California Highway 1 Wine Tasting
Wineries and Tasting Rooms Along the Pacific Coast Highway
This article describes wineries and tasting rooms in the unique towns and villages of California's Central Coast, convenient stops for those traveling Highway 1.
California wineries are some of the best in the world and no trip to the state is complete without experiencing a tasting. Visitors making the trip between Los Angeles and San Francisco on Highway 1 will have plenty of choices.
Solvang, Wine in a Danish Village
A couple hours drive from Los Angeles, tucked into the Santa Ynez Mountains, is the endearingly kitschy Danish village of Solvang. Surrounded by bucolic scenes filled with rolling hills, miniature horses, pumpkin patches, and ostrich farms; Solvang is a restful and romantic stop. Those who have time for only one tasting should go straight to Wandering Dog Wine Bar where they specialize in small production, artisanal wines unlikely to be found anywhere else.
Cambria, Wine in a Coastal Town
Cambria is a small coastal town just south of two of the Pacific Coast Highway’s biggest attractions, Hearst Castle and the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery. It is another easy two hour drive north from Solvang and another great town for wine tasting. At Fermentations, travelers can taste gourmet food as well as a wide selection of wines. Foodies should make sure to leave room for pastries from The French Corner Bakery, a convenient pit stop for drivers.
Carmel, Wine in an Elegant Estate
Carmel is a former artist colony known for having multi-million dollar beach cottages, a world-famous golf course, and (for a time) Clint Eastwood as mayor. Some of the best wine tasting experiences are actually away from the old village and inland in the Carmel Valley. Chateau Julien is open for tastings seven days a week. Tours are available and special events, including wine tasting dinners, are common. The cream sherry has a devoted following.
Bonny Doon, Wine in the Santa Cruz Mountains
Just an hour north of Carmel and an hour and a half south of San Francisco is Bonny Doon. More a collection of homes and wineries situated on windy, redwood-covered, mountain roads, Bonny Doon provides visitors with a taste of the Northern California spirit. Casual and fun-loving, Bonny Doon Vineyard is a favorite Highway 1 tasting room and beloved among the Santa Cruz wineries. This may have something to do with the dessert wine-filled chocolate cups served at the end of every tasting.
Details
Wandering Dog Wine Bar, 1539 Mission Drive, C, Solvang, CA, 805-686-9126
Fermentations, 4056 Burton Drive, Cambria, CA, 800-446-7505
The French Corner Bakery, 2214 Main Street, Cambria, CA, 805-927-8227
Chateau Julien, 8940 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel, CA, 831-624-2600
Bonny Doon Vineyard, 10 Pine Flat Road, Santa Cruz, CA 831-425-4518
