Damkier's Travels: Central Coast of California

Exterior of Mission Santa Barbara

There is a world between San Francisco and Los Angeles. The Central Coast of California is often overlooked by visitors and natives alike. Prior to the construction of Interstate 5 and development of air travel, US Highway 101 was the primary connection between Northern and Southern California hugging the coast connecting Gilroy, Salinas, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara. Today, the highway still serves as a true California treasure worthy of exploration.

Chapel Interior of Mission Santa Barbara

Long before settlers found gold in California, Spanish missionaries set up shop on the California coast with a string of missions. The El Camino Real connected these missions along the "King's Road" with modern Highway 101 following most of the original route. You can still see bells along the route to commemorate the storied history of the California Mission system. One of the best missions is in Santa Barbara which provided the name for the modern beach community. This mission is a true beauty in classic style with well preserved exhibits and architecture - along with a somewhat rosy history of Junipero Serra.

Winery Exterior at Justin Winery

On my trip, I left Interstate 5 after stopping at the iconic Kettleman Hills In-N-Out Burger for lunch heading for Paso Robles. This part of California has some impressive wineries, and this was a perfect opportunity to explore them. I stopped at a few wineries including JUSTIN Winery and Laetitia Winery which were excellent. JUSTIN was at the end of a long and winding road with wonderful French-style blends, and Laetitia blew me away with amazing Pinot Noir and sparking wines. This region is often overlooked, but the unique geography and climate make for some impressive wines. Just ask the guys from the movie Sideways.

Santa Maria Tri Tip Sandwich

Santa Maria is an inland city along the coast that is famous for their tri tip. Their seasoning and cooking technique rely heavily on the Mexican influences in the region. The above sandwich was from Rancho Nipomo BBQ and is one of the best with lots of meat on fresh baked bread and sauce. This was also a nice place to stay overnight and prepare for another day of travel.

Fresh Aebleskiver with Raspberry Jam

I have Danish heritage, so I was immediately drawn to the unique town of Solvang. This town has turned into a model Danish and European showcase with half-timber houses and Danish pastries and food. Aebleskiver are a family tradition, roughly described as a fried pancake ball. I have a pan and can make them, but it is far easier to order some fresh from the professionals. Solvang was also a good stop for some Danish Butter Cookies to take for the rest of my Southern California adventure. Overall, the town is very touristy and is only good for a few hours and pastries, but it would make a great base for exploring the region. Alas, it was time to finish digesting the fried sugar and cross the mountains into Santa Barbara.

Mission Santa Barbara

Beyond the mission, Santa Barbara does not have much else to offer except being a fun and upscale beach town. This is a great place to spend a lazy weekend or venture out for wine tasting, but the city lacks a lot of real draws. Nevertheless, it remains a popular vacation destination and wealthy address for those living in Southern California. After a quick chicken stop, it was time to continue down the 101 to Los Angeles and points beyond. Please enjoy the rest of my pictures below.