California's Heart and Soul

Winter Adventures and Wine in SLO County

02.03.2016

The perfect weekend trip: a little outdoors, a little wine, and a little relaxation. If you haven't experienced the heart of California, right now is the best time to visit San Luis Obispo County. All the best of the state comes together here, without the crowds! Not only can you adventure throughout the county—hiking, biking, rock climbing, and kayaking—the wineries here (and there are more than 250) easily go toe-to-toe with any other wine region in the state. In the far-out region of Paso Robles top wineries pour among a calligraphy of bright green hills, and at the inland classics of the county, you can add extra adventure to your wine tasting by 4-wheeling up and down the vineyards in an open-top 1953 Willys Jeep. From the galloping green hills to the completely accessible coastline, hiking and kayaking are fun and easy ways to explore the area. Find solitude, secluded sands, wild waves, tranquil tide pools, and a picnic spot worthy of a proposal while hiking at Montaña de Oro State Park. (Check out the best hiking trails in the county.) See the county's famed icons by paddling the gentle waters of Morro Bay, or go kayaking through sea caves at Avila Beach.

Unique Lodging Bonus: With a luxe spa, Allegretto Vineyard Resort is a fantastic option for unwinding. The Canyon Villa is an intimate bed & breakfast experience located on 11 acres and perfect for outdoor adventurists. To really get away from it all, stay the night in a century-old farmhouse at HammerSky Vineyards.

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Bear Hug
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Light This Way
Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.
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National Park City Walk
See San Francisco the way locals do by hiking the Presidio, a national park right in the city! Wooded trails, secluded beaches, and epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge feature on this 5.5-mile out-and-back on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It’s a lovely slice of the City by the Bay.
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Bucks Up!
Come on in, the water is beautiful. Whether you like swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddling, or heading out on a bigger boat, Bucks Lake is a high mountain haven that’s easy to access, blissfully uncrowded, and surrounded by sandy beaches, picnic areas, pines, and aspens.
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