Exploring California’s Central Coast
Posted by Allison on Aug 04, 2008. Filed under Ceremony, Food and Drink, Honeymoons and Travel, Locations, Receptions, Rehearsal Dinner
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Whenever I want to plan a weekend vacation with my husband Phil, all I have to do is choose a region and then start browsing the wedding locations we feature on the Here Comes The Guide website that also double as fabulous weekend or honeymoon getaways (hint: there are a lot). On a recent trip to California’s Central Coast, I was practically stumbling over one great location after another. Some of the highlights:
Sycamore Mineral Springs has a stellar bike trail that winds alongside a riverbank. I can see why this getaway would be a lovely wedding spot. The secluded surroundings, abundant wildlife, and indulgent spa treatments could easily help a couple ease their minds before the big day.
Inland in Edna Valley there’s a new Wine Trail that leads you through several of the Central Coast’s breathtaking vineyards. While on the trail, I dropped by Edna Valley Vineyards, which is a great place for wine lovers—and lovers in general. I’m sure anyone who visits appreciates Edna Valley Vineyards’ hospitality center, with sweeping views of the vineyards all around. No wonder Wine Enthusiast Magazine named Edna Valley one of the best places in the wine country to be married! I even found some new favorites once I got there: Baileyana Winery (adorable gift shop) and Talley Winery with it’s historic mission adobe.
The stretch of Highway 1 between Avila Beach and Pismo Beach is just 8 short miles long, so these locations can easily be visited in a day. Get started by dropping your surfboard at the front desk and taking a tour of the SeaVenture Resort right on the beach in Pismo. If you go, and you uncover any other fabulous places in your travels, let us know!
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My fiance and I went up to Arroyo Grande for 4th of July weekend to celebrate our engagement and we stayed at this fabulous B&B;—The Casitas of Arroyo Grande. It’s in the hills, so the views are gorgeous and the owners—who told us they just took over—have done a fabulous job with it (we especially appreciated the green-friendly bamboo floors!). The rooms are great, with a better bed and TV than we have at home (except that it gave my honey the idea that we NEED a flat screen TV…). We did some wine tasting at local vineyards (I know we went to Edna Valley because we still have a bottle from there and I think we went to Talley, but I can’t say with certainty—I wasn’t the one driving!). Anyway, the getaway from L.A. was fantastic, the accommodations wonderful, and the wine tasting lovely. Also wandering around the cute downtown Arroyo Grande area was fun, too.
Great recommendation, Caryn! I just googled The Casitas of Arroyo Grande and found their website: http://www.thecasitasofarroyogrande.com/ The place looks amazing. Making a mental note now that I want to stay there the next time my husband and I go to the Central Coast. Great find!
California is certainly a very gorgeous place to have a wedding. But I do have to admit, Hawaii beach weddings have to be the best option in the U.S.!
Jacqueline ~ http://www.sweethawaiiwedding.com
My Husband and I visited Sycamore Mineral Springs for a two night stay in one of the one bedroom suites. Nice room, we had our own spa on our private patio. The spa was a bit noisy filling and had a slow leak so we couldn’t keep water in the spa for long. We enjoyed the grounds of the resort . The hike above the resort to the look out of Avila Bay was moderate . We also enjoyed a hike to Avila Barn. The spa was pleasant.I especially enjoyed my Facial. I would recommend this location for a weekend .
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Ali, you are so right! I also browse our locations when looking for a fabulous special occasion restaurant or romantic weekend getaway. I love happy hour on SeaVenture’s ocean view patio, and never tasted a wine I didn’t love from Edna Valley Vineyard. And I’m hoping there’s a spa day at Sycamore Mineral Springs in my future!!
Good calls, Ali!