December/February...What to do and see when you vacation in Hearst Castle® Country, Central California, month by month discription of what is going on near Hearst Castle® plus area tourist activities and nearby visitors points of interest.
Some things to do and places to see in Hearst Castle® Country:
Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument
William Randolph Hearst Memorial California State Beach
Hearst San Simeon State Park
Junior Ranger Programs
Leffingwell Landing
Moonstone Beach
Shamel Community Park
San Simeon Pier
Cayucos Pier
Morro Bay State Park
Morro Bay State Park
Morro Bay Golf Course
Morro Bay Natural History Museum
Monarch Butterflies
Wildflower Viewing
Bird Watching
Scuba Diving
Christmas at Hearst Castle
Whale Watching
Piedras Blancas Lighthouse
Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery
Zebra, Elk
Other Pacific Coast Wildlife:
sea otter, California Gray Whale, harbor seals, deer, bobcat, hawks, sea gulls, pelicans, fox and more...
Shopping
Art Gallaries
Wine Tasting
Cambria
Pinedorado
Harmony
Cayucos
Morro Bay
Atascadero
Paso Robles
Click and Go Activities and Points of Interest List:
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!! Most towns have some sort of lighting ceremony which often includes caroling, hot coco and a visit from Santa Clause. Although community oriented these small events can still be fun for a visitor and also there are some areas of every town that are famous for pretty lights and Christmas time decorations, it is a cheering American pastime to take holiday season evening drives to view the pretty holiday lighting and extravagant decorations. Some annual holiday events like the SLO Christmas Parade and the Morro Bay Lighted Boat Parade are so enjoyable they are worth an extra effort and drive to attend for visitor and resident alike.
December in San Luis Obispo County, Hearst Castle® Country, Shopping, Lighted Boat Parade, Castle Holiday Tours and more...
One of the Best Times to Tour Hearst Castle® is During the Christmas Season, Breathtaking...
Towards the end of September the seasonal Hearst Castle (reservations: 1-800-444-4445 ) Evening Tours usually start up; these tours are long fun completely guided tours esnhanced by docents reenacting as 1930s guests and castle staff. On this tour visitors will walk through the gardens and visit the lavish Casa del Mar guest house and many rooms in the large Casa Grande main house. This extensive tour takes approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes. A special Accessibly Designed Evening Tour is also available. The Castle interior gets even more breathtaking during the holidays when it gets decked out for Christmas with Christmas trees, garlands, wreaths and all with vintage lights and decorations just like Hearst did back in the days.
No need to make up excuses to celebrate during these next few months, Christmas on December the 25th, New Years Day in January, February 2nd is Groundhog Day and then Valentines Day is Wednesday the 14th and Presidents Day Monday the 20th, ya hoo!
The first rains on the Central California Coast often come in the middle or towards the end of October but the "Rainy Season" Generally Runs from November - February in Central California plan your road trips and adjust accordingly and check weather and road conditions before you leave home.
DECEMBER 2011 in Hearst Castle® Country- This is the month you should consider seriously taking advantage of the central coasts off-season rates and getting away from the hustle and bustle of your Christmas holiday routines and treating yourself to a coast winter adventure; Plan a road trip to Hearst Castle® Country this December, the prices are down and the weather is often very pretty!
