Get Outside - Winter/Spring 2021-2022

THE CENTRAL COAST GUIDE TO EVERYTHING OUTSIDE

Spring 2022

Access the

wild Reopening federal lands closed to the public due to fire and floods takes time, funding, and volunteers [22] BY CAMILLIA LANHAM

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Contents

SPRING 2022

Welcome to your great outdoors

Y

ou’re holding the first ever issue of the Central Coast’s newest magazine dedicated to life outdoors. This place we live was made to be explored, the list of ways to do that is endless, and we plan on discovering it all. We’ll show you all the ways to Get Outside from the waters of the Pacific Ocean to the coastal peaks. You can find gear and equipment recommendations; read about outdoor enthusiasts, access, and events; salivate over flavors made for the open air; and get tips on where to recreate, rent and buy gear, plan trips, or how to just enjoy the view from your own backyard. —Camillia Lanham Editor

E

-BIKE SUPER STORE

Selling only the best cycling gear since 1986

cover design by Alex Zuniga • cover photo by Camillia Lanham

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Trailblazing Wildflowers Mountain biking Advanced planning Leave no trace

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6 9 10 13

22

Beyond

Outdoor kitchen Santa Maria grills Dehydrated meals Wild spirits

14 18 21

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Accessing the outdoors SLO’s new open space A disc golf pro Disability sailing

22 33 38 42

Gear Hub

Best trail runners The secret to layering

48 50

GO Business Directory

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Spring 2022

THE CENTRAL COAST GUIDE TO EVERYTHING OUTSIDE Publishers Bob Rucker Alex Zuniga Editor Camillia Lanham Associate Editor Andrea Rooks Contributors Peter Johnson Malea Martin Taylor O’Connor Bulbul Rajagopal

Photographer Jayson Mellom Graphic Designers Eva Lipson Ikey Ipekjian Mary Grace Flaus Advertising Katy Gray Jennifer Herbaugh Kimberly Rosa Lee Ann Vermeulen Drew Gilmore

Support staff Michael Antonette Patricia Horton Cindy Rucker

(805) 546-8208 www.newtimesslo.com Get Outside © 2022 A New Times publication

Contact editorial department at GO@newtimesslo. com and contact advertising department See the digital version of Get Outside at at advertising@ bit.ly/GOSpring22 newtimesslo.com

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SPRING 2022 Get Outside 5 SPRING 2022 Get Outside 5

Trailblazing

Wildflower walks After After a a good good winter winter of of rain, rain, these these Central Central Coast Coast spots spots show show off off their their spring spring colors colors STORY STORY AND AND PHOTOS PHOTOS BY CAMILLIA CAMILLIA LANHAM BY LANHAM

Carrizo Carrizo Plain Plain

Between Between Highways Highways 58 58 and and 166, 166, Carrizo Carrizo Plain Plain National National Monument Monument runs runs along along Soda Soda Lake Lake Road Road through through a a valley valley with with mountains mountains on on both both sides sides and and the the largest largest remaining remaining alkali alkali wetland wetland in in Southern Southern California. California. This This remote remote stretch stretch of of Bureau Bureau of of Land Land Management-managed Management-managed grasslands grasslands can can be be a a place place for for solitude, solitude, but but when when the the goldfields and phacelia blanket the monument in yellows and purples, the crowds goldfields and phacelia blanket the monument in yellows and purples, the crowds follow. follow. Head Head out out with with a a full full tank tank of of gas, gas, plenty plenty of of water, water, and and snacks. snacks. Check Check the the BLM’s BLM’s website website for for flower flower updates updates in in the the spring. spring.

Famous Famous for for its its poppy poppy and and lupine lupine displays, displays, Figueroa Figueroa Mountain Mountain Recreation Recreation Area Area is is about about 30 30 minutes north of Los Olivos in the Los minutes north of Los Olivos in the Los Padres Padres National National Forest. Forest. A A winding winding drive drive along along Figueroa Figueroa Mountain Road or Happy Canyon Mountain Road or Happy Canyon Road Road means means the the views views hold hold more more than than wildflowers, wildflowers, with with vistas vistas showcasing showcasing the the San San Rafael Rafael Wilderness, Wilderness, Santa Santa Ynez Ynez Valley, Valley, and and hills hills full full of of color. color. Find Find a a good, good, safe, safe, parking spot (you’ll also need an Adventure Pass from the Forest parking spot (you’ll also need an Adventure Pass from the Forest Service) Service) and and follow follow a a well-tread well-tread trail trail up up the the hillside hillside and and through through the the flowers. flowers.

Figueroa Figueroa Mountain Mountain

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Highway Highway 166 166

When When the the hills hills along along Highway Highway 166 166 are are green green with spring, Los Padres National Forest’s with spring, Los Padres National Forest’s Willow Willow Springs, Springs, Adobe, Adobe, and and Gifford Gifford trails trails have have flowers flowers and and more more in in store store for for those those willing willing to to venture venture onto onto paths paths with with fewer fewer visitors. visitors. Grass-covered Grass-covered slopes, slopes, iconic iconic oaks, oaks, and and meadows meadows of of pink pink shooting shooting stars stars will will greet greet those those who who don’t don’t mind mind climbing climbing for for it. it. Find Find the the trailheads trailheads on on the the left left and and right right sides sides of of the the highway highway between between 20 20 and and 30 30 minutes minutes from from Santa Santa Maria, Maria, and and don’t don’t forget forget your your Adventure Adventure Pass. Pass.

Choose your adventure

Purchase a daily ($5) or annual ($30) National Forest Adventure Pass at a Los Padres National Forest ranger station near you. Visit fs.usda.gov/main/lpnf/home and click on “Passes & Permits” to find out more about where they’re required and where else you can purchase one.

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Managed by the city of San Luis Obispo, the Reservoir Canyon Natural Reserve is accessible off Highway 101 about a mile north of SLO at the base of the Cuesta Grade, but the natural reserve is also accessible via the Bowden Ranch Open Space trailhead at the top of Lizzie Street in SLO. The steep 4- to 6-mile climb comes with poppies, shooting stars, lupine, and lilies in the early spring and 360-degree views from the Pacific Ocean into Los Padres National Forest.

Reservoir Canyon

With various pullouts and trailheads along Highway 1 north of Cambria, you can catch a quick glimpse of spring and Pacific Ocean waves without exerting too much effort in Hearst San Simeon State Park. A great pit stop on the way up to Big Sur, it’s one of the oldest park units in the California State Park system with two natural preserves, a cultural preserve, plenty of beaches, and an elephant seal rookery—even if you miss flower season, there’s plenty to see and do.

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Seaside meadows full of poppies are common Point along the California Coast, and one of the best places to view them is via the Point Buchon trail. Buchon The 6.6-mile out-and-back trail travels along the grass-covered bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Accessible through Montaña de Oro, the hike is actually located on PG&E property. Open Thursday through Monday year-round, the utility company limits the number of visitors to 275 hikers per day and requires guests to sign in and out at a check-in station.

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Arroyo Grande is where it’s at!

Take a hike. Then take the trail home with you.

Upcoming Special Events

• 4TH OF JULY Summer Concert Series kick-off event featuring The Village Band & Unfinished Business at Heritage Square Park starting at 11am. Concerts following every Sunday, 1-3pm through September 18th. Visit our website for the most up-to-date schedule.

Namu.Love

• JUNE 24TH Starry Night Dance at Heritage Square Park, 6:30-8:30pm

Namu.Love

• APRIL 16TH Egg Hunt & Festival at Elm Street Park, 10am-1pm

Coming Summer 2022 • Elm Street Park Inclusive Playground Replacement Project. The first in nation to receive 4 National Demonstration Site Accreditations for: NatureGrounds, Play-On, Inclusive Play, and Adult Fitness zone.

• Project Backboard & Arroyo Grande Public Art Project at Strother Park Basketball Court to be completed in Spring 2022. • We will have summer camps and classes for all ages! Offerings include options for senior fitness, basketball & pickleball, Zumba, yoga and many more! Look online for our updated offerings.

Community parks and facilities open for rent. Call AG Rec for your next party or BBQ! City of Arroyo Grande proudly serving the needs of its community. For more information, visit www.arroyogrande.org/rec or call (805) 473-5474

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Fostering a lifelong fascina on with nature

Trailblazing

Mountain biking for beginners BY PETER JOHNSON

T

hinking about finally pulling the trigger on buying your first mountain bike? Wondering what the secret is to conquering the hills of San Luis Obispo, Pismo Beach, or Orcutt? Christie O’Hara, a longtime local rider and current president of Central Coast Concerned Mountain Bikers, has tips for those who are looking to get turned on to the sport.

Bikes and gear

Shopping for a mountain bike can be overwhelming, but O’Hara’s advice is to keep it simple. Find a local bike shop to work with. From mom-and-pop shops like Foothill Cyclery in SLO, to chains like REI, “the sales people there are knowledgeable and can give you great advice, beginner tips, do a basic fit on the bike, any adjustments, and run through the bike with you,” O’Hara said. Front-wheel suspension is a must for any mountain bike, but many serious riders want suspension on both wheels: “SLO does have a lot more technical rock than most places, so you’re going to be more comfortable on a full-suspension bike,” O’Hara said. Entry-level bikes cost anywhere from $600

to $1,000-plus. As for accessory gear, you’ll need a quality helmet, gloves, sunglasses, a water bottle or hydration backpack, and repair tools for flat tires. And last but not least, attach a bell for the safety of those you’ll share the trail with.

