Back in California

[Markel]

Well, my wife and I are back in Templeton (about 20 minutes north of San Luis Obispo), but this time we've got our 3 younger kids with us. Last week they were in Mexico (just south of Encinada) with a group (including my brother-in-law and many from his church, and about 6 other people from we know from the Chicago area) that went down to build a house (an orginization there sets everything up, has the slab poured, and the house gets built in 5 days). My wife and I got picked up at LAX (as some were being dropped off to fly back to Chicago) and we rode on up here. We'll be staying at my sister's place for the week, and a chance to visit my mother who is in a home in Atascadero.

Nice weather up here - gets warm (90) in the day, but cools off nice at night.

Any recommendation on things to do here in the central coast area? I know about Hearst Castle (but not so sure that the boys would be so interested in that). I'm sure we'll drive over to Morro Bay some time. What else?

[chrissy]

Stop by Pismo Beach. It's not a bad beach, just real touristy

Also there is Solvang which is a nice touristy spot that has good food.

You can always run by or call Vandenburg to see if they have a tour going. It's a pretty interesting tour.

Santa Barbara has the brewing co that has awsome food and great stout

The wineries

The missions. There are several -- Lompoc, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obisbo and La purisima.

OH and there is a resturant Pea Soup Andersons or something like that near solvang. The best pea soup.. And I hate pea soup.
Oh and in Santa Maria, there is orcutt burger -- the best sandwiches besides Lido's which has bread delivered daily from Philly for their cheesesteak sandwiches. OH then there is Jack's in Orcutt that has the best breakfast food around.

I am getting homesick...

[Grimm]

Winchester Mystery House!!!!

[chrissy]

Grimm, that is the one place I never got to that I really need to go back and do.

[TofuNinja]

Prismo rules... make sure you eat at Mo's Smokehouse... some of the best ribs ever... abd the Splash Cafe has super clam chowder. I love Pismo.... I need to go back and use my parents condo again

[Thesifer]

Winchester Mystery House!!!!

I would suggest the Winchester Mansion.. Also.. I Saw that as a kid.. and thought it was pretty cool.

[Kevster]

The Winchester mystery house is way up in San Jose - Markel, what is the distance range that you're willing to go? I'd say go to Monterey first and check out cannery row and the world-class Monterey Bay Aquarium. I would stay up there for a night, then I'd come back down the slow road on Pacific Coast Hwy through Big Sur and stop everywhere taking in the magnificent scenery. I've done that twice, and each trip was simply amazing.

[Markel]

Thanks for the suggestions. My sister and b-i-l will be here tonight (they were in the southern part of the state yesterday and today for a friend's retirement partY) and I'll see if they have any other ideas.

Markel, what is the distance range that you're willing to go?

Mostly I'm thinking of "day trip" plans.

[speedracer120]

Then Winchester and Monterrey are a bit of a stretch. But 17 mile drive starting near Carmel through Pebble Beach is worth the trouble. The drive up 101 is bleh, but I heard the drive up PCH while slower is much more deserving of the time spent on the road.

[Grimm]

The drive up 101 is bleh, but I heard the drive up PCH while slower is much more deserving of the time spent on the road.

Last time I went up the PCH (Highway 1) was the last time. Driving along at 20 MPH along a cliff face was not my idea of "worth it".

[Markel]

My wife and I drove up as far as Ragged Point last time we were here (early December), and the drive was wide open. I guess in the summer it gets a lot busier.

[sourdough]

It is too bad you can't get to San Francisco, they have wonderful sourdough there.

[Markel]

Just got back from picking up a car rental from Enterprise for the week. I had reserved a full size ($208/week), and I had an upgrade coupon from some business rental a little while back. They gave us a Nissan Armada, so we'll be travelling in style! Even has seating for 8, so we can fit my sister, brother-in-law, and their daughter if we want to go somewhere together. Nice!

[DankNstickY]

Last time I went up the PCH (Highway 1) was the last time. Driving along at 20 MPH along a cliff face was not my idea of "worth it".

i loved that part of the PCH. my dad drove one van and i drove another last year during our little vacation and we both loved the drive. imagine on a motorcycle ... hehe. i'd like to go up there again just for that little drive. nothing else.

[Thesifer]

On an interesting Side note.. the Monterey Bay Aquarium was featured in Star Trek: The Voyage Home ( I think thats the right one.. ) .. Just a fun fact for the day.. hehehe. . I liked it there.. pretty sweet.
(There isnt a huge outdoor whale facility tho..that was all added in)