There’s nothing like leaving the rainy-ass East Coast for a drive in convertible up the sunny California Coast. This trip was almost perfect, so here’s the itinerary:
SATURDAY
LOS ANGELES
breakfast: New York Bagel (Brentwood)
lunch: Fat Burger
dinner: Hana Sushi
lodging: Casa de Mi Familia
SUNDAY
LA to BALLARD / SANTA YNEZ
breakfast: New York Bagel (Brentwood)
lunch: Subway (Oxnard)
dinner: Hitching Post II (Buellton)
lodging: Ballard Inn
MONDAY
BALLARD / SANTA YNEZ
breakfast: Ballard Inn
wineries: Andrew Murray, Longoria, Bridlewood, Buttonwood,Rusack
lunch: Panino (Los Olivos)
dinner: Brother’s Restaurant at Mattei’s Tavern (Los Olivos)
lodging: Ballard Inn
TUESDAY
BALLARD to CAMBRIA
breakfast: Ballard Inn
lunch: Splash Cafe (Pismo Beach)
Dinner: West End Bar & Grill
After Dinner Drinks: Cambria Pines Lodge
lodging: Moonstone Cottages
WEDNESDAY
CAMBRIA to BIG SUR
breakfast: Moonstone Beach Bar and Grill
tourist stop: Hearst Castle
Lunch: Lucia Lodge
Dinner: Cielo
lodging: Lucia Lodge
THURSDAY
BIG SUR
breakfast: Lucia Lodge
lunch: Village Corner (Carmel)
tourist stop: Monterey Bay Aquarium (Monterey)
pre-dinner drinks: Nepenthe
dinner: Deetjens
lodging: Lucia Lodge
FRIDAY
BIG SUR to SANTA BARBARA
breakfast: Lucia Lodge
lunch: Taco Bell (Morro Bay)
pre-dinner drinks: 31 West
more pre-dinner drinks: State and A Bar & Grill
dinner: Bouchon
lodging: Hotel Andalucia
SATURDAY
SANTA BARBARA to LOS ANGELES
breakfast: Ruby’s Cafe
lunch: The Biltmore
tourist stop: Santa Barbara Zoo
dinner: Kay ‘n Dave’s Cantina (Brentwood)
lodging: Casa de Mi Familia