In North Carolina this week

Discover SLO is on hiatus this week as I am discovering Raleigh, N.C., the headquarters for our corporate parent's interactive department. I should return with new insights in to how to make sanluisobispo.com better for visitors. If you have ideas for the site, leave a comment here.

And don't worry, Discover SLO will catch you up on whatever you missed when I return next week.

Sally

Strawberries, blues, classic cars and arts and crafts

Wow, it’s already time to make plans for the weekend, and since it’s Memorial Day weekend, there’s plenty of options across the county, even if it just grilling in the backyard with family or heading to the beach to celebrate the unofficial start of summer.

Arroyo Grande: Strawberry shortcakes, funnel cakes, milkshakes, ice cream and other treats take over the streets of Arroyo Grande’s Village Saturday and Sunday for the free, annual Strawberry Festival, always a family favorite, with entertainment, arts and crafts, games, food and more.

Avila Beach: If you don’t already have tickets to Saturday’s California Festival of Beers in Avila Beach, you’re pretty much out of luck. The event sold out more than a month ago. But you should still be able to snag tickets to Sunday’s Avila Beach Blues Festival. Performers include Los Lobos, Kenny Wayne Sheppard and Dave Alvin and the Guilty Men. Tickets, $32-$52, are available through Vallitix.

(If you do head to Avila, remember to take the Avila Beach exit off Highway 101. The road from the San Luis Bay Drive exit is closed due to bridge work.)

Paso Robles: City Park, recovered from last weekend’s Wine Festival, is the center of action for the free West Coast Kustoms Car Show, which will feature more than 800 classic cars. Friday night is the cruise parade with the ‘50s street dance, BBQ, music, beer and wine. The cars are on display in the park Saturday and Sunday, with music and awards.

Morro Bay: Art in the Park presents arts and crafts from across the state Saturday and Sunday in City Park.

Cayucos: Stroll the vendors, games and entertainment with the ocean as a backdrop at the annual Peddler’s Faire Saturday and Sunday in Cayucos Creek Park.

Whatever your weekend plans, make sure to get out an enjoy something the county has to offer this long weekend.

No falls at Big Falls

With a former SLO-resident friend in town this weekend, we decided yesterday to embark on a favorite early summer expedition -- the trek out to Big Falls, past Lopez Lake in the Los Padres National Forest.

It starts with a scenic drive from Arroyo Grande out Lopez Drive past farms and vineyards to the lake. Just before the lake entrance, we turn right onto High Mountain Road and shortly after turn off onto Upper Lopez Canyon Road and start making our way up into the hills above the lake. As we drive higher and higher, we catch glimpses of the lake below on our left and long views down to the valley and next ridge to the right before descending down into an isolated area then snaking back up another ridge and down again.

Here's where the really fun part starts. Upper Lopez Canyon Road veers off to the right -- and off the pavement. (It's just before the sign that says "Road ends 500 feet.") We've now got 3.7 miles of winding dirt road and creek crossings to get us to the trailhead. The drive is under the tree canopy, past mini-ranches with horses, goats and even some vineyards, and splashing through the creeks in my Toyota FJ Cruiser incites giggles. (Four-wheel drive or at least a vehicle with high clearance are recommended, though I have seen a Honda Civic and a Saturn make it through).

Once we get to the trailhead, it's our feet that are splashing, as we cross the creek to start the hike. It's a moderate hike, not quite 3 miles from start to end with frequent but not killer ups and downs. Not that far in, we find the lower pools uncharacteristically unoccupied and jump at the chance to have them to ourselves. Well, we don't literally jump. While some daredevils are brave (or insane) enough to leap from the trail into the pool about 30 feet below, we climbed down. We stripped off our shoes and let our feet dangle in the pool, watched the fish swim around and ate a snack.

