Thanks, HTTY.

Did you visit any wineries you especially enjoyed?
Can you recommend any restaurants or a place to stay in Cambria?

We were there a few years ago and may well return next time we do the LA to San Francisco drive.

We have stayed in Cambria several times, but, I'm sorry to say, we don't have a favorite place to stay or eat there (even though we have stayed and eaten only at places others claim to like a great deal).

In Paso Robles, we had an excellent meal at Villa Creek, 1144 Pine Street--right on the square. Unfortunately, they don't serve lunch: http://www.villacreek.com/

Since we can't drink wine, we don't visit wineries; however, this may give you some guidance:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g32861-Activities-Paso_Robles_California.html

HTTY

My nephew loved Justin Winery, and they have a B & B. He spent his honeymoon there, and along hiway 46 that Happytrails notes - from Paso Robles to the Coast - there were several nice looking Chateaux at the various wineries.

http://www.justinwine.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=brand&gclid=CMLHsbfn6a0CFQ5lhwodrhcA4w

We loved Peachy Canyon

Thanks for your report, HTTY! My husband & I will be visiting CA for a coastal trip at the end of March & have reservations for 2 nights in Cambria. We were thinking that one of our days we might want to drive through the Paso Robles area so your directions will help us a lot! Might I ask where you had lunch the day you were there?

Arwin- go thru Paso on your way back up north. One place we liked, not cheap but excellent food is Artisan in downtown Paso. There are also wineries heading out east of Paso. We like J. Lohr and Vina Robles.

We had lunch in Paso at Thomas Hill Organics and really enjoyed the food and outdoor patio. There is a great olive oil store next door.

Two words for Paso Robles.

Tobin James.

emd3...I am in love with Tobin James!!!!!!! Isn't it about time for a spring wine shipment? Woohoo!

Hi Michelle-we're considering your suggestion to go through Paso on our way back to SF at the end of our trip. Can you tell me what the scenery is like on 101 up to SF from Paso? And thanks for the idea! Also, many thanks to everyone for the restaurant & winery suggestions!

iceeu2, a very close friend of mine who hs a ncie cellar in he rhome in Santa Monica sends me a case of Tobin James every yr in late March for my birthday. I wait and wait for it. When the doorbell rings and I know who it is, I send her an email saying, "Mr. James is at my door!" It is the best birthday present ever and every year it is WONDERFUL wine, deep and just lucious reds in particular. YUM. This friend gets invited to their wine dinners and goes at least once a yr. I want to go!

Hwy. 101 from Paso up thru, say Gilroy, Is agricultural. Hwy. 101 is all 4 lane. Paso to about King City is rangeland and hills. There is a nice little mission, Mission San Miguel, just out of Paso Robles along tithe highway so it is easy to visit. Mission San Antonio is about 20miles off the highway and Mission Soledad is about 5 or so. I would skip these two.

After King City, you will get into the main farming area of the Salinas Valley. This is the salad bowl of California, if not the world. You will see all kinds of lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, strawberries, veggies and wine grapes being farmed. On the Westside of the valley are wineries and the River Road wine Trail

http://www.riverroadwinetrail.com/

Only do this if you have time. You will probably have visited enough wineries by now.

Once you get to Salinas, you can head back over to Monterey or continue up Hwy 101 to SF. I would just head up to SF, since you are taking in Monterey on your way south. Between Salinas and Gilroy is San Juan Bautista. It is a cool little town with a very good mission. Maybe have lunch here? It is not too far off Hwy 101 and worth the detour.

Once you get north of Gilroy, you get in to the more developed areas, SanJose, Silicon Valley and the Bay Area.

Oh thanks so much, Michelle! I think we will just take 101 all the way & that will give us some extra time in SF in the late afternoon & evening to do something fun. As always, I am so grateful for your time & advice. Can't wait for our trip!!!

HTTY-sorry for taking over your trip report!