All Year Ongoing: What began as an annual special event has by demand turned into a monthly adventure, the Wine Rail Excursion a wine tasting luncheon partially on the train, a bus, and at winerys was part of the Train Day celebration presented by the Central Coast Railroad Festival people in just every May but it was so popular that organizers are now running it usually on the second Sunday of once every month. This unique fun wine tasting tour travels from San Luis Obispo to Paso Robles or visa versa utilizing the train and a bus and there are stops for wine tasting and lunch along the way. Learn more about this wonderful entertaining marriage between the rails and the wineries from this Paso Robles Press Article, "Tasty ride in store at Wine Rail Excursion"; make reservations or visit the Central Coast Railroad Festival’s website, www.ccrrf.com. Dec 1 John Tesh: Big Band Christmas: concert at Christopher Cohan Center, Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo (Tickets: 8057562787 or 888233ARTS). December 2, 2011 -- San Luis Obispo 36th annual Christmas Parade: Christmas floats, bikes, and of course Santa; Parade begins 7pm at the corner of Palm and Chorro, continues on Higuera and comes to an end at the corner of Higuera and Nipomo streets. Friday Evening December 2nd & Sunday Afternoon Dec 4th San Miguel Mission Messiah Concert: Dress rehearsal for Mission San Miguel's Annual Messiah Christmas Concert will take place on Friday, December 2, 2011 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm in the Mission Church. All seating will be $10.00. The actual Messiah Christmas Concert will be held on Sunday, December 4, 2011 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Regular seating will be $20.00 each or $25.00 each for premium seating. (805-467-2131) 2012 Ongoing Friday-Monday:Cambria Historical Museum (805-927-2891) Historical Museum Burton Drive at Center Street, New displays and exhibits opening Friday, Sat., Sun., 1:00-4:00pm; & Mon. 10am-1pm, Free admission to museum and gardens. Saturday December 3rd & ONGOING every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from September 1 through June 14, 2012 --Piedras Blancas Lighthouse Tours : two hour tour of the historic Piedras Blancas Light House and Light Station grounds. Tour meets 9:45 AM the old Piedras Blancas Motel, about 1.5 miles north of the Lighthouse on Highway 1. You will be met there and escorted to the lighthouse in your car (do NOT go to the light house or wait by entrance gate). No tours on Federal Holidays. Groups of 10 or more need to make special arrangements. $10 adults/ $5 for children 6-17, Children under 5 are free. Call 805-927-7361 or email PiedrasBlancasTours@gmail.com for more info. Piedras Light Station Tour Info BLM
December 2, 2011 -- San Luis Obispo 36th annual Christmas Parade: Christmas floats, bikes, and of course Santa; Parade begins 7pm at the corner of Palm and Chorro, continues on Higuera and comes to an end at the corner of Higuera and Nipomo streets.
December 4th, 2011, Morro Bay Lighted Boat Parade: A breathtaking beautiful annual event; the spectacular parade of all shapes and sizes of boats bedecked with lights and decorations for the holiday season that begins and ends at Tidelands Park; the announcing station is at the north end of the Embarcadero and the awards ceremony is at the Yacht Club. There are food vendors and live entertainment at Tidelands and Anchor Parks. December 9th, 5-9 p.m., The annual Winter Wonderland Celebration in Atascadero's historic downtown Colony District; included are 50 tons of snow, Christmas Carousel, Santa & Mrs.Claus, Main Street Entertainment Stage, Elks Little Train, Christmas Castle, BMX Bike Demonstrations and dozens of food and gift vendors, plus bouncers for the kids and lots of holiday music. Bring a few dollars to eat, bounce or shop, but everything else is free and the kids love it! December 9th enjoy the 3rd Annual Christmas in Cayucos Celebration 5:00pm-8:30pm; merchants along Ocean Avenue
have open house special sales & Christmas decoration competition. Tree lighting ceremony & free horse drawn carriage rides, gingerbread house competition, children's activities, strolling carolers and a visit from Santa. Holiday shopping with gift ideas, special offers, giveaways, refreshments and entertainment. (805-995-1200)
Did you know William Randolph Hearst loved to entertain and every December he would deck the castle out lavishly for the season? And did you know that every December they still lavishly decorate Hearst Castle® with vintage decorations for Christmas like he did? You should include a tour of Hearst Castle® into your Big Sur Scenic Highway 1 road trip!
January in San Luis Obispo County Hearst Castle® Country, Cayucos Polar Bear Dip, Winter Bird Festival, Winter things to do ...
JANUARY 2012 in Hearst Castle® Country/San Luis Obispo County - The best way to start out the New Year is to wake up in on the California Central Coast! If you have never have been to a central coast New Years party you are missing out, we know hot to party out an old year and start anew. Most all the Castle Country live music venues and resorts have a special New Years bash of some sort with live music, special menus and hotel room/dinner/party package deals. One of my favorite places to ring in the New Year is at the Ragged Point Inn Resort and I have experienced the New Year party at Ragged Point many times and can tell you first hand much fun is had by all! Most resorts New Years parties are probably similar, the whole resort is one Big Party, celebration going on in the rooms, in the lounge and everywhere; people have some much fun they often return to their same favorite Central California Coast establishments year after year.
Generally more than a hundred zany people start the new year out by jumping in the chilly Pacific Ocean January 1st next to the Cayucos pier in the infamous Carlin Soul Memorial Polar Bear Dip. Wetsuits are not allowed, most wear swimsuits but some come in crazy costumes. This will be the 30th year for this foolish annual event; festivities begin at 9:30 the big dip happens at noon.
