Traveling from San Fracisco to Santa Barbara and back for vacation.

[blipa80]

My girlfriend and I are from St. Louis and have seen L.A. and San Francisco numerous times and have planned a trip Labor Day week where we are renting a car and driving from San Francisco to Santa Barbara and back in a week and have stays a numerous wineries along the way. Where do we eat? Big Sur bakery is a definite, other than that.....

[glbtrtr]

Tell us more what towns your wineries are in so we can direct you a little more precisely. The whole drive between SF and Santa Barbara take about 6 hours on 101 and obviously longer if you wind down Highway 1. This gives you quite of bit of time for exploration, but between what stopping points along the way? Thanks

Some towns in between with favorite restaurants are: Paso Robles, Guadalupe, San Luis Obisbo, Solvang, Ballard, Santa Ynez, Salinas, Pismo Beach - most of these are off Highway 101.

[PolarBear]

For the adventurous I'd add King City, Gonzalez, and Salinas along the 101 corridor. (IE authentic cuisina de Mexico, no fine dining). Hard to find better along that stretch of Interminable-5.

Once in Salinas, the whole world of Mexican delights opens up.

[glbtrtr]

Polar bear, You are the man for the Central Coast, what are your favorites in King City and Gonzales.

The Bahama Grill in Salinas recommended by Melanie Wong was worth a detour off the road into their downtown for the key lime pie and some interesting looking Hawaiian/Caribbean (island?) entrees in a casual atsmosphere. So let's hear about the Mexican classic too in Salinas, and the Steinbeck Center is not too shabby of a reason to make a stop there too.

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Steinbeck Center Cafe
1 Main St, Salinas, CA 93901

[PolarBear]

It's been a while and haven't tried them all but here's a few that I have on my list:

Gonzalez -

El Oaxaqueno - black mole tamales
La Playa Azul
El Rinconcito
La Plaza Bakery - for the tortas (one in Soledad also)
Burger Queen - reportedly has great burgers (5th St. exit by the Exxon)

Greenfield -

Taqueria Las Fuentes – al pastor on spit, lengua, cabeza

King City -

Cuatro Hermanos - chile verde
La Poteranca
El Lugarcito - shrimp tostadas, whole fried fish, green salsa, shrimp tostada with lime-cilantro dressing, whole fried fish (avoid tacos exc. for carne asada)

Mercado La Mexicana, a small grocery store at 327 Broadway - chicharrones guisados and cachete (beef cheeks)

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Taqueria Las Fuentes
331 El Camino Real, Greenfield, CA 93927

El Lugarcito Restaurant
128 Broadway St, King City, CA 93930

Burger Queen
800 Johnson Canyon Rd, Gonzales, CA 93926

[Tripeler]

Second on Cuatro Hermanos in King City. In fact, everywhere I have eaten in KC has been pretty good. But I have only been on the main street off 101.

[glbtrtr]

Thanks, what a total waste for us because all we do is stop at the fast food circle in KC all these years -- for Taco Bell Nachos Belgrande (!) We will have to turn right instead of left when we drive up from now on.

[PolarBear]

Should mention they have another location in Paso Robles, NE corner of Spring and 6th Sts.

[Beach Chick]

Sierra Mar at the Post Ranch Inn for lunch in Big Sur...sublime
Big Sur Bakery is excellent and you can do one on the way down to SB and the other on the way back up.
Passionfish in Pacific Grove is wonderful for dinner.

In SB..love having drinks and app's at Plow and Angel at the gorgeous San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito.
Best calamari picatta at the Chase on State street.
Croissants at Renaud's on upper State.
Super Rica Taqueria for great Mex.
Brophy Brothers at the marina for lunch.

www.postranchinn.com
www.passionfish.net

[glbtrtr]

Link to menu at Plow and Angel: http://www.sanysidroranch.com/i/pdf/P...

[CarrieWas218]

So surprised no one has mentioned Nepenthe in Big Sur. Their burger is infamous.

[glbtrtr]

What makes the Nepenthe burger great and worth a stop? Please, more details.

