you can go from desert, to mountain, to forest, to beach all in the span of a day. And sometimes, in certain magical places, these very different landscapes merge.
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Holiday season on the Central Coast
By Misty Hall
The holiday season is here! (Unless you’re a pumpkin spice fan, in which case you kicked things off in August at Starbucks.) The Central Coast plays host to hundreds of holiday events, from haunted houses to winter wine walks, so get out there and celebrate!
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Treasure Hunting up the 101
By Sami Zahringer
There is an air of hushed reverence in an antique store, almost like being in a church, as one peruses old objects with many tales to whisper. It is here you find the gimlet-eyed shopper looking for a bargain — a unique find — a treasure! Together, they create an atmosphere that most people find irresistible. Almost everybody loves snooping around in an antique store, including children, making it a fun outing for the entire family. It feels a bit like granny’s attic.
Read on for some of our favorite antique stores on the Central Coast, and design your own treasure trail.
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The SLO County Music Scene
By Donna Wolfe
San Luis Obispo County has it all — from sunshine to surf, endless recreational opportunities, a world-class wine region, fabulous breweries, great shopping and dining, respected places of learning and, not surprisingly, a thriving local music scene. The county is bordered to the west by coastal ocean views and lined with the gentle rolling mountains heading east.
Located about halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco along U.S. Highway 101, “SLO County” is home to a musical community that covers all genres and features a variety of fun venues. Here are some of the area’s most well-known and favorite spots:
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