Where to ride

O’Hara loves to ride at Montaña de Oro State Park south of Los Osos. One reason is the variety of trails and difficulty levels it has to offer— there’s something for everybody. O’Hara recommended the park’s 4.1-mile bluff trail for beginners who’re just getting a feel for their bike. “As they advance, they can go up Oats Peak, or Canyon View Trail, or Islay Creek. And as you get more advanced, there’s Hazard Peak and Barranca East Boundary,” she said. O’Hara also recommended Cerro Cabrillo near Morro Bay, the Pismo Preserve overlooking the Five Cities, Johnson Ranch in SLO, and the Orcutt trails near Santa Maria as safe and fun beginner options. They have gentle inclines, plenty of trail width, more dirt, and less rock.

How to ride

The art of shifting gears is one of the most important skills to learn in mountain biking. “You want to be in a gear that allows you to spin

freely. You don’t want to grind on the gears. You want a pretty high RPM [revolutions per minute],” O’Hara said. “In mountain biking, you’re shifting a lot more because the terrain varies so much as you go up-down, up-down, and over rocks, so gear choice is important and it’s something you just have to play around with and learn.” Another key consideration is where you shift your weight. “When you’re going downhill, get that weight back, feet level, and your butt off the saddle,” O’Hara said. “So when you’re hitting bumps you’re not getting jarred off the saddle.” Keeping your arms and body relaxed with “loose elbows” will generally help absorb the turbulence of riding a trail. As for braking, O’Hara recommends using the rear brake (on your right hand) over the front brake (left hand). The front brake is the “stronger” brake, but grabbing it too hard could send you over your handlebars. And speaking of falling, O’Hara suggested riding with a buddy when possible.

Getting better

The definition of “progress” in mountain biking depends on each rider’s goals and preferences. Is it your dream to bomb down the tallest mountain? Take in the

best views? Get the best workout? O’Hara said you should think these questions through. “If there’s a peak or a top of the mountain you want to get to, set a goal and make small steps on easier trails and eventually make it. With mountain biking, one thing I tell people is if they can’t do a certain section, stop and go back to do it again. Session that part until you can get it,” O’Hara said. “But that’s one thing I like about mountain biking: Sometimes you might not be able to get a certain section, but you can go back and do it again and you have an accomplished goal once you achieve that.”

Take care of your bike

A mountain bike is an investment that requires routine care and maintenance. O’Hara recommends you take your bike into a shop for a tune-up at least once a year, if not more if you’re riding it daily. Check your tire pressure and lube the chain regularly. “You don’t need to lube your chain every ride, but you want to make sure it doesn’t get too dry or squeaks,” O’Hara said. “Anytime you start a ride, you should always check your brakes and spin the wheels to make sure there’s no obstruction.”

SPRING 2022 Get Outside 9

Trailblazing

Plan ahead

To book a coveted campsite, you just need to know when to mark your calendar BY MALEA MARTIN

O

n a clear summer day at the Upper Pines Campground, visitors can bask in the sunlight that filters through Yosemite’s diverse forest, behold a breathtaking view of Half Dome, and explore the nearby historic Curry Village. With paved roads, flush toilets, and drinking water—plus easy access to all of Yosemite’s best attractions—it’s no wonder that Upper Pines usually sells out in minutes. According to recreation.gov, where you can reserve Upper Pines and thousands of other sites across the country,

Yosemite National Park’s reservable campsites are available up to five months in advance on the 15th of each month at 7 a.m. This means that at 7 a.m. on April 15, for example, the time period for Aug. 15 to Sept. 14 becomes available. For your best chance at getting a spot, make a recreation.gov account ahead of time. Reservations Campsite: Upper Pines Campground can only be added Location: Yosemite National Park to your cart if you’re logged into Book it: Five months in advance your account, so this increases your chances of snagging one. COURTESY PHOTO BY AUGIE DOEBLING

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amed for the limestone harvesting operation that took place here in the late 1800s, Limekiln State Park features a lush redwood forest, a trail to see the lime smelting ruins, and views of California’s rugged coastline that Big Sur is best known for. The campground includes some sites among the redwoods and a handful with an ocean view. It’s small but exceedingly popular. You can book your arrival date for Campsite: Limekiln State Park Campground Limekiln up to six months in advance— Location: Big Sur and you’ll probably need to: Sites usually Book it: Six months in advance book up the day they become available, which is on a daily rolling basis at 8 a.m. You can book the campsite at reservecalifornia.com, and again, we recommend creating an account ahead of time to make sure you’re first in line. RESERVATIONS continued page 12

COURTESY PHOTO BY AUGIE DOEBLING

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Trailblazing

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f you’re looking to embark on a more remote and less conventional California adventure, camping on the Channel Islands is another coveted experience, and you’ll have to plan in advance. The boat ride to the island adds an extra transportation step, but the expansive ocean views and peaceful beaches are worth it. There are a few campgrounds to choose from, but the Scorpion Canyon Campground on Santa Cruz Island—the largest of the Channel Islands—is our pick. While weekday sites are plentiful and easy to snag even at the last minute, weekend sites get booked up almost immediately.

Campsite: Scorpion Canyon Campground Location: Channel Islands National Park Book it: Six months in advance You can book Scorpion Canyon at recreation.gov, and individual campsites operate on a six-month rolling basis. So if you wanted to arrive at the campground on Oct. 1—a Saturday that’s likely to go quickly—reservations will open for that date six months prior, on April 1 at 7 a.m. Good luck, happy camping, and don’t forget to schedule your boat ride over to the island! These can also sell out months in advance, so we recommend booking the boat right after your campground. Make your boat reservations at reserve. islandpackers.com.

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Trailblazing

Recreate responsibly 1 - Plan and prepare

3 - Keep your footprint small

Research the area you’re planning to explore with plenty of time to prepare before you head out. You need to understand what you have to take with you to stay comfortable (alive), whether you will need to purchase extras like permits and/or bear canisters, what the area’s recreational rules are, and how to get in and out of the area safely.

Camp and hike in designated or obvious areas and leave the areas you visit as they looked when you arrived (or better, if someone else trashed the place). Don’t cut down trees, move boulders, or lie down in a meadow full of wildflowers for a photo. Remember, you’re just a visitor, and we need to leave wild places wild—most importantly, for the species that call an area home.

2 - Pack it in, pack it out Clean up after yourself. If you brought it with you when you came, you need to take it with you when it you leave. This includes trash, toilet paper, tents, coolers, and whatever else you thought was necessary for your stay.

4 - Don’t be daft Use your common sense. Wild animals are wild animals and should be admired at a safe distance. Campfires are only allowed in certain areas and should stay small and in control. Know your own limits and the limits of those you’re traveling with. Learn more at recreateresponsibly.org and lnt.org.

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Outdoor Kitchen

Learn tips, tricks, and buy a grill from a Santa Maria native

A

BY TAYLOR O’CONNOR s the weather warms up and days become longer, it’s time to dust off that grill. For the Central Coast, this season is all about tri-tip—a triangular cut of beef from the bottom of the sirloin. Tri-tip stems from traditions that date back to the 1850s, when the meat was cooked in a hole dug in the ground to feed ranchers. Eventually, the style evolved into an aboveground pit with adjustable grates for the perfect cooking temperature, said J.D. Sinor, a Santa Maria native and president of JD Fabrications Inc., a barbecue manufacturing company. “I’ve been in Santa Maria my whole life. We started the business in 2014, it’s been eight years now. We focus mainly on Santa Maria barbecue grills, and we have our own design,” Sinor said. Sinor started welding grills in his garage and selling them on Craigslist to pay for college tuition. He’d commute back and forth between Cal State Northridge—a 2 1/2 hour drive—on weekends to continue making grills. Sinor debated going to medical school as his business increased. “I couldn’t keep up with them out of the garage. It picked up and just kept going, so I ended up not going to medical school and just doing barbecue pits,” he said.

Tips for tri Tri-tip is barbecued over wood-fired grills with native wood—typically coastal live red oak—which is lit inside the grill’s fire pit until it becomes coal, Sinor explained.

14 Get Outside SPRING 2022

COURTESY PHOTOS FROM JD FABRICATIONS INC.

