Words by Sanuk Ambassador Cori Barnick; Photos by Adam Walker & Cori Barnick
1. Morro Bay: Morro Bay is a salty little town near the south end of Estero Bay. The magnificent Morro Rock is what most folks associate with the place, and rightly so. Tourists flock to it, birds nest in its craggy crevices and the occasional madman attempts to scale it. Morro Rock (aka “The Rock”) is one of the first places I connected with surfing in my childhood memories. I remember standing in the pothole- and puddle-riddled dirt parking lot on wet, wintery days, trying to spot my older brother in the water or on the beach. At that time, surfing seemed this harrowing activity strictly for the brave at heart. Little did I know, a few years later, The Rock would be one of the places that taught me some of surfing’s earliest (and hardest) lessons. I still love to surf it when I’m in the area, and I relish the fact the same people I grew up seeing in the lineup are still there today.
2. Estero Bluffs: These gilded hills along the Central Coast have always been a place of respite for me. Their existence between the highway and the ocean serves as an easily accessible getaway and a place to reconnect with some of the things I love most about where I grew up. The noise of the road is often hushed by the whistling grasses and chattering seabirds, and you can easily duck down between the folds of the sandstone cliffs, settle into the pebbly sand and forget that anything else exists beyond the soft waves, seaweed and seals bobbing a few yards away. Even on the weekends, these places don’t feel overrun by humans, and the people who reside in this part of California seem to share a connected reverence for nature and its preservation—so these areas remain beautiful and intact with very little human incursion.
3. Taco Temple: Uh! This place… Mexican food played a big role in my surfing youth, and this region has a handful of excellent establishments for post-surf satiation. There’s really nothing like following up a frigid surf session with a spicy, salsa-smothered, soul-warming burrito. Or sharing a massive pile of vegetarian nachos with a few friends with whom you were just splitting peaks… is there? I don’t know what combination of things could be more “Californian” than surfing and Mexican food, and Taco Temple perfectly embodies the union of the two. Their fish and their salsa are extremely fresh, the chips are extra thick and crispy, and the portions are easily big enough to satisfy three people. In order to ensure a large enough appetite to suit a visit here, I would recommend a 1.5–2hr surf prior to your meal. Mexican food will never taste better.
4. Cayucos: This tiny town nestled in the northern crook of Estero Bay is where many of my fondest memories of youth were made. Growing up 20 miles inland—in the days before Surfline cameras—made surf checks quite a time-intensive endeavor, and a tank of gas spent getting to the coast and back should not be a tank wasted. Thankfully, I had the good fortune of being “adopted” by a group of local surfers, all a little older than myself. So, even if the waves or conditions were poor, these sea-loving, stylish humans taught me much, including how to dance to reggae (you gotta feel it), how to make a proper fish taco (corn tortillas ONLY), but, primarily, they taught me what it’s like to live a life centered around the sea and the beauty that it brings.
5. Hearst Castle: There are points of interest in every region that even the locals don’t tire of. Hearst Castle is one of these places. With an art collection that rivals the Louvre (no exaggeration), this hilltop “home” is one of unending awe. You’ll know you’re getting close on HWY 1 North when you see zebra roaming the hillsides (the last remnants of an exotic zoo that once existed on the property) and grazing alongside the culinarily-renowned Hearst Ranch cattle. Look upward from there and you may spot a row of palm trees in the distance, along the Santa Lucia ridgeline, indicating where this architectural landmark stands. Four different public tours offer views into and stories about William Randolph Hearst’s life as an early 20th-century media tycoon, entertainer and art collector. Vast marble and mosaic-lined swimming pools (yes, plural), lighted tennis courts, countless opulent guestrooms, an indoor movie theater and one of the most varied and eclectic collections of art and tapestries are just a few of the things available for your gawking pleasure; though the stunningly-extravagant, meticulous architecture, itself—a collaboration between Julia Morgan and Hearst—may be the grandest sight on the grounds. Set aside the better part of your day to take in the wonders of this place, polar bear habitat and all.
