California: A Mission, A Castle and Lots of Wine

- Creative and fun dining in Paso Robles.
- Historic places like Mission San Miguel and Hearst Castle.
- Scenic towns like Cambria and San Simeon.
- Scenic drives like Highway 46 and Highway 1.
- Backroad adventures to places like Linn's Fruit Bin.
- Wonderful Paso Robles wine country east and west of Highway 101.

Quick Tips:

- Make sure to have a map or directions to where you are going: it's easy to get lost on the backroads.
- Dining reservations are essential at more popular places in Paso Robles.
- If going to Hearst Castle, consider booking tour tickets through their website.

Best Way To Get Around:

The only way to get around this rugged part of California efficently is by car.

Being a frequent guest at Best Westerns, I have come to expect varying degrees of quality across the country. The BW location in Atascadero was a pleasant surprise. Though set on a main thoroughfare and right near the highway, it was surprisingly quiet. The hotel seems to have gone through a recent update, as the room my wife and I stayed in had new everything.

After a painless check-in, we were given Room 302, which, like the others in the motel, opens into an interior hall. The room itself was more than ideal, especially at $79 a night. Being a corner room, it was twice as large as our friends’ room. We had a comfortable king-size bed set in an iron frame. Colorful, basic furniture and a standard hotel desk were also provided. There was a television with free HBO, a refrigerator and microwave.

The bathroom was basic, with a standard shower, etc. The hair dryer was disappointing to my wife, since it was one of those vacuum-looking types.

One thing which was a bit annoying to me was the curtains on the window – they did not do an adequate job of blocking out the sunlight. Then again, you aren’t at the Colony Inn to sleep in.

The front lobby area is comfortable, with an arrangement of chairs and tables for people to relax by. Free newspapers and broadband Internet access are provided. Adjacent to the lobby was a narrow hallway which housed the free continental breakfast bar. It was basic, but good, and more importantly, built into the overall cost of the room.

While we did not get a chance to try out the pool, it looked nice and would be enjoyable on a hot Central California summer day.

This place is country western all the way. Set not too far from Highway 101, Bad Bubba’s was quite an experience for us our first night in town. We had seen signs miles away on the freeway advertising the place and were not disappointed in the least. Designed to look like a wooden fort of sorts, the exterior was a lot of fun to see from the road.

Inside, a talking buffalo head greets you with an occasional commercial advertising a BBQ special. A server gives you a menu and you then proceed to the counter where you place your order from a whole host of BBQ related foods. I had the spare ribs covered in a special BBQ sauce, which was so tangy and good I had to buy two bottles for the trip home. After you’ve placed your order, your server seats you and takes your drink order.

Meanwhile, country music plays loudly through speakers while all sorts of folk mosey around the bar. For value-added entertainment, there is a bull which you can ride (which I did – only lasting about 6 seconds) and the staff, dressed in cow like costumes, does an occasional dance to music.

The whole place just screamed FUN and I plan to go back every time I pass through.

Part of the chain of California missions founded by Padre Junipero Serra, San Miguel Arcangel was actually established by Serra’s successor, Fermin Francisco de Lasuen in July of 1797. San Miguel is atypical of the design of California missions, with its Spanish-style architecture, heavily Catholic influences and continued use as a parish church today. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the poorest missions, sustained mainly through the efforts of the small farming community which surrounds it.

A moderately large earthquake struck the Central California coastal region in December of 2003, causing significant damage to the ancient adobe structure and forcing its closure. Fundraising efforts have been underway since then to restore it, with limited success. As of late Feb. 2004, the church’s office, museum and gift shop have reopened, but the main sanctuary remains closed.

Still, the site is worth a visit to take in the historical aspects, pray at the outdoor altar if you so desire and view the beautiful construction.

Imagine having lots of money during a time when many others don't. You are the controversial owner of a huge media empire and with the vast amounts of wealth you have accumulated, you decide to build a castle in the clouds. Welcome, my friends, to Hearst Castle.

Constructed by famed architect Julia Morgan beginning in 1919, it sits atop "Camp Hill" as a testament to the power and vision of William Randolph Hearst. Finished in 1947, this Mediterranean Revival style compound sprawls over 127 acres of gardens, terraces, pools and walkways and has 165 rooms.

Inside, one is in awe at the magnificent collections of European and Mediterranean art, bought for pennies on the dollar. The rooms have grandiose ceilings, tiled walls and countless other high society touches. There is even a movie theatre on the grounds.

Outside, your breath is taken away by the beautiful marble fountains, breath-taking views of the Central California coast and the amazing Greek-columned pool where, at one time, Hearst hosted lavish parties which drew the rich and famous from around the globe.

After having experienced this place myself as a tourist, I can truly understand what architectural historian Lord John Julius Norwich meant when he said, "Hearst Castle is a palace in every sense of the word."

Driving back from Cambria, we spotted a sign off of Main Street which pointed to "Linn's Farmstore." Being the natural inquisitive folks we are, we went down the narrow country road, passing farms, one-horned goats, cattle and all sorts of country like stuff. Upon rounding a bend, we saw Linn's set back from the road behind some vineyards. Our first visual impression was that this might be worth it.

We got out of our vehicles and were shortly greeted by two small farm dogs (one of which seemed to be in heat, constantly mounting the other one) and a peacock. Inside the store itself, we found all sorts of pies and pie accessories. After making our mouth watering choices (I went with a slice of cherry), we stepped outside.

Walking down a slight hill, we found a very relaxing, creek side area to chow our goodies. After spending some quality time doing so, we reluctantly climbed back into our vehicle to return to our normal vacation.

The Paso Robles wine region is an up and coming part of the overall California wine experience. We got a chance to do both sides of Highway 101 (wineries are on both sides) during our trip and found we preferred the places along east Highway 46 better.

Our first stop was the Tobin James winery, way out at the end (or the beginning if you are coming west along 46) of the row of tasting rooms along the highway. Tobin James is well known for their wide variety of wines, especially their very sweet tasting Dessert Zinfandel. The tasting room itself is fun, set up to resemble an old style saloon and manned with a very friendly and knowledgeable staff.

Another winery we stopped at which was worth noting was EOS. Setup to resemble a Mediterranean estate, this award winning winery had some awesome Chardonnays, Moscatos and Zinfandels. Especially cool were the collection of race cars and the self-guided tour of the wine production facility out back.

Another wine trip, another 12 bottles to add to my growing collection…