SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, CA, August 5, 2024 – The region along Highway 1 in San Luis Obispo County (SLO CAL) in California’s Central Coast is a picturesque area known for its stunning coastline views, charming towns and plethora of attractions and activities. While the towns along the coast may be small, they offer big adventures and experiences. As travelers seek to inspire wanderlust, the area continues to evolve and offer exciting additions to its list of must-visit spots on a Highway 1 road trip. From revitalized lodging experiences such as the Pacific Motel in Cayucos or the Avila Village Inn in Avila Beach to new seaweed workshops from a woman-owned business Kelpful and a proposed new national heritage marine sanctuary, the area has a variety of new experiences for visitors traveling along Highway 1 along California’s beautiful central coast. This fall will also welcome the big news of Highway 1’s estimated reopening at Regent’s Slide after over two years of repairs.
Here’s what’s new and noteworthy for the upcoming seasons:
New Lodging Offerings:
- Avila Village Inn Expansion and Renovation (Avila Beach): Avila Village Inn, located along the Bob Jones bike trail in Avila Beach, is expanding its offerings with the addition of 18 new rooms, designed in a Modern Craftsman style. Each room features clean-lined solid white oak furniture with a wire-brushed wood finish, highlighting natural beauty and deviating from traditional red oak to emphasize innovation and simple, honest craftsmanship. Embracing the Craftsman movement, the rooms showcase handcrafted details and natural finishes, with a softer color palette of muted earth tones and simple lines inspired by the nature surrounding the property. The original 30 rooms will also get small updates including new carpet, bedding and select furniture.
- Cayucos Motel New Ownership and Remodel (Cayucos): Owners of The Pacific Motel, Ryan and Marisa Fortini, recently purchased the Cayucos Motel and have exciting plans to remodel and rebrand the property. While a full renovation and rebrand won’t begin until 2025, the entire exterior will be painted, and vibrant murals will be added as a temporary new look. The motel is currently operational and will have a fresh “Surf Style” aesthetic, enhancing its beach town charm until renovations begin next year.
- Pacific Motel Adds Speakeasy and On Property Food Truck (Cayucos): The Pacific Motel in Cayucos, designed and operated by locals Ryan and Marisa Fortini, revitalizes the town’s hospitality scene with curated, relaxed interiors in a prime uptown location just minutes from the beach. This reimagined motel, featuring late 1920’s bungalows originally moved from Camp San Luis Obispo in the 1950s, now thoughtfully redesigned into seven guest rooms and 13 additional rooms, recently opened The “Salty Tiger” speakeasy, offering beer, wine and wine-based cocktails in a playful yet polished atmosphere. Complementing the speakeasy, the new “Sandbar” food truck on property serves beer, wine, baguette sandwiches, ice cream and popsicles.
- Three Cambria Moonstone Hotel Properties Wine Tripadvisor’s 2024 Travelers Choice award (Cambria):
Nestled amid the magical landscape of Cambria, California, the Cambria Pines Lodge, Sea Otter Inn, and The J. Patrick House & Inn, part of Moonstone Hotel Properties, are honored to be awarded Tripadvisor’s 2024 Travelers’ Choice award, which is only given to the top 10 percent of hotels worldwide. This award celebrates hotels that consistently deliver great experiences, earned through positive traveler reviews and ratings over the past year.
Notable Events:
- Regent Slide to Reopen after Two Years on Highway 1 (Fall, Ragged Point): Highway 1 is anticipated to reopen in the fall at Regent’s Slide, restoring the vital and scenic route along California’s central coast after over two years of closure. The reopening follows extensive repairs and improvements to ensure the road’s safety and resilience against future slides. This iconic highway, known for its breathtaking views and connecting picturesque coastal towns, has been eagerly awaited by locals and travelers alike. The completion of this project promises to boost tourism and local economies, returning access to some of California’s most beautiful landscapes along the central coast.
- Hearst Castle Hosts a Swim in the Hearst Castle Neptune Pool (San Simeon): Dive into the lap of luxury with a rare opportunity to swim in the legendary Neptune Pool at Hearst Castle. On September 7, the Foundation at Hearst Castle is rolling out the red carpet exclusively for members and their guests with a bucket list experience in the Neptune Pool. Featuring scenic views, finger foods, and drinks at an extraordinary historic location.
- Piedras Blancas Light Station Wine and Dinner Fundraiser (Sept. 28, Avila Beach): On Saturday, September 28, the Piedras Blancas Light Station is hosting its annual wine and dinner fundraiser to aid the restoration of the 150-year-old lighthouse. Guests can enjoy wine courtesy of Harmony Cellars, dinner, and music by Jill Knight, as well as a silent auction and the opportunity to wander the light station grounds experiencing the beauty of Piedras Blancas.
- Cambria Pines Lodge Extends Christmas Market Dates and Hosts A Christmas Carol Performance (Cambria): For the first time ever, the Cambria Christmas Market will be extending its holiday magic until December 31st. The extended dates allow even more time to experience 3 million lights, German Vendor Market, visits from Santa, live music, food, drinks and more. The market is open most dates, November 29 – December 31, 2024. Gerald Charles Dickens, the great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens, will also perform “A Christmas Carol” at Cambria Pines Lodge from November 15th-17th. His one-man show, featuring matinee and dinner performances, brings the enchanting world of Ebenezer Scrooge to life through exceptional storytelling and a captivating resemblance to his esteemed ancestor.
