California has the unique quality of combining a wide variety of terrain in a relatively small area. There aren’t many places in the world that have the combination of ocean and mountains in such close proximity, while also boasting some of the most fantastic wine regions in the world! San Luis Obispo is one of those places that’s placed perfectly to take advantage of all of these things!

Nestled in a small valley just a few miles from the ocean, San Luis Obispo has become a popular destination for people who want a real “California” experience. The Edna Valley has been growing some of the best Chardonnay grapes in the state, and the touring and tasting experience is ideal for everyone, from the seasoned oenophile, to the beginning “wino”! One of my favorite stops in San Luis Obispo is the Madonna Inn. If you have ever driven Highway 101 through the Central Coast, you have undoubtedly seen the massive Madonna Inn, in all of its bright pink glory! Alex Madonna created this landmark hotel, boasting 109 uniquely named and decorated rooms. Along with some fantastic restaurants and boutique shops in the hotel, they also have a superb wine shop that carries a wide variety of Central Coast wines.

But, even though the hotel, food and wine are all great, I have to admit that my favorite part of the Madonna Inn is…the men’s restroom. I know. That sounds really weird, but there is no finer WC in California! The men’s room has an 8 foot waterfall that serves as the… you know… whatever it’s called! There is nothing more inspiring in the lavatory than to have thousands of gallons of rushing water rushing through the bathroom! The men’s room is such an attraction that even the ladies wait for an opportunity to sneak a peek when the bathroom is vacant! So, make sure that you put San Luis Obispo on your “must see” list of California, and if nature does call, you‘ll know where to answer!

So hopefully, when traveling, you end up exactly where you wanted to go. Other times, you get lost, and end up where you should have gone in the first place! Some of you, for example, might be driving around for Paso Robles, but end up (fortunately) at ‘The Range’ in the town of Santa Margarita.

Paso Robles has developed into one of California’s premiere wine making regions, and this part of California has seen a huge increase in wine tourism. As a result, this has brought many thirsty and hungry travelers to the region, but not all of those travelers make it to Paso Robles without making a wrong turn here or there. Some of them are lucky enough to exit off Highway 101 a couple of exits too early (or too late!) and they end up in Santa Margarita. This is a town that is so small, that a stoplight has yet to be erected. It is also home to one of the best kitchens in the central coast. Now, you had better bring your appetite, and cash, because your plastic will get you run right out of town.

Not only does ‘The Range’ boast a fantastic menu, of which the steaks are truly the highlight, but it has one of the greatest wine lists in the area. On any given night you will probably be sitting next to a table of rowdy winemakers and grape grower s that are pairing their latest vintages with the local cuisine. This is one of the area’s favorite spots, especially for locals who are looking to escape some of the tourist favorites on busy holiday weekend. If you play your cards right, you just might make some new friends and get to sample some unreleased vintages!

I am really excited about this effort to get people out and about in California, and taking advantage of some of the best food and wine regions in the world! I have been so lucky to have grown up on a vineyard, and be able to really live the ‘wine country” lifestyle. California has a wide variety of food and wine attractions from San Diego all the way to Eureka, and the best way to understand them is to live them! What’s the second best to experience them? Well, I guess that would be to have some pretty good tour guides, who have spent years traveling through California to tell you all about them! So I am going to give you a first hand perspective on food and wine, through my eyes.

Over the years, I have been able to travel extensively through the state, and the most important thing when I arrive in a new destination, is to find something good to eat! Now, this doesn’t always mean getting a window table at the fanciest restaurant in town, but rather finding somewhere that really speaks to the region. I have found that I can spend 5 dollars, or 500 dollars very easily at a restaurant (or hot dog stand for that matter) and the real value comes from the experience. Whether it is the location, the service, or just a weird circumstance that brought you there, food and wine has a way of weaving itself into the fabric of our lives. Over the next few months, I am going to tell you some of those stories.
Cheers!
Andrew