Resort with Golf Course Overlooking Gibraltar of the Pacific
Known as the Gibraltar of the Pacific, Morro Rock rises from the shores of Morro Bay like the dorsal fin of an enormous beast. It’s 576 feet in height, and you can see its peak from the dunes surrounding the bay and from the golf course at Sea Pines Golf Resort, a charming hotel in a quiet seaside village. You can spend the day playing on the nine-hole golf course, visiting local wineries, or hiking the trails at neighboring Montaña de Oro State Park.
Each hole at Sea Pines Golf Course boasts stunning views of the estuary, Morro Rock, and the coastal dunes. The course also has a skills area—including a driving range, putting greens, and a chipping area—as well as the Clubhouse Grill, a restaurant open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Here, chefs craft classic American fare, including pancakes and customizable omelets for breakfast and sandwiches and burgers for lunch. The resort’s lodge rooms overlook the fairways and Morro Bay.
Los Osos, California: Picturesque Fishing Town with Pristine Beaches
Los Osos is set along Highway 1, about halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. This tranquil fishing village has miles of unspoiled and uncrowded beaches that serve as prime launching points for sailing, surfing, and kayaking adventures. The climate is similar to that of the Mediterranean, which accounts for all the wineries as well as a thriving olive-oil industry. You can sample both at one of several tasting rooms.
Hearst Castle, located in nearby San Simeon, sits on a 250,000-acre estate that once belonged to newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst. The extravagant design took more than 30 years and $10 million to bring into being. Today, you can tour the rooms, cottages, and kitchens and leaf through Hearst's leather-bound sudoku books.
There are a number of vineyards in the Edna Valley open for tours. One of them, Baileyana Winery, boasts five labels and is located less than 13 miles from the Pacific Ocean—one of the best spots in the state to grow grapes for chardonnay and pinot noir.
Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.
