We Heard it Through The Grapevine

This migration has a history: a 1925 article in the San Luis Obispo Daily Telegram described the road from Morro Bay to Atascadero as the “Butterfly Route.” Seeking shelter from the frozen winters of the north, the butterflies arrive on the Central Coast and are partial to a towering eucalyptus grove found near Pismo Beach, which now serves as an official preserve.

The Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove is just off Highway 1, adjacent to a lovely riparian estuary that runs to the ocean. It’s open from late October through the month of February from 10 am to 4 pm, with docents providing daily talks at 11 am and 2 pm.

If you find yourself captivated by the spectacle and want more, continue venturing south to Nipomo, where you’ll find the Monarch Dunes Butterfly Habitat—a 19-acre sanctuary that has served as a winter home for as many as 60,000 of these snowbirds (er, butterflies).

From zombies to spiders, ghosts to the dark, we are fascinated by and drawn toward all the things that scare us. Maybe that’s part of the draw to the spooky Halloween season. But whether we’re drawn to Halloween to face our fears or fight them, Atascadero puts them right front and center in the freakiest way possible. A highlight—the Haunt in Atascadero—grew out of a merger of two popular haunts and now stands as the longest-running haunted house in the county. The Haunt does things differently than your standard scare tour—it’s seen more like an interactive show than a straight-line walk through a maze, only allowing small groups in the house at a time. With options like the full Lights-On Tour or the Night Terrors with nothing but a lantern to light your way, it’s a freaky fun night for the faint of heart or the fearless alike!

The beach has the best of both worlds: it’s a place for adventurous sorts who want to surf the waves or dive to the depths, and it’s a place for the relaxed vacationer who wants to recline under the sun with a book and cold drink. And nearby Pismo Beach helps both types experience beach life to the fullest. For the adventurous, head to Pismo Beach Dive Shop for all of your rental needs or to sign up for a guided kayak or dive tour. If sunbathing is more your style, go prepared with a new read from the Book Odyssey and a picnic with fresh pickings like a smoothie from Virtjuice and a few of the best tacos in town from Papi’s Grill.

Lace-up your hiking shoes, fill up your water bottle, and find your way to one of Atascadero’s trailheads for a day hike through wine country. Spend a day exploring the Three Bridges Oak Preserve’s grasslands, woodlands, and sweeping vistas of San Luis Obispo County. From the Meadow Trail to the Oak Savannah Loop Trail, Lookout Trail and Madrone Trail, you’ll get an up-close look of the area’s natural wonders. Once slated to become a housing development, the Atascadero Land Preservation Society purchased Stadium Park’s 5 acres to maintain as a protected area. The focus here is on native plants with an educational hillside trail, the Dr. Bill Shepard-designed Native Plant Garden, and a kiosk with information on how to grow your own native plants to keep the natural beauty blooming!

The Fourth of July is a time to remember everything we have to be thankful for as a nation—our diverse natural landscapes, sights, sounds, flavors, and freedoms. In the heart of Central California—where ocean, wine country, rolling hills, and waterways meet—there’s no better place to celebrate the identity of our neck of the country than at the Atascadero Fourth of July Bluegrass Freedom Festival. Spend the day absorbing the sun’s vibrancy in a boat, kayak or paddleboard at Atascadero Lake Park. When you’ve worked up an appetite make your way to the BBQ at Atascadero Moose Lodge where an abundance of beer, wine and cider flow with abandon. All the while, bluegrass bands take us back to the Americana spirit. Here it’s about letting go of the schedule and simply soaking up the big little things that make America great.

Consider an elevated take on the essentials at Kitchenette, where the oatmeal is loaded with dates, chia, flax, hemp, buckwheat seeds, and cinnamon honey butter, and the French toast is served almond-style, topped with strawberry jam and cream cheese spread. At Sally Loo’s, the ambiance and appetizing menu items are Instagram-ready and seasonal specials rotate on a monthly basis for an always-fresh feel—we recommend Sally’s Waffle! For the oh-so-satisfying breakfast of baked goods stop by Back Porch Bakery. From training in the Mecca of baking (Italy) to initially selling bread off their back porch in San Luis Obispo, Dan and Caroline’s business for the taste buds has become one of the Central Coast’s go-to spots for that fresh-out-of-the-oven way to start the day.