Adventures and Activities:
- Anticipated Designation of Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary: One of the most exciting things coming to the region is the potential new Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, which is currently in the designation process and anticipated to be officially designated by the end of this year. The area proposed for sanctuary designation was the first Tribally nominated national marine sanctuary and would recognize Chumash tribal history in the area. The proposed area is known for its extensive kelp forests, vast sandy beaches and coastal dunes, and wetlands serving as nursery grounds for numerous commercial fish species, and includes important habitat for many threatened and endangered species such as blue whales, southern sea otter, black abalone, snowy plovers, and leatherback sea turtles. There are many nationally-significant shipwrecks throughout this maritime landscape. Numerous threats have been identified to resources within the proposed area. Sanctuary proponents believe a national marine sanctuary offers solutions in guiding coordinated and comprehensive ecosystem-based management, including organizing and stimulating marine research, education, stewardship, tourism, and recreation, as well as providing protection for important native cultural sites.
- Kelpful Adds Immersive Seaweed Workshops to Their Seaweed Experiences (Cayucos): Located at Cayucos Makers, these new indoor workshops offer an immersive experience in seaweed education and sustainability from Kelpful, a woman, LGBTQ+ owned business who also offers seaweed foraging experiences. Over a cup of freshly made warm seaweed broth, participants will learn about the benefits of seaweed, ocean sustainability and wild foraging practices on the central coast of California. Attendees will make their own edible seaweed seasoning to pair with classic avocado toast and end the workshop by hand-blending therapeutic bath salts with essential oils for a soothing at-home experience.
- Stepladder Creamery Elevates Farm Tours (Cambria): Stepladder Ranch was founded in 1871 and has been family-owned and operated for three generations. As a farmstead creamery, they raise goats on the farm and make cheese from their milk, allowing them to manage every aspect of the cheese production. Their farm tours have now been elevated with a new farm store and a newly launched tour farm shop inside one of their barns. The tours include meeting the goats, seeing the creamery, learning about cheese and ending with a seasonal seated cheese tasting and farm store, all while being surrounded by the beautiful Santa Lucia Mountains. Previously hosted entirely outside, the updated tour now features a barn with a roll-up door overseeing the goat pens, pastures, and avocado orchards. The store is curated with Stepladder Cheese, merchandise, meats, and other local artisan treats.
New Dining Experiences
- Beso Opens Speakeasy (Nipomo): Beso Cocina offers a hidden gem for cocktail enthusiasts with its speakeasy, a secret haven tucked away behind an unmarked door. This intimate space exudes a vintage charm, reminiscent of the Prohibition era, complete with dim lighting, plush seating, and an elegant bar. The menu features an array of craft cocktails meticulously prepared by skilled mixologists, emphasizing unique, high-quality ingredients. Guests can enjoy a curated selection of both classic and innovative drinks, paired with small plates that reflect Beso Cocina’s commitment to culinary excellence.
- New Bites at Brown Butter Cookie Company (Cayucos): Brown Butter Cookie Company, a sister-owned deli turned cookie company with the success of their mouthwatering cookies, launched their “Made with Ghirardelli” shortbread cookies and the decadent “West Coast Style” Brown Butter Frozen Custard, at their Cayucos location. The new cookies feature the exquisite taste of Ghirardelli chocolate chips, and the frozen custard promises to tantalize taste buds with its rich, creamy texture.
- Surf Rat Donuts Opens in Former Fish Smokehouse (Cayucos): A newly opened donut shop that has quickly become a local favorite, Surf Rat Donuts offers a unique selection of handcrafted donuts inspired by classic surf culture. Ben and Jessica Brown opened the shop is a former fish smokehouse just a block from the Cayucos Pier.
- Hearst Ranch Winery Reopens after Major Updates (San Simeon): Hearst Ranch Winery reopened on May 23rd following renovations to their oceanfront tasting room, enhancing the year-round experience with a fresh look. Notable updates include the uncovering of historic rail tracks and a re-built original cart, once used to transport materials for early ranch and whaling operations, now visible through an in-ground viewing window. The warehouse, originally built and utilized by the Hearst family upon settling in the Old San Simeon Village, was pivotal as it received materials via a pier located just offshore of the tasting room patio. The space now features new paint, flooring, a fireplace and an intimate seating area, creating a warm environment for wine tasters. The tasting room has moved to a reservation-only model, with daily tastings available from 11 am to 4 p.m. A second renovation phase, set for completion by winter 2024, will add a kitchen for immersive wine and food pairing experiences, with interim dining options available at Seaside Foods in Sebastian’s General Store.
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About Highway 1 Road Trip: Highway 1 is the most iconic roadway in California, but not all sections are created equal. Highway 1 Road Trip, the 100-mile stretch that weaves through San Luis Obispo County (SLO CAL) along California’s Central Coast, connects 10 artisan communities. Known for wide open spaces, uncrowded white sand beaches, mom & pop owned businesses, abundance of outdoor adventure, wildlife, and award-winning wineries, this scenic coastal route also includes Hearst Castle, 13 state parks, an elephant seal rookery, and the only drivable beach in California. Located midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco with Big Sur to the north and Santa Barbara to the south, Highway 1 Road Trip includes: Ragged Point, San Simeon, Cambria, Cayucos, Los Osos/Baywood, Avila Beach, Edna Valley wine region, Arroyo Grande Valley, Oceano, and Nipomo.
Media Contact:
Kirstin Koszorus
K2 Public Relations
moc.snoitalercilbup2k@nitsrik
303-669-5997