“Anything on the grill where you are using wood, giving it the smoke taste. … You can sear on a gas grill, whereas if you cook on the Santa Maria grill you are going to get the smoke taste,” he said. Santa Maria style tri-tip is seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic, seared on each side over a period of time, and is later served with a side salad, a french loaf or sourdough, and pinquito beans, Sinor said. “I’ve had my own seasoning that I’ve made before all mixed together, and I like it marinated overnight. The seasoning seeps into

the meat’s juices, you get the flavor more in the middle rather than a crust or a bark,” he added. Sinor said he monitors the meat with a temperature gauge stuck into the thickest part of the meat, rather than cutting into it and releasing the juices. He pulls it off the grill 10 degrees colder than he wants the final temperature to be because the meat continues to cook after being removed from the heat. Tritip should rest for at least 15 minutes to let the juices settle—and if you’ve got one of Sinor’s grills, a resting rack is part of the package. BBQ continued page 16

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Outdoor Kitchen

BBQ from page 14 “Cooking time depends on how well done you want the meat. It depends on the size of the meat, too; thicker pieces of meat take longer to cook,” he said. For beginners, Sinor suggested buying an untrimmed tri-tip, meaning the butcher hasn’t shaved the fat off. Take some of that fat off the cut and throw it on the grill grates. “The fat is going to render into a liquid and they can rub that on top of the meat. The heat is also baking the grease into the grate itself, that way when you throw your meat on top of the

16 Get Outside SPRING 2022

throwing meat on the grill, Sinor said. Smoking also uses barbecue sauces or a vinegar-based sauce as a rub for the meat. Sinor suggests smoking brisket as opposed to tri-tip. “The smoking, that’s a full-art thing with a beginning, middle, and end stage, and each stage imparts a flavor on the meat,” he said. Smoking takes hours of preparation and monitoring, but smokers are more user friendly than they used to be, he said—including those he sells. New technologies allow people to put the meat in Grill, smoke, cook before work, monitor it remotely, and JD Fabrication’s pizza adjust the temperature from their grill, it doesn’t stick,” ovens run between $1,399 and phone if necessary. he said. $7,000; pellet smokers cost Pizza ovens—another item in JD Sinor pointed out $399 for the smallest and Fabrication’s inventory—work in the that this technique $999 for the most expensive model; and Santa Maria grills works for chicken as opposite way, cooking not only pizza, start at $1,200. For details, well—order skinbut meat, veggies, bread, and pie in visit jdfabrications.com. on, bone-in chicken minutes, Sinor said. breasts—and helps “You can do steaks where you use season the grill (kind a lifted grate inside, and it reaches 900 to 1,000 of like seasoning a cast iron skillet). degrees inside. The steak almost swells up twice the size and locks those juices inside the meat,” Smokers and ovens he said, adding that a steak is done in almost Smoking meat calls for a different technique. It’s more of an investment than simply five minutes.

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Outdoor Kitchen

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reeze-dried meals take the guesswork out of making dinner after a long day of backpacking. In the 20 years that Mountain Air co-owner Josh Haring has been hiking, he said the quality of dehydrated meals has leaped ahead in terms of flavor and ingredients. His San Luis Obispo store stocks meals from four different brands. “Most of them say two serving or one serving. A lot of these two servings can be a healthy one serving. Definitely pay attention to the serving size on there. But a lot of people would mix and match two,” Haring said. “You can even do almost an ‘appetizer’ with a small single serving. Some people like getting the basic rice and bean mix that we have and then they’re fishing … and fry up a fish and put it in there. There are a lot of hacks to these types of food, like hot sauce.” Not all pouches are created equal, though, so Get Outside boiled some water to review a handful of these meals in a bag.

BUFFET continued page 18

PHOTO BY BULBUL RAJAGOPAL

Mountain House Ice Cream Sandwich Calories per pouch: 140

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Mountain House’s ice cream sandwiches may just be the most unusual freeze-dried food, and they’re fun to eat. It requires no refrigeration so you can bite into one during any kind of weather. “We sell a lot of them around the holidays, too, for stocking stuffers because it’s such a unique experience to eat one of those,” Haring said. These sandwiches come in vanilla and mint chocolate chip flavors, and they feel like cardboard but taste just like an ice cream sandwich—minus the brain freeze and melting. It hits the spot when you’re craving something sweet after a sweaty hike. Just make sure to dust yourself off afterward because the white flakey center can stick to your clothes.

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Outdoor Kitchen Good To-Go Mushroom Risotto

BUFFET from page 18

Mountain House Classic Breakfast Skillet Calories per pouch: 900 Price: $14.99 At 2 1/2 servings per pouch, the Mountain House Classic Breakfast Skillet can easily kill the craving for a diner-sized breakfast when out on the trail. So much so, that Haring said it belongs in Mountain Air’s top three freeze-dried meal sellers. As soon as boiling water hits the hash browns, scrambled eggs, pork sausage, peppers, and onions, the scent alone can kick-start hunger. Some hikers find that the eggs have a weird texture, and the mix did require lots of salt, pepper, and hot sauce.

Backpacker’s Pantry Mashed Potatoes & Gravy with Beef Calories per pouch: 360 Price: $5.99 Hold the salt but grab the pepper for this one because Backpacker’s Pantry’s freeze-dried beef bits pack quite the sodium punch. The mashed potatoes aren’t memorable, and the gravy was nonexistent. But if combined with small sides like quickly grilled vegetables (during car camping stays) or even a granola bar, this meal can keep you full.

Calories per pouch: 410 Price: $8.25

Good To-Go’s “dehydrated gourmet” mushroom risotto is extremely bland. And first, make sure to give yourself about a half hour for prep time— not ideal if you’re hungry and tired after a long hike. The package tells you to let it steep for 20 minutes, but the contents still remained clumpy. The best bet is to insulate the hot pouch in your sleeping bag or jacket to speed up the rehydration. Even then the risotto still needs plenty of pepper and dashes of hot sauce. Haring recommends pairing this gluten-free and vegan option with smaller portions of other freeze-dried meals to crush hunger.

Mountain House Pad Thai with Chicken Calories per pouch: 480 Price: $10.75 Mountain House’s pad Thai with chicken is the best of the savory options on this list. It’s a two-serving portion that took only 10 minutes to steep, and it tastes almost identical to a good pad Thai dish. It’s loaded with bell peppers and green beans and packed with carby noodles and quality freeze-dried chicken. This backpacker’s pad Thai feels like a well-balanced hot meal after a long day of hiking.

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Forager Vodka Distilled from raw California Bee Company honey, Forager vodka has hints of the toyon nectar and wildflowers these particular bees depend on to make their sticky syrup. Part of this effort gives the vodka a unique flavor profile, and the other part of this effort supports the bees so many plants depend on for their survival. Toyon is native to the Central Coast, and Central Coast Distillery distiller/co-owner Eric Olson said Native Americans used the berries to make wine. Olson describes his vodka as oscillating between cassis/ cranberry notes and plum/blackberry. “It has a fresh hay scent to it, some jasmine, ginger,” he said. It’s wild. PHOTO COURTESY OF CENTRAL COAST DISTILLERY

Grave Digger Sembrar This California-style mezcal is distilled from foraged agave—a California native plant— that’s smoked with pistachio and almond wood from Paso Robles and the Lost Hills. With at least 300 varieties of agave, the Grave Digger Sembrar comes from the handful of varieties that grow well in Paso Robles. “They’re really sustainable because they don’t take a lot of water and they stop fires,” Central Coast Distillery distiller/co-owner Eric Olson said. He noted that it’s called Gravedigger “because you have to dig a grave to throw the wood in it to roast the agave.” The result is a smooth and smoky mezcal with hints of Paso that can be sipped and savored. —Camillia Lanham PHOTO COURTESY OF CENTRAL COAST DISTILLERY

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Beyond

Maintaining public access An underfunded U.S. Forest Service depends on volunteers to help reopen local trails and campgrounds after natural disasters STORY AND PHOTOS BY CAMILLIA LANHAM

D

ust becomes damp soil as the Pine Ridge Trail falls back under a grove of redwoods. Their high canopy takes the edge off a harsh midday sun, and the temperature instantly drops several degrees. Fragrant with decaying leaves and the sweet spice of woody trunks, it’s quiet and cool with a wide, well-worn path that leads hikers back into the light. Looking across the 1,000 feet or so of elevation gain since the trail left Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park’s campground and climbed into Los Padres National Forest’s Ventana Wilderness, the Pacific Ocean is barely visible over the top of the Santa Lucia Range’s first set of hills as the Big Sur River meanders westward in the valley below. This is one of those places that Ventana Wilderness Alliance volunteer Maria Ferdin believes ought to be conserved and accessible to the public. It’s a place where solitude and awe collide in an experience that she said people need. “There are places where people need to go, I think, to smell the trees. That’s the first thing I think about when I go hiking. … I think about the trees I’m going to smell,” she said. “People need that, even if they don’t know they need that. … People need to go sit alone with the trees … and hear the leaves rustle.”

22 Get Outside SPRING 2022

The Pine Ridge Trail cuts along steep slopes, slips through oak and redwood woodlands, and meanders over the Big Sur River and up to Sykes Hot Springs and beyond. With five official backcountry camps along the route, its 12 to 13 miles undulate between 500 and 2,000 feet, encompassing only a few of the more than 300 miles of trails in the Ventana and Silver Peak wilderness areas. It’s one of the most heavily used trails in Big Sur, but prior to April 2021, the Pine Ridge Trail was closed to the public for five years due to a combination of natural disasters. An illegal campfire abandoned in Garrapata State Park during July 2016 started the Soberanes fire, which burned for three months and charred 132,000 acres of Monterey County along Highway 1 into Big Sur and the Los Padres National Forest. Then, an atmospheric river hit California’s Central Coast in February of 2017, causing flooding and mudslides in the burn area. The storms wreaked havoc in places that were already damaged by the fire and closed much of Big Sur’s stateand federally owned lands to the public, including Highway 1, until they were safe to use again. Downed trees, washed-out portions of trail, and unstable hillsides kept the Pine Ridge Trail closed indefinitely. With a pair of loppers, a handsaw, and a

Pulaski, Ferdin is one of the many volunteers who worked hand in hand with the U.S. Forest Service to help make the trail accessible again. “The ability of the Forest Service to do the work that’s needed on those trails has contracted over the years,” said Ferdin, who’s volunteered with the Ventana Wilderness Alliance since at least 2011. “It takes a lot of people and unmechanized equipment to clear these things away.” Los Padres National Forest spokesperson Andrew Madsen said the Forest Service has close working partnerships with nonprofit organizations such as the alliance, which are dedicated to keeping trails and campsites open and educating the public about how to safely visit federal lands. “Our volunteers and partners are essential to maintaining trails and adding capacity to our understaffed workforce,” Madsen said via email. “The dedication of these amazing people is often the difference between a trail being usable or being closed to the public for safety concerns.”

