THE US CALIFORNIA COAST DESTINATIONS LEFT:
Paso Robles vineyard
RIGHT:
Hearst Castle BELOW:
Oceano Dunes
pier. Glass-bottomed boat rides, deep-sea fishing and whale watching trips depart, while seafood restaurants galore vie for business by offering free samples of their superlative clam chowder. Monterey was the first state capital of California, and a free audio tour – accessible via mobile phone – takes you on a walking tour between preserved adobe-style buildings of the Spanish and Mexican periods of Cali’s past, plus the state’s first theatre, first brick building and old whaling station. Monterey is also a starting
point for 17-Mile Drive, a private road ($10 fee to drive) that hugs the ocean revealing spectacular stretches of coastline. Take this scenic route to popular and charming Carmel. This petite oceanside town framed by trees has a village
For a thrill ride, drive an off-road buggy across the towering dunes of Oceano Sand Dunes Preserve
feel and is perfect for a romantic beach walk and speciality-store shopping. For a change of pace, keep heading south to SloCal, the nickname given to the communities that make up San Luis Obispo. The region includes Paso Robles, a renowned wine-growing area with vineyard tours, tasting rooms and fancy restaurants, and delightfully sleepy Cambria. This seaside
town makes a great base for visiting Hearst Castle, a palatial folly dominating the hillside. The brainchild of late media mogul William Randolph Hearst, it comes complete with a herd of zebra. At its feet lies the hypnotic Moonstone Beach State Park where misty mornings add a sense of enchantment and the sunsets can be spectacular. If you do find yourself in need of a thrill ride, they don’t come much better than driving
an off-road buggy across the towering dunes of nearby Oceano Sand Dunes Natural Preserve. The sturdy vehicle spins across this vast, Martian-like landscape, taking on the banked curves and sheer drops with ease – and at speed! SunBuggy offers agent commission. Where to stay: Cambria Beach Lodge is stylish, comfy and footsteps from Moonstone Beach.
cambriabeachlodge.com Tried & Tested THE LODGE AT TORREY PINES
This sumptuous 170-room hotel enjoys an enviable position in secluded grounds edging Torrey Pines Golf Course, where guests enjoy preferential tee times. Walking through the gabled entrance, you instantly feel a sense of grandeur, created by the dark-wood interiors, stained glass and fireplaces, typical of
the Craftsman style. Book clients into a spacious Palisade Room, with ocean views, fireplace and balcony. There’s a spa and two excellent restaurants, while a short stroll takes you to Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve with its hiking trails and beaches. Book it: Rooms from $359 a night.
lodgetorreypines.com
23 November 2017
travelweekly.co.uk 43
PICTURES: VISIT CALIFORNIA/CAROL HIGHSMITH, DAVID H COLLIER, MAX WHITTAKER, BLAISE;
SANDIEGO.ORG
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