Travel day from LA, about 5 hours

>>> Meet at the lounge at the Cambria Pines Lodge from 8-9pm if people just want to socialize and chat about the upcoming events and locations. 

Best times to paint are in the morning. It can get quite windy later in the day.

9:30 am

Meet at Leffingwell Landing Park at the north end of Moonstone Beach to go over painting locations and other activities for people new to the area. We will be painting there in the morning. Moonstone Beach is a mile long and has a great boardwalk to walk on and watch the sunsets. 

The parking area north of Leffingwell Park has a great view of the beach and views north. Restrooms are on either end of the boardwalk. We also may be joined by the local plein air painters from The Cambria Art Center Asso. on one or more days.

(There are some great old barns up San Simeon Creek Rd. north of Leffingwell Park, just beyond the campground and is sheltered from the wind) 

Afternoon: 

Lunch is on your own either in San Simeon or Cambria. There are plenty of good places in Cambria. Enjoy lunch at Sebastian's General Store in the San Simeon Historical area.

1:30 pm  

San Simeon State Park.  Views of the pier, historical buildings and the bay. Or drive north to Ragged Point. The beach views are spectacular.

The Old Peidras Blancas Motel has some good views of the coast and the light house, and is protected from the afternoon wind.                       

6:30 pm

Dinner is on your own... you can try Lombardis Pasta Familia on Bridge St. 

Harmony and Cayucos

9:30 am   Harmony Pop 18  Historic old town

Good views from both ends of the road, an old truck, glass shop and from the winery at the top of the hill
(Ask for their permission, they will be glad to accommodate)

Lunch on your own   Most restaurants are near the pier in Cayucos

Afternoon:  Cayucos

Suggestions:

Look for the wreck of the fishing boat on the rocks just north of Cayucos at Estero Bluffs State Park - very tiny and easy to miss.
Just off of Ocean St >>> Ocean St. and Lucerne St. North end of town is a little open view of a small cove. 

Public parking next to the pier with views of the pier and the beach. 

The historic Cass House is just across the street from the parking lot.

Studio Drive, South of Cayucos has views of the beach and the town to the north.

Dinner is on your own

NOCTURNE >>> If the weather is good we can schedule a “Nocturne Painting”

Dine early. Bring some lights to paint by. It can be cold and windy so be prepared. The wind and temperature does drop after the sun sets.  Have a partner to paint with. It gets dark out there. 

Suggested Nocturne locations:

Burton Street in Cambria with old buildings and a gas station on the corner.

Sunset is at 7:30 pm

Plan to be at the location 30-40 minutes early.

Moonstone Beach for sunsets

Town of Harmony  (Spooky, and the streetlight is on a timer. It goes on and off every 2 minutes)

MORRO BAY 

CLICK HERE for Map

Google the locations listed below (also listed on the Map above) for detailed driving instructions.

The whole day will be devoted to the area around Morro Bay. It ranges from MORRO ROCK in the north with the harbor, docks, shops and eateries along the Embarcadero to the beautiful vistas of the bay to the south, all the way to Los Osos and Montana de Oro State Park. Don’t forget to check out the sea otters by the “T” Pier.

There are several recommended areas to paint from, or the choice is yours.  If you are familiar with the area, you may already have a spot picked out. Some recommended locations are indicated on the map in the attached file. I recommend saving it on your phone for easy reference.  Don’t expect to visit all locations. How long you might want to spend at them is up to you. You will have to be selective or you might just want to drive around and take pictures.

Recommended locations:
These are indicated on the Morro Bay Map (BUTTON above). But it is best to Google the individual locations below for more detailed information.

1. ***  Marine Museum and   “T” Pier. (Restrooms available)
2. ***Tidelands Park at the south end of Embarcadero (Restrooms available)
3. Bayshore Bluffs Park (Restrooms available)
4. ***Morro Bay State Park and Marina and Natural History Museum (Restrooms available)  (Closed Wednesday)   
5. ***The Bayside Cafe. (Restrooms available)

   ***Peninsula Park  (Opposite end of parking lot)

6. **Elfin Natural Area, Los Osos (No Restrooms)
7. Audubon Overlook, Los Osos (No Restrooms)
8. Pasadena Park (No Restrooms)
9. ***Sweet Springs Nature Area (Porta Potty)
10. **Cuesta-by-the-Sea (No Restrooms)
11. Monarch Butterfly Natural Area. (No Restrooms)
12. ***Montana d’Oro State Park (Restrooms available)

Restroom facilities are available in the Embarcadero area of Morro Bay and are noted above

Breakfast, Lunch and dinner are on your own. There are plenty of great places along the Embarcadero. Morro Grill and Rose’s Landing are good spots. Also a great place for that perfect sunset or nocturne. Los Osos also has a variety of great places to eat.  Enjoy the day and make great art.

Suggestions: 

10:00 am.  Tidelands Park in the morning is a good spot for boats

Lunch is on your own or try the Bayside Cafe about 1:00 

Rose’s Landing for Dinner at about 5:30

High Tide  10:30 am         Low Tide    4:30pm

Sunset   7:30pm

MONTANA DE ORO State Park

CLICK HERE for Map

Also, Google "Montana de Oro State Park" and/or the locations below for detailed driving instructions.

Drive south to Los Osos. Turn onto Los Osos Vally Rd. Which turns into Pecho Valley Rd. Which will take you into the park. There is no entry fee.  

Great view of the cliffs from the Bluff Trail and the old Spooner house. Parking is at the Spooner Cove parking lot or on the road near the start of the Bluff Trail.

OPEN DAY.    A great park to explore and make art,  just pick a spot 

10:00 am     
Meet at the old  Spooner house in the morning. May be subject to morning fog, and afternoon winds.

Locations In the north end of the park:

Sand Spit Beach

Also, the canyon at the end of the road at Pt. Buchon. Park in the Coon Creek parking lot (Closed Tuesday and Wednesday).

You are entering private land at this point and may have to check in at the gate. 

Lunch and Dinner on your own.
Recommended places to eat in Los Osos/Baywood

****Beerwood   690 Santa Maria , Los Osos (Great lunches about 1-1:30)

Mirazur   1365 2nd. St, Los Osos

Nautil Bean  1399 2nd St.Los Osos

****Nardonne Pizza   715 Santa Maria , LosOsos

***La Casita    2008 9th St. Los Osos (Good place for dinner about 5:30-6) 

Wayward Bakery, 1001 Santa Ynez  Closed Tue-Thurs.

Other options:

Return to the areas that interested you.
Drive north to Ragged Point. Beautiful views of the coast with lots of turnouts 

Visit the antique shops and have lunch in Cayucos and Morro Bay

Also, the old town of Harmony, Pop 18 has a good coffee shop, and a winery at the top of the hill.

If you want to paint Hollister Peak north of SLO, exit HWY 1 on Canet Rd.  Park on the small frontage road.  (***Spectacular in the afternoon light, a favorite of Edgar Payne)

Morning:
Painting and lunch on your own. 

I recommend Sandy's for a take out lunch to bring to winery (below).

1:00 pm    
PARR/Stolo Vineyard on Santa Rosa Creek Rd. Off of Main St. in S. Cambria.
The vineyard welcomes visitors, but closes at 5pm. We can paint only on the property which includes a barn and wine tasting room.
Vineyards and other farm buildings are in the area. There is no fee to come in but our patronage would be appreciated.

3:00 pm 
Parr/Stolo Winery, Bring all your work. It’s always fun to see what everyone has done.

WE WILL TAKE a group photo.

Final dinner is on your own.
Robins is recommended at around 7:00pm.  Reservations ARE required.