I just read these awesome tips on the central coast, my fav part of CA, on "Yolo Journals".
"One of my favorite restaurants in the world is Bell’s in Los Alamos (we wrote about it in our Summer 2021 U.S. issue). I like it the most for lunch—and while everything on the menu is incredible, the egg-salad sandwich is something I dream about. In fact, I’ve almost driven there from LA just for lunch. I know that the Los Alamos/Los Olivos/Santa Ynez area isn’t on the coast, but since you have to drive inland after Santa Barbara, it’s a worthy stop to consider. Some great places to stay in the area too: Hotel Ynez, Skyview Los Alamos, Hotel Alamos Motel, and the new Auberge resort, the Inn at Mattei’s Tavern. Just writing about this makes me realize we need to do a whole big story there, so stay tuned for that! Moving north and over to the coast, if you love old school, you must stop at the Madonna Inn, if only for a coffee and a bathroom break. (I’m totally bypassing San Luis Obispo because I never stop there, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t! Also, you’ll need to fact check what is open and closed on the PCH between Morro Bay and Big Sur, because if roads are closed due to all the rains/slides, you’re better off sticking to the 101 and cutting over to Carmel and backtracking to Big Sur if that’s on your agenda.) In Morro Bay, stop at the little Morro Bay Oyster Company stand and get a dozen oysters looking out at the water that they came from that morning. There’s a good taco spot in town on your way north called Taco Temple—it’s not for the purist as it’s a very California approach to Mexican food, but it is great. Cayucos is the next town up—for years I would say my dream was to have an avocado farm inland and live in Cayucos (hmm need to revisit that!). Years ago there used to be a very charming inn there, but it closed and I haven’t personally been back in a while, so I don’t have a rec there…but if you’re there for the nature, it may not matter so much, especially if it’s just one night. There are plenty of ‘70s-era sort of generic but family owned motel/hotel setups further up in Cambria. A while ago we stayed at the Lucia Lodge, which is probably the best-sited hotel I’ve ever stayed at. It’s very sweet but not renovated or Luxury, so if you want sexy views, continue up to the Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur. Also in the Big Sur area we love the historic Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn—bear in mind the walls are paper thin and it’s funky. And on the hippie side of things, there is Esalen, which I’ve never stayed at, but plenty of my SF friends love and drive to as a weekend getaway. My favorite beach of all time is in Point Lobos State Park (China Cove Beach), which you’ll pass as you head north to Carmel. I never spend time in Carmel (a big shame, I know), but we have a Postcard about it here. Santa Cruz is also a worthy stop, but you’ll have to do your own research on it as I always drive right through. I do make a stop at the Pezzini Farms just off the highway in Castroville to get a steamed artichoke. My next favorite stops before you get up to SF are Pescadero, where I make a bee-line for Duarte’s Tavern for lunch—usually something made with artichokes, maybe a crab cioppino, and followed by a piece of their homemade pie. For an overnight, I love the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay, right on the ocean. And then we drive into the town of Half Moon Bay and have dinner at one of our favorite Japanese restaurants, Sushi on Main Street."
I just read these awesome tips on the central coast, my fav part of CA, on "Yolo Journals".
"One of my favorite restaurants in the world is Bell’s in Los Alamos (we wrote about it in our Summer 2021 U.S. issue). I like it the most for lunch—and while everything on the menu is incredible, the egg-salad sandwich is something I dream about. In fact, I’ve almost driven there from LA just for lunch. I know that the Los Alamos/Los Olivos/Santa Ynez area isn’t on the coast, but since you have to drive inland after Santa Barbara, it’s a worthy stop to consider. Some great places to stay in the area too: Hotel Ynez, Skyview Los Alamos, Hotel Alamos Motel, and the new Auberge resort, the Inn at Mattei’s Tavern. Just writing about this makes me realize we need to do a whole big story there, so stay tuned for that! Moving north and over to the coast, if you love old school, you must stop at the Madonna Inn, if only for a coffee and a bathroom break. (I’m totally bypassing San Luis Obispo because I never stop there, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t! Also, you’ll need to fact check what is open and closed on the PCH between Morro Bay and Big Sur, because if roads are closed due to all the rains/slides, you’re better off sticking to the 101 and cutting over to Carmel and backtracking to Big Sur if that’s on your agenda.) In Morro Bay, stop at the little Morro Bay Oyster Company stand and get a dozen oysters looking out at the water that they came from that morning. There’s a good taco spot in town on your way north called Taco Temple—it’s not for the purist as it’s a very California approach to Mexican food, but it is great. Cayucos is the next town up—for years I would say my dream was to have an avocado farm inland and live in Cayucos (hmm need to revisit that!). Years ago there used to be a very charming inn there, but it closed and I haven’t personally been back in a while, so I don’t have a rec there…but if you’re there for the nature, it may not matter so much, especially if it’s just one night. There are plenty of ‘70s-era sort of generic but family owned motel/hotel setups further up in Cambria. A while ago we stayed at the Lucia Lodge, which is probably the best-sited hotel I’ve ever stayed at. It’s very sweet but not renovated or Luxury, so if you want sexy views, continue up to the Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur. Also in the Big Sur area we love the historic Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn—bear in mind the walls are paper thin and it’s funky. And on the hippie side of things, there is Esalen, which I’ve never stayed at, but plenty of my SF friends love and drive to as a weekend getaway. My favorite beach of all time is in Point Lobos State Park (China Cove Beach), which you’ll pass as you head north to Carmel. I never spend time in Carmel (a big shame, I know), but we have a Postcard about it here. Santa Cruz is also a worthy stop, but you’ll have to do your own research on it as I always drive right through. I do make a stop at the Pezzini Farms just off the highway in Castroville to get a steamed artichoke. My next favorite stops before you get up to SF are Pescadero, where I make a bee-line for Duarte’s Tavern for lunch—usually something made with artichokes, maybe a crab cioppino, and followed by a piece of their homemade pie. For an overnight, I love the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay, right on the ocean. And then we drive into the town of Half Moon Bay and have dinner at one of our favorite Japanese restaurants, Sushi on Main Street."
I’m bookmarking this for my next road trip. Thanks for the tips!