Pismo Beach, CA: Best Western Plus Shore Cliff Lodge

The Best Western Plus Shore Cliff Lodge, in Pismo Beach, CA, has beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean. This oceanfront hotel features 100 guest rooms, including six deluxe family suites, remarkable service, unmatched ocean views and well-appointed amenities. They even have a limited number of dog friendly rooms.

Every guest room at the Best Western Plus Shore Cliff Lodge offers scenic ocean views from a private balcony or patio and features pillow top mattresses, a compact refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker with Seattle’s Best Coffee and Bath and Body Works toiletries.



Relaxing sounds and sights of the ocean can be observed from many different look out points on the Pismo Beach hotel’s grounds. You may even catch a glimpse of a swimming dolphin or whale from the hotel.

The Best Western Plus Shore Cliff Lodge is located just blocks from the Pismo Pier and downtown Pismo Beach in the heart of San Luis Obispo County. Be sure to enjoy the local attractions including championship golf courses, hiking and biking trails, kayaking, Pismo Beach and other area beaches, wine tasting, Hearst Castle, Oceano Dunes and much more in Pismo Beach, California.

One guest said, "This hotel is one of my top 10 places to go for a relaxing get a way. Love the views! California coast is always beautiful but the Central Coast is an almost sure guarantee for good weather. I will definately be back!"

Whether you long for a romantic getaway, a successful business trip or just need a convenient stop between San Francisco and Los Angeles, the Best Western Plus Shore Cliff Lodge will make your next Pismo Beach vacation unforgettable.


The Best Western Plus Shore Cliff Lodge
2555 Price Street Pismo Beach, CA 93449
http://www.shorecliff.com/


   
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Santa Ana, CA: Courtyard Costa Mesa South Coast Metro

Travelers can now shop until they drop and then fall asleep in plush accommodations thanks to the newly renovated Courtyard Costa Mesa South Coast Metro.

Spread out over four floors, 133 rooms and 12 suites, the Santa Ana hotel has completely remodeled every room with new design features every visitor will love. The $800,000 makeover included new luxury bedding, thicker mattresses and the addition of more fluffy pillows. Guests can work or play while enjoying the comforts of an ergonomic chair, large work desk and complimentary high-speed Internet access.

Other refreshed amenities in the guest rooms include spacious bathrooms, separate seating areas with comfortable chairs or couches and flat-screen TVs. Guests on vacation or on the job can be connected and productive as well as refreshed and relaxed in the same day. In the morning, visitors can enjoy in-room coffeemakers.

With its convenient location as a Santa Ana hotel, the property is just a few miles away from popular attractions such as Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm and Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Angels, who play at Angel Stadium. John Wayne Airport is 15 miles away, while the even-closer South Coast Plaza offers luxury shopping for everyone.

The South Coast Plaza houses 250 boutiques. Top department stores include Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Saks Fifth Avenue and Macy’s. Many top designers and fashion brands also have stores in the mall, which also boasts 30 restaurants.

Nearby Laguna Beach offers family fun with calm ocean waves and shopping within easy walking distance of the sand. Three golf courses less than 4 miles away from the hotel offer driving ranges and 18-hole layouts.

Guests returning to the hotel in Santa Ana can enjoy dinner at The Bistro – Eat. Drink. Connect, which features a wide selection of starters, salads and sandwiches, including the Bistro burger topped with Wisconsin cheddar, bacon and Bistro sauce. Craft, domestic and imported beers are also available. Starbucks coffee is ready to go for late nights or early mornings.

Visitors who need a snack anytime can visit The Market, a 24/7 convenience store in the lobby.

Travelers can unwind in the fitness center with cardiovascular equipment and free weights or enjoy the heated outdoor pool all year long.

Guests can lounge by the pool in the Southern California sun while using the hotel-wide free Wi-Fi or use the business library to finish their work. The library features several computers, a free printer and a separate computer station solely for checking flight times as well as printing boarding passes.