Many folks think these are the falls and never make it past this point, but we continue along the trail toward the high waterfall at the back of the trail. As we followed the creek, up and down and through the middle, hopping rocks to get across, we noticed the water level was low, and some of the normally flowing pools were rather stagnant. I thought we were almost there but didn't hear the rush of the falls so I figured I was mistaken about how close we were. But when we rounded the last bend, I looked up and there no water flowing over the high cliff. Not a drop.

We've had a dry spring, but it was still surprising to find the falls bone dry and the ground beneath a fetid pool that I am sure is prime breeding ground for mosquitoes. It's likely to be after the next rainy season next winter and spring until the falls flow again, but it's still a nice way to spend a Central Coast afternoon. Just make sure to bring the bug spray.

For the adventuresome, the epicurean, the kids and the DIYers; What to do this weekend

DiscoverSLO has already brought you some ideas for the weekend. But if the Paso Wine Festival, or the Sunday afternoon food-and-drink events at the beach or vineyards aren't your bag, there's plenty more to choose from.

FREE OR ALMOST FREE
For a day at the beach: KiteXPO 2007 takes over Pismo Beach from 11-5 Saturday and Sunday, with demonstrations of gear and free testing for intermediate riders. 805-773-9200 or www.xtremebigair.com/kiteexpo. Worth it even if you don't ride for the thrilling, colorful and graceful show put on by experienced riders/

With the kids: 18th annual Children's Day in the Park at Atascadero Lake from 11-3 Saturday, with free entertainment for kids and information about community organizations for parents. $5 for kids to participate in the events. 805-461-5000.

For the DIY types: The San Luis Obispo Home Show runs from 10-5 Saturday and Sunday at the Madonna Expo Center, with home and garden vendors, seminars, food and live music. 805-748-3973.

For the spendthrift wine connoisseur: Some Paso wineries are hosting free tastings, food and entertainment this weekend as part of the Paso Robles Wine Festival. A few include: Chateau Margene, Eberle Winery, Garretson Wine Company, Hansen Winery, Nadeau Family Vintners, San Marcos Creek Vineyard, Sculpterra, Chumeia Vineyards, Tobin James Cellars, Vina Robles and Vista Del Rey Vineyards. Find more information on these and a complete list of the weekend's events here.

For the local history buff: It's the Heritage Day Celebration at Rancho Nipomo from 10-10 Saturday. Experience rancho life in the mid-1800s by panning for gold, making adobe brinks or just enjoying the music. The event is free, but the barbecue chicken dinner and concert at 6:30 cost $35-$65. 805-929-5679.

For the gardener: There's a Geranium Show and Sale from noon-3 Sunday at the Arroyo Grande Community Center. 805-937-9983.

NOT FREE BUT WORTH IT
For the epicurean: Cambria's Garden Extravaganza and Gourmet Delights, from 9-3 Sunday, starting with breakfast, a tour of six featured gardens then a dessert and champagne reception. $35-$40. 805-909-2181 or www.cambriagardentour.com.

For the reggae fan: Ziggy Marley performs with other special guests at the Avila Beach Golf Resort at 4:45 this afternoon. $31. 888-825-5484.

For even more to choose from, check out Ticket's calendar of events.

Two new options for wiling away a Sunday afternoon

SeaVenture Resort (805-773-4994) -- on the sand in Pismo Beach -- is starting Sundays on the Deck, which will offer live music on patios overlooking the ocean as well as food and drink specials now through the end of August from noon to 4 p.m.

This Sunday the featured musician will be pianist Brett Mitchell, though others are expected to join the lineup later on. Lunch and small plates from the SeaVenture Restaurant will be available, and binoculars for scanning the ocean for sea life will be on every table.

"Sundays are best suited for partaking in relaxing activities that help satisfy the soul," Chet Hogoboom, general manager of SeaVenture, says.

