Part IV: The Central Coast in .NET framework

Creating DataMatrix in .NET framework Part IV: The Central Coast

also love Fermentations, 4056 Burton Dr (% 800-446-7505; www fermentationscom), which serves as a great introduction to the Central Coast Wine Country through tastings, wine sales, and wine-themed gifts

For Hearst Castle information, call % 800-444-4445, or visit the comprehensive Web site at wwwhearstcastleorg For information on Cambria, contact the Cambria Chamber of Commerce, which operates a visitor center at 767 Main St (% 805-927-3624; www cambriachamberorg)

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Exploring rolling hills and sun-drenched valleys Tasting cutting-edge wines and olive oils Wandering through historic towns Shopping for art and antiques

alifornia wine It s not all about Napa Valley, although those pesky Northern California centrics may make you think so The Central Coast Wine Country is at once the oldest and the newest of California s wine-growing areas The old Franciscan missions strung along the coast, and just inland by it, attest to the area s heritage when early Spanish settlers planted grapevines and olive trees But the area s wine production went into decline during Prohibition After Prohibition was repealed, Napa and Sonoma valleys shot ahead as the leading and best-known producers But in the last 25 years, the Central Coast has experienced a boom in grape production and winemaking Not to mention PR galore in the form of that little indie movie, the Oscar-nominated Sideways, which bypassed higher-profile Napa for the setting of its idyllic and socially complicated wine-tasting weekend With the new growth in winemaking has come general growth, much of it geared to visitors A wide range of hotels and spas, golf courses, restaurants, art galleries, museums, antiques stores, and even a Vegasstyle casino means an array of recreational options We have to say that we hope the boom slows down now, because this region is one of the few unspoiled parts of California; far be it from us to deny anyone their creature comforts, but it would be a shame to see the area go down the high-end development road to Genericville Little of this area except perhaps for the bakeries in Solvang will thrill your kids, but adults will be pleased by the pace and beauty of the region, and understand why California has become such a mythic place in the collective cultural mind The principal parts of the Central Coast Wine Country are Paso Robles (the town of this name and the surrounding countryside), San Luis Obispo (again, the town of the same name plus the nearby areas of Edna Valley and Arroyo Grande), and northern Santa Barbara County (the Santa Maria and Santa Ynez valleys) The great news for visitors is that

the areas, while distinctly different, are sufficiently close enough together to make visiting all, or parts of all, practical on even a short timetable And staying in Paso Robles or San Luis Obispo is also a convenient option for visiting Hearst Castle (see 20), offering more to do (or, at least, more to drink) than quaint Cambria

Like the rest of the Southern California coast, there is no bad time to visit in terms of weather It s almost always sunny, but not too hot Some summer days are toasty in Paso Robles or Santa Ynez as you go farther inland, but you can always escape to the coast The real issue in timing is crowds Summers and weekends are popular with visitors Numerous festivals and other events also attract large numbers Room rates go up during high-volume periods, and two-night minimums are common on summer weekends The various local tourist centers and winegrowers associations will supply information on calendars of events Although crowded, one of the various local wine festivals may be the perfect option for you These festivals offer the opportunity to sample a lot of different wines in a short time with a good chance of meeting the winemaker or vineyard owner Plus you ll often find related music and food activities that just add to the fun The Santa Ynez Valley is geared for tourism, and certain times are busier than others Definitely call in advance if you plan to stay on weekends The towns get very crowded from June to October, when the Pacific Conservancy of the Performing Arts (PCPA; % 805-922-8313; www pcpaorg) presents outdoor theater, including comedies, dramas, and musicals, at the Solvang Festival Theatre The festivities go on year-round, but things really pick up when the apples are ready for picking from August to October Come for Solvang Danish Days (late Sept), the annual Celebration of Harvest (mid-Oct), Winterfest Celebration (month of Dec), and other minifests that the visitor bureaus will be happy to tell you about Contact the Santa Ynez Valley Visitors Association (% 800-742-2843; wwwsantaynezvalleyvisitcom) or the Solvang Conference & Visitors Bureau (% 800-468-6765; wwwsolvang usacom) for more festival information