Adventure Tours
Discover the ruggedly beautiful and pastoral Central Coast as you tour artisanal farms and explore the landscape on Sunset Savor the Central Coast’s exclusive tours. Lunch is included with each tour.
Thank you to our national adventure tour sponsor: 
Friday, September 30th - 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. ($50.00 each)
Ocean Rose Abalone Farm Tour and Lunch with Sunset Editor-in-Chief Katie Tamony
Located just north of the charming coastal village of Cayucos, the Ocean Rose Abalone Farm harvests sustainably raised abalone from tanks that mimic the natural tidepool environment just a few feet away. The Abalone Farm is a proud member of the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch Program (which makes environmentally friendly seafood recommendations for consumers) and is listed with the Seafood Choices Alliance as an eco-conscious choice for seafood consumers. Sponsored by Best Western Cavalier Oceanfront Resort and Clayhouse Wines.
Morro Bay Oyster Company Tour and Lunch with Sunset Features Editor Christine Ciarmello
The Morro Bay Oyster Company continues a rich tradition of oyster farming along the Central Coast. These oysters are the best of the best—harvested by hand directly from the pristine waters of Morro Bay, then quickly sold to local restaurants, at farmers’ markets, and off their barge in the Morro Bay Harbor. After your boat tour on the bay, enjoy an incredible lunch at Tognazzini’s Dockside Restaurant. Feast on Oyster Chowder, Oysters on the Half Shell, Oysters Rockefeller, BBQ’d Oysters swimming in garlic butter, Fried Oysters and more. The Tognazzini’s have the “fish experience” covered in all arenas, as they own a commercial fishing vessel, the Bonnie Marietta, two local restaurants and a full service fish market. Talk about from their boat to your table…that’s what Tognazzini’s is all about. Come enjoy a fabulous Oyster Tour and an amazing lunch on the water, paired with incredible San Luis Obispo wines.
Sponsored by the Morro Bay Lodging and Tourism Alliance.
Learn more about Christine Ciarmello »
Happy Acres Goat Farm Tour and Lunch with Sunset Food Editor Margo True
Set in the rolling hills of Templeton, Happy Acres is a working dairy run by 4 women and their families. Their herd comprises 4 unique breeds and more then 200 goats. The goat milk, which is all natural and hormone-free, has the high-butterfat content essential to the production of the farm’s line of cheeses, ice creams, lotions, and soaps. This is a hands-on tour—you’ll have the opportunity to milk goats and make cheese.
Behind-the-Scenes Hearst Castle Tour with Sunset Travel Editor Peter Fish
Take a Savor-exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of world famous Hearst Castle. Guided by Hoyt Fields—the on-site museum director, who has worked at the historic estate for more then 40 years—this tour is your opportunity to experience Hearst’s “Enchanted Hill” firsthand. Lunch will be served on the terrace of Casa del Mar, the largest of the 3 guesthouses, which offers an unsurpassed vista of the Pacific.
Sponsored by www.WineCoastCountry.com
Kayak and Paddleboard Tour of the Morro Bay Estuary with Sunset Publisher Peter Medwid
Wildlife abounds in the serene and beautiful Morro Bay Estuary, and the best way to explore its calm waters is by kayak or paddleboard. Join Sunset's Publisher Peter Medwid along with experienced guides, you’ll glide at a relaxing pace and view sea life, aquatic birds, and the Morro Bay Oyster Farm. Every tour leads to a new adventure, and they all end with an incredible lunch.
Sponsored by the Morro Bay Lodging and Tourism Alliance.
Coastline Walk and Gourmet Lunch in Montaña de Oro State Park
You will experience some of the most picturesque coastline in CA with more than 8,000 acres of rugged cliffs, secluded sandy beaches, coastal plains, rolling hills, canyons, and streams. Guide John Flaherty of Central Coast Outdoors will take you on a nature walk to Spooner’s Cove where you will enjoy a gourmet lunch and wine in your “own private piece of paradise”.
Wine and lunch in Spooner’s Cove, along with a nature walk in Montaña de Oro
Sponsored by The Estero Bay Tourism Fund.
Hike (or trolley up), Tour, and Lunch at Point San Luis Lighthouse with Sunset Senior Garden Editor Julie
Point San Luis Lighthouse Guided Tour & Gourmet Wine Paired Lunch Travel back in time to the 120 year old fully restored Point San Luis Lighthouse in beautiful Avila Beach! Experience what life was like in the 1890’s for a Lighthouse Keeper and his family. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and Central Coast while you dine on a gourmet lunch featuring JLohr wines in the historic Horn House. Choose from two great ways to arrive at the Lighthouse, either hiking the Pecho Coast Trail or ride up on “Big Lucy” a charming Old World Trolley.
Sponsored by Pacific Gas and Electric and the Point San Luis Lighthouse Keepers.
First Crush berry to bottle winemaking experience with wine editor Sarah Schneider sponsored by Chamisal Winery
Let First Crush take you behind the tasting room and into the winery to experience a real wine grape harvest and crush. In one day, you’ll see how wine is made from berry to bottle. At this First Crush tour, you’ll pick, sip, crush, stomp and bottle wine. You’ll pick and crush premium Paso Robles wine grapes at the beautiful Silver Horse Vineyard, sip fabulous Chamisal Wines while enjoying a fresh, locally prepared gourmet lunch by Thomas Hill Organics. You’ll even stomp grapes and take home wine that you bottle – all while learning how wine is made.
Learn more about Sara Schneider »
Balloon over the Paso Robles Wine Region with Sunset President Barb Newton ($100.00 each)
7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Floating over the oak-dotted golden hills and lush vineyards of Paso Robles in a hot-air balloon will captivate you. Let’s Go Ballooning! Inc. will guide a limited number of guests over this jewel of the Central Coast wine region as you soar above the grapevines at harvest time.
Learn more about Barb Newton »
