Hi guys, happy holidays!
For my holiday getaway this year, I decided to head up to San Luis Obispo County and stay in Paso Robles (my favorite wine region) and check out the Cambria Christmas Market, Sensorio Field of Light and the Hearst Castle Holiday Twilight Tour.
I was going to go in 2017 but then the Thomas Fire happened in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, so I had to cancel my trip. Seven years later, I finally made it a reality!
I also got to visit San Antonio Winery and Hope Family Wines on my trip. There are so many amazing wineries in Paso Robles.
Enjoy! 🙂
Cambria Christmas Market – Cambria
@kitkatw0706 After many years, I finally was able to see the Cambria Christmas Market. 🎄It is packed with light displays, a train ride and vendors galore. I highly recommend going with your family and friends! ❤️ #fyp #christmasmarket #cambria #sanluisobispo #christmas #holidays #holidaylights #christmaslights #happyholidays #merrychristmas
According to the website, “the Cambria Christmas Market features 3 million twinkling Christmas lights, a German-inspired artisan vendor market, visits from Santa, a train ride, cozy fire pits, live music, festive food & drink and more!”
It was a lot of walking and a ton of twinkle lights! The Christmas vendors were also fun to see although I have to admit I didn’t buy anything. I still had a great time…my favorite part was the mini train!
The cost is $27 – $38 depending on the day throughout November and December. I highly suggest getting to a designated parking area at 4:30pm at getting on the shuttle. You will need 2 – 3 hours at this place and the lines will get long!
Hearst Castle Holiday Twilight Tour – San Simeon
@kitkatw0706 Visiting Hearst Castle in San Simeon during the holidays was a real treat!🎄It was owned and lived in by publishing guru William Randolph Hearst between 1919 – 1947. The estate has a twin-towered main building, three guesthouses and 127 acres of pools, gardens and fountains. The tour is 75 minutes long if you go! 🏰 #fyp #sansimeon #california #hearstcastle #williamrandolphhearst #hearst #sanluisobispo #holidayseason #happyholidays #christmastree #christmastime #christmaslights #holidaylights
This was my third time visiting Hearst Castle and a first for the Holiday Twilight Tour. It was owned and lived in by publishing guru William Randolph Hearst between 1919 – 1947. The estate has a twin-towered main building, three guesthouses and 127 acres of pools, gardens and fountains.
The 75 minute tour features “House C (Casa del-Sol), grand social rooms of Casa Grande, kitchen, theater, Neptune pool, Roman pool and the gardens,” according to the website.
Cost is $40 and runs November to December on certain days.
Sensorio Field of Light – Paso Robles
@kitkatw0706 I highly recommend checking out the Sensorio Field of Light display in Paso Robles – I felt so at peace! There are more than 100,000 glowing bulbs and it is an amazing sensory experience ❤️ #fyp #sensorio #pasorobles #sanluisobispo #fieldoflight #immersiveexperience #immersive #immersiveart #art #fantasy #lightinstallation #sensory
This was probably my favorite experience on my trip. Sensorio Field of Light opened in 2019 and features “100,000 glowing bulbs – like bioluminescent flowers – that merge light and music technology with dreamy color in a sensory experience,” according to the website. It was just peaceful and I was very happy. The dirt paths are dark but is slightly lit.
Costs range from $45 – $65 depending on the experience and is only available on certain days. I got the Munro Pass which included the Field of Light, Light Towers, Gone Fishing and Fireflies. There is also live music and food vendors within the facility.
Madonna Inn – San Luis Obispo
@kitkatw0706 The Madonna Inn’s dining hall in San Luis Obispo is so festive during the holidays! The inn has 110 unique rooms each decorated differently…from rock rooms and waterfall showers to rock fireplaces, European fixtures and fine furnishings. There is also a wine cellar, bakery, coffee shop, dining room,cocktail lounge, banquet rooms, ladies’ boutique, men’s gift shop and the gourmet shop! 🎅🏻🎄#fyp #christmas #christmastime #happyholidays #merrychristmas #christmaslights #holidaylights #sanluisobispo #madonnainn #motel #inn
The Madonna Inn’s dining hall in San Luis Obispo is so festive during the holidays! The inn has 110 unique rooms each decorated differently…from rock rooms and waterfall showers to rock fireplaces, European fixtures and fine furnishings. There is also a wine cellar, bakery, coffee shop, dining room, cocktail lounge, banquet rooms, ladies’ boutique, men’s gift shop and the gourmet shop!
Cost is free to view the dining hall…unless you dine, of course!
Highway 1 Scenery – San Luis Obispo County
@kitkatw0706 Loved seeing parts of the San Luis Obispo County Coast in California! 🌊🪨 #pch #pacificcoasthighway #sanluisobisp #pacificocean #sansimeon #cambria #morrobay #morrorock #elephantseal #moonstonebeach #california #ocean #oceanwaves #surfing #surfer #nature #lighthouse #piedrasblancas
This is a bonus video of different scenic views along Highway 1 in San Luis Obispo County, which includes Morro Rock in Morro Bay, Moonstone Beach in Cambria, Elephant Seal Vista Point, Piedras Blancas Light Station and a distant view of Hearst Castle.
James Dean Last Stop + Memorial Site: Lost Hills and Cholame
@kitkatw0706 RIP James Dean 🙏🏻❤️ #fyp #hollywood #actor #sanluisobispo #california #movie #kerncounty #rebelwithoutacause #hollywoodhistory #popculture #americanhistory #filmhistory #oldhollywood #goldenera
This is another bonus video of Hollywood actor James Dean’s last stop at Blackwell’s Corner in Lost Hills before driving 20 miles west and crashing at the intersection of Highway 46 and Highway 41 in Cholame in September 1955. There used to be a lot of memorabilia at the site, but unfortunately, there was a ton of road construction and everything was removed.