[toodie jane]

The burger's price (up to $15.50 with cheese) has always been commented on. Haven't eaten one, so can't comment. Perhaps the view is a major contributor to the quality.

http://www.nepenthebigsur.com/weather...

[jbyoga]

the fries at Nepenthe and the view alone are worth the $15!

[glbtrtr]

My burger standard remains the PugBurger at Hungry Cat in SB with CowGirl Creamery blue cheese and it comes in around $16 now, including their legendary sneering service, but the burger is worth the insult. (Hard to believe, but it is that good)

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The Hungry Cat
1134 Chapala St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

[HoosierFoodie]

Its been a few years but.... The burger is very good and opinions can vary on that. I thought the fries were excellent. The view is fantastic and they have an extensive and reasonably priced wine list, too.

[glbtrtr]

Please some details about why the burger was so good. These overly general descriptions beg for some specific foodie details. What exactly made the fries excellent? Thanks.

[HoosierFoodie]

Like I said, its been a few years. I remember ordering the burger on a recommendation of a local. I remember our table ordering more fries. I also pointed out that opinions vary b/c of the price. I thought it was well worth the money. We are in the area once per year and stopped at the Big Sur Bakery and it was a very good experience.

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Big Sur Bakery
47540 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA 93920

[CarrieWas218]

A lot of its reputation is their famed Ambrosia sauce - a concoction of mayonnaise, tomato sauce, and mild salsa. They use a great quality beef and the buns are grilled with butter making it taste that much richer.

[toodie jane]

thanks!

[laliz]

I am assuming that since you are going to Big Sur you are traveling Highway 1. I have made the trip many many many times.

The Taco Bell with a view is located on the Cabrillo Highway at 5200 Coast Hwy, Pacifica, CA 94044.

I know it is Taco Bell, but it is Taco Bell like no other, definitely worth a stop.

Phil's Fish Market & Eatery
7600 Sandholdt Rd.
Moss Landing, CA 95039

Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Get the cioppino

La Supa Rica in Santa Barbara

DO NOT MISS

Far Western Tavern

Guadalupe, CA

I get the shrimp louis and the steak sandwich..

TDF

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Far Western Tavern
899 Guadalupe St, Guadalupe, CA

[blipa80]

Wow! Great info. We are stopping in Monterrey for late lunch, then through Big Sur for dinner. Morro Bay for two days, Solvang for a day, then off to Napa/Sonoma for Ad Hoc and Botega. Hwy 1 both ways for we are planning on eating in each town both times through.

[glbtrtr]

Guadalupe is a sleepy little town with the best family Mexican restaurants on its main blocks, though our favorite is currently closed for some building renovations - La Simpatia for chile rellenos. Others who were disappointed to see La Simpatia currently closed, found new favorites as a substitute but i am sorry I can't remember the name. But with competition like this in this little town, it sounds like you can pick any family run Mexican spot and be very happy with the results. Great little dining destination. And the Far Western is also a very special choice for heartier, more continental dining in a funky historic setting.

Baywood Park south of Morro Bay is another very worthy Highway 1 stop and runs hot and cold for dining, but worth some time to just sit for a while on this lovely little lagoon.

Morro Bay never gets consistently good dining recommendations but since you have two days you may want to consider driving into to Pismo Beach for an evening meal at Mo's BBQ - Philthy Phils ribs are the best- very casual but we drive up from Santa Barbara every few months just to have them. And restock our jug of Philthy Phil BBQ sauce and coffee salt water taffy at HotLix down the block from Mo's BBQ. I'll be interested to see what dining treats you find in Morro Bay.