For even more productivity, visitors can use 1,352 square feet of meeting space for business get-togethers or any social event. Catering is available for easy on-the-job meals.

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Courtyard Costa Mesa South Coast Metro
3002 South Harbor Boulevard
Santa Ana, California 92704
For information, visit http://www.marriott.com/SNASA.

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Buellton, CA: Buellton Brew Fest

The 2nd Annual Buellton Brew Fest kicks off Santa Ynez Valley’s Craft Beer Week on Saturday, May 11 at River View Park. Tickets are now available for $35 advance purchase and $45 from May 1-May 11, the ticket includes a commemorative tasting glass, lunch, live music from Burning James and The Funky Flames, and unlimited tastings. The Festival sold out in pre-sale last year during its inaugural year.

The Buellton Brew Fest’s festivities will feature over 25 breweries breweries, including local Craft Breweries Figueroa Mountain, Firestone, and Tapit; and regional favorites Stone Brewing, Ninkasi, and Trumer Pils showcasing the best in craft beer. Local restaurant Avant will provide lunch to all attendees, with additional food and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase.

The Buellton Brew Fest is the first Craft Beer Festival in the Santa Ynez Valley, and a popular event in an area known for its wine but gaining major attention for Craft Beer. With awards from the Great American Beer Festival on its walls, Firestone Walker Brewing, and Figueroa Mountain Brewing call the Santa Ynez Valley home. Tapit, with its Gold Award for their IPA from the Great American Beer Festival is right up the road in San Luis Obispo; it’s clear that the Central Coast of California is solidifying its place among the top regions for Craft Beer.

Holly Holliday, with the Buellton Brew Fest states, “After a phenomenal Inaugural year, it’s awesome to see the excitement continue to build in this area for beer and the art of craft beer. We look to continue to bring the best of the best to the Santa Ynez Valley, in order to inspire future beers to come. This event is beer at its best, we’re proud of that.”

More information can be found on the web at, http://www.Buelltonbrewfest.com, and tickets can be purchased online at Eventbrite or through the Buellton Chamber of Commerce.


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San Francisco, CA: Pier 23 Cafe

Pier 23 Cafe is a unique waterfront restaurant specializing in fresh seafood, live music and beautiful views of San Francisco bay. Family owned and operated for over 25 years, Pier 23 Cafe captures the heart and soul of a city obsessed with food. The large bay side patio allows patrons to soak up the California sun while enjoying creative dishes made from fresh, local ingredients and the entertainment of live bands. Night time outdoor dining in the heated tent is complimented by maritime activity and amazing views of Treasure Island and the Berkeley Hills.

Pier 23 Café has always been known as a unique waterfront restaurant in the San Francisco Bay area, and prides itself on offering new creative dishes for patrons while they enjoy a gorgeous view. For a cool, healthy treat, the new Butter Lettuce Salad is a great choice. Thin slices of cucumbers, mangoes and shards of watermelon radish, are tossed with red onion all served over butter lettuce and dressed with a coriander vinaigrette. For a spicier option, the new Seared Beef & Papaya Salad is not for the faint of heart. The chile crusted sliced beef is bursting with heat, but is relieved by the flavorful green papaya. Topped with pickled onion, toasted peanuts, and garlic chips that add nice crunch and layers of flavor that reveal themselves more with each bite.

Pier 23 Café encourages their friends to come down, enjoy delicious dishes and a live show, right on the waterfront. During the week, customers can enjoy some great jazz from artists like Marty Eggers or the Dick Conte Duo.

For a full list of events and details, visit http://www.pier23cafe.com/events.

 
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Paso Robles, CA: Bed and Breakfast High Ridge Manor

High Ridge Manor, an upscale bed and breakfast in Paso Robles, CA, announced this week new package deals for tourists visiting Central Coast wine country.

