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What’s New in San Luis Obispo County

What’s New in San Luis Obispo County is a quarterly news round-up, produced by the San Luis Obispo County Visitors & Conference Bureau, which lists new lodging, attractions, exhibits, activities, tours, and other new tourism developments in San Luis Obispo County. For more detailed visitor information about San Luis Obispo County, visit www.SanLuisObispoCounty.com.

Spring 2006

Publications

2006 San Luis Obispo County Visitors Guide.   Now available from the San Luis Obispo County Visitors & Conference Bureau is their new 2006 visitors guide. The 74-page guide is chock full of useful information necessary to plan a weekend getaway, select an ideal place to hold a conference or meeting, or the perfect location for a wedding or honeymoon in San Luis Obispo County. Contents cover the basics like lodging, shopping and dining, plus the extras that set San Luis Obispo County apart from other destinations – beaches, Hearst Castle, wildlife viewing, family fun, award-winning wineries, golf, and agricultural tourism. To order a copy of the guide, call (800) 634-1414 or visit www.SanLuisObispoCounty.com. Press contact: Carrie Head, (805) 781-2530, chead@SanLuisObispoCounty.com.

Parks

Hearst Ranch Conservation Plan. Soon, visitors to San Luis Obispo County will have access to some of the most dramatic coastal areas along California’s Central Coast. The Hearst Corporation, American Land Conservancy and California Rangeland Trust have partnered with the State of California to preserve the historic Hearst Ranch – 128 square miles of pristine rangeland in San Luis Obispo County that includes 18 miles of spectacular coastline along scenic Highway 1. Thanks to this extraordinary partnership, the State of California will now own 13 miles of coastline for public access, including nearly 1,000 acres along scenic Highway 1. The State will also receive an irrevocable easement for public access to additional coastal land to complete a critical 18-mile segment of the California Coastal Trail through the Hearst Ranch. Also protected in the partnership is 80,000 acres of ranchland east of Highway 1. The Hearst Ranch neighbors Hearst Castle, one of California’s most popular attractions. Press contact: Maggie Cox, (805) 545-8887, mcox@barnettcox.com.  

Lodging

For more information call (805) 627-1900 or visit www.AvilaLighthouseSuites.com. Press contact: Chantal Lavoux-Guy, (805) 545-7900, ext. 111, Chantal@martinresorts.com.

Best Western Shore Cliff Lodge. Perched on water’s edge in Pismo Beach, the Best Western Shore Cliff Lodge is currently renovating 30 guest rooms – 24 standard oceanfront guest rooms and six deluxe suites. The new rooms are expected to be completed by the end of March 2006. The BW Shore Cliff Lodge is located at 2555 Price Street in Pismo Beach. For more information call (805) 773-4671 or visit www.shorecliff.com. Press contact: Chantal Lavoux-Guy, (805) 545-7900, ext. 111, Chantal@martinresorts.com.

Cambria Pines Lodge. The Cambria Pines Lodge in Cambria is expected to have 27 new luxury lodging units open by March 1. The Craftsman-style cottages are situated on a five-acre parcel apart from the other Cambria Pines Lodge rooms. Seven deluxe suites are freestanding cottages that include a sitting room, large master bedroom, woodstove fireplace, and private fenced-in patio with landscaping. The remaining 20 superior rooms have a shared wall with one other unit and feature two queen beds, private patio and fireplace. For more information and reservations call (800) 445-6868 or visit www.CambriaPinesLodge.com. Press contact: Malei J. Weir, (805) 239-0020, mw@mooncatcher.com.

The Carlton Hotel. Tickle the ivories at the Carlton Hotel’s new diVINE piano bar, where guests can relax to their favorite songs, beverages and specialty appetizers. The piano bar is open daily from 11:00 a.m. Live piano music is performed on weekends, and the grand piano is available for guest amateurs daily. The Carlton Hotel is located in downtown Atascadero. For more information call (877) 204-9830 or visit www.the-carlton.com. Press contact: Yvonne Toma, (805) 461-5100, ext. 123, ytoma@martinweyrich.com.

