My husband and I celebrated my Birthday in style when we decided to escape Buffalo's extended bitter winter for California sunshine and wine. We booked a short 5 day trip to San Luis Obispo.
Vast Ocean Views And Rolling Hills Lined With Oak Trees
Admire the scenic route as your drive the historic 101 highway to reach the SLO life. It's best to drive into San Luis Obispo because there's no major airport near by. Los Angeles and San Jose are the closest major airports, approximately 3 hours away. We took a road trip from my hometown, San Diego. Leaving around 10am, we missed most of the heavy LA traffic.
Photo complimentary of Forbes 6 secrets about Paso Robles
Paso Robles
Home to over 200 wineries, mostly family businesses. It's impossible to visit even half in one trip. We decided to do a google search to find wineries that best fit our style. We prefer smaller scenic family owned wineries off the beaten path.
Airbnb
For our first two nights we stayed in a cozy cabin we found through Airbnb on the outskirts of Paso Robles in Atascadero. It was economically friendly and perfect for our needs, as we spent most the day away from our humble abode.
I especially loved that our pad had a fireplace and a deck overlooking the forrest. I enjoyed my coffee in the morning admiring the scenic view and deer playing. The peaceful serenity allowed me to reach my ultimate zen state of mind doing yoga and meditation. My head was in the perfect place ready to conquer the rest of the day wine tasting with my soulmate.
Mitchella
Enticed to visit because they serve complimentary cheese and wine pairings, we were incredibly pleased with Mitchella winery. A family run business with a tasting room in their home. We immediately felt welcomed as guests as we were greeted and asked to pick a table to sit in their backyard.
We were cozy and well taken care of as we tried many wines from their seasonal selections and older vintage wines from their library collection. After three hours of tasting and relaxing we loved our experience so much that we decided to become members. It will be nice to reminisce on our trip over a bottle from Mitchella on cold wintery day in Buffalo, where we currently reside.
Le Cuvier
Our second day of wine tasting we decided to select a winery with an amazing view. We discovered Le Cuvier. A winery on top of a hill with an incredible scenic view overlooking wine country.
This sophisticated winery has beautiful artwork and pairs their tastings with clever gourmet bites. Both the food and wine were delicious. We were impressed with their bold red wines and generous pours!
We brought a picnic and enjoyed a glass of red on the scenic cliffside at Le Cuvier. It couldn't have been a more romantic experience.
Madonna Mountain
Transitioning from wine tasting to slowing down at our next resort destination we decided to climb a mountain! We hiked the Cerro San Luis Trail aka Madonna Mountain in San Luis Obispo. A moderate hike with admirable views was the perfect way to walk off our 2 days of wine tasting and prepare to unwind our last couple days of vacation.
Photo courtesy of California Through My Lens; Hiking Madonna Mountain
Photo courtesy of California Through My Lens; Hiking Madonna Mountain
Madonna Inn
Every summer as a child I would admire the sheer beauty and impeccable detail with my jaw dropped as my family would drive by the Madonna Inn on our way to camp at Lake Nacimiento near San Luis Obispo. It was a dream come true to finally get to stay at the resort with my soulmate!
Courtesy of The Madonna Inn
Courtesy of The Madonna Inn
The American Dream Is Self Made Success
This breathtaking resort is much more than an inn for travelers. It has 119 unique custom designed themed rooms. Built in the 1950's by husband and wife team; The Madonna's put incredible thought and personality into each room they designed as they watched their dreams transpire.
The Madonna Inn is a love story in itself and whimsically carries it's guests back in time but just like all things, it's had it's up and downs. The original inn burned down shortly after it was built. But with tragedy inspired The Madonna's to re-build bigger and bolder.
My husband, MC ZiLL and I stayed in the Vintage room. In the original building and one of the only rooms to have a humble courtyard in the back with a fireplace.
Rocks
Upon construction of the hotel, if a rock was in the way they built around it! You can find unique rock architecture throughout the entire resort.
Pink
Pink is the favorite color at the Madonna Inn. From the walls to the salt, everything is pink!
A Great Birthday
My birthday morning began with a couples massage in the spa next to the pool, which was heavenly and ended with a delicious macaroon in the tea room. Following our massage we relaxed by the pool observing the breath taking view of San Luis Obispo sipping Pina Coladas debating over which hot tub to go in after a dip in the heated pool. We decided to go in the secret hot tub around the corner next to a giant rock waterfall built into the mountain.
After freshening up in true vintage fashion and picking up a bottle of wine from the Madonna Inn's wine cellar we headed to the secret garden where my soulmate and I strolled along admiring the beautiful flowers. We fantasized hoping one day we would have a child that would get married here.... Or we'll renew our vows in this precious place that has become near and dear to our hearts.
After our stroll we headed up to the lavish restaurant for one of the best steak and lobster dinners we have ever had. Who doesn't feel like King and Queens drinking from colorful crystal goblets enjoying pink champagne cake!?
Everything was wonderful about The Madonna Inn from the food to the delightful service and elaborately embellished in every exquisite detail of the decor.
Mrs. Madonna, who is in her late nineties, wrote a book about her late husband and their adventures together called My Point Of View. ZiLL surprised me with an autographed copy from Mrs. Madonna herself enclosed with a special message to us. A special gift to remind me of my hopes and inspirations for my marriage and family.
Photo courtesy of 10 Best Visits, America's treasured palace
Photo courtesy of 10 Best Visits, America's treasured palace
Hearst Castle
The dream continued to manifest once we arrived at the foot of a mountain in San Simeon next to the sea awaiting to be whisked up the winding drive to tour Hearst Castle.
If you're looking for eye candy and want to feel like you've stepped into a European castle, then spend a day exploring the national landmark, Hearst Castle.
Publishing tycoon, William Randolph Hearst and the first female american architect, Julia Morgan teamed up in 1919 to begin creating the castle, a project that took over 25 years to complete.
The castle is truly enchanting, exaggerating vast wealth. A playground for popular celebrities, politics and anyone on the who's who's list during it's prime. Now the castle serves as a museum for all to enjoy. The castle can be rented for parties and weddings.
My Castle Favorites
This lavish marble pool with authentic Roman sculptures and pillars translates today to cost over $8 million to construct. The last person to swim in this pool was Lady Gaga when she filmed her music video G.U.Y.
In a stone hallway near the billards sits an antique piano with all of the keys permanently pushed down except the octave surrounding middle-c. An easy way to play simple melodies for the clock tower!
In the courtyard sits the oldest artifact at the castle, an Egyptian sculpture made of diorite dating back to c.1550-1070 BCE. It's fascinating to think whoever created this sculpture thousands of years ago had a tool to cut this extremely durable and tough stone that remains unscathed to this day.
Composer of the album, Wedding Music, ASCAP member, Katie Ann, is a music producer and music artist who has successfully released many works of art through her publishing company, LK PRO. A certified member of Wedding Wire and Buffalo Bridal Association, Katie Ann is a singing pianist specializing performing weddings and other special events. As an accomplished musician she offers voice and piano lessons to aspiring children and adults.
www.katieannmusic.com
www.katieannmusic.com