What to do in/around San Simeon by Hearst Castle? Dining, activities, etc.?

Question

We are spending our two year (dating) anniversary in San Simeon next month (February) for two days, one night. We are driving down from the San Francisco bay area, and would not like to venture much more south than San Simeon. I would like suggestions as to where to dine that is not too expensive (~$20 entrees or less)--for a nice, quiet dinner and for places to casually drop in for lunch.

Tentatively, we are going to do the first tour on the first day and try and visit the elephant seals. We haven't decided which other tour to do on the second day (suggestions recommended!). Other than that, we have a lot of open time. It will also be very cold, so we would rather not be doing too much outdoorsy activities besides walking along the beach.

I also have not much information about Cayucos or Cambria/Harmony. Are these places worth a visit? Anything else between the bay area and San Simeon worth a look?

Thanks!!

Answer 1

At Hearst Castle I like tour 1 or tour 4. Depending on the weather, tour 4 is my fave. It is the garden tour and mostly spent outside and the surrounding villas.

As far as nice dinner I would head down to either Cayucos (8 miles) or Cambria (25 miles). There is nothing really in Harmony. It is the town that you miss if you blink. and No restaurants there as far as I know. Or if you want to venture further South, about 45 miles. San Luis Obispo is wonderful. Tons of great restaurant and night life. It is a college town. I would totally recommend Buona Tavola or Cafe Roma. Totally romantic italian restaurants. Windows on the Water in Morro Bay is also very romantic.

Linn's in Cambria does great breakfast and lunch.

Rachael Ray on Food network did a whole tour of central coast on her tasty travel show. find link attached and some different restaurants from monterey all the way to SLO.

Answer 2

There are lots of wineries in that area that are worth a stop if you enjoy wine tasting.

If you venture over to Hwy. 101, McPhees Grill is a fantastic place to eat that is reasonably priced....especially for the quality. McPhees is located in downtown Templeton just off of the highway.

Cambria is a cute little town to explore with interesting shops. There's a wooden boardwalk along the coast to stroll by the ocean that is fantastic. Madelines Restaurant in downtown Cambria is a great place to dine....it might be a little on the expensive side though.