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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.

Summer 2006

Parks

Coastal Discovery Center. July 22 marks the grand opening of the Coastal Discovery Center at San Simeon Bay. Operated by the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary and California State Parks, the center will be located in William R. Hearst State Beach, directly across Highway 1 from Hearst Castle®. Exhibits will include live rainbow trout, a talking tidepool sculpture, video voyages to the deep sea, and more. Admission is free. For more information call (805) 927-2145. Press contact: Michele Roest, (805) 927-2145, Michele.Roest@noaa.gov.

San Simeon State Park North Coast Acquisition. Soon the public will have access to 13 miles of rocky shoreline and sandy beaches that was acquired by California State Parks as part of the Hearst Ranch Conservation Plan. The area of coastline north of San Simeon Point is now part of San Simeon State Park. California State Parks is conducting public meetings in San Luis Obispo and Cambria to discuss new coastal access and gather input for development of a management plan. This pristine piece of coastal real estate will feature passive recreational use in the not-too-distant future. Press contact: Dan Eller, (805) 927-2074, deller@hearstcastle.com.

Lodging

Avila La Fonda Hotel. Luxurious accommodations are now available in Avila Beach at the new Avila La Fonda Hotel. Located on San Miguel Street, the property features a Mexican village-style architecture, complete with beautiful fountains, a two-story mural and stained glass ceilings. Lodging choices include Casitas (two-room/two-bath suites), Great Rooms (large studio suites) and Spa Rooms.  Special amenities offered are extensive – Jacuzzi tub, fireplace, 42-inch Plasma TV, Bose™ CD player, hospitality bar, gourmet kitchen, complimentary snacks and beverages in in-room refrigerator, and 24-hour concierge service. The second floor of the Avila La Fonda Hotel features a retreat center, library of historical Central California books, and CD/DVD library. For more information call (805) 595-1700 or visit www.AvilaLaFonda.com. Press contact: Troi Hoffman, (805) 773-6996, troihoffman@ail.com.

Best Western Shore Cliff Lodge. Thirty ocean view guest rooms, including six luxury suites, are being remodeled at the Best Western Shore Cliff Lodge in Pismo Beach and are expected to be available in June 2006. Once completed, the entire property will be 100% non-smoking.  The BW Shore Cliff Lodge is a full-service oceanfront resort that features 100 guest rooms, all with private balconies. For reservations call (800) 441-8885 or visit www.shorecliff.com. Press contact: Chantal Lavoux-Guy, (805) 545-7900, ext. 111, Chantall@MartinResorts.com.

The Carlton Hotel. Tickle the ivories at the Carlton Hotel’s new diVINE Piano Lounge, where guests can relax to their favorite songs, beverages and specialty appetizers. The piano lounge is open daily from 11:00 a.m. Live piano music is performed every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening from 7 to 10, 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: Therese Corea, (805) 461-5100, info@the-carlton.com.

Dolphin Bay Hotel and Residences. The new luxury oceanfront resort, Dolphin Bay Hotel and Residences, recently opened in Shell Beach. Dolphin Bay features 70 units, 14 of which are being auctioned off to prospective owners. The balance comprises the Dolphin Bay Hotel, which features 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.

Oak Hill Manor. The Oak Hill Manor Bed and Breakfast in Atascadero has been voted The Best Weekend Escape by inngoers voting in Arrington’s Inn Traveler 2006 Book of Lists. Oak Hill Manor is one of only 15 inns throughout the U.S. and Canada to receive this prestigious honor. Located on an oak-studded hill, Oak Hill Manor has eight suites, each styled after a different European country décor. For reservations call (805) 462-9317 or visit www.OakHillManorBandB.com. Press contact: Risë and Maurice Macaré, (805) 462-9317, macare@OakHillManorBandB.com.

