Tour: Santa Margarita, Creston
This pleasant loop starts in Santa Margarita, follows the rather busy 58 for a short while before heading north on highway 229 along sportscar roads toward Creston. We stopped for short break at the Loading Chute in Creston, well known for their steaks.
Heading south on O’Donovan brought us again to the 58 which we followed briefly until turning south on Huer Huero Road. We had these pretty back roads all to ourselves: Las Pilitas especially has some good roller-coaster stretches of smooth downhill.
click for map
More info on this ride: SLO Bicycle Club — Huer Huero
Back in Santa Margarita, we face a raft of good foodie options. If you have a taste for some craft beer, stop into Dunbar Brewing for a pint or sample the whole lot. Brewmaster and proprietor Chris Chambers offers a variety of ales, both those he’s brewed and those produced by other top notch breweries such as Bend’s Deschutes Brewery.
Dunbar Brewing’s Anniversary Ale
Many regulars prefer his Scotch Heavy; I’m partial to the Anniversary Ale he created to help celebrate Dunbar Brewing’s second birthday.
Carol likes the Renegade
If beer’s not your thing, head down El Camino Real toward Ancient Peaks Winery to taste some well-crafted wines and pick up a special bottle such as their Renegade blend that you can only find at the winery.
As you taste through their wines, look around at the tasting room decor for the story of the town and ranchlands of Santa Margarita. Like many wineries proud of their connection to vineyard soils, Ancient Peaks gives pride of place to their soils display, the foundation of every wine they pour.
If you’re ready for dinner, you’ll be happy to know that Santa Margarita hosts one of our favorite places for a special meal, The Range. Their kitchen consistently produces outstanding meals. Our latest memorable meal at The Range: grass-fed filet paired well with a glass of Ancient Peaks Zinfandel.
Looking toward Cuesta Ridge and cloudbank
If you’ve not tried this restaurant, you should. Note that they don’t take reservations or credit cards but would be happy to discuss dietary restrictions and discover a dinner solution that works for vegetarians and carnivores.