Start the Central Coast tour of brews at one of the best craft beer taprooms in the country (as established by the likes of Sunset Magazine and the Great American Beer Festival) — SLO Brew, where IPAs and ales flow effortlessly alongside pub-style food fare, live music, and fireside lounging. Locally dubbed “The Brew,” SLO’s late-night gathering scene stands as one of the longest-serving brewpubs in Cali since opening its doors in the late ‘80s. But it’s not the only great place for a pint. Sip a cold one of a more creative variety — think lavender earl grey pale ale, smoked porter with chipotle peppers — at Bang the Drum Brewery, where the menu’s always rotating. Round it out at BarrelHouse Brewing Co. and Santa Maria Brewing Co. to keep the good times flowing.

It’s an age-old American tradition: the drive-in — where families and friends can park their cars, pull out a blanket, snack on their popped corn and enjoy a double-feature flick. They seem to be fewer and far between as the golden age of jukeboxes and soda fountains fades into distant memory, but several survive including San Luis Obispo’s Sunset Drive-In. A nightly double of a family-friendly show followed by an adult-approved film keeps all ages entertained for less than the ticket of a typical theater show. Stock up on your snack of choice at the on-site Snack Bar or stop by Pluto’s on your way for a fresh salad, house-mashed burger or homemade sweets. Drive by during the day for treasures and deals at the Super Sunday Swap Meet held every week.

Sources of hot, natural mineral water were first discovered around Atascadero at the end of the 19^th century by oil drillers. It didn’t take long though for the pools to become popular spots to soak. The waters are a relaxing and soothing place for anyone to spend a few hours, but they’re also thought to be a source of natural healing. From increasing metabolism to arthritis, soothing muscles to diabetes, the hot springs can offer something to everyone. Take a dip at the Franklin Hot Springs where you can also catch sight of some local wildlife and try your hand at fishing. River Oaks Hot Springs offers spa services, like facials and aromatherapy, on top of a soak in your own private open-air mineral water pool.

Slip away with your significant other and stimulate your senses while sipping some of the best wines the area has to offer. Start at Bella Luna where tastings of the winery’s unique red and white varietals have dominated the scene for 20 years. The experience here is well rounded with vineyard walks, barrel and portfolio tastings, and lunches. The couple behind Frolicking Frog Cellars has been creatively vinting since the ‘80s. What started with a simple Cab has grown into 18 vintages bottled to date including zins, merlots and original blends like their Jeremiahwasa and Jumpin’ Jehosaphat. But Atascadero plays host to numerous wine-inspired events—this month check out the Atascadero Sweetheart Stroll or the Creamery's 5-course cheese & wine tasting—throughout the year for those who want their wine tasting to be as adventurous as their relationship and taste all that the area has to offer.

When Edward Garner Lewis moved to the California coast from Missouri in 1913 he had a vision to create what would become the county’s largest planned community. At the heart of it all would be the Historic City Hall. Pulling inspiration from the St. Louis Exposition for the building and a Sunken Garden in front, Lewis completed construction in 1918. Over the next 60 years, the building served as an administrative building, school, junior college, and Veterans Memorial Building. Today, the building once again stands as home to City Hall. Stroll through the Atascadero Historical Society Museum for a glimpse into the city’s changing past. Or, take a private tour through the halls that have stood through it all.

Atascadero’s Sunken Gardens and all of downtown will magically morph into this winter playland. Activities include a snow slide, climbing wall, bounce houses, holiday shopping, musical entertainment and, of course, Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Help the Charles Paddock Zoo’s keeper elves prepare a special holiday for the more than 200 animals at the Holiday Magic event. Spend the day exploring the zoo, giving presents to the residents, and sharing your Christmas wish list with Santa Claus. Then, ring in the New Year at the Pavilion on the Lake’s New Year’s Eve Bash. The Atascadero Firefighters are partnering with the city to plan this party that will benefit local charities. 

Between the main house and three guesthouses, the estate has 60 bathrooms, 58 bedrooms, 41 fireplaces, and 18 sitting rooms. Hearst thought of everything when it came to rooms and even included a theater, library, Gothic study and beauty salon. Two pools—the Neptune Pool and Roman Pool—played host to parties, gatherings, exercise, and fun. Also on the property are a Prohibition-era wine cellar, an airport and landing strip, and a few descendants of the creatures who once inhabited the Hearst Zoo. There are tours for every interest, from the Grand Rooms to Designing the Dream and Hearst and Hollywood. All the while, be sure to pay attention to the vast, international art collection throughout!