Proprietors Jim and Cindy Roberts have been catering to the discerning epicurean traveler for over eight years at their three-suite, rustic-elegant wine country B&B in Paso Robles by preparing and serving unique, homemade dishes.

“The foodies love us for our gourmet breakfasts and the hors d’oeuvres that we put together,” says Jim Roberts, noting that guests often request recipes. In a region known increasingly as a culinary destination, Roberts does not hesitate to state that, “Our cooking skills are some of the best around.”

The only B&B in the area to be Diamond rated by BedandBreakfast.com’s third-party inspection, their daily dining offerings include a unique take on Eggs Benedict, served with homemade Hollandaise sauce, asparagus and grilled tomatoes, as well as their pecan-encrusted Pain Perdu, a baked French toast dish served with house-prepared, rum-based spiced syrup.

But that’s just breakfast. Each afternoon, the Robertsons whip up special hors d’oeuvres like stuffed mushrooms, or their signature, house-cured, savory Bacon Jam (a one-of-a-kind preserve that takes four hours to concoct) served over crostini, paired with a rotating list of local wines.

For a complete gourmet getaway, High Ridge Manor now offers several tantalizing wine and dining themed B&B packages that put mere “Room Service” to shame.

BBQ Winemaker Dinner Package:
Ideal for enjoying the warm evenings and epic sunset views from High Ridge Manor, this package includes a full-service, all-you-can-eat winemaker dinner. A guest winemaker treats guests to a private wine tasting paired with tri-tip, spare ribs, corn on the cob (seasonal), potatoes and garlic bread. Package is available for guests booking all three rooms, and must be booked a week in advance. Six-person minimum, 35-person maximum; $50 per person, plus lodging fees. Contact High Ridge Manor for details and exceptions.

Romantic Sunset Dinner for Two Package:
Toast to your love while drinking in the dramatic sunset view from High Ridge Manor, then sit back and savor a special, chef-prepared four-course meal, paired with four specially selected Paso Robles wines. Dinner menu is as follows:

• Appetizer: Asparagus with a Caper Dipping Sauce
• Soup: Cream of Fresh Broccoli Soup
• Entrée: Chateaubriand Steak and Port Reduction Sauce; Garlic Mashed Potatoes; Haricots Verts
• Dessert: Créme Brûlée

Package must be booked in advance. $100 per person, plus minimum one-night lodging fee. Contact High Ridge Manor for details and exceptions.

Driving Miss Daisy Special:
Treat yourselves to an exclusive limousine tour of the scenic Paso Robles wine country and its award-winning wineries and tasting rooms in High Ridge Manor’s house limo. The package includes:

• A two-night weekend stay for two in the suite of your choice (subject to availability)
• Choice of red, white or sparkling wine upon check-in
• Evening Hors D'oeuvres, Friday and Saturday evening at 5:30 p.m.
• A four-hour Saturday wine tour with Obsession Limousine Services, including complimentary Champagne, cold sodas, and bottled water

Package is available for two-night weekend stays for two guests, and must be booked in advance. $975 per couple includes lodging fee. Contact High Ridge Manor for details and exceptions.

A beautiful, designer B&B in the heart of premier Paso Robles wine country, High Ridge Manor features some of the best views in North San Luis Obispo County and is known for its gourmet breakfasts and afternoon hors d' oeuvres.

Guests enjoy 20 acres of lush gardens and sweeping vineyard vistas, in addition to a billiard room and private wine cellar. Each luxury guest suite boasts a whirlpool tub, fireplace, featherbed and private entrance. High Ridge Manor, located on High Ridge Road in Paso Robles, CA, was voted one of the "Top 14 Most Romantic B&B/Inns in the United States” by Traveler's Choice and is the only Paso Robles B&B to be Diamond rated by BedandBreakfast.com.

For more information or to book a suite, visit highridgemanor.net, or call (805) 226-2002.