San Luis Creek Lodge. San Luis Obispo’s newest luxury inn – San Luis Creek Lodge – has added a fitness room. Guests may find it necessary to use the fitness room after eating a breakfast featuring Edna Valley Bakery’s newest addition – apple cinnamon swirl coffee cake. Other new additions to the lodge include mini-CD stereos in each room. For reservations call (800) 593-0333 or visit www.SanLuisCreekLodge.com. Press contact: Patty Oxford, (800) 593-0333, ext. 210, patty@sanluiscreeklodge.com.

Scenic Coast Property Vacation Rental. Now available to visitors looking for a vacation rental in San Luis Obispo County is an estate home situated on 42-acres of pristine oak covered hills located within Paso Robles wine country. Other highlights of this special vacation rental include an extensive deck, Jacuzzi, patio with barbecue, spectacular views, manicured lawn, and a stone pool with a waterfall. For more information call (800) 927-6163 or visit www.CambriaCoastRentals.com. Press contact: Scenic Coast Property Management, (805) 927-6163, ext. 18, info@CambriaCoastRentals.com.

Dining

Robin’s Restaurant. Robin’s Restaurant in Cambria has introduced new Friday Night Prix Fixe dinners featuring three courses prepared by Executive Chef Chris Kobayashi, which can be paired with or without the chef’s wine selections. Also new at Robin’s are special themed dinners scheduled four times a year and a Sunday brunch special. Robin’s Restaurant is located in the historic east village of Cambria at 4095 Burton Drive. For reservations call (805) 927-5007 or visit www.RobinsRestaurant.com. Press contact: Michelle Lutz, (805) 927-5007, mlutzy@yahoo.com.

Alex Madonna’s Gold Rush Steak House. The Gold Rush Steak House at the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo has partnered with OpenTable to offer dinner reservations online. Guests can simply visit www.MadonnaInn.com and click-on “Steak House” to reserve a table for a delicious oak-pit-barbecued steak dinner. The Madonna Inn is located at 100 Madonna Road, just off Highway 101 in San Luis Obispo. For more information call (805) 784-2433 or visit www.MadonnaInn.com. Press contact: Rebecca Quesenberry, (805) 543-3000, Rebecca@MadonnaInn.com.

Apple Farm Restaurant & Bakery. The Apple Farm Restaurant in San Luis Obispo is scheduled to open a gourmet food and wine shop inside their Old Millhouse on June 1. The gourmet food and wine shop will offer a wide range of delectable foods, including cheeses and olives, homemade ice cream, salads and sandwiches to go, plus regional fine wines, ciders and juices. Known for its fresh comfort food and Victorian elegance, the Apple Farm Restaurant is located at 2015 Monterey Street in San Luis Obispo. For more information call (805) 544-6100 or visit www.AppleFarm.com. Press contact: Holly Padove, (805) 773-1000, holly@thepressroom.com.

Spas

River Oaks Hot Springs & Spa. Formerly known as Paso Robles Hot Springs & Spa, the River Oaks Hot Springs & Spa recently opened in Paso Robles after a renovation. The refurbished Hot Springs & Spa features new mission-style décor, various spa amenities, new street lights, new entrance with fountain, plus additional services on the spa menu. The River Oaks Hot Springs & Spa is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. For more information call (805) 239-4600 or visit www.RiverOaksHotSprings.com. Press contact: Pam Lyon, (805) 238-4600, pam@RiverOaksGolfCourse.com.

Wineries

Eberle Winery. American Gold Medal Wines, 2006 Guide recently listed Eberle Winery one of the top 10 gold-medal winning wineries in the country. The guide focuses on the top 20 international, national and regional wine competitions held in the U.S. and compiles a list of the top gold-medal earning wineries from those competitions. In addition to being honored as one of the top 10 wineries in the country, Eberle Winery earned kudos for having four of the top wines (2002 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, 2003 Sangiovese, 2003 Mill Road Viognier, and 2004 Roussanne) in the country. For more information call (805) 238-9607 or visit www.eberlewinery.com. Press contact: Marcy DeGarimore, (805) 238-9607, marcy@eberlewinery.com.

JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery. JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery recently opened a luxurious new tasting lounge for its Wine Society members. Featuring lush chairs and sofas, barrel sampling and cheese pairing with JUSTIN’s world-class wines, the salon-style tasting is open weekends 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for JUSTIN Wine Society members only. Two new tours – Vineyard Tours (offered seasonally) and a Sensory Evaluation/Barrel Tasting Tour (by prior appointment) – have been added to JUSTIN’s existing winery and cave tour options. For more information call (800) 726-0049, ext. 300, or visit www.JUSTINwine.com. Press contact: April Sutton, (805) 726-0049, ext. 109, april@JUSTINwine.com.

Ag-Tourism

Green Acres Lavender Farm. Jennifer Naylor, former executive chef of Granita in Malibu, will be teaching a class – Cooking with Lavender – at Green Acres Lavender Farm in Atascadero, June 15, 2006. Registration includes all food, lavender lemonade, custom menus, and a bag of culinary lavender to take home. Meals will feature local produce and olive oil. Playtime in the lavender fields, too! Cost: $100. To make a reservation, call (805) 466-0837 or visit www.GreenAcresLavenderFarm.com. Press contact: Janice Silva, (805) 466-0837, JaniceandBob@charter.net.

North County Farmers Market. On June 7, the North County Farmers Market will relocate its weekly event to the Sunken Gardens in Atascadero’s historic downtown district. The weekly farmers market will be held on Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The weekly market will feature in-season produce such as strawberries, broccoli, cabbage, artichokes, lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, carrots, apples, beets, plus flowers, bread, fish and beef, and food vendors. For more information call (805) 434-3400 or visit www.atascaderomainstreet.org. Press contact: Steve Martin, (805) 462-0177, smartin@atascaderomainstreet.org.

Pasolivo. Pasolivo, producers of award-winning extra virgin olive oils, recently remodeled their tasting room, located on Vineyard Drive in Paso Robles. The new tasting room has a large tasting area where visitors can sample just released 2006 olive oils or buy food and gift items, most created specifically for Pasolivo. The tasting room is open Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tours of the Central Coast’s largest and newest olive press are available. For more information call (805) 227-0186 or visit www.pasolivo.com. Press contact: Joeli Yaguda, (805) 227-0186, joeli@WillowCreekOliveRanch.com.

Arts

The Seaside Gallery. An artist reception with nationally recognized artist Victor Ostrovsky will be held at the Seaside Gallery in Pismo Beach on Saturday, June 1 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. A veteran of the Israeli Secret Service, Ostrovsky’s paintings depict visual provoking portrayals of adventure and intrigue. For more information call (805) 773-8057 or visit www.theseasidegallery.com. Press contact: LeeAnn Smith, (805) 773-8057, dlsmith5200@charter.net.

Recreation

Paso Bowl. With new ownership, Paso Bowl (formerly known as Wilson Lanes) is sporting a new look and attitude. Leading the changes is a refurbished Maverick’s Bar & Grill, which serves lunch and dinner. Open seven days a week, Paso Bowl features a variety of family-friendly bowling leagues, special events, five large screen plasma televisions, and occasionally, live entertainment and dancing. For more information call (805) 238-5020. Press contact: Heather Hellman, (805) 544-0134, hhellman@Highway101Communications.com.

Attractions

Hearst Castle®. The Hearst Castle® Garden Tour is now available to visitors through October 31, 2006. The seasonal tour highlights the spectacular display of color and fragrances of the estate’s extensive gardens, terraces and walkways. In addition to the hundreds of roses, azaleas, rhododendrons, and other flowering plants, the tour includes the Hidden Terrace, Neptune Pool Dressing Rooms, Casa del Mar, and the Wine Cellar in Casa Grande. Visitors should allow two hours and ten minutes for this tour. For tour reservations call (800) 444-4445 or visit www.hearstcastle.com. Press contact: Dan Eller, (805) 927-2074, deller@hearstcastle.com.

