Hi all, in mid-April my family and I are traveling from Los Angeles to Salinas. Our plan is to take PCH and stay at Morro Bay the first night. That first day we will go to Santa Barbara, Pismo Beach and Lompoc. (Maybe do lunch in Santa Barbara?) The second day we will go to Cambria, San Simeon, and Ragged Poing. We will be staying in Salinas but we will spend a day in Monterey (the aquarium) and Carmel before going back to L.A taking the freeway. (Any recommendations for Monterey/Carmel?) On our way back we were thinking on stopping at Paso Robles and Los Alamos. We like restaurants that use fresh local ingredients. The quality of the ingredients is key for us. Rather than over the top preparation, we prefer simple but full of flavor. We are open to any kind of food and would love to taste some great seafood during the trip. We don’t mind driving for food to special places. What about bakeries and bread? Since we are traveling with a 5 and 7 year old very fancy places won’t work for us. Thanks!
IF you're traveling on a Thursday, hit the farmer's market in San Luis Obispo that evening. It's not your ordinary farmer's market.
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A couple of option in Morro Bay. The Bayside Café inside the State Park is a nice setting and they do a good job with what they put out. They will also have a couple of fresh seafood options. It is one of my wife’s favorite places when she is up there. For fresh seafood. Three places come to mind. The Galley, Tognazzini’s and Taco Temple. The first two are going to have very fresh seafood, but plain presentations. Tognazzini’s is likely to tell you who’s boat it came off that day. Taco Temple is a taco place in name only. Ignore the menu, order one of the fish items off the special board. What you will get is very well prepared seafood on top of a mound of multicolored slaw. Buried underneath this will be a couple of corn tortillas with a little cheese. You probably won’t make it down to them. Don’t let what looks to be high prices put you off, the portions are large. For breakfast, I’d suggest Frankie and Lola’s.
I’m not sure what your timing will be like on the way back. But, in Paso Robles we have eaten at a few places that are nice for lunch. We both had a very nice experience not too long ago at Fish Gaucho. A second place that we’ve enjoyed over the years is Bistro Laurent. He changed the menu a few years ago to a bit lighter fare and now refers to it as a brasserie. Another couple of option about 5-10 minutes down the road in Tempelton, are McPhee’s Grill and Pier 46. McPhees is only open for lunch Monday – Saturday. So I don’t know if that will work. Pier 46 has an excellent cioppino that is worth stopping for.
PISMO BEACH:
Two toss-up favorites.
1. Mo's BBQ - best to stick to the Philthy Phil Ribs for the best slow smoked treat with excellent sides, very casual but we always stop here when going up or down Highway 101 - where is mergers with Highway One. Pomeroy Ave
2. The Oyster Loft has moved into a worth a journey designation.
And coming in for a fine third if the lines are not too long Splash Cafe - the clam chowder in the small place on the corner down the street from Mo's toward the ocean. Pomeroy Ave,
Always worth a stop at HotLix on the same main downtown street to pick up some fine flavored salt water taffy. We always keep a bag of their coffee flavor taffy in the glove compartment for a quick treat. Pomeroy Ave
GUADALUPE: well worth the diversion and enjoy two treats I learned about right here on Chowhound from regular - Toodie Jane. La Simpatia for chile rellenos on Hwy One - one street main downtown
Then take a walk it off hike out to the dunes at Oso Flaco Lake a few miles out of town heading north on Highway One - state park, there is a parking fee - board walk hike across lake and on out to the ocean if you want to go that far - we are have a particularly good wild flower year and this is one place to see them. This area is getting top reviews right now.
JALAMA BEACH - off Highway One before you reach Lompoc - a local get away to get a burger - the "famous" Jalama Burger whose sauce allegedly inspired McDonald's "secret sauce". Just a good burger in a pretty spectacular wild ocean setting -campgrounds - so you need to pay a parking fee but they offer a "burger pass" to stay long enough to have your burger and enjoy the views
Too bad you could not spend more time in Santa Barbara... probably one the most beautiful beach cities on your itinerary although the food there is underwhelming.
Lucky Penny is good for pizza.
I also like French Press for coffee and pastries.
In SLO I liked Flour House Caffe Roma for Italian and Scout Coffee.
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