Volunteer army

The Pine Ridge Trail is in the best shape it’s been in decades, according to Richard Popchak, the Ventana Wilderness Alliance’s communications and development director. “So it’s a big success story,” Popchak said. “There’s a

tremendous management gap between what the Big Sur backcountry has to offer and the high visitation that it gets … and we do what we can to try to fill it.” He said the area essentially functions as a national park, due to the number of people who visit every year, but is managed with the budget of a small ranger district. The alliance focuses its efforts on the Ventana and Silver Peak wilderness areas. About 100 volunteers and a handful of staffers maintain and restore trails and campgrounds and work to educate people about how to recreate in designated wilderness areas responsibly. “They don’t exist solely for the benefit and enjoyment of humans exclusively,” Popchak said. “Wilderness areas are managed to protect the wildlife of the place.” But the small nonprofit can only do so much, and Popchak said the work that Pine Ridge needed was tackled by many collaborators, including the nonprofit American Conservation Experience, the Forest Service’s Pacific Southwest Region Pack Stock Center of Excellence, and the nonprofit Los Padres Forest Association. American Conservation Experience (ACE) Project Manager Cassie Bongiorno said that the Ventana Wilderness is notorious for having a volatile landscape. ACE—a national organization with the missions of conducting

Volunteer to help

Find out more about how you, too, can join a trail crew by visiting the Ventana Wilderness Alliance, Los Padres Forest Association, and/or the American Coservation Experience online at ventanawild.org, lpforest.org, and usaconservation.org.

high-quality conservation work and helping youth develop careers in conservation and the outdoors— has contracted trail crew work with Los Padres since 2016, Bongiorno said. The Pine Ridge Trail became their main focus starting in 2019. There was “definitely a lot of pressure from the public to get this one open,” she said. Bongiorno had to navigate her crews through smoky skies, fallen trees, and an active landslide (which was still active near Barlow Camp as of May 2021) as they worked in the backcountry for eight days at a time to clear, rebuild, and/or reroute 10 miles of the trail. During the rainy season, they needed to gauge when the Big Sur River would surge and whether they would be able to safely pass over it to get to the areas they needed to work on. In addition to surmounting those obstacles, clearing trails in federal designated wilderness areas means crews can’t use power tools. “Working in wilderness areas, there is a lot of restrictions on what

types of tools that you can use,” Bongiorno said. “Everything that the crew is doing is accomplished by hand, so it’s a lot more work … tread-, rock-work, done by hand. It definitely does take quite a bit more time, more physical labor.” Bongiorno said that her crew couldn’t have done what they did without the help of Ventana Wilderness Alliance crews, which made sure the trail was stock accessible, and the Pack Stock Center of Excellence, which used stock such as horses to pack food, water, and whatever else ACE’s

crew needed into camp. ACE Division Director Chris Binder said nonprofits such as the alliance usually take on the bulk of the maintenance and survey work when it comes to keeping an eye on Forest Service trails. These affiliate organizations work in conjunction with the Forest Service to get funding and the proper training to work in the forest, whether it’s fixing a campsite, clearing brush on a trail, or educating the public as a volunteer wilderness ranger. ACE partners with both, but Binder said that affiliate organizations such as the Wilderness Alliance often have more direct knowledge and expertise to help guide ACE crews on the ground. “The Forest Service has long been reliant on volunteers for basically meeting its mandate to maintain access to public lands,” he said. It takes dedicated Forest Service staff and hundreds of passionate volunteers and staff at organizations like the alliance to keep public lands accessible and clear of litter with well functioning facilities, Binder added. “People dedicate a lot of their off time to these organizations,” he said. “It takes armies of people to get this stuff done.”

Closing off access

Los Padres National Forest’s 2 million acres span 220 miles

from Monterey County to the top of Los Angeles County. Visitor Information Specialist Jennifer Gray updates the forest’s alerts and notices page, tracking Forest Service closures across all five of the ranger districts. “We have forest orders signed by the forest supervisor that designate the closure of a road or trail for particular reasons. It could be because of fire damage or the work that they’re doing on a particular project,” she said. “It’s for the safety of everybody.” In the recent past, Los Padres land in San Luis Obispo County has only seen seasonal closures due to rain temporarily rendering dirt roads and trails impassable. But Gray said the Big Sur area and Santa Barbara County’s forests have had a number longer closures due to natural disasters such as fires and floods. Gray said the Forest Service tries to reopen closed areas as quickly as possible, but extensive destruction caused by natural disasters and a lack of funds to fix that damage can keep some places closed for years. This was true for the Pine Ridge Trail, and it’s also true for Nacimiento-Ferguson Road, which connects Highway 101 to Highway 1 in Big Sur. The road has been closed since the Dolan Fire started in late 2020 and the winter storms that followed washed away whole sections of the road. PUBLIC ACCESS continued page 24

SPRING 2022 Get Outside 23

Beyond

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and campgrounds within the La Brea burn scar accessible to the public again if they can get Trails, primitive campsites, the project funding, at least one and off-highway vehicle roads campground is closed for good. are still closed to the public after “Colson Campground was 2009’s La Brea fire, which burned impacted by the LaBrea fire in 89,000 acres of mostly San Rafael Wilderness land near Tepesquet in 2009, and subsequent field surveys revealed the area is a potential Northern Santa Barbara County. archaeological site that requires “The La Brea fire transformed the landscape and forever changed additional study,” Madsen said. “Colson also has unfortunately that area. Our priority is adapting been vandalized and repaired our management to align with [before the La Brea fire], only to the reality on the ground,” forest be vandalized again. spokesperson The toilets have Madsen said. been set on fire, and Madsen said Stay updated information boards that unforeseen Visit the Los Padres Forest Service website to have been torn down. damages such as learn more about the areas The campground those wrought that are closed and why: meets Forest Service during a wildfire fs.usds.gov/alerts/lpnf/ criteria for being or its aftermath alerts-notices. decommissioned at require the Forest this point.” Service to apply for Another source of funding that additional funding to complete the can help in fire-damaged areas projects needed to safely reopen are restitution funds from the areas to the public. All 18 national individual(s) who started a fire. This forests in the Pacific Southwest Region request emergency funding was the case for the Zaca (240,000 acres in 2007), Piru (63,000 acres in for similar projects. 2003), and Jesusita (8,000 acres in While the Forest Service plans 2009) fires. to make some of the roads, trails, PUBLIC ACCESS from page 23

24 Get Outside SPRING 2022

An overuse problem Pine Ridge Trail’s five-year closure might have been the cure for what ailed it. Not only is the trail in the best shape it’s been in for decades, the breathing room gave its most popular destination time to heal. Sykes Hot Springs, which is 10 miles from the Pine Ridge trailhead, became this “must-do” thing, Ventana Wilderness Alliance Communications and Development Director Richard Popchak said. “It tended to attract novice backpackers and people who weren’t necessarily looking for a wilderness experience with the solitude,” Popchak said. “The quietness of nature became a party place.” On holiday weekends, hundreds of people would pack into backcountry camps suited to hold a handful of tents and then wait in line for their opportunity to take a dip. Popchak said people abandoned their stuff, left toilet paper and human excrement everywhere, and even started a “lost and found.” “It was just counter to the wilderness ethic of any wilderness area,” he said. “These places are protected for their natural values, their cultural values, their scientific value.” As part of the trail and camps restoration efforts, Sykes was rehabbed back to its natural state, and the U.S. Forest Service announced new rules, including not allowing human-created

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that’s been in the works for more than a decade. Construction to remove a water crossing on Munch Creek and replace concrete water crossings on Davy Brown Creek with bridges started in November 2020, temporarily closing Sunset Valley Road and the Davy Brown and Nira campgrounds. The project, which is expected to finish in March 2022, will restore steelhead access to upper parts of the Sisquoc River watershed (which were damaged in the fires), Klose said, and make the water crossings safer for cars, horses, bikes, and pedestrians. Klose said that it often takes a long time for the Forest Service to use restitution funds due to short staffing and the bureaucratic hoops projects need to jump through to finalize their plans. Putting the money in the hands

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PUBLIC ACCESS continued page 26 structures that damn up the hot springs. The trail now includes a self-issued permit station, so the Ventana Wilderness Alliance can help Los Padres National Forest gather information on how much use the Pine Ridge Trail gets and whether a full permit system will be necessary in the future. Overuse is an issue across the forest, as the number of visitors to its most popular areas continues to increase. From 2009 to 2019, the number of people visiting Los Padres National Forest almost doubled. U.S. Department of Agriculture National Visitor Use Monitoring surveys estimated that 635,000 people visited Los Padres in 2009. More than a million visited in 2019. Anecdotally, that number increased over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, Los Padres spokesperson Andrew Madsen said. Madsen said most forest visitors respect the ethics of Leave No Trace principles, such as “pack it in, pack it out.” He added that those who recreate in the forest should adhere to the old adage, “take only pictures, leave only footprints,” and leave the trails, natural areas, and campgrounds they use better than they found them. Popchak’s advice is threefold: Dispose of your trash (pack it out) and bodily excretions properly (don’t leave your toilet paper behind; dig a hole or find a toilet), realize that most of the year you can’t have a fire in wilderness areas, and keep your group size small (two or three people). “Wilderness is not a place for large groups. It’s inappropriate,” he said. “It creates too many impacts on the land.”