San Luis Obispo Children’s Museum. The new San Luis Obispo Children’s Museum is scheduled to open in late fall 2006. The completely rebuilt museum will be located at 1010 Nipomo Street in downtown San Luis Obispo, and will have double the space for permanent and rotating exhibits. The Museum’s “town square” will feature a 17-foot-high clock tower climbing experience, a ride on a trolley and child-size replica of San Luis Obispo’s Thursday Night Farmer’s Market. Children ages 4 and under can play and explore in an expanded early childhood learning space, complete with a larger-than-life size replica of BRIO’s wooden toy engine. For more information call (805) 545-5874 or visit www.slokids.org. Press contact: Roy Mueller, (805) 545-5874, rmueller@slokids.org.  

Tours

Audubon Mini-Tours of Beaches. VisitorTV and the Morro Coast Audubon Society have teamed up to offer mini-tours of San Luis Obispo County beaches. The coastal recreation mini-tours air on VisitorTV, the in-room 24-hour channel that is available at 85 hotels, bed and breakfast inns and RV parks throughout San Luis Obispo County. Four 5-minute programs showcase the recreational abundance and natural beauty of the county’s nearly 100-mile coastline from San Simeon to Guadalupe. For more information call (805) 772-2491. Press contact: Galen Ricard, (805) 534-0558, allenricard@charter.net.

Onboard Nautical Events. The 72-foot luxury yacht Papagallo II is the ultimate venue to celebrate the Fourth of July. On July 4 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (or until the fireworks are over), the yacht will cruise Morro Bay while guests dine on traditional Fourth of July fare. After sunset, guests have a front row seat to watch the fireworks display over the water. The Papagallo II is docked in Morro Bay. For more information call (805) 927-5705 or visit www.OnboardNauticalEvents.com. Press contact: Cindy Steidel, (805) 927-5705, info@OnboardNauticalEvents.com.

Entertainment

Jazz Rocks Morro Bay. The Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a jazz concert – Jazz Rocks Morro Bay – at the Morro Bay High School on Saturday, May 20, 2006 at 6 p.m. Headlining the musical extravaganza are Frank Capp and the Frank Capp Sextet, plus guest vocalist Barbara Morrison. An accomplished drummer, the swinging Capp gained initial fame playing with the Stan Kenton Orchestra, and has also played with Ella Fitzgerald, Harry James, Stan Getz, and Dave Pell. The dazzling Barbara Morrison has more than 20 recordings to her name, and is known for her impassioned renditions of traditional Jazz, Blues, Gospel and Pop. Accompanying the featured artists are student musicians from Cuesta College. “Jazz Rocks Morro Bay” was inspired by Jimmy Lyons, founder of the Monterey Jazz Festival, and his wife Laurel Lyons, a current resident of Morro Bay. For ticket information call (800) 231-0592 or visit www.MorroBay.org/jazz. Press contact: Peter Candela, (805) 772-4467, PeterCandela@MorroBay.org.

Pacific Repertory Opera. “A Summer’s Day at Dolphin Bay,” a new event offered by the Pacific Repertory Opera, is scheduled for June 17 at the Dolphin Bay Hotel & Residences in Shell Beach. Enjoy talents of San Luis Obispo County’s most gifted young musicians and singers, while sampling hors d’oeuvres prepared by Lido Restaurant of Dolphin Bay and Salisbury Vineyards wines. Afternoon event includes auction of fine gifts to benefit the Pacific Repertory Opera. For more information call (805) 541-5369 or visit www.propera.org. Press contact: Mikele Hushing-Kline, (805) 541-5369, propera@sbcglobal.net.

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 their new theatre at the Avila Beach Golf Resort in Avila Beach, just off Highway 101. The California Cabaret Theatre’s summer season features I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (June 19 – July 26) and The Texas Chainsaw Manicurist (July 31 – September 6). For more information call (805) 489-4426 or visit www.CaliforniaCabaretTheatre.com. Press contact: Erik Stein, (805) 489-4426, jaxeric@earthlink.net.

Featured Event

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