It never gets really cold here on the coast, one of my favorite Christmas Day traditions is to take a long ride in my convertable with the top down but January does have the years lowest temperatures. The cooler temperatures drive away the fog and mist making for beautiful blue daytime skies and at the night phenomenal star viewing because of the lack of pollution and ambient light. You will want to consider the forecasts when you plan your trip because the rainy season has begun but it usually includes breaks with fabulous weather. January 2012 is SLO County Restaurant Month: The San Luis Obispo County Visitors and Conference Bureau has declared January Restaurant month so for all month you can get a special 3 course dinner for $30 at some of the counties finest restaurants. Sunday January 8, 2012-- Morro Bay Full Moon Paddle : Morro Bay kayak tour for a magical blend of moonlight, peaceful water, wildlife and sea kayaking on Morro Bay after the sun sets with the full moon illumination. *RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED* Call (805)528-1080 to book. Sunday January 8; ONGOING the second Sunday of every month-- Wine Rail Excursions : Excursions offer an afternoon adventure package which includes visits to rail themed wineries in the Paso Robles area and a special ride on Amtrak's Coast Starlight. These rail journeys up or down the Cuesta Grade allow riders to experience one of the most historical and scenic sections of the California Coastal Line between Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo. These round trip Excursions include railroad history, complimentary wine tasting, private bus connections and a light lunch. -- Trip includes complimentary wine tasting, light snacks, rail history, ride down the Cuesta Grade to San Luis Obispo on Amtrak's Coast Starlight and return via private bus to Paso Robles. 12:30pm to 1:15pm - arrive for tasting at Anglim Winery (740 Pine St.) in the historical Southern Pacific Station next to the Paso Robles Amtrak Station. -- 1:38pm - Coast Starlight departs to SLO. -- 3:15pm - private bus departs SLO Amtrak Station for Pomar Junction Winery and private tasting and tour of its railroad cars and displays. -- Bus returns to Anglim Winery by approximately 5:30pm.--
Times: 12:30 pm -- Address: Pick-up at: Anglim Winery, 740 Pine St. Paso Robles. January 13-16, 2012 -- Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival: Guided Tours of the Estuary and many surrounding areas. San Luis Obispo County and Morro Bay now ranks in the top of American birding areas and this event has become a major winter birding festival famous throughout the U.S.A.. Schedule of Events 2012 Saturday, January 14, 2012
-- Bach in the Mission (San Miguel): Symphony of the Vines, Dr. Greg Magie, director, will perform an exciting program of baroque masterpieces by Bach, Handel and Vivaldi at the historic Mission San Miguel Church.
Late fall and winter farmers, and gardeners finally get some well deserved time off and although any season it is good to visit the San Luis Obispo Botanical Gardens now is not usually the best but they are having a show which relaxing gardeners, farmers, or photographers, or art lovers should enjoy and appreciate, it is a gallery showing of a collection of floral photographs called the Circle of Life by local artist/gardener/photographer Sabrina Rouse. These are beautiful photographs that she has taken in her garden; the show is on from Oct 27 but ends Jan. 31 at SLOBGs Oak Glen Pavilion (more info Mustang Daily Article).
You can now spot the California Gray Whales migrating south towards the warm Baja California seas and look for baby sea otter pups with their mothers, they are born January/March.
If you want to see the giant gray whales up close Virg's Landing of Morro Bay runs whale watching excursions December/June (805-772-1222).
This is also a good time to view the now protected Elephant seals, (Mirounga angustirostris), once over hunted to near extinction have large populations along the Big Sur Coast; in January the pregnant females begin to appear at favored beach locations and give birth to cute little babies within days. The best place to view the elephant seal activities is at the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal rookery; there they have developed bluff-top boardwalks with nature interpretative signs and docents are also often on hand to answer questions. January 27 -29, 2012-- Annual Cambria Art & Wine Festival: begins on Friday at 10:00 am with related special shopping deals and entertainment all over Cambria. The "Art, Wine & All That Jazz" kick off Party on Friday night from 6-10 pm includes the art show preview, wine & food pairing and entertainment. Saturday, the Vets' Hall is open from 10 am-4 pm for the art show/silent auction. Wine tasting for the main event is on Saturday from 1 to 4:30 PM and includes the art show/silent auction, wine tasting, as well as gourmet food and demonstrating artists at the Bianchini House in Cambria's east village. On Sunday the shopping specials continue throughout the village. Enjoy the artists' faire, barbecue & raffle drawings at the Vets' Hall. Meet the artists and enjoy them and their works.
Find the Perfect Gift
for the Perfect Xmas.
Take a Shopping Vacation in San Luis Obispo County...Hearst Castle® Country...
Find that unique gift for a special friend, or shop till ya drop in Hearst Castle Country SLO
Christmas Gift Shopping? Cambria's East Village, Gift Shops, Antique Stores & Art Galleries as far as the eye can see...
Embarcadero Gift Shops, Morro Bay, CA
Burton Street Gift Shops, Cambria
Gift Shopping In Central California: The holiday season is often a stressful anyway and most people leave at least some of their gift shopping till the last minute. Why not pack up your troubles in your old kit-bag and come to Hearst Castle® Country and take a gift shopping vacation?
