Hwy 1 Scenic Drive
A scenic drive up Hwy 1 in San Luis Obispo County to Monterey County is a must-do this fall season. We may not see the colors change like the East Coast, but we experience the change in ambiance from summer to fall in the air. You must be aware and have keen senses to notice the slight hue change. The fall air is more serene and calm, while the summer air is lively. I look for this change every year. It signifies the finish of another trip around the sun and is the beginning of the holidays—my favorite time of year.
I spent my day traveling through scenic ocean vistas, rustic farmland, charming towns, sea lions, and Elk as we drove 80 miles north. My clients are from out of the state and, well, actually, out of the country and wanted to experience the drive during their stay in San Luis Obispo. He had been to the area before while she had not. He gave her the ocean side of the car on the drive north and then switched seats on the drive South so she could experience the ocean again. (Such a sweet gesture)
Hwy 1 Scenic Drive, Harmony
With each stop along the way, we pulled over so they could read the signs, visit the stores, and experience all life offers on the coast of Highway 1. Our first stop was in Morro Bay, but the dense fog blocked the view of the marina and the rock. We continued up the road to Harmony, CA, and a tiny one-lane street with a half dozen shops and a population of 14. I took a photo of the dancing cow because it symbolized my thoughts for the day ~ pure joy and happiness.
https://roadtrippingcalifornia.com/things-to-do-in-harmony-ca/
Hwy 1 Scenic Drive, Cambria
We took a moment to leave Hwy 1 and drive through the charming town of Cambria, nestled among the pine trees. The old-fashioned streets are lined with quaint shops and dining experiences for all ages.
Hwy 1 Scenic Drive, San Simeon
As we drove through San Simeon, we peered up the hilltop to see Hearst Castle. It stood stately among the palm trees as I described it to my clients in a recollection from the 6th-grade field trips I attended with my children. My most fond memory was Laurel’s field trip as her class was reading the Percy Jackson & The Olympians series of books that tied into Greek Mythology and the artifacts in the antique collection in the main house. The conversation between the students and the guide was fascinating.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percy_Jackson_&_the_Olympians
Hwy 1 Scenic Drive, Sea Lions
We stopped at the beach where the sea lions sun in the sand as they prepare for their journey into the big blue sea. Sea lions of all shapes, sizes, and colors basked in the sun, unaware of the eyes peering down on them in awe. That attraction began in 1990 and now has a coalition to protect their heritage and save them from extinction.
About 5 miles north of the Sea lions are Tule Elk. The Elk roam the land across the Carissa Plains. That was a sight as I had never seen them before and was in awe of their majestic beauty.
Hwy 1 Scenic Drive, Edge of the World
We pulled the vehicle over to stop and view over the edge at each scenic stop. I pretended to be a tourist and took photos, too. Standing on the edge of the world is surreal and understated. As I stared over the vastness of the blue sea and sky, I felt a sense of peace and tranquility, as if I were on top of the world.
Hwy 1 Scenic Drive, End of The Road
We finally hit the end of the road, or at least the end of the line, driving North for the day. From the heavy rains earlier this year, the road is still under significant repair and not passable past Lucia. We stopped the vehicle at Pacific Valley and took photos one last time of the view before heading South to Paso Robles. We discussed not driving that road in a rainstorm for fear of mudslides during our drive. I am pretty risky, but I am not sure I would be comfortable in the tight, narrow curves of Hwy 1 during rain showers. You are sometimes over the edge of the Earth or the United States rather than driving on solid land.
Hwy 1 Scenic Drive, Hwy 46 East to Wine Country
We entered Paso Robles wine country via Hwy 46 East to Hwy 101 North. We drove up Spring Street and took a quick tour around the park or downtown square with a drive down Vine Street to showcase Paso Roble’s beautiful Victorian houses. With my client’s travels around the world, we, of course, spoke about wine. Once I entered Hwy 46, the conversation from my side was non-stop as I lit up, talking about viticulture, wine production, harvest, and varietal changes made in Paso Robles over the last decade.
That said, we stopped at the Fableist on the East side of Paso Robles for a wine tasting. The Fableist brand has Italian, Portuguese, and Austrian vines growing on their property and intrigued my clients’ palettes as they tasted through the wine flight. With their extensive travel, they had tasted wines in Italy and Portugal and shared their experiences with me and the attendant working in the tasting room. To say I love my job is a complete understatement. It is moments like this that I know I am right where I am supposed to be in life. I share our California culture, experiencing wine through my client’s eyes and learning from them.
For more information about a scenic tour along the coast of California or a day in wine country, call Robin at 805.608.0792 for rates and availability. Tours & Tasting by Eat, Drink, and Be Merry
