Sipping in San Simeon

History, wine, and nature on the Central Coast

Photos and story by Adam Nuñez

California’s Central Coast Highway 1 boasts some of the greatest sights in the entire country. Numerous idyllic beaches and forested mountains lay sprawled along this road with stopping points like Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Cambria. Travelers from far and wide flock to these destinations for the world-class wine and food. Wine enthusiasts, or really anyone who enjoys wine tasting and beautiful views, won’t want to miss a very special tasting room just 10 minutes north of Cambria. It’s the Hearst Ranch Winery in San Simeon located right on the William R. Hearst Memorial State Beach. It’s an ideal place for wine tasting or sharing a bottle with friends and family while soaking up the beach views directly in front of you. And by directly, I mean only about 20 yards from your comfy umbrella chair.

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Santa Barbara, Smoked

By Mike Miller Photos courtesy Santa Barbara Smokehouse

Thanks to top-shelf techniques and an eye toward sustainability, this local smoked salmon company is renowned from coast to coast.

If you are a smoked salmon lover, chances are you have already experienced the world-famous Santa Barbara Smokehouse products. If you have not, the city of Santa Barbara is home to one of the best manufacturing facilities in the world

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Randy’s Recipes: Día de los Muertos

Día de los Muertos translates in English as “Day of the Dead.”

According to the History Channel, “The Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday where families welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives for a brief reunion that includes food, drink, and celebration.” It is celebrated from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2, and has recently become more mainstream, thanks to one of my favorite movies: the Academy Award-winning movie Coco. This animated film tells the story of a young boy named Miguel, who dreams of becoming a musician — but his family forbids it. Miguel journeys to the Land of the Dead to understand why his family won’t let him play music. On his quest, Miguel unites with his ancestors in the spiritual realm and brings his family back together while healing the past. Very heartwarming.

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Hello, Harvest!

By Don Sonderling

Find your new favorite sips at these Central Coast wine festivals

The Central Coast isn’t necessarily known for its fall colors — but head to wine country, and you’ll find it in spades. From Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles, vineyards transform the rolling hills from deep green to vibrant golds, reds, and yellows.

Folks in the region are celebrating the colors — and, more importantly, the harvest! — with several fall wine festivals. What better way to taste these AVAs?

Santa Barbara Vintners Festival Weekend

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Randy’s Recipes: Summer Grillin’ Menu

Summertime and the grillin’s easy.

When I think about summer, I think about spending all day at the beach body surfing or firing up my grill on a beautiful day on California’s Central Coast. I remember Dad grilling two large Porterhouse steaks for the four of us. I remember because Dad couldn’t ordinarily afford good cuts of meat. He constantly grilled hamburgers and hot dogs for us, but rarely anything else.

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Summertime Drinks: Whites and Pinks

Exploring the Central Coast’s best summer wines

By Don Sonderling

After a rather overcast spring along the Central Coast, we’re ready for a sun-drenched summer! Lounging by the pool, backyard grilling, picnicking, concert-going — this calls for whites and pinks. Wines, that is.

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