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La Simpatia Cafe
827 Guadalupe St, Guadalupe, CA 93434

[toodie jane]

Come with me on a leisurley drive down the coast in SLO County as you leave the Big Sur:

Cambria is the first real town of note as you leave Big Sur. Just north is the Hearst Castle St Park and Beach. In the little town of San Simeon harbor, there is an very old store serving very good sandwiches (Dagwood style), Sebastian's Store. Worth a stop, very quaint. In Cambria there are kitchsy tourist shops but also some good chow:
Robin's Restaurant, Sow's Ear, Black Cat Bistro, Wild Ginger, French Corner Bakery, Linn's Bakery, to name a few. 15 mintues south on HIghway 1 is the tiny beach community of Cayucos. Brown Butter Cookie Co and Hoppe's Bistro plus the Carr House dining room are very chow-worthy stops. 10 minutes south again deposits you in Morro Bay with fish & chips shops and Windows on the Water dinner house along the Embarcadero near the commercial piers. And Morro Bay Mud Fudge at Main and Harbor for the chocolate lover. Taco Temple 'fusion' Mexican food is located on Main Street (exit left from Highway 1 at San Jacinto) across from Blue Bean Espresso bar (Illy).

1/2 mile south of San Jacinto, exit Highway 1 in Morro Bay at the southbound Main St exit 279A, proceed due south through downtown Morro Bay on Mainstreet to Morro Bay Blvd. Turn right to get to Embarcadero, or cross Morro Bay Blvd and continue into Morro Bay St Park, as it winds around the northern edge of the bay. Just past the Natural History Museum on the point, turn right into the parking lot for the marina. There you'll find the great little Bayside Cafe. Wonderful lunches, and dinners Thurs-Mon. Proceed east on State Pk Bvd to South Bay Blvd and turning right, south into Los Osos. At Santa Ynez, (first signal) turn right and proceed into the area of Baywood Park. (wonderful Farmer's Mkt on Mon, 2:30-4:30) Great Thai food at Noi's or grab a coffee and pastry at the little "marina". Continue around the bay past Sweet Springs Nature Preserve and follow 3rd, then Ramona and then 9th St back to Los Osos Valley Rd. At LOVR and 7th is Carlock's Bakery for traditional American bakery treats. (I love the Chewy Chocolate Cookies, and scratch-made French Donuts Fri. only)

From there you continue east on LOVR into San Luis Obispo, (many, many eating possibilities there) where LOVR will connect with Highway 101 to proceed south. Another 10 miles brings you to Avila Beach, just 3 miles to the west of 101 on Avila Beach Dr. You'll pass Avila Valley Barn produce stand, a good leg-stretching stop; continue into Avila Beach with it's sandy beach and commercial fishing pier (farthest west pier)and restaurants. Avila has recently been redeveloped with tourists in mind. Everything from single source coffee (Clover)at Joemama's to winetasting and lodging. Leaving Avila south on 101 will bring you to Pismo Beach in about 3 miles.

I hope you have time to dawdle thorugh our area; it is unique, blessed with gorgeous topography, womderful eating opportunies, and it is not nicknamed S-L-O for nothing. The pace of life is idyllic.

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Wild Ginger
2380 Main St Ste G, Cambria, CA 93428

French Corner Bakery
2214 Main St, Cambria, CA 93428

Avila Valley Barn
560 Avila Beach Dr, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

Carlock's Bakery
1024 Los Osos Valley Rd, Los Osos, CA

Taco Temple
2680 Main St, Morro Bay, CA 93442

Morro Bay Mud Fudge
Morro Bay CA, Morro Bay, CA

Black Cat Bistro
1602 Main St, Cambria, CA 93428

Blue Bean Espresso Bar
2700 N Main St, Morro Bay, CA

Sow's Ear
2248 Main St, Cambria, CA 93428

Bayside Cafe
10 State Park Rd, Morro Bay, CA 93442

[glbtrtr]

Print this out Highway One fans - Toodie knows her stuff in this part of the world.

[PolarBear]

Bay Cafe at the docks just inside the State Park is a great spot in Morro Bay. Also Taco Temple in MB, just don't order regular tacos, etc, stick with their specials. Another consistent good Mexican is just north of TT, the Chapala Grill (form. market), know for their seafood soup/stews, among other things.

I see toodie jane has this well covered already, in SLO, where Hwy 1 joins southbound 101, I would add a stop at Bon Temps Creole Cafe for breakfast or lunch.

In Guadalupe, La Fogata has been mentioned on this board for their great guacamole, handmade tortillas, and tacos de rajas.