Hogoboom (better known as "CT") is an accomplished musician in his own right and has been playing on the Central Coast since the 70s. Fridays, he plays with Tommy Lee Nunes at 1865 on upper Monterey Street in SLO. This Saturday, they'll be at the SLO Home Show at Madonna Expo Center during the day with musical partner Wally and then from 6-9 p.m., they'll be at the new nightclub The Clubhouse at 740 West Foothill in SLO (805-548-8500). Find out more about the musicians -- some of my local favorites -- here. Maybe you can even convince Chet to take the stage one Sunday!

Salisbury Vineyards, in the old schoolhouse off Highway 101 in Avila Valley, is bringing back its Schoolhouse Rock series every other Sunday from 1-4 p.m. starting this week with the House Red Band.

There's barbecue for sale starting at 1 p.m., and the band plays until 4, when there's a trolley tour of the vineyards. Call 805-595-9463 for info.

Here's the schedule for the rest of the summer:
June 2 - SLO Mambo
June 17 - Hip Pocket
July 1 - Jerome Washington Express
July 15 - Mighty Croon Dogs
July 29 - CT & Tommy Lee (yup, that's Chet and Tommy from above)
Aug 12 - Sleepy Guitar Johnson Outfit
Aug 26 - Hip Pocket
Sept 9 - Vita-Culture
Sept 23 - House Red Band
Oct 7 - SLO Mambo
Oct 21 - Mighty Croon Dogs

And tune back in tomorrow for more on what to do on the Central Coast this weekend.

Wine Spectator gives a nod to Four Vines and JUST Inn

Wine Spectator magazine has selected Four Vines' Zinfandel California Old Vine Cuvée 2004 as its best buy of the week, at $13.
"Ripe and spicy on the nose, with black cherry and wild berry aromas," the magazine describes the Paso wine. "Elegant yet firmly tannic on the palate. Well-balanced. Drink now through 2010. 11,299 cases made."

Go to sanluisobispo.com/wine on Wednesday for columnist Laurie Daniel's weekly local wine picks.

The magazine's weekly Sips & Tips email also lists the JUST Inn at Justin Winery as one of four places to stay for a blissful long weekend (The Tribune's bi-annual Vintages magazine also named JUST Inn as one our favorite wineries for an overnight stay. Find the magazine in tasting rooms around the county and online here.)

With luxurious rooms overlooking the vineyards and an idyllic location, the Just Inn is a true gem in rustic Paso Robles. Accommodations range from 600 to 1,400 square feet and come with cozy leather armchairs, queen-size canopy beds, flat-screen TVs and a complimentary bottle of wine. (The winery produces Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet, Syrah and Chardonnay.) For those who want to venture off the property, many of the wineries of Paso Robles are within nine miles of the inn. Make reservations at least three months in advance.

In other wine news, Sextant Wines, which recently bought Windemere Winery, is soon moving into Windemere's old tasting space on South Higuera Street, while it pursues plans to build a winery and tasting room at the vineyards on Old Price Canyon Road. Read more about it here.

First Paso then Atascadero

If you haven't already made your plans for this weekend's Paso Robles Wine Festival, you should do that now.

Looking a little ahead, tickets are now on sale for the Atascadero Wine Festival June 22 and 23 at Atascadero Lake Park and the Pavilion on the Lake.

The weekend starts Friday with the "Wine Country Impressions: An Evening in Monet’s Gardens" winemakers' dinner at the pavilion. The dinner will feature courses by acclaimed local chefs and caterers paired with Central Coast wines as well a silent and live auction.

Saturday is the Lakeside Wine Tasting and Fine Arts Festival from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring wines from more than 80 Central Coast wineries. Admission cost includes a commemorative wine glass, 10 tasting tickets and live entertainment by the Mighty Croon Dogs as well as food from local restaurants and the works of local artists.

Tickets are $100 for the Friday dinner; $30 in advance/$35 at the door for the Saturday afternoon tasting, $120 for both.

For tickets or more information, go to www.atascaderowinefestival.com or stop by the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce office at 6550 El Camino Real.