Every once and a while we get a great idea and decide to do something about it.  Actually, this idea came from our guests ... we just jumped on the idea. Why not hold a wine and food pairing dinner in the Colibri Wine Bar? Yes, our guests were hungry for some wonderful food paired with our lovely, local wines - especially in light of the town of Cambria generally closing down at 9 p.m.

Enter Central Coast Food Tours, a long time touring partner with the El Colibri Hotel and Spa. Two years ago Central Coast Food Tours partnered with us to do exactly this dinner and wine pairing in the wine bar and it was a tremendous success. 

We've invited CCFT back this summer to cater to our guests again. This Saturday they've put together a wonderful 3 course dinner with wine pairings. You'll have an opportunity to taste the freshest of the fresh as dinner ingredients are procurred from local farms and farmers markets. Dinner includes chilled artichokes, a savory cheesecake with mushrooms and spinich, and a tangy lemon curd creampuff for dessert. Each course is paired with the wonderful wines of the Paso Robles Region.

Seating is very limited and reservations are required. Contact the hotel to reserve your space.

El Colibri is known for its restful and soothing ambiance. Whether you look at the rooms, the wine bar, lobby or spa you'll sense the serenity and calm thoughfully woven throughout this most unique environment. 

While commonly regarded as a 'couples retreat', we are also known for our superior spa services. Have you visited the ElColibri's Petite Spa? In addition to our steam room, rooftop jacuzzi, and men's & women's changing rooms, we also offer a full array of spa services. We offer a variety of body therapies such as warm stone massage, aromatherepy massage, and deep tissue massage, among others.

Next time you are at the El Colibri hotel and spa plan a bit of extra time to enjoy the spa and experience the benefits of a full bosy massage.

While commonly regarded as a 'couples retreat', we are also known for our superior spa services. Have you visited the ElColibri's Petite Spa? In addition to our steam room, rooftop jacuzzi, and men's & women's changing rooms, we also offer

We save all our special announcements, events and room specials for our El Colibri Newsletter. The Summer release looks to be especially exciting. We'll be promoting new room specials as well as seasonal events occuring on the Central Coast.

Looking for a special Central Coast Getaway? We've got you covered. Perhaps you've been needing a little pampering - a break from the daily grind? Enjoy beach walks, a spa visit and the fine food and wines of the region. Summer on the Central Coast is a flurry of activities and festivals. 

Whether you are seeking an action packed visit or an escape to relax and refresh, the Cental Coast will deliver.

It's a bit of a secret ... for our loyal readers of this blog and our newsletter: We are offering a Mid-week special during the month of June. Enjoy the best of our rooms (the Executive Jacuzzi King) and a welcoming Sangria cocktail for the special rate of $179. 

Yes, these rooms are beautiful, and quite spaceous (500 sq. ft.), and offer beautiful views out the large windows. Plus, you've got the romantic fireplace and jacuzzi jetted tub. The beds are amazingly comfortable and dressed with our Frette linens. Of coarse, you'll enjoy all our usual ammenities including our complimentary breakfast, underground parking and wi-fi.

We're hoping you'll get the jump on this special, as the rooms are limited. Give the hotel a call at 805.924.3003 to book your mid-week escape.

Photo provided courtesy of Edna Valley Winery.

From the vineyards of Edna Valley with their exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnays, to the unknown beachtowns that pepper hwy 101 from Morro Bay up to the southern point of Big Sur, the 100 miles of the HWY 1 Discovery Trail holds something for everyone!

El Colibri Hotel located in Cambria is a wonderful midpoint to use as your base for exploring this exciting and diverse region. Wines to the south and east, beaches and world-class scenary all along the route promise an adventure to those of every age.

Visit www.CentralCoastCountry.com for Itineries to this adventure!

Photo courtesy of Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce

On the Central Coast we have many treasures to share. Being a “foodie” of the first order, I consider our wines, artisanal food products and our many, many wonderful restaurants something that is most certainly one of our treasures.

My latest food purveyor to make it to the top of my “must share” list is a little hole in the wall place named “Old San Luis BBQ Co.”  The started out as a catering company and just recently opened a pick-up restaurant at 670 Higuera. The shop is located in the shopping center on the corner of Higuera and Nipomo streets in Downtown San Luis Obispo.

What’s the fare?  It’s all about BBQ, but not just any BBQ – it highlights and elevates our own Santa Maria Style BBQ from the simply delicious to the sublime. The owner did his homework and uses several authentic family recipes that over time have come to define the term “Santa Maria BBQ.”

You might be asking “What is Santa Maria BBQ?”  The style has a long tradition on the Central Coast and is known for using a unique cut of meat (Beef Tri-Tip), a locally grown bean (for the inevitable baked beans), crusty delicious bread for the trademark sandwich rolls and garlic bread (produced locally) as well as a huge, fresh salad.

In the past, we’ve often had to wait for various charity groups to haul out their BBQ wagon to local street corners to get the real thing. Now, thanks to Old San Luis BBQ we can satisfy that itch for truly authentic Santa Maria BBQ any day of the week – and, their prices are most reasonable. Yep, I’m a happy camper…. And I know you will be too after trying them out.

A few suggestions: Of coarse try the tri-tip sandwich, but add to that the corn pie and the strawberry salad for a filling and delicious lunch or dinner.

Reminder: this is a “Take-Out” joint, although there is outside seating in a nice covered setting. They open at 11a.m. and close at 8p.m. or later depending on the day of the week.

For more information call (805) 285-2473 or visit them on the web at  http://oldsanluisbbq.com

Our annual wine festival in Paso Robles is scheduled for this upcoming weekend - May17-19th. Where will you be?

The festival takes place in the downtown park of Paso Robles amid the hundred + year old oak trees - it's a most beautiful setting. But what makes this a really special event is the fact that you can taste wines from over 60 wineries (300 different wines) all in one place! Perhaps best of all are the over 130 special events being held at the individual wineries over the festival weekend.

If you love wine, then this is a "must do' to get a real sense of the Paso Robles wine scene.

Additional information and tickets are available at the www.pasowine.com website.

Our beachside towns are wonderful, undiscovered places, to cool off from the heat of the inland valley and have a little fun.

Let's start North and work our way South:

• San Simeon - Home to Hearst Castle and a beautiful little bay for beach activities.
• Cambria - We love our quaint Victorian seaside village with its many art galleries and fine restaurants.
• Cayucos - Truly one of the last 'undiscovered beach towns in California.' Home to the Brown Butter Cookie Factory.
• Morro Bay - With its iconic Rock, and esplanade covered with fun stores and delicious eateries all ages will find entertainment.

The El Colibri Hotel and Spa located in Cambria offers the perfect jumping off point for days of fun and beach activities.