Photo by: Lotti Keenan

The Forest Service received $14 million in the Zaca fire settlement, $5 million-plus from the Piru fire, and an undisclosed amount from a Jesusita settlement. Workers using tools on metal pipes sparked the Zaca and Piru fires, while a couple using weed whackers with metal blades ignited the Jesusita fire. “These funds can be applied to trails and campgrounds, as well as to address ‘downstream’ effects such as replacing stream crossings to enhance steelhead recovery efforts,” Madsen said. “Los Padres partnered with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to oversee the investment of cost-recovery dollars from the Zaca, Piru, and Jesusita fires on dozens of individual projects.” Using Zaca and Piru fire restitution funds, Forest Service Fisheries Biologist Kristie Klose is working on a Southern California steelhead restoration project

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PUBLIC ACCESS from page 25

Beyond

of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation protects those restitution funds specifically for Los Padres. Restitution money is often borrowed across Forest Service districts, she said, and used for fighting fire or other firerelated issues.

Stemming the flow

Much of Los Padres National Forest is chaparral habitat, which grows quickly, according to Los Padres Forest Association Executive Director Bryan Conant. “Most trails need to be worked on every three to five years,” Conant said. “If you don’t work them and brush them every three to five years, they start to disappear, and it gets exponentially more difficult to maintain after that.” Forest Association crews were responsible for the 2 miles of the Pine Ridge Trail in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, but most of the nonprofit’s work is concentrated in the southern portions of Los Padres. Conant said the association is constantly on the lookout for new projects—although they have plenty in the works. Part of the way they find those projects is by

listening to members of the public who use the forest. If a hiker or a mountain biker comes across a downed tree or a slide, he said it’s good to report that information back, either to the Forest Service or organizations like his. “The Forest Service needs help, you know, we can’t rely on them for everything. It’s on our watch right now to make sure the forest

is in good shape,” he said. “We don’t just do trail work, we also do a lot of public education, cleanups, graffiti removals. We kind of just do what we can to help the forest.” “They [Forest Service] certainly have their budgetary concerns,” he added. “They lose staff and aren’t always able to replace them.” U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel) introduced the Save Our

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Forests Act in September 2021 as a way to help the Forest Service replace the staff that leaves or retires. It would authorize $46 million to fill vacant positions in national forests and grasslands for recreation management and planning staff. If passed, the bill would address “chronic staffing shortages in the national forest,” he said. PUBLIC ACCESS continued page 30

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Become a Friend of CCSPA and Support our Local State Parks

The Central Coast State Parks Association (CCSPA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization partnering with the California State Parks in San Luis Obispo County. We fund and support education, interpretation, and volunteering in our local State Parks—from Oso Flaco Lake in the south to Hearst San Simeon State Park in the north. School field trips, campfire programs, guided hikes, western monarch butterfly awareness and preservation, living history programs, and public land advocacy are all made possible thanks to funds generated by CCSPA. To learn more about becoming a CCSPA Friend and how you can support our parks, visit www.centralcoastparks.org/friend.

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All nature store purchases support programs and activities in our local State Parks.

Enjoy Educational Programs All Year Long Our beautiful Central Coast State Parks have so much to offer! Whether you’re a hiker, surfer, birder, equestrian, beachgoer, or anything in between, there’s something for everyone in our local State Parks. CCSPA helps fund guided interpretive experiences in our Central Coast State Parks. Take an Adventure with Nature by joining California State Park Interpreters and volunteers for a wide range of free guided walks, talks and tours year-round along some of the most treasured trails and beaches on the Central Coast. Or join State Park Interpreters in the summer for Junior Ranger programs and campfire programs at the campgrounds, where kids and families alike can learn about local wildlife and cultural topics. When you donate to CCSPA, you help support programs like these and many more. Check our activities calendar at centralcoastparks.org/calendar to view upcoming events happening in our local State Parks. The California State Park Adventure Pass provides FREE entry for 4th graders and their families to 19 amazing parks, including the Morro Bay Museum of Natural History! Visit parks.ca.gov/AdventurePass for more information.

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Beyond

PUBLIC ACCESS from page 26 Increased staffing could make a huge difference, Panetta said— especially in areas like Big Sur, which is inundated with visitors. Having more personnel means more rangers patrolling to prevent things that happen when people act irresponsibly, such as human-caused wildfires and trashed/vandalized Forest Service facilities. While that bill is still in the House Agriculture Committee, Panetta’s REPLANT Act passed as part of the 2021 Infrastructure and Investment in Jobs Act. The bill removes the current funding cap on federal planting fund dollars that can come from timber sale fees and aims to plant 1.2 billion trees over the next 10 years to address a backlog of nearly 2 million acres of Forest Service land that needs to be reforested. “Now that we’re seeing many wildfires coming into these areas, basically we’d like to see more trees planted, and that’s what we want to do,” Panetta said. Recent fires, he said, have burned so hot that they’ve completely wiped out forests, making it harder for them to

regrow and creating crusted-over soil that’s unstable during large storm events. Replanting, Panetta said, could prevent landslides like the ones that devastate Big Sur. In January 2022, Panetta was able to secure $12.6 million from the Federal Highway Administration to repair and reopen Nacimiento-Ferguson

Road, a Forest Service-managed road that can be a lifeline for Big Sur residents when Highway 1 is closed. Panetta said he’s committed to ensuring the repairs are completed by December 2023. “We have a number of federal lands that we here on the Central Coast are fortunate enough to use and have access to, but obviously

COURTESY PHOTO BY CASSIE BONGIORNO

that takes federal oversight and federal funds,” Panetta said. “It’s my job as a federal representative to ensure that the federal government lives up to that responsibility. … It’s ours. … We want to ensure that people have access to those lands or access to those roads, be it for recreation, be it for transportation, be it for economic purposes.”

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Beyond

SLO city rangers Doug Carscaden, Niels Grether, and Basile Inman hike the city’s newest trail they helped create in the Miossi Open Space.

Connecting

trails San Luis Obispo’s new open space unlocks the city’s greenbelt STORY BY PETER JOHNSON PHOTOS BY JAYSON MELLOM

T

he rumble of Highway 101 fades as I walk up and over the eastern hills of San Luis Obispo. It’s quiet but for the occasional groan of a cow or screech of a hawk. Through shaded oak groves and wildflower-dotted grassland, I hike alongside four others who have helped turn this longtime private ranch near the Cuesta Grade into the city of SLO’s newest “greenbelt” property, the Miossi Open Space. “It’s been a soft opening so far,” says city Sustainability and Natural Resources Director Bob Hill, who’s flanked by three park rangers in uniform. “Since we finished the trail and opened the gates, it’s been about a year, I’d say.” SLO purchased these 266 acres in late 2018 from the Miossis—a prominent local ranching family dating back to the early 20th century. This property is just a sliver of their ranch, which stretches westward to Cuesta Canyon Park near city limits. The city is currently working with the

Ranger Niels Grether leads hikers through an underground culvert that crosses the railroad tracks.

Miossis on a conservation easement for the remainder of the ranch. “I’ve known Gabriel Miossi for I’d say 15 years,” Hill says. “When I came over to the city almost 10 years ago, he sort of walked into City Hall cold. We were originally talking about a conservation easement for the whole ranch. But I could see these trail connection opportunities from Poly Canyon to Old Stagecoach Road, and to West Cuesta Ridge.” It’s those trail connections that have outdoor enthusiasts most excited about the new acquisition. In just a few months, the city will start work on a trail that will link the Miossi Open Space to Poly Canyon—which will unlock miles upon miles of newly connected trails throughout the eastern hills. “In November, we secured a trail agreement with Cal Poly,” Hill explains. “That will dramatically improve the trail circulation network, not only for here but getting up to West Cuesta Ridge, Stenner Springs, and other locations as well.” TRAILS continued page 34

SPRING 2022 Get Outside 33

Beyond

TRAILS from page 33 But that’s still some months off. Even as a standalone open space, Miossi and its roughly 3 miles of new trails pack quite a punch. Accessible by Highway 101, on Old Stagecoach Road, the trailhead provides both car and bike parking, a kiosk with a map to guide you, and helpful accessories like bike bells and dog leashes. Because COVID-19 nixed the city’s plans for a big ribbon-cutting ceremony, the trail is still relatively undiscovered and feels peaceful and secluded. Conditions are perfect on this Feb. 1 afternoon. After starting in a lush oak grove, the trail links up with a steep old ranch road, which climbs

up and over a hill, revealing sweeping southwest views of the Cuesta Ridge, Reservoir Canyon, and Poly Canyon. The trail eventually runs into the Union Pacific Railroad tracks, which are passable thanks to an interesting underground culvert. “When they built the train tracks, the Miossis negotiated this undercrossing so they could move cattle back and forth,” Hill explains, as we cross under the tracks and continue onto the new Panorama Trail. Carved into the hillside, the Panorama Trail meanders up a gentle grade and provides a cascade of amazing views of everything to its west. Along the way, we see an occasional heritage

oak and a constant stream of flora, including poppies and lupine. “There’s five different types of lupine on this property,” Hill notes. While crafting the Miossi Open Space’s conservation plan, biologists found seven rare plant species and seven sensitive wildlife species, including white-tailed kites, peregrine falcons, and California coast steelhead, as well as Santa Lucia manzanita, clubhaired mariposa lily, and smallleaved lomatium. “This is really about habitat and natural resources protection first,” Hill emphasizes. One of the park rangers who joins our hike, Niels Grether, shares that the conservation plan is the guiding document for determining

the path of a trail. Grether is a trail expert, having helped design and build several popular city trails, like the new “M” trail on Cerro San Luis Mountain. “It’s funny, there are so many little factors that go into the layout of the trails,” Grether says. “We start from resource preservation, looking at a map to see which areas need to be protected. The science of trail building is also making sure your grade is not too steep. Managing the water is a big part of that. And ideally, you have the trail kind of take you on an interesting journey.” After roughly a mile, Miossi’s Panorama Trail levels off at a vista point that sits at about 1,300 feet. Here lies the hike’s TRAILS continued page 36

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Beyond

City Ranger Doug Carscaden gazes out at the incredible views that accompany the Miossi Open Space trail.