Mozart’s final opera has since become one of the most performed operas globally, and along with the glorious music, features enchanted instruments and fantastical characters – including a dragon! Next, join thousands of clam-lovers at the Pismo Beach Clam Festival on October 19. The festival will celebrate the grand reopening of the Pismo Beach Pier. A parade, fabulous vendors, and live music will accompany the luscious clam chowder and additional edibles. Also, more than 100 wineries will celebrate the vintage at the Let’s Harvest Happiness Harvest Wine Weekend on October 20-21 at various locations throughout Paso Robles. Grape-stomping, harvesting, live music, barbecues, and barrel samples are only part of the fun. For details, call (805) 239-8463. Lastly, come in costume to the Atascadero’s Farmers Market for Halloween at the Market on October 31. You’ll find locally grown, farm-fresh produce, and you just might get a treat. 

Culling experts from various disciplines, such as agriculture, engineering, and urban planning, to help him design “Atascadero Colony,” home construction was underway by 1915. Lewis’s plans yielded impressive results. The Printery, which was the city’s first permanent civic structure, boasted the first rotogravure presses this side of Chicago. The crown jewel of Lewis’s utopia was the building that housed both Atascadero City Hall and the Museum until 2003. Today, this stunning example of Italian Renaissance-style architecture is a designated California Historical Landmark. For a fascinating window into our city’s rich and unique history, check out the Colony House Museum or the Historic City Hall, each of which is open for tours Monday through Thursday from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M.

Colony House Museum is located at 6600 Lewis Ave., Atascadero, CA 93422.

Historic City Hall is located at 6500 Palma Ave., Atascadero, CA 93422.

Niner Wine Estates, a family owned and operated labor of love, produces a wide range of highly sought-after vintages while also maintaining a rigorous commitment to environmental sustainability. Visit the tasting room any day of the week between 10 A.M. and 5 P.M. to enjoy the fruits of the season’s latest crop. The expert staff will be happy to help you find the bottle perfectly suited to your tastes as you sit back and marvel at the breathtaking views of Heart Hill Vineyard. You can also enjoy lunch at Niner Wine Estates’ award-winning restaurant, where ingredients are sourced from local farms, orchards, and ranches. If you would like to schedule a tour of the vineyard itself, call ahead to make a reservation. The friendly Niner folks will help you choose from three different tour options to ensure you have the best experience possible.

Address: 2400 CA-46, Paso Robles, CA 93446

Today, the Sunken Gardens park of Atascadero stands as a testament to Lewis’s extraordinary vision and a perennial source of civic pride for the city’s residents. Visitors will enjoy the well-manicured park as they stroll the paths traversing the length and width of the grounds and converging at the stately central fountain designed by renowned San Francisco architect Walter Danforth Bliss. The historic Atascadero City Hall, which is located on the edge of the gardens, is open for tours Monday through Friday, 8:30 A.M. to 5 P.M. As another added bonus, on Wednesdays from 3 to 6 P.M., park visitors will also enjoy the weekly farmers market, bringing you the best local, organic produce all summer long.

Address: 6505 El Camino Real, Atascadero, CA 93422

The zoo comprises approximately five acres and can be zipped through (on foot, that is) in about an hour if you’re a power walker or enjoyed leisurely over the course of an entire morning or afternoon. With over 200 animals and some 45 unique species, Charles Paddock Zoo features several attractions that make it stand out among zoos of comparable size, including lemurs, meerkats, red pandas, a Malayan tiger, and some furry fossa (don’t worry, we had to look up that last one too). The zoo also prides itself on providing a comfortable experience for both its animals and its many human guests, which includes strollers for your little ones and an array of refreshments and commemorative merchandise available for purchase. Fun for the whole family, the Charles Paddock Zoo is the perfect spot to spend an afternoon connecting with delightful creatures both familiar and exotic.

Address: 9100 Morro Road, Atascadero, CA 93422

Containing the highest concentration of threatened and endangered wildlife in California, the Carrizo Plain stretches for 250,000 acres along the base of the Temblor Mountains, 60 miles east of San Luis Obispo. Its vast grasslands, woodland habitats, and vernal pools sustain 15 of California’s threatened and endangered plants and animals. Here may rest the future of such species as the California jewelflower, San Joaquin kit fox, mountain plover, blunt-nosed leopard lizard, pronghorn antelope and giant kangaroo rat. The Carrizo Plain is also the largest protected habitat along the Pacific Flyway, making it a birder's paradise in winter months. In the spring, Carrizo’s rolling grasslands thrill wildflower enthusiasts with a breathtaking assortment of colorful blooms. The Carrizo Plain National Monument makes for an unforgettable day trip and is a must-see for anyone visiting us in Atascadero, during any time of the year!