Page 28 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL SPRING 2021 REDISCOVERING CALIFORNIA'S CENTRAL COAST

the brakes on recreational travel for months. destination, Santa Barbara. Then it was on to Mon-
Our plan focused on two night stays in seaside terey, Marin, and into Mendocino, where we would
cities about a four-hour drive apart. That schedule divide our eight nights among four hotel resorts.
allowed us to enjoy leisurely mornings, to miss On the way back, we overnighted in Pismo Beach
rush hour traffic in Southern California and the before arriving home in time for the Presidential
Bay Area, and to stop at viewpoints and intriguing election.
places whenever we wanted. While on the road, we were keenly aware of
The short drives also spared aging knees and pandemic pitfalls for seniors like us. We gave the
backs, and kept long-drive grumpies at bay. Navi- trip careful consideration — would we be any less
gating unfamiliar freeways and winding roads for safe away from home if we practiced social dis-
hours on end can be exhausting. With our four- tancing and mask wearing? If we traveled by car,
hour strategy, we arrived at our destinations by avoiding mass transit crowds? If we chose hotels
mid-afternoon, fresh and eager to explore. and restaurants dedicated to customer health and
From our home in North San Diego County, we safety? Our conclusion? Yes. We could manage our
rolled through Orange County and dreaded Los potential exposure throughout our two-week trip.
Angeles freeways to Highway 101 and our first Our itinerary was key. The breezy, open spaces

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