North for the Winter
Head up to the Central Coast’s holiday attractions
B almy weather, charming scenery and right next door – the Central Coast provides a winter wonderland with a host of new festivals and restaurants, revamped hotels, irresistible animal magnetism – and of course, fine wines and craft beer. Drive to “Denmark,” aka Solvang, just two hours away, and now with a new tiki bar! The High Roller Tiki Lounge. a city first, serves wine-inspired “tiki-tails” amid Polynesian pop decor. You’ll find it in the rear of Sort This Out Cellars, a tasting room featuring the region’s award-winning wines. Then, enjoy familymade Danish sausages at the new Copenhagen Sausage Garden outdoor restaurant. For overnights, the remodeled Lansby Hotel sports beautiful Danish Modern furnishings; and a happy hour featuring duck fat fries at Mad & Vin (Danish for “food and wine”) restaurant. Don’t forget Solvang Julesfest 2017, the first three weekends in December, with a parade, free Nativity pageant and more. www.solvangusa.com
Sea otters can’t be wrong, right? Follow these cute critters to Morro Bay. The bay is experiencing the highest sea otter family count to date, according to Discover Morro Bay, with 40 to 50 spotted at a time. Stroll along Bay Harbor Walk or rent a kayak or electric boat and watch otters frolicking everywhere. Celebrate Morro Bay’s new Winterfest, December 1 through 12. Thrill to lighted boat parades and a pirate-style battle between two tall ships. Stay at the newlyrenovated The Landing at Morro Bay a block from the water or the waterfront Estero Inn. www.morrobay.org
Be a rebel and revel in San Luis Obispo’s craft beer scene in the heart of wine country. Step through Mike’s Barbershop and follow the stairs down to the “secret” BarrelHouse Speakeasy taproom, a city first, and sip small-batch, barrelaged and year-round craft beers. Try the Hefeweizen and other handcrafted microbrews at SLO Brew, then overnight in one of five suites at the SLO Brewery Lofts. Stay at The Butler, an auto shop morphed into hip mid-century modern inn featuring car service in a vintage Mercedes. www.visitslo.com
Don’t forget Central Coast’s famed wines. Pair scenic views with luscious pours along the Pacific Coast Wine Trail ,a 10-mile stretch of Highway 1 north of Morro Bay between the hamlets of Harmony and Cambria. Savor Petite Sirah and Merlot at Harmony Cellars and sip flights at five tasting rooms in Cambria including not-to-miss Black Hand Cellars. Stay at the Cambria Pines Lodge in town or the Blue Dolphin Inn on Moonstone Beach. www.pacificcoastwinetrail.com
Tis’ the season in Monterey – for butterflies and festivals. Watch the Monarch butterflies October through December as they cluster in the trees by the thousands, turning the Monarch Grove Sanctuary in Pacific Grove a brilliant orange. A few blocks away, Monterey is perfect for the holidays. Watch the Brighten the Harbor Lighted Boat Parade on Dec. 3 over dinner at Schooners Coastal Kitchen & Bar or The Fish Hopper restaurant, both on Cannery Row. To celebrate the holidays, historic downtown buildings, including the Robert Louis Stevenson House, are decked in 19th century holiday finery. www.seemonterey.com.