52 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Spring 2018

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | Jet Setter

T R I P P I N G O N T H E

Central CoastBy Judy McDonough

52 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Spring 2018

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | Jet Setter

Escape the heat of the valley at Emma Wood State Beach.

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Spring 2018 | texaslifestylemagazine.com 53

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | Jet Setter

I used the inspiration of “National Plan Your Vacation Day” to plan my five day solo driving tour of California’s Central Coast. First stop: Ventura – a beautifully laid back, artsy beach town. At the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach, I was delighted to get a room with an ocean view. I took off to explore nearby San Buenaventura State Beach and soon found The Jolly Oyster, where locally sourced oysters are served in a beachy, casual setting.

After a long walk on the beach, and a visit to the Museum of Ventura County to check out the exhibit from internationally-acclaimed fashion photographer (and Ventura native) Neal Barr, I lit out for Rumfish y Vino, a popular gastro-bar brimming with South American flavors. One of their signature dishes, the Caribbean Fish Stew, was layered with flavors from meaty chunks of lobster, shrimp, clams, local fish and cured sausage in a spicy broth. I was delighted to learn that the owners are scouting Texas for a possible third location!

After an exhilarating day kayaking around the Channel Islands (read about it on TLMOnline), The Ventiki Tiki Lounge

& Lanai was a natural choice for a casual dinner. I felt at home perched at the bar as

1950s crooners played in the background. The Ventiki Mai Tai was a fabulous retro treat, and

the Teriyaki Chicken King Bun was a juicy hit of much-needed nourishment.

Early the next day, I headed north on US-101 and was in the Santa Maria Valley in less than two hours.

The lovely Santa Maria Inn is a registered historic landmark in the middle of the Central Coast wine

country, entertaining Hollywood royalty – from Charlie Chaplin to Molly Ringwald - since 1917. It has an

elegant, yesteryear feel – but with modern amenities. A fan of classic movies, I was delighted to be staying where

Cecil B. DeMille housed the cast of his 1923 silent classic The Ten Commandments, as filming was done nearby at the

Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes.

Often noted as one of the state’s emerging tourist destinations, the Santa Maria Valley is agro-proud; its rolling fields are laden with produce nearly year-round with everything from strawberries to pinquito beans. And if you weren’t aware that the Santa Maria Valley is an emerging region for world-class wines – well, then, you’re just as uninformed as I was.

My first tasting, at the beautiful Presqu'ile Winery, was a wonderful introduction to the warmth and hospitality of the region, with each winery offering a different take on the delightful grapes grown in the Valley.

My knowledgeable guide pointed out that the Santa Maria Valley is the second oldest American Viticultural Area (AVA) in California, with only the Napa Valley being older. With this region’s rare east-west orientation, cool ocean air is channeled directly into the valley. The result is one of California’s longest growing seasons. This crucial extra time on the vine, coupled with the complex soil conditions, makes for distinctive wines.

After a stop at the charming Riverbench Winery, on the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail, I was ready to try the region’s famous Santa Maria-style barbecue. At Shaw's Steakhouse my tri-tip (the beef most associated with this style) was cooked on an iron grill in the signature simple style of the region: over local oak, with a distinctive dry rub. The flavorful, juicy meat was perfection.

Day four found me in the solar-powered, airy tasting room at the Foxen Vineyards & Winery, with an experienced staff that patiently answered my rookie questions.

Did I feel like an expert by the time I arrived for my final tasting, at the Ca'Del Grevino Orcutt Tasting Room? Hey, I was on vacation – I didn’t need to be! But it made my conversation with my friendly wine guide more fun.

That Santa Maria-style barbecue was calling me again so the Far West Tavern’s filet mignon (with a glass of local wine, of course) was a delicious, satisfying end to the day.

My final day started with a quick trip to the Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve—a last chance to stroll one of Central California’s impressive beaches.

And I was glad I made a brief visit to the bustling town of Oxnard, lunching at the memorable La Dolce Vita Ristorante, located in a restored Victorian home. During my meal, the Tri-Tip Sandwich with chipotle aioli was amazing.

My five-day getaway made me realize how easy – and comfortable – it is for a woman to travel on her own. Choosing the hospitable, visually stunning and adventure-filled Central Coast of California was certainly key to that, and it allowed me to truly get away for the first time in five years.

With activities from kayaking in Ventura to wine tastings in the Santa Maria

Valley, California's Central Coast is the perfect getaway for the single traveler.

Spring 2018 | texaslifestylemagazine.com 53

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | Jet Setter