Paso Robles Overnighter

Fall is in the air, the kids are back in school, vacationers are back to work, and the onerous heatwaves are but a distant memory. It is the perfect time for a midweek thrilling drive through the hills and dales that make up the backcountry roads of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties.

Day 1: This epic drive will take us over Hwy 154, also known as the San Marcus Pass, past Lake Cachuma currently filled to its brim after two consecutive heavy winters. The drive will take us through the Santa Ynez Valley to the quaint town of Los Olivos, the history of which dates back to the 1860’s. The name Los Olivos is a derivative from Rancho de los Olivos when in 1885 Alden March Boyd, a farmer from Albany, NY, purchased 157 acres of land and planted 5,000 olive trees. On our left you’ll see Mattei’s Tavern, originally built in the early years to provide lodging for people traveling by train and stagecoach. The town is now a mecca for olive oil and the wine enthusiasts featuring over 30 tasting rooms.

Just outside Los Olivos we’ll take a right turn onto Foxen Cyn Rd (AKA, Porsche Heaven) and the Wine Trail. With over 30 miles of undulating, sweeping curves and breathtaking views of the farms, wineries, and ranches that fill our sens- es with pure enjoyment, only to be challenged by the gleeful din from the cacophony of Porsche engines resolute in their intoxicating sounds as we dutifully go through the gears.

At the end of Foxen Cyn where Betteravia Rd continues, at the 67-mile marker, we’ll take a break at the Chevron Station on the right. From there we’ll take a short 17-mile jaunt on U.S. Hwy 101 to Arroyo Grande where we’ll head into the hills on Hwy 227 toward Lake Lopez. Just before Lake Lopez, at the 85-mile point, we’ll turn left onto Orcutt Rd., a backcountry road filled with flower producing farms, ranches, and more vineyards. Are there curves you might ask? Yes, but not too challenging. Toward the end of Orcutt Rd. we’ll approach the town of San Luis Obispo where we’ll get back onto U.S. Hwy 101 N with the Cuesta Grade in our sights. The Cuesta Grade was originally constructed in 1876.

At the bottom of the Cuesta Grade we’ll exit Hwy 101 onto CA Hwy 58 toward Santa Margarita. Hwy 58 will lead
us north through oak-lined hillsides. At the 115-mile mark, we’ll steer our Porsches onto Hwy 229, the 7-mile distance known as “Rossi’s Driveway.” a tribute to the famous GP motorcycle racer and current F1 driver Valentino Rossi. I can assure you the namesake isn’t a tribute to Rossi’s smile. It is the PERFECT, I repeat PERFECT, Porsche-type road course, replete with inspiring, moderate-speed curves. At the end of the glorious 7-mile run, your passenger will implore you to wipe that smile off of your face. As you enter the town of Creston on the left side of the road, is The Loading Chute, our lunch stop. Reservations have been made for the outside patio for our luncheon complete with a wide choice of menu selections, including complementary side dishes and beverages. Menu selections include the following: tri-tip sandwich, chicken breast sandwich, Creston Club sandwich, and for the veggi’s, a the Chute Caesar salad. Before sitting down to lunch, congratulate yourselves for completing 122 miles of some of the best backroads Central California has to offer.

After lunch our troop of intrepid Porsche drivers will continue the journey through the back roads of San Luis Obispo County towards Paso Robles, our final destination at 138 miles. We’ll be lodging at the Paso Robles Inn. Open seating dinner reservations have been made at Buena Tavola Italian Restaurant next door to the Paso Robles Inn. The price for this event does not include the cost for dinner.

Day 2: Visit the Estrella Warbirds Museum located near the Airport at 4251 Dry Creek Rd., Paso Robles, CA. On dis- play are fully restored and displayed military aircraft and military vehicles of a wide variety. A real treat is the Woodland Automobile collection. A vast display of collector cars from the distant and not too distant past.

This resplendent event is limited to 40 participants. The cost of this event is $55.00/person for the lunch, drive and Warbird Museum plus the usual $2.00 msreg fee. The above price does not include the hotel stay. Please make your reservation at msreg.com/pasoovernighter. The Paso Robles Inn has extended to our group a discounted rate of $199/night, plus a $15 parking fee. The hotel will be providing special parking for our group allowing us to park together. You will be required to book your hotel stay directly with the Paso Robles Inn at the internet link shown below. When you register for the hotel stay, you will automatically be provided with the special Porsche Club discounted price.Don’t deny yourself the pleasure of this event. Sign-up early to ensure your place. Keep in mind, so far this year, every SBR event has sold out.

https://reservations.travelclick.com/6528?groupID=4447204