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Bon Temps Creole Cafe
1000 Olive St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

Taco Temple
2680 Main St, Morro Bay, CA 93442

Chapala Grill
5113 W Goshen Ave, Visalia, CA 93291

[blipa80]

Toodie thank you very much, I should start planning my trip back based on all of the places I am going to miss. Toodie, since you seem like the Hwy 1 expert, I was planning on pulling over somewhere in Big Sur that has a great view to propose. I was just planning on winging it hoping to find a unique spot on a cliff overlooking the ocean, any ideas?

[toodie jane]

So sorry to miss this--I was out of town. But I am not a Big Sur expert--having been away from that neck of the woods with any regularity. (Spent much time there as a child)

Here is your expert: ask her, she is a romantic at heart and has lived there for over 25 years: http://bigsurkate.wordpress.com/ She knows every nook and cranny!

My very best wishes, you romantic, you!

[toodie jane]

I've given her a head's up--hope she can help!

[Akadude]

re: a romantic spot, you might consider the Bixby bridge on Hwy 1. Classic views if the fog is not hanging around. It is about a half hour or so north of Nepenthe, which has been mentioned here for lunch. Their views do make their food even better...

If it is foggy, less than a half an hour south from Nepenthe, you'll find a small road which heads up the hills to the left. The name is Naciemento/Ferguson road, and it climbs up quickly to above the fog level to reveal magnificient views of the Big Sur coast.

Best wishes!

[blipa80]

Thanks again everyone for all the help! Your help should make this much more memorable. Last question Big Sur bakery or Nepenthe for lunch? I have the Big Sur Bakery cookbook and was super interested in eating there but Nepenthe keeps entering conversations about Big Sur.

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Big Sur Bakery
47540 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA 93920

[toodie jane]

Big Sur Bakery gets the most nods here for memorable food. Nepenthe is considered to be mostly about the view. A friend who is a local olive oil producer and SLO FOOD member will becamping soon in San Simeon area. They will make the drive from the campground to BSB for a celebration dinner because of the food.

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Big Sur Bakery
47540 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA 93920

[blipa80]

Ha! Going through some old posts and came upon this one. Akadude I proposed on the Bixby bridge! Now we are picking up in St. Louis and moving out to Napa. Thanks for the advice!

[Akadude]

Well done. It is a beautiful and memorable spot. Hope the answer was "yes"! Napa is a great place--hope you have a nice life there. Post reviews of eateries once you've tried some out.
Best wishes.

[monku]

Jocko's for dinner in Nipomo...make reservations.

Review from Los Angeles Times last week:
http://www.latimes.com/features/food/...

[glbtrtr]

Fair review. This is a place for fun, funk, food and lots of it. But it is not dining, just happy and copious eating.

[toodie jane]

Some taco truck options in Santa Maria should the timing be right:

La Tichita on Betteravia east of 101 about 3/4 mile, just past Rosemary Rd which comes in on the left. Rosa and her sister serve up all the favorites with sunny smiles. From 11 to about 2, M-F, till 3 on Saturday when the fields are busy with work. Her commissary is La Mia Mkt, so if you miss her truck hours, you can get great food at a counter inside the mkt. just off 101/N Broadway exit two blocks south on Broadway, behind the 7-11 store on the corner.

Roadwork has temporarily displaced the truck El Chino which parks on the frontage Rd near the 101/166 interchange, just north of the Santa Maria River Bridge. Next town north is Nipomo, my stomping grounds, and home to Jocko's, which serves some good sandwiches at lunch, but no BBQ running at that time. Just 2 blocks south of Jocko's is El Carrizo Mexican market with a great Deli-Mex counter. Very good carnitas and lengua. Cheap and delicious.

You can always do walk-in at two Mexican markets on west Main St (take Main and head west from 101 to Blosser intersection): Carniceria Su Mesa (sw corner) and El Bravo Mkt (nw corner) Great food and cheap prices, no on-site seating.

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El Carrizo
170 S Thompson Ave, Nipomo, CA 93444