Dolphin Bay Hotel and Residences. The new luxury oceanfront resort, Dolphin Bay Hotel and Residences, is scheduled to open in March in Shell Beach. Dolphin Bay will feature 70 units, 14 of which are being auctioned off to prospective owners. The balance will comprise the Dolphin Bay Hotel, which will feature one bedroom, two bedroom and penthouse suites. Guests may dine on property at Lido Restaurant, revive their senses at the hotel’s day spa, “La Bon Vie,” exercise at the fitness center, float in Dolphin Bay’s enormous, infinity-edged poll and Jacuzzi spa, and comb the ocean beach that unfurls steps from the hotel. For more information and reservations call (800) 516-0112 or visit www.DolphinBayHotelandResidences.com. Press contact: The Fontayne Group, (310) 821-4678, dolphinbay@fontayne.com.

Edna Valley Vacation Rental. A getaway retreat ideal for one or two couples is now available for rent in the Edna Valley wine country. The new two-bedroom, one bath house is on the Edna Valley Wine Trail and surrounded by 21 wineries. The secluded property is beautifully appointed with new furniture and antique accessories. The master bedroom has a California-King size bed, while the second bedroom has a Queen bed. Edna Valley Vacation Rental is located at 6376 Edna Road in San Luis Obispo. For more information call (805) 305-7373 or visit www.EdnaValleyVacationRental@hotmail.com. Press contact: Gay-Yvette Spencer, (805) 305-7373, gay@ednavalleyvacationrental.com.

Embassy Suites Hotel San Luis Obispo. Guest suites and public areas are undergoing numerous upgrades in 2006. Guest room changes include complimentary high speed (T3) wireless Internet access, new Serta ‘Suite Dreams’ bedding, and new televisions and armoires in the living room. High speed wireless Internet (T3) access will be available in all public and meeting space, and the public areas will have new carpeting. For reservations call (805) 549-0800 or visit www.EmbassySuitesslo.com.  Press contact: Tim Billing, (805) 549-0800, ext. 580, tim_billing@hilton.com.

Shell Beach Inn. The Shell Beach Inn in Shell Beach has officially changed its name from Shell Beach Motel. The inn remodeled its 10 rooms in 2005, and also now has the capability to accept online reservations from their Website. The Shell Beach Inn is located at 653 Shell Beach Road in Shell Beach. For more information call (805) 773-4373 or visit www.ShellBeachInn.com. Press contact: Chantal Lavoux-Guy, (805) 545-7900, ext. 111, Chantal@martinresorts.com.

Services

Concierge Service of San Luis Obispo County. A new concierge service provider is able to assist San Luis Obispo County visitors with reservations and special arrangements. Concierge Service of San Luis Obispo County offers a variety of quality services including reservations for dinner or a night on the town, wine tasting and tours, limousine tours, Hearst Castle tours, day spas, massage, golfing, sport fishing, whale watching, water sports, horseback riding, private catering, and more. For more information call (877) 621-7653 or visit www.ConciergeServiceSLO.com. Press contact: Kelly Vandenheuvel, (805) 471-1046, kellyv@conciergeserviceslo.com.

Special Event Venue

Onboard Nautical Events.  The 72-foot luxury yacht Papagallo II is the ultimate venue for any type of event – corporate retreat, wedding, rehearsal dinner, or holiday party. The yacht’s salons can comfortably accommodate 24 for a formal seated dinner service or more than 50 for a mingling cocktail party. The Papagallo II is also available for eco-tourism packages, kayaking expeditions and sport fishing. Onboard amenities include two suites, Jacuzzi spa, personal chef, and wait staff. The Papagallo II is docked in Morro Bay. For more information call (805) 927-5705 or visit www.OnboardNauticalEvents.com. Press contact: Leonard Gentieu, (805) 927-5705, info@OnboardNauticalEvents.com.

