by Don Weberg

Back in the Lexus and zipping through Zuma Beach, the car gobbled up miles with ease, quickly making up time. While it's not advisable to drive at higher speeds, it couldn't be less advisable along the Pacific Coast Highway. Here, California Highway Patrol and Los Angeles County Sheriff deputies maintain order in an un-shy fashion. Because of the SC430's power, it took consistent speedometer checks to ensure we weren't letting the car get ahead of us. With such a compliant ride, little wind interference, and a radio that gets louder as the atmosphere gets noisier, it's difficult to tell about how fast the car is going. At one point, 80 felt like 65.

Prehistoric dwelling of the Cave Man Room at the Madonna Inn

Highway 1 eventually merges with the 101 in Oxnard, but it doesn't mean the fun journey is over. It means only a faster pace, and scenery rotating between ocean vistas and plains leading to distant hills. Entering San Luis, it's impossible to miss the famed Madonna Inn. Eclectically designed, each room offers guests a unique experience, for no one room's theme is like the next. Visiting the Inn, it was impossible to photograph the rooms. However, it was explained that rooms such as the Cave Man Room are decorated inside (and out, for that matter) to appear as a prehistoric dwelling. There is also a Jungle Rocks room which is similar to the Cave Man, but with a greener theme behind it. The list goes on and on to satisfy the desires of many guests.

Exiting Marsh St. off the 101 puts you in the middle of downtown San Luis Obispo. Here, a conglomeration of small and mid-sized boutiques merge to make as eclectic a shopping experience as the Madonna would prescribe. Parking the Lexus in one of the many public lots and walking the streets introduced the shops more intimately, as well as allowing access to human-only alleyways which offer a charmingly exciting experience. Some only led to the next parallel street, while others hid tiny stores, one of which specialized in various healing potions and lotions, candles, plants, and basically everything one would need to rejuvenate. Another featured all the tobacco products one could possibly need.

Nearing dinnertime, a restaurant at the edge of town, called the 1865, was recommended. Slightly pricey, the menu enticed visitors with a worldly assortment of fish, beef, chicken, salads, and Italian dishes. The idea was obvious, to offer something for everyone. Despite the higher cost of admission, the coin was well worth it. The food, service, and atmosphere proved to be beyond compare. A comfortable restaurant, The 1865 has a ski lodge feel to it, made of dark woods with beamed ceilings and lots of glass, but without compromising a feeling of privacy. A fabulous bar lends itself to an outdoor patio complete with massive fire pit, perfect for winding down after a day of shopping. (CONTINUED...)