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TRAILS from page 34 greatest reward: an unobstructed panorama of the valley below and the towering Nine Sisters morros all the way to Morro Rock in the Pacific Ocean. Basile Inman, another ranger, is the man behind a second impressive attraction at this lookout—a long, curved horizontal sign illustrating the landscape behind it, with each peak labeled and a history about the morros included. “When we were out here scouting the trail … this is just such a sweet spot,” Inman says. “We wanted to educate people on the history of the morros as well as the Chumash culture associated with them. We actually took measurements, photographs, and used Google Maps to get the scale of everything. Building the frame up, that was a whole learning experience. It was really challenging.” From here, hikers and bikers can continue on to complete the Roller Coaster, a 0.7-mile loop that climbs

another 230 feet and circles back to the lookout point. But we decide to turn around and walk back via Panorama, taking a quick detour at La Cuesta Ranch Road, near the railroad undercrossing, for a sneak peek at the soon-to-be trail connection to Poly Canyon. “We were out here last week,” Grether says, pointing to various red flags pinned on the downsloping hillside. “We’ve got the rough alignment. We just gotta come back and do the fine flag.” Before turning back, Ranger Supervisor Doug Carscaden takes a moment to express his appreciation for the resources that the city provides his department in its commitment to open space. The city now has 7,000-plus acres of open space it manages. “They’ve always funded open space acquisition,” Carscaden says, “and over the last couple of years, we’ve gotten a ton of money. We’ve got specialized tools to do basically every single thing we need to do now.”

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Beyond

Up to

par

Local pro disc golfer Peter McBride’s guiding words are from Arnold Palmer: ‘The more I practice, the luckier I get.’ STORY BY MALEA MARTIN PHOTOS BY JAYSON MELLOM

38 Get Outside SPRING 2022

O

n an early morning in January, crows perched on tree stumps in Laguna Lake Park call to one another above the sprigs of fresh grass brought up by a recent rainstorm. Every few minutes, a clanging sound reverberates through the open space, echoing through the park, almost blending in with the crows’ call and response. SLO local Peter McBride’s getting some early morning disc golf practice in. His grip, stance, and windup change slightly with each stroke, a fluid motion of flying elbows and outreached fingertips that slice the disc through the air. His face hardens as the disc leaves his hand, whirring forward before, clang! The disc tickles the chains and drops into the basket below. McBride often finds himself in the quiet expanse of Laguna Lake Park, practicing the sport he’s played professionally since he was 16. But his love for disc golfing started long before. “In fifth grade P.E. we threw Frisbees at cones and learned what disc golf was,” McBride said in a phone interview. “So I convinced my mom to buy me a couple of discs. I went out with a couple of

my friends and played all summer. We were all super stoked. Then my friends stopped playing and I just kept on going.” By 13 years old, McBride started playing in some low-key local tournaments. At one, he got partnered in doubles with one of the better players and they ended up winning. “I won, like, 40 bucks or something,” McBride said with a laugh. “Of course, my mom paid for the entry fee, but she let me keep the money. I was kind of stoked, like, ‘Wow, I can come out and win a little bit of money, and have fun at the same time.’” Besides a few quirks, like the ability to play doubles, McBride DISC GOLF continued page 40

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Beyond

DISC GOLF from page 38 said the sport largely resembles regular golf— other than the equipment, of course. “You have a teeing area, a basket, and you just try to get from the tee to the basket in the least amount of strokes,” he explained. The main difference, one that McBride particularly enjoys, is that courses don’t have to be maintained in the same way that ball golf courses do. As McBride walks from one hole to the next at Laguna Lake Park, he trudges through tall grass and maneuvers his disc around eucalyptus tree trunks. “With ball golf, it has to be a kind of manicured, very purposebuilt area to play on. You need nice tees, you need nice greens, and you need nice grass in between,” he said. “With disc golf, it’s very low impact. You don’t really need green grass, you don’t need anything. Since you’re throwing discs in the air, you can play in the city, you can play in the woods, you can play in the mountains.” McBride also appreciates how

accessible the sport is to anyone who wants to give it a shot. “A lot of times you can find used or cheap discs for a couple of dollars,” he said. “Most courses are free. So many people are stoked to see newcomers and are really ready to share their knowledge.” By age 16, after playing with and learning from members of the local disc golf community, McBride was good enough to go pro. “It happened up in Santa Cruz at this course called De La Viega,” McBride said. “I won the amateur

weekend, which gives you free entry into the pro weekend. Then I got 12th out of like 80 pros. I beat a good amount of people who tour and do it for a living, so I was like, why not go for it?” From there, McBride’s disc golf career took off. He went to the Professional Disc Golf World Championships every year from 2013 to 2019, always placing in the top 100, with a best of 17th place in the 2016 open competition. While the sport has taken him across the country, he said a quiet, early

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morning in Laguna Lake Park always feels like home. McBride’s hand grips the disc a little differently each time he sets up a throw. Sometimes his windup and release is quick and compact, and other times, the force of his throw nearly spins him around. Each detail makes a difference in the throw’s outcome—as does the disc he chooses out of the faded gray backpack he carries from hole to hole. “What’s pretty unique is that discs age and start to react differently, and sometimes better, as they get older,” he said. “There’s a few discs I’m really confident with, and I know how they’re going to fly, so they have some good mojo on them.” That confidence is what it’s all about when he’s competing. “You have one shot, and that can be a lot of pressure,” he said. “But how you deal with it is what makes you a golfer.”

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Beyond

SLO County’s sailors hope launch facilities soon include access for people with disabilities

T

STORY BY BULBUL RAJAGOPAL PHOTOS BY JAYSON MELLOM

he sound of jangling cowbells filled Morro Bay as almost a dozen daysailer boats glided past bobbing finishing poles. For those few sunny Saturday morning hours, sailors were able to forget about the resources that San Luis Obispo County’s sailing community needs. Two weekends before the Morro Bay

42 Get Outside SPRING 2022

Yacht Club’s Feb. 5 regatta, the gears of the old, rusty sailboat-launching facility in Morro Bay stopped working. Sailors said that a temporary fix got it running again, but it’s a Band-Aid on a gaping wound. A little farther south, the Port San Luis Harbor lacks launch facilities like a hoist that can lift sailboats SAILING continued page 44

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SAILING from page 42 weighing at least 2,000 pounds. It’s also missing an accessible stairway and gangway that bridges the dock to the shore. Sailors said that such an inhospitable environment for recreational sailing elbows out another community with boating interest: sailors with disabilities. “Our Port San Luis Harford Pier has six existing old hoists on the pier, and none of them are user accessible friendly for anyone, and especially for the adaptive sailing community,” said local sailor Doug Morris. “Since the pandemic, people are wanting to get outside and enjoy their local environments. With the creation of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990 and State Title 24 accessibility laws, people … have a right to use public facilities in a user-friendly, accessible way.”

Beyond Morris has been sailing the California coastline since he was in fourth grade. Now, at 77 years old, he’s spearheaded a five-year-long effort to get the Harbor Commission to make Port San Luis more inclusive. San Francisco and San Diego do offer opportunities for adaptive sailing—programs that provide experiential sailing for people with disabilities—but the Central Coast has yawning gaps in such sailing resources. Adaptive sailing communities are hard to come by in SLO County, and Charlie Nichols, the fleet captain for DaySailer Fleet 128 in Morro Bay, wondered if they even exist. It’s been more than 30 years since he taught adaptive sailing to a person with disability. Nichols said that if SLO County gets SAILING continued page 46

‘Sailing has a bit of a reputation for being a sport for people with money or an old white guy’s club. There has been a movement for diversity—for more women and people of color to be involved.’ —U.S. Para Sailing National Committee Chair Spencer Raggio

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SAILING from page 44 upgraded launch facilities, more people with disabilities would engage with its yacht clubs. “The Harbor Commission was pretty much dedicated to commercial fishermen and not to recreational sailing. That’s changing now, and they’re focusing on camping and tourism. So, recreational sailing fits in better with them now than 35 years ago,” Nichols said. “It’s not a big ask to add a dock to a pier.”