High Ridge Manor
5458 High Ridge Road
Paso Robles, CA
highridgemanor.net
(805) 226-2002


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Pescadero, CA: Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel

Fifty miles south of San Francisco, you can relax in a hot tub with panoramic views of the Pacific, then fall asleep gazing up at one of the tallest lighthouses in America.

Perched on a cliff on the central California coast, the 115-foot Pigeon Point Lighthouse has guided mariners since 1872. This hostel offers comfortable, affordable lodgings in four houses set just beside the lighthouse. Guests enjoy cozy indoor lounges, fully equipped kitchens, cove beaches, tidepools, and an oceanfront boardwalk. Amenities include satellite Internet, free WiFi, and free parking, and they're proud to be a certified green business.

On weekends, free history walks guided by State Parks docents are available on the hostel grounds. The Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel is also a popular spot for whale watching, and a convenient base for exploring nearby coastside communities as well as the ancient redwood forests at Butano State Park, the bird sanctuary of Pescadero Marsh, and Año Nuevo State Reserve, breeding site of northern elephant seals.

Reserve your stay at the Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel today, and experience the nostalgia, romance, and adventure of this unique coastside destination.

For more information visit http://norcalhostels.org/pigeon


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Palm Desert, CA: Food & Wine Festival

Visitors of the Palm Desert area will enjoy a entertaining weekend as the fabulous three days of the Palm Desert Food and Wine Festival rocks the Coachella Valley later this month. Celebrated under the Big White Tent on Larkspur between El Paseo and Shadow Mountain in sundrenched Palm Desert, the culinary and fine wine event is a Foodie’s dream.

Getting underway on Friday, March 23 the “A Taste of Italy” gourmet luncheon will be the first of multiple events celebrating the glories of gourmet cuisine and the finest winemakers around the globe. The superb four course luncheon will feature champagne from Caposaldo and premium wines by such luminaries as Feudo Maccari and Tenuta. Master of ceremonies Jeff Hocker will oversee the festivities with entertainment provided by Allison Adams Tucker's Italia Quartet.

Brad Schmett, a local real estate agent who frequents the weekend long festival, recently spoke about what is one of his personal ‘fave events’ of the season. “The Palm Desert Food and Wine Festival always brings in the most interesting people from all over the country. It never seems like spring until we see that Big White Tent go up on El Paseo. The three day festival is nonstop fun for all of us and we especially enjoy showing off our beautiful valley to all the new visitors who appreciate the level of life we have to offer.”

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Indeed, the list of participating wineries and esteemed gourmet chefs reads like a Who's Who of the finest in the food and elite beverage industries. In between sampling offerings from the best restaurants in the Coachella Valley expect to enjoy educational food and cooking demonstrations, book signings, gourmet cooking tips from expert chefs, and much more, all set out on multiple stages with something to enchant even the most discerning connoisseur.

Tickets are sold on a day by day basis and you must be 21 to attend the event. For more information on the Palm Desert Food and Wine Festival visit http://www.palmdesertfoodandwine.com.

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Long Beach, CA: Hotel Maya

One of the grandest civilizations in the history of the world is that of the Mayans, the collapse of which is still shrouded in mystery. Beginning in 2000 BC and thriving until 1500 AD, The Mayan culture built awe-inspiring temples, pyramids and cities within their complex social and political order. While the growth of this society was well documented, lost are any details of the decline of their world, with only remnants left behind of this ancient civilization.

Paying homage to this mysterious culture stands the Hotel Maya along the harbor in Long Beach. Complete with the unique and spectacular architectural style of the stepped pyramids, Hotel Maya welcomes guests into their "village" of modern structures assembled to create this luxurious seaside resort. Spacious, well-appointed rooms greet guests with all of the amenities one would long for in a resort stay. Organic yet sumptuous decor and beautiful, comfortable bedding, combined with a stunning terrace view set the mood for a well deserved respite from reality.

