A lyrical ode to the central coast...

There is no deeper wave than this...

A benefit song for the 2012 Bioneers Conference
http://www.ecologistics.org/centralcoastbioneers/

Elephant seals at Piedras Blancas...

Live cam:

http://www.elephantseal.org/Rookery/livecam.htm

...approx 17,000 playful pups migrate here each year

...they have a lot to say

...like to hang out with friends

...enjoy the beautiful views

...winter is the best time to view mating rituals and births

...and they certainly know how to relax

www.elephantseal.org

Christmas lights up Cambria...

Grab a mug of hot spiced wine at the garden gate and meander through the light show at the first-annual Cambria Christmas Market at the Cambria Pines Lodge...

www.cambriachristmasmarket.com/
www.cambriapineslodge.com/

Lunch at Hearst Beach...

A beautiful almost winter's day at the cove in San Simeon...

...a late morning walk on the pier

...rented paddle boards in the protected cove

...down the road to Sebastian's for lunch

...still owned and operated by the Sebastian family

...with Hearst Ranch Winery tasting room recently added

...sandwiches are huge & delicious

...and hungry gulls always ready to share

http://www.slostateparks.com/hearst_memorial/

www.facebook.com/pages/Sebastians-General-Store-and-Cafe/134932509893022

www.hearstranchwinery.com/

One-room schoolhouses...

Rural schoolhouses can be found all over the central coast, a lesson in recent history. Many date back to the late 1800s when grade school became compulsory; some still operating until the early 1960s, closing their doors to paved roads and bus routes...

Los Osos School (1872-?)
...now part of a skatepark in Los Osos

Pacific School (1881-1950)
...with Hearst Castle on the hill in the distance

Santa Rosa School (1881-?)
...now an art gallery & studio in Cambria

Santa Maneula Schoolhouse (1901-1957)
...now a heritage museum in Arroyo Grande

San Simeon Home School (1903-?)
...now for sale as private residence on 1.1 acres of ranch land

Edna Valley Schoolhouse (1908-?)
...now a one bedroom farm stay in Old Edna

Independence School House (1909-1956)
...now a tasting room at Baileyana Winery

www.patriciagriffinstudio.com

www.oldedna.com

www.baileyana.com

Hidden coves off the bluffs...

A personal favorite, shared with body-surfing otters, barking sea lions, dolphins, whales, deer, heron, spotted cows, horses, tide pools...and spectacular sunsets

Stopping for coffee along the central coast...

Cafe Luna in Summerland

...great coffee, fresh bakery, and biscuits for the dogs

Corner House Coffee in Los Olivos

...coffee, flatbread pizza, a rather sublime raspberry-lime smoothie

Top Dog Coffee Bar in Morro Bay

...best dirty chai on the central coast

Dark Nectar Roasting in Templeton

...a true coffee 'bar' - known for its Templetucky blend

Cambria Coffee Roasting Company

...the roaster next door

Amsterdam Coffee House in Paso Robles


www.facebook.com/lunasummerland
www.cornercoffeehouse.com
www.topdogcoffeebar.com
www.facebook.com/darknectarroasting
www.cambriacoffee.com

...all organic coffees and teas

Wednesday yoga at Fog's End...

A quaint working farm at the edge of town in Cambria...

...vineyard and B&B

...curious chickens

...a greenhouse, a big old barn

... and wednesday morning yoga

...with Joanna B

...and Chandler

www.fogsend.com