Spencer Raggio, chair of the U.S. Para Sailing National Committee, listed other roadblocks that yacht clubs have in terms of making resources accessible for adaptive sailing. “There is a feeling that it requires large investments and that it’s difficult to adapt boats and facilities to include more people,” Raggio said. “Sometimes it doesn’t take a lot to adapt a sailing boat at all.” Raggio belongs to a group of sailors who compiled an online gallery of inclusive sailing

equipment to spread awareness about adaptive sailing. These include handrails, Hoyer lifts that can pick people up using a sling and transport them into a boat, and transfer benches that can bring people from a gangway to the boat. He added that while adaptive resources tend to focus on physical disabilities, developmental and mental challenges often don’t require changes to boats. Rather, the presence of a knowledgeable adaptive sailing instructor makes all the difference. The U.S. Sailing Association offers a variety of sailing instructor programs, and sailing schools can certify people to be sailboat instructors. Raggio said that people can supplement this education with an adaptive endorsement instructor certification. Currently, the U.S. Sailing Association only has three people who can teach others to get the certification. “It’s not a necessary step in running adaptive programs. But people, especially in commercial yacht clubs, may feel more comfortable with certified instructors,” he said. Raggio said there’s a misconception that it’s difficult and dangerous to teach people

Beyond with a disability how to sail given the complex techniques behind the activity. And the cost of getting into sailing can be prohibitive. “Sailing has a bit of a reputation for being a sport for people with money or an old white guy’s club. There has been a movement for diversity—for more women and people of color to be involved,” he said. He recommended signing up to be a crewmember to learn sailing a little bit at a time from more experienced people. Yacht clubs like Morro Bay’s and others in SLO County can also reach out to the U.S. Sailing Association and set up adaptive sailing instructor workshops to boost inclusivity. “If you make it accessible to people with disabilities, you’re making it accessible to others you may not be thinking of as well, like older people,” Raggio said.

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Although the Morro Bay Yacht Club temporarily paused its sailing pilot program, you can check mbyc.net for a description of the classes the yacht club offers and for announcements of future classes.

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Gear Hub

Hit the trails A

BY MALEA MARTIN

perk of distance running on the Central Coast is the copious amount of open space, preserves, and well-maintained trail routes throughout the hilly region. Other than the obvious joy of leaving behind car-filled streets and getting out in nature, trail running also offers a benefit to your legs. Ditching the concrete now and again to run on softer and more technical surfaces, like a trail, can help runners build strength and avoid injury. If you’re trail running often enough, it’s worth it to consider buying some trail shoes to add to your arsenal. “Trail running shoes are more durable. They have better grip, so you don’t have to worry about sliding and slipping around as much as a road shoe, which is typically made more for cement,” said David Power at Running Warehouse in San Luis Obispo. “You also have a more durable upper material, so it’s typically more abrasion resistant.” Power gave us the details on which trail shoe brands and models will help you reach the next summit on your list. If you live on the Central Coast, you can head into the Running Warehouse to get fitted for the perfect trail shoe for you. If you prefer to shop from home, Running Warehouse offers free shipping on orders delivered to physical addresses within the 48 contiguous United States. If you try on your Running Warehouse shoes at home and they aren’t the right fit, you can get a full refund for up to 90 days as long as the shoes are new and in storebought condition. But if you want to try them out on the trails, feel free to lace up, head outside, and get your new shoes dirty: Shoes in used condition can still be exchanged for up to 90 days. Head to runningwarehouse.com for full details on shipping and returns.

Nike Zoom Terra Kiger 7 $139.95

“The Nike Terra Kiger is really good for those quicker trail runs,” Power said. “If you’re doing a lot of climbing, it’s great for steep ascents.” Benefits: -Light and fast -Tough traction for rugged runs -Trail-specific upper material

Altra Lone Peak 6 $139.95

“For Altra, probably one of the most versatile and popular models would be the Lone Peak,” Power said. “A lot of people love that shoe because they hike in it, they run in it. It’s a really solid all-around trail shoe.” Benefits: -Zero heel-toe drop -Encourages natural running gait -Wide forefoot for comfort

HOKA ONE ONE Speedgoat 4 $144.95

“The Speedgoat is the epitome of HOKA’s trail shoes,” Power said. “A lot of people use that shoe for anywhere from just their local trail runs and hikes, to ultra marathons. It can run the gamut.”

48 Get Outside SPRING 2022

Benefits: -Cushioned, but not heavy -Vibram outsole for extra grip -Versatile PHOTOS COURTESY OF RUNNING WAREHOUSE

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Gear Hub

BASE LAYER

The pieces of clothing closest to your skin can help keep you warm and dry. Soriano recommended clothing made of Merino wool, which comes from a sheep breed that produces finer fibers. It works in both hot and cold temperatures and is naturally antimicrobial— meaning, it won’t stink as much. Those who run hot will want lighter weight materials like polyester, bamboo, or silk, because they are more breathable and remove moisture. Soriano’s favorite base layer brands include SmartWool and Icebreaker. SmartWool base layers range from $75 to $150 and Icebreaker’s range from $50 to $200.

The art of

layering Essential clothing items for every outdoor enthusiast’s closet STORY BY TAYLOR O’CONNOR PHOTOS BY JAYSON MELLOM

I

n order to enjoy all of the outside opportunities the Central Coast has to offer, it’s important to dress properly for the day you’ll be out, according to The Clymb Outdoor Apparel Buyer Adriana Soriano. The recreation company, which has an office in SLO, sells equipment and shares tips and stories through its blog (theclymb.com). LAYERING continued page 52

MIDDLE LAYERS

Sweaters, fleeces, and puffy jackets all make successful middle layers that can help you trap in heat. The added piece is meant to protect your core temperature, so an additional bottom layer isn’t necessary—unless you run cold, are backpacking, or camping. Thanks to new technology, people can also purchase middle layers with battery-powered heating elements that can be controlled for multiple temperatures, Soriano said. But, that isn’t always needed. She recommended Adidas Outdoor ($86 to $250), the North Face ($199 to $400), or Fieldsheer ($100 to $400).

THE OUTER LAYER

To protect yourself from rain and wind, add a windbreaker or raincoat to the ensemble. The raincoat or windbreaker should be a loosefitting piece that can fit over the other layers underneath. In addition, Soriano said having a beanie on hand is helpful against the morning, marine layer chill and cooler days, and glove liners are great for those who run at cold temperatures. For shells, Soriano suggested buying North Face ($89 to $300) or Fieldsheer ($100 to $400).

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801 Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo (805) 547-1673 MICHAEL J COSTA, FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHER

Costa Gallery offers affordable art, photography, pottery, jewelry, gifts & cards 2087 10th Street, Los Osos Thursday-Sunday 11 am to 4 p.m.

Learn More: www.vetmuseum.org 50 Get Outside SPRING 2022

michaeljcosta.com

@costagallery

@mjcostaphoto

6271 DOMINION ROAD From guided nature hikes and wildlife walks, star gazing, biking and horseback riding*, Los Flores Ranch Park offers activities for all ages in a beautiful outdoor environment. *Equestrians must call ahead for access to the Equestrian Entrance at (805) 938-7616 during operation hours.

Entry is free to City of Santa Maria residents and youth ages 17 years and under. Non-City Resident Rate: • Adults 18-64 yrs. - $3.75 • Seniors 65 yrs. & up - FREE • Annual Pass (up to 6 guests/day) - $52.00 Follow us on Facebook @losfloresranch

For more information, visit www.cityofsantamaria.org/recreation or call the City of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department, (805) 925-0951 ext.Outside 226051 SPRING 2022 Get

Gear Hub LAYERING from page 50 “Having the right apparel so you can enjoy your time and be safe in the outdoors is a key element, and it’s a tool. If you don’t have the right stuff, you aren’t going to have as much fun,” Soriano said. Even though the Central Coast doesn’t experience extreme weather, personal adjustments to wardrobe can help someone maintain their body temperature and be prepared for those rare windy, rainy, and cold days, she said. “I think it’s important to have all [these] items no matter what. To be prepared is the most important thing,” Soriano said.

WARM TOES

For foot protection, Soriano suggested selecting wool socks because they’re breathable, don’t get stinky, and dry fast. People can purchase a thinner sock for a better fit in their shoes or thick socks for colder days. A good pair of SmartWool socks should do the trick ($18 to $60).

KROBAR - SAN LUIS OBISPO Distillery Tours | Spirit Flights | Cocktail Bar | Food See Website for Hours KROBAR - PASO ROBLES Spirit Flights | Cocktails Thursday–Monday: 11am - 5pm WHISKEY · BOURBON · GIN · VODKA · RUM krobardistillery.com | @krobarcraftdistillery

52 Get Outside SPRING 2022

Business Directory

To get your business listed here or to get more information about the Get Outside business director y email advertising@newtimesslo.com

AmByth Estate 510 Sequoia Ln Templeton 805-319-6967 ambythestate.com

Amy McKay 805-801-1623 amy-mckay.com

Arroyo Grande Parks & Recreation 1221 Ash St Arroyo Grande 805-473-5478 arroyogrande.org/rec

Arroyo Grande Physical Therapy

Big Sur Forest Retreat bigsurforestretreat.com/

Black Bear Springs Organic Farm 805-423-0637 blackbearspringshemp.com/

Black Sheep Bar & Grill 1117 Chorro St San Luis Obispo 805-550-5412 blacksheepslo.com

Cal Coast Machinery

Santa Maria, Paso Robles, 117 S. Halcyon Rd & Oxnard Arroyo Grande 805-925-0931 805-481-5656 jdccm.com arroyograndephysicaltherapy.com/

Art’s SLO Cyclery

3988 Short St (Ste 110) San Luis Obispo 805-439-3915 artscyclery.com

Athlon Fitness & Performance - SLO

Cambria Bicycle Outfitters 1239 Monterey St San Luis Obispo 805-926-2207 cambriabike.com

