Slo Cal might not get the hype of its bigger, better- known siblings, but if you’re looking to experience a less-travelled side to the Golden State, where you can embark on exclusive adventures, sample world-class wines and get a taste of Californian culture without the crowds to accompany it, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better spot.

Words by Laura French

Halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, cut through by the 101-mile California Highway One, sits some of the state’s most show-stopping scenery – emerald vineyards tucked between rolling hills, pristine coastline sheltering secluded beaches and quaint seaside villages lapped by opal shores.

This is San Luis Obispo County – or Slo Cal, to the locals. A land of fertile farmland, tumbling sand dunes and elaborate estates, where outdoor adventures – from seal-spotting to surfing, hiking to horse riding
– meet some of the state’s best wineries, concentrated around its beating heart, San Luis Obispo, the city dubbed “the happiest place in America”.

Here you’ll find luxury boutique hotels and world- class tasting rooms, antique shops and artisan food stores, clustered around a historic downtown lined with traditional Spanish architecture. There’s eclectic spots like the whimsical Bubblegum Alley rubbing shoulders with cultural haunts including the Museum of Art, and historic sights such as the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa – famed for its fragrant gardens and intricate motifs – meeting the likes of Slo Creek, where locals sit dining by the river beneath sunny skies.

This university city has a vibrant nightlife too, best seen in its slew of craft breweries and independent bars, and every Thursday night a farmers’ market turns main drag Higuera Street into a giant party, with live music, street performers and roadside barbecues drawing visitors from across the region.

But Slo Cal isn’t just about the city, with some of its most enchanting lures found in the surrounding landscapes.

Drive 15 minutes east of the city and you’ll find Montana de Oro State Park, where scenic bluff trails overlook dramatic cliffs and canyons, and hills turn orange-gold in spring beneath carpets of colourful wildflowers.

In the south lies Edna Valley, one of the state’s most prized wine regions, where mild year-round climes and gentle coastal breezes help to produce award- winning Pinot Noirs and exceptional Chardonnays. Pay a visit to Chamisal Vineyards to explore the oldest winery in the valley, or stop by Edna Valley Vineyard for private patio tastings against a backdrop of lush, undulating vines.

Elsewhere in the south you’ll find a smattering of seaside towns – among them Pismo Beach, a laid-back surf spot where visitors can glimpse humpback whales in migration season and ride ATVs over the sand dunes before kayaking alongside colonies of sea birds and seals. At Avila Beach there’s paddleboarding, sailing and hiking, while the nearby Avila Valley is famous for its natural hot springs and wineries, as well as one-off farm shops like the iconic Avila Barn. Further south still sits Oceano, a 1,200-acre state park that’s home to California’s largest dunes complex at 18 miles long, and lays claim to being the only beach in the state visitors can drive across.

There’s more in the way of dramatic coastal views north of the city – not least in Cayucos, a tiny beach town with a historic pier and boardwalk lined with upscale boutiques and restaurants. Head to the working fishing town of Morro Bay for fresh oysters and wildlife sightings, or stop by Ragged Point for dramatic, craggy cliffs dropping into an expanse of azure (it’s also the gateway to Big Sur).

California Luxury Forum in SLO CAL, Max Whitaker

Beyond the beaches there’s plenty more to see, too. Hearst Castle in San Simeon is well worth a visit, with its opulent art collection and lush, manicured gardens, originally built for newspaper baron William Randolph Hearst, who was known for his love of European art.

But much of Slo Cal is also cowboy country, and no visit here is complete without taking in the likes of Paso Robles – home to more than 200 wineries and around 40 grape varieties – and San Miguel, where sprawling ranches nestle among colourful orchards and towering oak trees.

Farm-to-table dining is something of a buzzword in the region too, and Santa Margarita dishes up exceptional cuisine – and a burgeoning craft beer scene – in spades, while the small town of Templeton serves freshly-sourced produce with a side of proud local tradition.

Each of these places has its own unique character, but what unites them all is a warm, friendly welcome everywhere you go, and a leisurely pace of life that’s all about taking it slow.

Slo Cal might not get the hype of its bigger, better- known siblings, but if you’re looking to experience a less-travelled side to the Golden State, where you can embark on exclusive adventures, sample world-class wines and get a taste of Californian culture without the crowds to accompany it, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better spot.

Where to Stay

Hotel SLO

Inspired by ranch and beach, Hotel SLO, San Luis Obispo’s newest urban resort, is a place to recharge and from which to explore.

Here, guests can live vividly. Bright and spacious rooms pop with bold and playful colours. Paintings, installations and sculptures are dotted throughout the property, each one exclusively created for the hotel
by local California artists. Taste buds are teased with Hotel SLO’s celebration of local produce; grab artisan breads and pastries to go, dine on one of Chef Ryan Fancher’s incredible creations, or kick back with a glass of local wine on the rooftop High Bar.

Hop on one of the hotel’s complimentary bikes or take a guided mountain tour, and after a day of coastal adventures, opt for one of SLO Spa’s carefully selected treatments.
hotel-slo.com

Hotel Cerro

With a mission to be one of the best eco-hotels in California, Hotel Cerro’s foundations are built with energy efficiency at its heart. From the choice of building materials, lighting and temperature regulations to the in-room amenities, food transportation, edible gardens and reusable water bottles given to each guest, every detail has been considered – without knocking its high-touch service.

Sixty-five rooms and suites, as well as eight one- and two-bedroom residences, are housed in this boutique hotel, along with several eateries, including its own custom copper Holstein Still distillery, which is open for private dinners and customised wine pairings. There’s also a gym, spa, pool and fitness centre on-site, or guests can take to the outdoors on hikes and bike trails. Or head to the rooftop patio to soak in the 360-degree views of the breathtaking mountain peaks.
hotelcerro.com

The road less travelled

Where to Stay

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