6. Ragged Point: For the past several months, this combination hotel/restaurant/coffee shop/rest stop has been the northernmost access point along the Big Sur coastline when driving up from the south. Although still technically part of San Luis Obispo County, looking north from here lends a vista of this wavering, untamed coastline. Seal colonies bark as if they know you’re listening, and the color of the surging seawater here is unlike any in the world. There’s a depth to it that you can almost feel with your eyes. Pull into the parking lot at Ragged Point on your next journey along this stretch of coast and enjoy a frothy chai latte, a truly expensive tank of gas and an eyeful of pristine coastal wilderness.
7. Harmony, CA: What most people know about Harmony, CA, is its notably low population—18 inhabitants per the 2000 census. What many don’t know, however, is just how charming and historically viable this one-block, 2.5sq mi strand of turn-of-the-century buildings and workshops is. The town’s namesake, Harmony Valley Creamery Association, was, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a formidable producer of dairy products, and the original creamery building stands square in the center of the Harmony’s “downtown” area. Fewer yet are aware that, at one point, the mayoral position of the borough was held by a large Maine Coon cat named Freddy Cheenie Alfredo (may he RIP). Just up the hill and set back from the highway stands the family-owned and operated winery and tasting room, aptly named HARMONY CELLARS. The tasting room stands on the same land as the family’s original holdings, dating back four generations and drawing inspiration from one of the current owners’ great-grandfather—who produced homemade wines in his basement. Not only is Harmony Cellars a testament to the beauty of carrying on family and cultural traditions, but it also serves as an enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours and take in some of the region’s most bountiful fruits!
8. Surfing in SLO County: After living in Southern California for a while and becoming accustomed to its crowded surfing nature, I’m now even more appreciative of the Central Coast’s tranquil and often solitary surf qualities. As one who’s often fallen victim to the perils of vanity, learning a new skill (and being bad at something) is not an easy thing for me. So, as a teenager with a driver’s license and vehicle, I felt free to be really bad at something—at surfing—essentially by myself. Of course, I had friends who’d sometimes go to the beach with me (so we could be bad at surfing together), but, personally, I was determined to move past this phase of aquatic awkwardness with as few witnesses as possible. So, I guess what I’m saying is that I feel fortunate to have grown up flail-surfing in a somewhat empty arena. Also, just beyond the high-tide line lies another huge perk of being a surfer in this zone: Not having to worry about how much time is left on your parking meter.
9. Hwy 46 Look-Out Point: If there is a better place to watch multiple Fourth of July fireworks displays at once, I’d like to see it! From up here, the climate is different, the air seems quieter and you can just take it all in—everything, from Montaña de Oro to San Simeon on a clear day. The change in seasons can be drastic here, as well, from lush green grass growth in the springtime, to (my favorite) late summer golden grasses and thistles as far as the eye can see. You come up here to get perspective and appreciate being a part of it all. This place makes me fall even more in love with my home every time.
10. Len Collective: Located in downtown San Luis Obispo is a small, entirely female-operated shop called Len Collective. Since its founding in 2015 by SLO native and longtime jeweler Shannon Len, the shop has proven to be a beacon of feminine confidence, beauty, strength, artistry and self-care—in retail form. With nothing else like it in the area, women (and men) from miles around rely on Len as a space to find beautifully- and ethically-made items, ranging from fine jewelry to baby clothes and toys, organic apothecary, CA-crafted attire, sustainably-sourced coffees and teas, essential oils, global goods and more. The love I have for this place is unending, especially because the founder happens to be a very dear friend of mine; but, despite that, it’s A MUST-STOP-SHOP if you’re ever in downtown SLO. Tell them Cori sent ya!
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Born and raised in San Luis Obispo County, CA, Cori Barnick is no stranger to creative coastal living. By sea, she slides and glides with classic longboard style. By land, Cori spends her downtime cruising comfortably with her trusty film camera in hand—the two are practically inseparable! She loves to stop and smell the flowers, so she can snap a few frames to preserve their magical powers. Follow Cori’s exploring on Instagram: @CORINA_ROSE