Tucked away throughout the resort are hidden cabanas, with intimate seating and built in romance. Along the dramatic poolside, as well as hidden in Fuego Restaurant within the hotel, private love nests await affectionate couples. Perfect for lovers and families alike, Hotel Maya offers fire pits, volleyball, tennis courts, bicycle rental and beach front activities. Just a stone's throw away from the historic Queen Mary, and just moments from Downtown Long Beach, Hotel Maya provides a quiet refuge for vacationers.

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and sporting an active bar as well, Fuego Restaurant lies perched within the second floor of the Main Building, divided between indoors and out, boasting a dramatic terrace for seaside dining. Opulence abounds in the alfresco dining room, with a staff serving up more than delicious dishes and refreshing drinks, but also a "getaway" atmosphere. The warm surroundings set the tone for the fine dining choices, creating a truly authentic Latin American feel.

Specializing in mariscos dishes, a combination of fish and shellfish, Fuego Restaurant also features a sumptuous array of appetizers and entrées, including steak, carnitas and pasta. The house specialty is the Seafood Crepas, crepes filled with crab meat and rock shrimp, covered lightly with a roasted Poblano sauce. Flavorful, yet delicate, the Crepas are the perfect representation of the mariscos style. The Bone In Rib Eye is a generous portion of excellent beef, rubbed with New Mexico Chili and grilled, served with a tasty Roasted Tomato Pasilla Sauce and fresh roasted vegetables. Thick, juicy and deliciously tender, this rib eye will please the hungriest of men as well as the most discriminating palette.

Whether a guest is in town on business at the Long Beach Convention Center, or vacationing for a lengthy stay on the harbor, Hotel Maya will meet every expectation with a smile. Evident in their graciousness and warmth, the staff at Hotel Maya genuinely want to please each and every guest, on every visit.

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Hotel Maya
A Doubletree by Hilton
700 Queensway Drive
Long Beach, CA 90802

562.435.7676
562.481.3908

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Temecula, CA: Bel Vino Winery Annual Harvest Clam Bake

Bel Vino Winery will host their annual Harvest Clam Bake on Saturday, October 13 in Temecula, CA. Like years past, the Harvest Clam Bake promises celebrating fine wines paired with traditional clambake seafoods, served outdoors with breathtaking views of Temecula Valley Wine Country. The event will be held at Bel Vino’s outdoor concert venue, which allows event-goers to capture some of the most incredible views Southern California has to offer.
The Harvest Clam Bake will gather people outside for an evening of fun, wine and music. Shoot 4 Tuezday will provide live entertainment covering favorite songs by Led Zeppelin, No Doubt, Red Hot Chili Peppers and others spanning from the 1960s to today.
Staying true to tradition, the clam bake will feature a hearty menu including salad, Traditional New England Clam Chowder, Market Fresh Clams and Mussels, Raw and Baked Oysters, Grilled Chicken, spicy sides, delicious dessert choices and much more.
Bel Vino’s Harvest Clam Bake will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 13. Tickets for wine club member are $65, non-members $75. Prices include four glasses of wine or beer. Additional Live Main Lobsters are available for purchase for $25. Reservations are required and tickets are non-refundable.

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Bel Vino Winery
33515 Rancho California Road
Temecula, CA 92591

951) 676-6414

amber@belvinowinery.com

BelVinoWinery.com

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San Diego to Paso Robles

Driving from San Diego to Paso Robles, the sights of California. . .

Orange County traffic on a sunny day.

Good Year Blimps drops in for a visit in the O.C.

Weather is Picture Perfect in Burbank

Along the coast, approaching the lovely village of Seaside, CA

The landscape begins to change the further we head up the coast

Where the 101 leaves the Santa Barbara coastline, north of Gaviota

Miles of vineyards, as far as the eye can see

Rustic barns and ranches pop up along the horizon

A 2012 Fiat Abarth, a rarity for these parts

The historic bells hanging from a shepherd's hook line El Camino Real

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