The opportunities for finding that special gift are endless. Want to find something truly unique, one of a kind? Why not take a tour of some of the areas local Art Galleries, Gift Shops and Antique Stores. Some places like Cambrias West Village have developed for the purpose of providing visitors with unique shopping opportunities.
The Embarcadero on the waterfront of Morro Bay is another place that has one gift shop or art gallery after another; Morro Bay also has numerous antique and second-hand stores.
Costco Wholsale Store
Fermintations Wine Shop
If you are looking for something more traditional the normal gift shopping venues abound here too, you will find no shortage of shopping malls and big name discount stores like Costco, Wallmart, and Target here plus wonderful places to sit, relax and lunch or coffee when you get ready to drop. If big stores aren't your style why not try the small town of Harmony, California, population 19. Harmony is located just south of Cambria on the Pacific Coast Highway 1 and have lots of unique gifts, their is an Art Gallery/Pottery Shop, Glass Blower with studio & Gift Shop, and a Harmony Wine Cellars.
You could make a great day or two wine tasting and shopping for wine related gifts around Hearst Castle® Country; start with Hearst Ranch Wine at Sebastians in San Simeon, head south for a tour of tasting around Cambria, hit Harmony Cellars and head east on highway 46 for Paso Robles, hope you have have a designated driver or you won't make it back.
Want to find out more about shopping on the Central California Coast?
try these great Hot Central California Coast Gift Shopping Links:
February is the last month you will see theMonarch Butterflies in Hearst Castle® Country; many have already moved on to find milkweeds which is the plant they need in order to lay their eggs. Till the end of February few of the monarch butterflies can be seen in the gardens of Ragged Point and there is a park dedicated to the monarchs in a eucalyptus grove at Pismo Beach; there are viewing areas with telescopes, interpretive displays and during the season the docent trailer opens at 10am and closes at 4pm daily; docents give talks daily at 11am and 2pm till February 29th. Sunday February 12, 2012; 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm -- SLO Winds Chamber Concert in Cambria: (805.235.5004) Enjoy the sound of traditional and contemporary music written for chamber wind ensembles. Featured in the concert is music for woodwind quintet, clarinet choir, and brass choir of the SLO Wind Orchestra performed in a relaxed personal environment of the Cambria Community Presbyterian Church, 2250 Yorkshire Drive. Sunday February 12; ONGOING the second Sunday of every month 2012 -- Wine Rail Excursions : Excursions offer an afternoon adventure package which includes visits to rail themed wineries in the Paso Robles area and a special ride on Amtrak's Coast Starlight. These rail journeys up or down the Cuesta Grade allow riders to experience one of the most historical and scenic sections of the California Coastal Line between Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo. These round trip Excursions include railroad history, complimentary wine tasting, private bus connections and a light lunch. -- Trip includes complimentary wine tasting, light snacks, rail history, ride down the Cuesta Grade to San Luis Obispo on Amtrak's Coast Starlight and return via private bus to Paso Robles. February 10 - 12, 2012 -- Mozart Festival - Festival Mozaic's WinterMezzo Chamber Music Weekend Series 2012: weekend of engaging musical experiences centered on great works of chamber music, featuring our Festivals nationally-renowned guest artists. WinterMezzo weekend focuses on several works and offers you three progressive programs in which to experience them:
*On FRIDAY, enjoy a complimentary glass of wine from one of Mozaics favorite wineries as you listen to musicians perspectives on the featured works in a one-hour Notable Encounter Insight. *On SATURDAY, enjoy an evening of food, wine, music and interactive discussion at a Notable Encounter Dinner, as the artists take you inside the featured works and perform program highlights. *On SUNDAY, hear it all come together at the WinterMezzo Concert where the full works are performed(805-781-3009). February 11th-14th, -- Valentine's Day Wine Tasting Tour: 2pm - 5pm, (805.238.5700) Go with your Valentine on a wonderful wine tasting tour and taste of Paso Robles wine Country wines; exploring the flavors of the region along with a special paring of chocolates and ports offered exclusively at the Paso Robles Wine Club. Valentine's Day Special Includes: * Level 2 Wrangler Adventure Tour-Paso Robles * Chocolate & Port pairing at the Paso Robles Wine Club * Special logo glass to remember your day. Saturday February 12, Valentine's Weekend-- Annual In Love with Cayucos Celebration: 2pm - 5pm, Cayucos Vet's Hall; an old fashioned ice cream social, featuring ice cream and all the trimmings, juices, soft drinks, coffee and tea and desserts and treats; nostalgic music by Bruce Beck and Jim Conroy, games, raffles, prizes and fun. Sponsored by the Cayucos Land Conservancy. Saturday February 17 - March 25, 2012 -- "Wait Until Dark" at Cambria's Pewter Plough Playhouse:(805-927-3877) Presented live on stage, a smash hit both on Broadway and the movies, an intricately constructed psychological thriller. Champagne Opening Sat, Feb 18, includes champagne and dessert buffet, $25. All Fri and Sat evenings at 7:30; and Sun matinees at 3pm, thru March 25 (except Sun, March 18). Fri everyone $15, Sat-Sun $18/20. Wine Bar and Live Music in Lounge on Fri & Sat nights. Saturday February 18, 2012 -- Young Frankenstien Musical: SLO Cal Poly Arts Christopher Cohan Center; a spectacular award-winning stage musical with a sensational cast delivering all your favorite moments from the Mel Brooks movie; show-stopping numbers like “Transylvania Mania,” “He Vas My Boyfriend,” and “Puttin’ on the Ritz.”