Hatch Rotisserie

We finally dined at Hatch Rotisserie - the epicenter of fine dining in Paso Robles. The food was good but we didn't feel the need for a $50 cocktail - the $9 mocktails worked perfectly.

Paso lights

We had no idea that Paso Robles had such a fabulous holiday light display in their town square, but we were very happy to stumble upon it!

Tarpy's revisited '25

Hard to argue with a colorful drink shimmering in the sun.

Steller's jay

 

Instead of monarch butterflies, we saw this Steller's jay.

Monarch Grove Sanctuary

The Monarch Grove Sanctuary is a beautiful place, but it was heartbreaking to see no monarchs at a time when they would normally be seen hibernating in the thousands. The U.S Fish & Wildlife is proposing to list them as either "Threatened" or "Endangered" but I haven't seen anything in the news since we were there in December.

 

Butterfly Grove Inn

The quirky Butterfly Grove Inn, where we stayed many years ago.

Grill at Point Pinos, part 4

As you can see, this was also a perfectly pleasant place to have breakfast the following morning. I guess we went there three times in a row!

Grill at Point Pinos, part 3

As you can see, this was a perfectly delicious dinner.

Grill at Point Pinos, part 2

As you can see, this is a perfectly pleasant environment to dine in.

 

Great Tide Pool revisited

Can't wait to see how this compares to the ones in Oregon...

The Grill at Point Pinos

We've discovered that golf courses can be rewarding venues for food. This one in Pacific Grove also has a coffee shop, which we tried out for our maiden voyage. It worked.

Cannery Row Christmas

One of these figures is Steinbeck and one is Ricketts, just don't ask me which.

superb community plaza

 

Whether it be private estate or hotel with a superb community plaza, there's no question that this is a fine piece of property integrated with its rich natural surroundings.

 

Casa de las Olas

Stumbled upon this great piece of history: the Monterey Plaza Hotel is situated on the former Tevis-Murray estate - Casa de las Olas ("House of the Waves", built in 1901), a beauty from before the days that the canneries dominated the area.

Schooners re-revisited

The salmon was good but the view was even better.

P.G. P.O.

Among the interesting things about the P.G. P.O. are these hedges.

Winston's

First time here. It worked for breakfast one morning.

Nura Sushi

 First time here? It worked for dinner one night.

sea and seawall

Victorian Corner P.G.

Our first time here. Worked well for breakfast on a chilly morning.

Javi in P.G.

reading in P.G.

The Beach House P.G.

As I recall the salad was okay but the green beans were another story?

L.P. sunset part 2