Cambria Garden Shed

805 Aero Vista Pl (Ste 104) San Luis Obispo 805-546-6070 athlonelite.com

2024 Main St Cambria 805-927-7654 cambriagardenshed.com

Athlon Fitness & Performance Paso Robles

CAMP NATOMA

140 Niblick Rd Paso Robles 805-269-6272 athlonelite.com

617 Cypress Mountain Dr Paso Robles 805-316-0163 campnatoma.org

Avocado Shack

Central Coast Kayaks

2190 Main St Morro Bay 805-806-1019 avocadoshack.net

1879 Shell Beach Rd Shell Beach 805-773-3500 centralcoastkayaks.com

Central Coast State Parks Association

Cottage Hospital

202 Tank Farm Rd (Ste H2) San Luis Obispo 805-548-0390 centralcoastparks.org

156 Broadway St Orcutt 805-628-5967 cupsandcrumbsoldtown.com

Central Coast Veterans Memorial Museum

Cups & Crumbs - SM

801 Grand Ave San Luis Obispo 805-543-1763 vetmuseum.org

Central Coast Yamaha

2004 Preisker Ln (Ste A-e), Santa Maria 805-925-1971 centralcoastyamaha.com

California Holistic Institute

cottagehospital.org

Cups & Crumbs - Orcutt

6500 Palma Ave Atascadero 805-461-5000 atascadero.org

COSTA GALLERY

2087 10th St (C) Los Osos 559-799-9632 costagallery.com

Costanoa Lodge and Camp 2001 Rossi Rd Pescadero 650-879-1100 costanoa.com

Maddie Mae’s Pet Pantry-Pismo Beach

Grover Beach Parks & Recreation

Madonna Inn Trail Rides

1 Sutter Ave San Luis Obispo 805-602-8629 gladiatorpb.com

571 Five Cities Dr Pismo Beach 805-295-5011 maddiemaespetpantry.com

114 Millar St Santa Maria 805-623-5973 cupsandcrumbsoldtown.com

1230 Trouville Ave Grover Beach 805-473-4580 groverbeach.org

Cynthia Sea

Harley Davidson of Santa Maria

805-536-0069 tools4understanding.com

Dana Adobe

671 S. Oakglen Ave Nipomo 805-929-5679 danaadobe.org

Delta RV / Delta Liquid Energy

1960 Ramada Dr 11555 Los Osos Valley Rd (Ste 109) Paso Robles San Luis Obispo 805-591-4463 805-786-4808 deltaliquidenergy.com californiaholisticinstitute.com

City of Atascadero Parks & Recreation Division

Gladiator Paintball Park

Downtown Paso Robles Main Street Association 835 12th St (Ste D) Paso Robles 805-238-4103 pasoroblesdowntown.org

Flower Carriage

2255 S. Broadway St #15 Santa Maria 805-260-4792 flowercarriage.net

Gavin’s Books

230 Betteravia Rd (Ste K) Santa Maria 805-922-4282 gavinsbooks.com

Giant Grinder

1901 Broad St San Luis Obispo 805-543-6700 giantgrinderslo.com

Ride Stables, 100 Madonna Rd San Luis Obispo 805-305-5470 madonnainn.com/trail-rides-1

2022 Preisker Ln Santa Maria 805-928-3668 santamariaharley.com

Margarita Adventures

22719 El Camino Real Santa Margarita 805-438-3120 margarita-adventures.com

Island Packers

1691 Spinnaker Dr (Ste 105 B) Ventura 805-642-1393 islandpackers.com

Krobar Craft Distillery - Paso Robles 2174 W. Hwy 46 Paso Robles 805-467-9463 krobardistillery.com

Meathead Movers, Inc.

3600 S. Higuera St San Luis Obispo 805-544-6328 meatheadmovers.com

Mike’s Shoes

487 Madonna Rd #3 San Luis Obispo 805-547-9593 mikesshoessanluisobispo.com

Krobar Craft Distillery - SLO

MORRO BAY MARITIME MUSEUM

10 Higuera St San Luis Obsipo 833-576-2271 krobardistillery.com

Maddie Mae’s Pet Pantry-Cambria

614 Main St Cambria 805-924-1139 maddiemaespetpantry.com

Maddie Mae’s Pet Pantry-Templeton

1121 Rossi Rd Templeton 805-591-7002 maddiemaespetpantry.com

1210 Embarcadero, Morro Bay 805-225-5044 morrobaymaritime.org

Morro Bay Paddlesports, LLC 551 Embarcadero Morro Bay 805-225-1497 paddlemorrobay.com

DIRECTORY continued page 54

Supporting Central Coast State Parks Since 1976

Stay • Dine • Celebrate & Explore With a Million Dollar View

Become a Friend of CCSPA and Support our Local State Parks

117 South Halcyon Road, Arroyo Grande

(805) 481-5656

Call for Reservations 1.888.584.6374

www.raggedpointinn.com

Ross Dover PT, OCS and Arroyo Grande Physical Therapy Team

cetralcoastparks.org

ArroyoGrandePhysicalTherapy.com SPRING 2022 Get Outside 53

Business Directory

To get your business listed here or to get more information about the Get Outside business director y email advertising@newtimesslo.com BUSINESS DIRECTORY from page 53

Mustang Waterpark 6840 Lopez Dr Arroyo Grande 805-489-8898 mustangwaterpark.com

NatureTrack Foundation P.O. Box 953 Los Olivos 805-866-2047 naturetrack.org

Neurogenesis Neurofeedback 6627 Bay Laurel Pl Avila Beach 805-748-2239 neurogenesisnfb.com

Nunno Steel 3461 Dry Creek Rd Paso Robles 805-238-6801 nunnosteel.com

Pacific Energy 2121 Santa Barbara St San Luis Obispo 805-544-4700 alteryourenergy.com

Pediatric Medical Group 1430 E. Main St #201 Santa Maria 805-922-3548 pmgsm.com

Pismo Beach Parks & Recreation 760 Mattie Rd Pismo Beach 805-773-7063 pismobeach.org

Point San Luis Lighthouse

1 Kighthouse Rd Avila Beach 805-540-5771 pointsanluislighthouse.org

Ragged Point Inn 19019 Hwy 1 Ragged Point 888-584-6374 raggedpointinn.com

Richardson Properties

805-503-9105 slocountyfarmers.org

Robbo Music

1144 Monterey St San Luis Obispo 805-781-5930 slocountyparks.com

420 Napa Ave Morro Bay 805-801-9841 robbomusic.com

Santa Maria Parks & Recreation Dept. 615 S. McClelland St Santa Maria 805-925-0951 cityofsantamaria.org/citygovernment/departments/ recreation-and-parks

Shoreline Concrete Santa Maria 805-260-7169 805concrete.com

SLO Botanical Gardens 3450 Dairy Creek Rd

14x WINNER BEST TACO SLO COUNTY OPEN DAILY @ 11AM

SAN LUIS OBISPO

805-772-4965

805-439-2856

TacoTemple.com 54 Get Outside SPRING 2022

SLO County Farmers Markets

735 Tank Farm Rd (Ste130) San Luis Obispo 805-781-6040 richardsonproperties.com

More Than Tacos

MORRO BAY

San Luis Obispo 805-541-1400 slobg.org

SLO County Parks & Recreation

SLO Swim

795 Higuera St San Luis Obispo 805-781-9604 sloswim.com

SLOCAL Roots

Taco Temple-SLO

Tired Tails

1575 Calle Joaquin San Luis Obispo 805-439-2856 tacotemple.com

805-441-2593 tiredtails.com

THAT’S FETCH 3564 Skyway Dr Santa Maria 805-361-0802 thatsfetch805.com

The Berry Stop Hwy 101 E. Stowell Ave Santa Maria 805-714-6933 facebook.com/The-BerryStop-552246238140928/

The Homestead

3535 S Higuera St San Luis Obispo, 93401 805-4391496 slocalroots.com

105 East Clark Ave Old Orcutt 805-287-9891 thehomesteadoldorcutt.com

Taco Temple-MB

The Mountain Air

2680 Main St Morro Bay, 93442 805-235-5932 tacotemple.com

667 Marsh St San Luis Obispo 805-543-1676 themountainair.com

Urbn Leaf 239 S 3rd St Grover Beach 805-556-4198 urbnleaf.com

Vista Lago Adventure Park 6820 Lopez Dr Arroyo Grande, 93420 805-710-7970 vistalagoadventurepark.com

WESTERN VILLAGE HEALTH CLUB 2015 S. Broadway St (Ste B), Santa Maria, 93454 805-348-1888 wvhealthclub.com

Williams Homes williamshomes.com

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WILLIAMSHOMES.com *Brokers/Realtors please register your clients prior to their first visit to a community in order to be eligible for a cooperation fee. Please see Community Manager for specific details. Fees vary by community. All information provided herein is Preliminary and subject to change without prior notice or obligation. Photos shown are of builder’s professionally decorated model homes. Copyright © 2022 Williams Homes. All rights reserved. Williams Homes is a California Broker License #01449126. Equal housing opportunity. Loans are subject to credit approval. Lender guidelines, restrictions and conditions may apply. For information about loan rates, payments, terms and availability of loan programs, please contact Great Western Home Loans, Inc., NMLS# 1829215. Licensed by the Dept. of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act, DRE# 02088231. Please see Loan Consultant for all details.

SPRING 2022 Get Outside 55

56 Get Outside SPRING 2022