Attractions

Hearst Castle®. On most Friday and Saturday evenings, from March 3 through May 20, Hearst Castle® will feature the Living History Program that emphasizes the lifestyle of this great estate during the 1930s heyday era. Docents in elegant vintage clothing will recreate the social life of Mr. Hearst’s guests, lounging by the magnificent Neptune Pool or playing cards in the Assembly Room. Other docents portray household staff attending to the needs of the guests. Visitors should allow two hours and ten minutes for this tour. Evening Tour prices are $30 for adults and $15 for youth ages 6 through 17. For tour reservations call (800) 444-4445 or visit www.hearstcastle.com. Press contact: Dan Eller, (805) 927-2074, deller@hearstcastle.com.

Mission San Miguel Arcangel. San Luis Obispo County’s Mission San Miguel Arcangel has been named to the National Historic Landmarks registry. The National Historic Landmark status will allow the release of a $300,000 federal grant to the California Missions Foundation, which will match it dollar for dollar to produce $600,000 in restoration funding. Mission San Miguel Arcangel, the 16th mission, was founded in 1797 by Father Fermin de Lasuen and named for Saint Michael the Arcangel. Under the direction of Esteban Munras, Indian artisans painted the walls and ceilings with ornate designs and the original murals still exist today. San Miguel Arcangel is one of the few missions that remains as originally constructed. Unfortunately, the mission was severely damaged during the San Simeon earthquake in December 2003 and is closed to visitors. The museum and gift shop are still open. For more information call (805) 467-3256 or visit www.missionsanmiguel.org.

San Luis Obispo Children’s Museum. The new San Luis Obispo Children’s Museum is scheduled to open in summer 2006. The completely rebuilt museum will still be located at Nipomo and Monterey streets in downtown San Luis Obispo, and will have double the space for permanent and rotating exhibits. Other new additions include a new science and discovery zone for pre-teens, an expanded toddler area, full gift shop, dedicated classroom space, birthday party rooms, and an administrative wing. For more information call (805) 545-5874 or visit www.slokids.org. Press contact: Wendy Wendt, (805) 528-6904.

Golf

Central Coast Invitational. The Cypress Ridge Golf Course in Arroyo Grande will host the Central Coast Invitational, April 4-5, 2006. Originally scheduled for October 14-15, the Central Coast Invitational is being moved to April to attract a stronger field of Nationwide Tour golfers, who will be playing a tour event in Livermore the week before. The two-day Pro-Am will benefit the YMCA of San Luis Obispo County and promises to be a major sporting event in California’s Central Coast. For more information call (805) 489-2781 or visit www.CypressRidge.com. Press contact: Joe Kolina, (805) 489-2781, ext. 1, jkolina@CypressRidge.com.

Monarch Dunes Golf Club.  The first phase of the Monarch Dunes Golf Club in Nipomo is an 18-hole golf course that opened in January. The public course, designed by Damian Pascuzzo, is reminiscent of the true links-style courses found in Scotland and is surrounded by windswept dunes and eucalyptus trees, coastal vistas and amber-colored hillsides. Another 18-hole golf course and a 9-hole course are planned. Monarch Dunes Golf Club is planning an April 2006 grand opening. For more information call (805) 343-9459 or visit www.MonarchDunes.com. Press contact: Krystal Bough, (805) 343-9459, kbough@kempersports.com.

Entertainment

The California Cabaret Theatre. Some of the Central Coast’s favorite professional actors have come together to create The California Cabaret Theatre. The theatre group performs sophisticated and hilarious musical comedies in the beautiful Salisbury Vineyards tasting room, a casually elegant restored two-room schoolhouse in Avila Beach, just off Highway 101. The California Cabaret Theatre will open its 2006 season in mid-June and will run through September. For more information call (805) 489-4426 or visit www.CaliforniaCabaretTheatre.com. Press contact: Erik Stein, (805) 489-4426, jaxeric@earthlink.net.

Tours

Breakaway Tours & Event Planning. A new 25-passenger mini coach has been added to Breakaway Tours & Event Planning’s fleet of vehicles. The new mid-size coach is available for private charters and ground transportation. Breakaway Tours & Event Planning specializes in custom educational and fun wine tasting tours of the Central Coast. For more information call (805) 783-2929 or visit www.breakaway-tours.com. Press contact: Jill Tweedie, (805) 783-2929, info@breakaway-tours.com.

Featured Event

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