Chichester and Arundel Lifestyle May - Jun 2021

NE
‘LIFE
IS TOO BEAUTIFUL TO RUSH’
, SAN LUIS OBISPO REALLY DOES
LIVE UP TO THIS MANTRA. SLO IS
LOCATED HALF WAY BETWEEN LOS
ANGELES AND SAN FRANSISCO AND
HOLDS THE TITLE OF, ‘THE HAPPIEST
CITY IN NORTH AMERICA’.
This relaxed laid back vibe shines
through the city with hipster coffee
shops, small independent interior
shops and local food vendors.
Continuing through the county the
serene landscape becomes more
apparent with vineyards stretching
through agricultural land and within a
short drive out of town I find myself
immersed in the sound of the sea
and surfing culture. San Luis Obispo
is the ideal location to rejuvenate
whether that is alone, as a couple,
or as a family. There is something for
everyone.
It is here that pleasure dictates pace
and despite having a full itinerary for
a four day trip, the way of living felt
blissfully slow. All whilst filling the
time sitting in vineyards wine tasting,
setting up fire pits on the beach,
meandering the fields of a light
exhibition at night, sea kayaking with
sea otters, and enjoying the farm-totable
philosophy over lunch.
Our first stop was for two nights.
Hotel Cerro is a dream modern
vacation with an intuitive flow. Just
from walking through the front door
Hotel Cerro has sophistication and
contemporary aesthetic in its soul.
This luxurious touch is partnered
with environmentally conscious
calls, with refillable water bottles in
rooms, an edible garden visible from
my balcony and organic bathroom
amenities. Hotel Cerro thought of
every approach.
From the rooftop pool terrace the true
size of the city was visible and the
surrounded hills towered above it. On
arrival a platter of delicious cheese
and meats, carefully paired with wines
awaited in Hotel Cerro’s all-day dining
restaurant brasserie. A very welcome
sight after a long day time flight. That
night I melted into the silky soft covers
awaiting the sun to rise and pour
through the balcony shutters.
Waking to the bright sunshine I could
feel the warmth. A clichéd blue sky
ready to sit above me all day as I
ventured out, sat patiently. It was
today that I decided to take a walk
downtown, marvel at the unusual
attraction of Bubblegum Alley just off
of Higuera Street before driving over
to the famous Madonna Inn.
As an international landmark
destination, Madonna Inn is a
whimsical resort with enchanting
decor. It feels like you are stepping
out into a movie set as you drink from
goblets and eat Pink Champagne
cake in the Copper Cafe. Overindulged
and full of delicious food,
I decided to drive a short distance
to SLO Brew Rock, a 30-barrel
brewhouse and tasting room, with a
rustic interior and casual seating area
it was an ideal place to sit back with
friends, play a board game and enjoy
a tasting session of some the finest
whiskies.
Taking the afternoon to relax and
unwind I continued with the chilled
out atmosphere at Tolosa. Tasting
the incredible line up of wines on
offer, whilst over looking the Edna
Valley winery was a pinch-me
momemt - my tastebuds were
tantalisingly in their happy place.
After an afternoon of tastings I
wound up the day’s light at Grover
Beach, that sits on the Southern
coastline of San Luis Obispo. With
the sea crashing in and the evenings
warmth still lingering I set up a fire
pit with deckchairs and blankets. Sat
around the fire sharing stories and
laughing, me and my companions
filled our bellies with the awardwinning
clam chowder served in
“IT IS HERE THAT
PLEASURE DICTATES
PACE AND DESPITE
HAVING A FULL
ITINERARY FOR A
FOUR DAY TRIP, THE
WAY OF LIVING FELT
BLISSFULLY SLOW.”
www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 23