PLAY:
AVILA BEACH GOLF RESORT
It’s a conundrum; is Avila Beach Golf Resort the best golf resort on California’s Central Coast? Or is it the Central Coast’s best concert venue? It’s hard to say, and the reason is, its golf course has long been known as one of the most diverse, interesting, and playable coastal courses in the state, topping out at around 6,550 yards. The kikuyu grasses, the course’s interaction with water features, and its purely Californian views have kept the golfers coming summer after summer. Yet one glimpse at the hotel’s concert schedule reveals the hotel is not rolling out local lounge acts. Slightly Stoopid with StickFigure and Pepper (June 14), Primus with Mastadon (June 28), and Social Distortion with Jade Jackson (July 20) are among this summer’s headliners. If you’re one of those golfers that likes to crank the tunes while you knock down birdies, Avila Beach may be your ticket to ride.
6464 Ana Bay RdAvila Beach, CA 93424
www.avilabeachresort.com
(805) 595-4000
DON’T MISS:
PEBBLE BEACH CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE
The well-heeled patrons begin to file in just after dawn. The rides everyone has come to see are all being primed and put in position. The champagne begins to flow, and the discussions surrounding which of the proven, worthy competitors will actually walk away with top honors begin. No, it’s not Churchill Downs in early May. It’s the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance at Pebble Beach Resort, where automobiles, not horses, are on full display. This year’s event is scheduled for August 26, and car enthusiasts will pay a minimum of $325 for a day of interaction with high-brow owners and some of the planet’s most amazing, and valuable, automobiles, all spilling out on to the grounds of the Pebble Beach Golf Links. Be sure to wear shades; on a sunny day, all that chrome and all that ocean make for a beautiful glare.
The Lodge at Pebble Beach
1700 17-Mile Drive
Pebble Beach, CA 93953
www.pebblebeachconcours.net
(831) 622-1700
EAT:
MARISOL AT THE CLIFFS
A sure way to tell you’ve found the right restaurant is to notice the clientele. For example, if you’re dining at a resort hotel, and it’s got as many locals circulating at the bar and tucked into booths as it does resort hotel guests, chances are you’ve done well in your selection. This is the scene you’ll encounter at Marisol at The Cliffs, a Pismo Beach oceanfront dining gem that’s open seven days a week offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner. At the intersection of fresh seafood and surrounding organic farms, Marisol has the flexibility to offer a variety of upscale, California-style seafood and vegetable- based dishes, along with a satisfying range of comfort foods. The Champagne Sunday Brunch always lures guests out of their rooms while drawing a crowd of locals, the Happy Hour offers an imaginative slate of choices, and live music completes the vibe.
2757 Shell Beach Road
Pismo Beach, CA 93449
www.cliffsresort.com/eat-drink
(805) 773-2511
