I took the road...to Cambria!

I took the road less traveled, and that made all the difference.

Robert Frost

Many years ago, while visiting this little artisan Mecca, I said to myself,  "when it is time for me to exit life,  I wish to do so in Cambria"!

Cambria, California; Not exactly in the middle of nowhere, and just a few miles up Hwy. 1 between Morro Bay and San Simien, this tiny hovel of art galleries, eclectic citizens and thankfully, small family wineries was just what the doctor ordered for a much needed respite.
Tucked into the hillside, or more accurately, a huge compacted sand dune and a mere two miles from the big blue Pacific Ocean, there are many words to describe this beautiful piece of heaven. For now, let's just call it...heaven.

Kenji (my car)  had been driving us all day and night on one of those who cares where we end up road trips. We took a different route this time; Hwy. 99 south, and Hwy.41 west. The serenity of driving through the vast expanse of nothingness along Hwy. 41 dumped us into downtown Paso Robles. Being familiar with the city, and needing a place to sleep, we checked into a Norman Bates Psycho type cheap motel and bedded down for the most uncomfortable night of sleep since my ex-husband tried to choke the life out of me! (We're not going to talk about this!) Note to self: Bring your own pillows next time.

Awakening to the smell of diesel fuel and a rogue neighborhood rooster that crowed most of the early a.m., it was time to hit the road again. Kenji needed a top off and I needed coffee. We pulled into a small gas station and found a few maps with directions to some local wineries. Considering that it was nearly noon, my stomach was uneasy and wine did not sound appealing. Instead, a salt water intervention was in order.
Driving another 25 plus miles west, until we came to a dead end at Hwy.1, a sign directing us to turn right said,

 "Cambria 4 miles, Morro Bay, 28 miles."

 We chose Cambria. Morro Bay would have to wait...until the next day.
Realizing that I was about to visit a beloved destination, my heart pounded, and the queasiness in my stomach eased as the smell of the nearby ocean permeated with the smell of grilled food. Kenji roared down the road toward the welcoming marquee located near the entrance of the small town. Another  sign caught my eye.

 "Wine and Art festival, Saturday and Sunday, downtown, Cambria."

 Boo yeah! Could it get any better than this? It could.

First stop, Wise Owl & Co. Wine Bar. This quaint little shop is located in a small renovated house. The wine bar is on the back patio. Literally. Decorated in urban, eccentric, leftover remnants of a remodel, the business is warm, inviting, and for sale. No, I didn't ask how much. This is Cambria; the ocean, two miles away? Nuff said!

Similar to a place once visited in Sausalito, the store looks more like a teenagers bedroom than a boutique. Fashions are strewn about small tables and hung on easy to see through racks. Jeans, t-shirts and other I'm never going to be able to wear size 2 items didn't appeal to my sense of of taste. Instead, the sunlight blaring through the open back door warmed the anticipation of good things to come.

Following the path of sunlight out to the patio, a small figure greeted me with a big smile and a sincere hello. Her name is Rita and she takes genuine hospitality to a new level. Foregoing all of the usual canned niceties, Rita lead me to the wine bar as if it were her own back yard. (it practically is...more on this later) As she positioned herself behind the bar to serve me, (I hate that term) it was obvious that she was in her element...or more like her own kitchen.

Rita explained that the business was owned by a German business man who had a flare for all things eclectic. He had planned to retire in Cambria, but was in the process of opening a new restaurant. Because he was such a cool guy, and a good friend, he entrusted her to take care of the wine bar as if it were her own. (I need a friend like this!) Thus with June Cleaver precision, Rita set about making me feel right at home.

The Wise Owl Wine Bar offers a vast selection of wines from the central coast as well as a few from as far north as Lodi, Livermore and Napa. Because Rhone varietals do so well on the central coast, they offer a few true Rhone wines from France. Naturally, being a Syrah lover, I could not resist the opportunity to imbibe in a dark and naughty glass of this dominant regional grape. I mean seriously, someone went through all of the trouble to import it, yes? Rita poured the dark and lovely nectar into a perfectly sized wine glass. As I lifted the glass to my nose, the subtle smokiness and leathery esters tickled the back of my throat. This was going to be a good glass of wine!

Slowly enjoying the silky smooth glass of purple joy juice, a plate of cheese, crackers apples appeared. Rita must have heard my stomach growling. The wine bar offers several choices of small cheese plates. The menu is hand written in chalk on an old door leaning up against the building. Way cool!

As more people began to arrive, Rita made sure that I was comfy and continued to pour out her charm and hospitality. Everyone was treated as if they were not strangers, but dear friends. Her personality was infectious as she guided folks through the wine selections and small plate offerings. As she worked her mojo, I struck up some small talk with a few visitors. One couple commented that they had been there before and that this was their favorite spot in Cambria. They suggested that I also try another place nearby. (I did; can't wait to tell you about this)
The atmosphere was becoming more serene and genuine...or that glass of Rhone was really kicking in! The smell of grilled food was beginning to meld with the wine and the urgency to eat heartier food was becoming unbearable.  One of the guest suggested that I try a local restaurant that served curry. Game over! Not a fan of curry. Pismo Beach, here I come. Nothing like some greasy fried clams and cod fish to cut a good glass of Rhone! (Yes, you CAN drink red wine with seafood!)

Before heading to the next stop, I devoured a plate full of pretzels and declined a second glass of purple sin.

The wine was amazing and reasonably priced. It would have made a great addition to my already overly abundant wine collection. Hopefully it can be purchased locally.

 I bade Rita farewell after exchanging email addresses and exited through the front of the store. The smell of charred meat from the nearby grill was now more than unbearable and I had to fight to not sense any trace of curry odor. (Curry is a real buzz kill to my stomach)

 Once again, I fell in love with Cambria. Do I still want to exit life here? Let's just say that this road trip put a new desire to live a less stressful life and to be able to appreciate the small things more into perspective.

One day, and who knows when that day may come, there may be a way that I could buy this place. Win the lottery? Hmmm.




Wise Owl and Company
2164 Center St.
Cambria, Ca.
805-927-8888

Until next time, Salute'.