. Saturday February 25, 2012 -- Cambria Western Dance Jamboree: workshops all day long taught by world class dance instructors; featuring a variety of Western Dances, including the latest Western Line Dances, at the Vets Hall and Joslyn Center. The Saturday night the Vets Hall dance begins at 7:00 pm with boot stomping music lasting until 11:00. For info contact the Cambria Chamber of Commece (805-927-3624).
Links to Many More San Luis Obispo County & Monterey Events Calendars...
Whats Going On at the Piedras Blancas Elephant Sear Rookery December, January, February?...
Stuff from Online Retailer Barns & Noble
Lots of action at the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery
Two sub-adult male Elephant Seals at Pidras Blancas ,California, fighting for dominance (photo by Thomas B. Roach)
The Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery: Late Fall and early Winter, the three months covered on this page, December, January and February offer some of the most fun and interesting elephant seal action viewing.
By December most sub-adult males hauled up onto the beach and are practice their talents at protecting territory. Almost like play their confrontations not as serious as the adult males, and can be fun to watch.
In late November and into December the bulls start arriving and staking out territory and fighting over females. These are real battles, violent and sometimes very scary, blood and cuts can be readily seen. The winners are known as the alpha males or beach masters and will be the ones that will mate with the females.
A great short video taken from the boardwalk at the Piedras Blancas Elephant seal rookery which shows almost everything that goes on that you might hope to see during this time. You see males fighting to be dominant, a seal giving birth, and a pair mating.
Cute Little Weiner Elephant Seal
The pregnant females haul out onto the beach in late fall and by mid-December the pregnant females are starting to birth with the peak around the middle of February. They give birth to their pup within a few days of their arrival on the beach and are very protective of their pups; they nurse them for approximately four weeks and after they have successfully mated they return to sea to forage and replace their lost weight while leaving the wieners in groups to play and learn how to swim and be seals.
The Elephant Seal viewing boardwalks and areas are adjacent to the two parking lots just south of the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse.
Learn more about the timing of the seals other seasons from the
Elephant Seals Rookery Activities by the Month calendar on the activities near Hearst Castle® San Simeon page.
- or - purchase this great new inexpensive ebook by Denise Kocek: Elephant Seal Seasons at the Piedras Blancas Colony, CA.
Google Search Central California Visitor Information Websites Including www.san-simeon-lodging.com for the best Central California Coast tourist information, travel tips & tricks...
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I have provided this information on this web page to help you have wonderful vacation or trip. I have made this information current, complete and good to the best of my abilities but everything is subject to change at any time and I have to relieve myself of any responsibility for you, I have no control over how you use the provided tourist visitor information and accept no liability for anything that happens to you while you visit and vacation on the Central California Coast or anywhere else.
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HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!! Most towns have some sort of lighting ceremony which often includes caroling, hot coco and a visit from Santa Clause. Although community oriented these small events can still be fun for a visitor and also there are some areas of every town that are famous for pretty lights and Christmas time decorations, it is a cheering American pastime to take holiday season evening drives to view the pretty holiday lighting and extravagant decorations. Some annual holiday events like the SLO Christmas Parade and the Morro Bay Lighted Boat Parade are so enjoyable they are worth an extra effort and drive to attend for visitor and resident alike.
The first rains on the Central California Coast often come in the middle or towards the end of October but the "Rainy Season" Generally Runs from November - February in Central California plan your road trips and adjust accordingly and check weather and road conditions before you leave home. 
Saturday December 3rd & ONGOING every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from September 1 through June 14, 2012 -- 
Lots of action at the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery
