Nojoqui Falls

Date: October 15th, 2011

Natural Wonders Tourism

Picture taken by: Lindsey Serna

When you're a child  the world that surrounds you seems so big. From your daddy's hands to the spider that crawls along the wall, you perceive things to be much bigger then they are. When you get a little older you realize that things are really not that big anymore. I remember every family BBQ that was hosted at the Nojoqui Falls Park. Walking up to explore my past, I remember all those times my mom yelled at us not to run and not to get our shoes wet. 



Picture taken by: Lindsey Serna



 And there it was, the falls that I remembered being so big. They have lost their grandness and me my innocence. I felt my emotions take over me as I stared up at waters that poured down. The trails were lined with signs of warnings.



Picture taken by: Lindsey Serna



Pictures taken by: Lindsey Serna

The one thing that really caught my eye was how clean the park was. It seems as though most visitors have great respect for this natural wonder and the preservation of the falls.

Picture taken by: Lindsey Serna

I observed photographers, families, couples and dogs obeying the leash rule. While walking up to the falls every person you past said hello, and when I left no one greeted me as I came down. I found this interesting.

The Nojoqui Falls
Pictures taken by: Lindsey Serna

Does the beauty and wonders of the falls let one release their inner kindness? People who visit the Nojoqui Falls come to admire its' beauty and innocence. They come to share memories and quality time with family and friends. The falls impact on the locals are easily visible as you take the short drive to the park. There is an organic farm that most who visit the falls stop by once leaving and one of the neighbors have made a business of renting out ATVs to visitors of the park. There is little to no marketing on the falls. I believe the neighboring towns want to allow people to discover this unique wonder on their own terms and let them their friends and family hear about it by word of mouth. So take a chance and get lost in Solvang, who knows a random road can lead you to a beautiful waterfall.

Barn of Organic Farm
Pictures taken by: Lindsey Serna



Rooney's Irish Pub Stone Beer Dinner

Date: October 14th 2011

Culinary Tourism

Stone Beer Dinner!!!
Picture taken by: Lindsey Serna

If planning a trip to the central coast, taking a look at dates for beer dinners at Rooney's Irish Pub is a must. Rooney's Irish Pub was established in 2010 by Jake and Tim Rooney of Old Orcutt. The menu features Irish fare with a creative twist. The pub often hosts beer dinners the show just how talented Chef Anthony really is. They usually consists of five courses with beers that compliment each dish.



My partner in crime!!!
Picture taken by: Danielle Flagg



Tamale!!!
Picture taken by: Lindsey Serna


Being a huge beer fan and having an appreciation for good food keeps me coming back over and over again to see what Chef Anthony is cooking up. The atmosphere of these dinners makes everyone feel like friends instead of strangers. The beer reps describe the style of beer, and how it is made, while Chef Anthony explains the reason for the food pairing. With every bite and every sip the beer and cuisine compliments each other.

Our final beer
Picture taken by: Lindsey Serna

The central coast is a culinary tourist dream! With fresh produce being grown and harvested here many new and exciting restaurants are popping up all along the 101 highway. Rooney's Irish Pub is just one of many that showcase the talents of their staff with alcohol pairing dinners. Motivations of the culinary tourist include the one's quest for something new and exciting to taste and experience.These beer dinners that Rooney's Pub host can easily be described as a new and exciting trend. Rooney's impact on the economy has been significant. When the pub was built many other buildings were built and leased out to other business owners. Old Town Orcutt is quickly becoming a destination for "foodies" and tourist who want to experience a small city with a big city pallet.Negative impacts of the pub are the rate of drinking and driving. Cops line the place and wait for you to leave, so always have a safe driver when attending any of the events that they host.On the positive side Rooney's has created a safe environment for locals to come in and have a good time with family and friends. For me and my friends it is like a high school reunion every time I walk through the doors.

The Far Western Tavern, Guadalupe

Date October 13th, 2011

Ghost Tourism

Original decor
Picture taken by: Lindsey Serna

Cheers to the ghosts
Picture taken by: Danny Ostapuik

When deciding to experience something scary and exciting, having dinner at the haunted Far Western Tavern of Guadalupe was the perfect destination! Me and my boyfriend Danny have wanted to come to the Far Western since the head chef of from Chef Ricks took over the kitchen. As we started our meal, we overheard the server telling stories to the out-of-towners. I remembered those same stories being told to me when I was little by my mom who used to be a buss girl here in the 70's. Stories about how paranormal investigations have proven that ghost call the  Far Western home, stories about the peg leg of the originally owner Mr. Ferrari still clanking around in the upstairs banquet hall, and how the lights flicker and water turns on and off by themselves. Call it a figment of your imagination, but many workers and patrons of the Far Western have experienced these occurrences.



Picture taken by: Lindsey Serna

 Our meal was delicious and the stories added to the whole experience. The Far Western has had a great economic impact on Guadalupe as a whole. It is a tradition of the old west and a landmark that many travelers come to visit.

Picture taken by: Lindsey Serna

Motivations to come here include the delicious cuisine, fun western atmosphere, and the thrill of perhaps seeing a ghost.This family friendly restaurant and saloon is a tradition that makes Guadalupe a destination for travelers of all stages of life. Due to the costly imporvements to bring the orginal building up to code, the new location of the Far Western Tavern is bing constructed in Old Town Orcutt and is expected to be opened in Summer 2012.

Original bar
Picture taken by: Lindsey Serna

The Butterfly Grove, Oceano

Date: October 12th, 2011
Nature Tourism

Welcome sign for visitors and the butterflies
Picture taken by: Lindsey Serna

Picture taken by: Lindsey Serna

From November to February the monarch butterflies take flight from Mexico and make their destination the eucalyptus trees of Pismo for the winter months. Along with the butterflies come the mass amounts of visitors young and old. As I walked up to the entrance it took me back to the times I came here with my grandparents to explore this great wonder. I recall being little staring at the skies with my eyes fixated on why these beautiful creatures decided to come here. As I walked through the trail I snapped pictures left and right. As I did this, children I did not even know asked to see the pictures that I had captured.

Picture taken by: Lindsey Serna

It seemed as though we were all no longer strangers but fans of the butterflies and friends. This destination holds a sense of innocence and a flashback to a time when all it took was a butterfly to cross our path to make us smile. I believe what motivates people to come here to the butterfly grove is to appreciate nature and the beauty that it holds. People of all ages and stages of life congregates here to embrace the innocence and share the memories with their friends and families. Impacts that this grove has on the surrounding area include foot traffic, car traffic and pollution due to the mass amounts of visitors that make this part of their central coast vacation. Positive impacts can include economically spending more money in the local area with hotels and restaurants. As for environment impacts, the grove and the guides who work there provide an awareness of these creatures and how locally we can do our part to protect them.

Clusters of butterflies
Pictures taken by: Lindsey Serna

Madonna Inn

Date: October 11th 2011
Unique Tourism

Me and Shelby enjoying mint hot coco
Picture taken by: Lindsey Serna's camera

With one-hundred and ten uniquely styled rooms The Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo is a wonder for all those who visit it. Whether you are enjoying a cup of mint hot chocolate with your favorite people in the copper cafe or you are sitting in the obnoxiously pink dinning room the Madonna Inn is and entertaining way to create an unusual memory on the central coast. Sitting at the copper tables, sipping out of purple goblets one must wonder what was this family thinking when they set the theme for this inn? My guess is they were thinking out of the box.

The pink dinning room
Picture taken by: Lindsey Serna

The late fifties was a time for glitz and glamor, completely Hollywood sparkles and this inn  reflects all of that. Each room is uniquely themed and not one is the same. As we finished our lunch we could not help but stare at the ridiculously obnoxious cakes with pink chocolate shavings, even the inn's desserts keep with the theme of the rest of the place. We walked through the pink dinning room, a girls dreamland!

The famous fireplace
Picture taken by: Candace McNabb

Posing for the famous picture by the fireplace I told myself this place is perfect for my 25th birthday next June. Anyone who visits the Madonna Inn has a sense of humor about all things that are just a tad bit tacky. People come here to expeince the culture, the traditions and wonder that is know as the Madonna Inn. This atteaction is filled with entertainment, charm and creativiey. It employees people who love and respect the traditions of the inn and has even been featured on many travel shows as a must see destination. If coming to the central coast for something a little out of the norm with the a dash of tacky the Madonna Inn is for you.

Avila Valley Barn

Date: October 9th, 2011
Agritourism



My nieces Shelby and Hailee
Picture taken by: Lindsey Serna



 Whether it be those darn goats or the delicious roasted corn on the cob my trips to the Avila Valley Barn are always a peaceful experience. On this visit, the car was loaded with me, my sister and my two nieces Hailee and Shelby.

Me and the crazy goat
Picture taken by: Lindsey Serna's camera

When we arrived the tractor was just getting ready to take visitors into the pumpkin patch and my niece was whining that she wanted to go, although not even a minute before my sister warned her to not even ask. The bins of pumpkins and squash lined the entrance and all of the produce waiting to be smelled and examined before being put into the eager shops baskets.

The bins of pumpkins and squash
Picture taken by: Lindsey Serna

Fresh flowers
Picture taken by: Lindsey Serna

 This place reeks of freshness, it brings new meaning to knowing where your food comes from. I picked up my apple turnovers and strolled through the shop. The best part of the place is the smell of the pastries being made in the kitchen. I take a few pictures of the flowers on display and pay for my goodies. Me and my family stroll outside and look at the animal. My niece Shelby feeds the goats and my niece Hailee screams as the emu pecks at the fence.  What motivates people who visit this delightful little farm could be, but not limited to experiencing freshness, kind smiles, and educating children and adults the importance farmers.

  You hear children laughing, you hear the pet animals being admired and you feel the sense of community as you walk around. This barn is a treasure know by locals as a weekend escape and the perfect place to pick up fresh produce. The owners know what their customers are in search of and they provide it through hospitality and the atmosphere of the whole barn. This attraction is marketed by word of mouth and location itself being a pit stop on the way to Avila Beach. Impacts of the the Avila Valley Barn on the economy include employment of farmers, workers at the barn's store, pastry chefs, and maintenance people of the grounds. Socially the barn creates a sense of community among all that gather here. This attraction also provides a mix of culture, recreation and entertainment for the young and old. Visit the Avila Valley Barn you and your families will be glad you did.

Santa Barbara County's Vintners Festival 2011

Date: October 8th, 2011
Wine Tourism

 

My beautiful sisters and parents
Pictures taken by: Lindsey Serna's camera

  And the Serna Family tradition continues... It stated last year when yours truly decided to purchase tickets for my family to attend this amazing event. We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into. Limo was driven by my dad, wine was drank by myself, mom and sisters and foggy memories were pieced together by pictures we had no idea we had taken. This year we had a better plan of attack, though we thought! To really savor the central coast, is to taste and or drink the fruits of its labor. In this case we did a lot of both.The hype, the anticipation, the outfit selection, the pre-party in the big white limo, rocking out to a bit of old school Snoop Dog, we could not wait to smell the mix of cow pies, BBQ and wine being opened for the first time.  

My sister Brooke, Aunt Denise and Mom
Picture taken by: Lindsey Serna

With over one hundred wineries and twenty restaurants we strolled the grove of Ranch Sisqouc's beautiful vineyard. One glass, two glass, three glass, four the sunshine shined and being quite went out the door! Let's just say we were the group that people wished they would have rolled in with! All of our expectations that we had of this day were meet: pictures that were not allowed to be featured on FaceBook, insiders (mostly quotes), great wine, and memories that will last a lifetime. The tradition will continue next year and more of my friends will get to experience just how crazy my family can be.


Me and my sister Candace
Picture taken by: Lindsey Serna's camera

    
 Fellow visitors included wine enthusiasts of ages ranging from twenty-one and up, couples, friends and families. Social impacts can include the sense of belonging, self-satisfaction of learning and experiencing something new and enjoying the company of people who are there for a good time. The vibe of the whole festivals proved that everyone came here to experience wine and food with the people they cared about most. The festival is marketed as an event for the twenty-one and older who have an appreciation for Santa Barbara Wine Country. Prior knowledge of this event was due to that fact that my work, Full of Life Flatbread has been a vendor for the past six years. Advertising that I had seen elsewhere included the email reminder from the Vintner's Association, print adds in local magazines, the local radio stations and word of mouth. This events impact on the destination were definitely the use of  taxis services, local restaurants and wineries and hotels for out-of-town visitors. For the $60.00 charge you get to taste and experience local wines and cuisines that not only promoted the restaurants and wineries, but educated visitors about wine tasting and making. Cheers!

The California Mid-State Fair

Date: July 25th 2011


My niece Hailee at the Selena Gomez Concert
Picture taken by: Lindsey Serna's camera

The kick start to what really made me appreciate how amazing California's Central Coast could be would have to be the Paso Robles annual Mid-State Fair. It is safe to say that every concert I attended I had an amazing time. From Jason Aldean to Selena Gomez, I experienced the craze known as music tourism.


Mr. Aldean himself!
Picture taken by: Lindsey Serna






The hour wait to find parking, the hustlers on the streets trying to sell you over-priced tickets, and souvenirs you think at the time you have to have to remember your visit, you experience it all. All walks of life come to this fair to see and experience the acts. Visitors of the California Mid-State Fair can be families, friends, out-of-towners, and even the bands followers aka "groupies." Basically anyone who loves music or has the need to wear those cowboy boots you have only worn once can be found at these concerts. 

My sister Candace and niece Hailee old time photo!
Picture taken by: Old Time Photos

Visitors are attracted to this destination mostly because of the entertainment of the performers, the fair rides and livestock exhibits. The city of Paso Robles comes to life these two summer weeks out of the year. Economic impacts include: hotels are filled, their lakes are visited and their restaurants and local merchants flourish. Social impacts can include the coming together of people of all different walks of life, mixing of cultures and generations. Ecologically the transportation of so many cars create pollution in the area. Ways the fair is trying to cut down on these pollutions is the use of school buses to shuttle people in. Ask anyone on the central coast if they know about a good family friendly fair and they will for sure say The California Mid State Fair of Paso Robles. Every summer for as far back as I can remember the Mid-State Fair was a must on mine and my families agenda. We look forward to the release of the big name performers and discuss a strategy to get the best tickets. This fair is a tourist destination for music, food and entertainment for all who is young and old.


Oh ya we got to meet Selena Gomez!!!
Picture taken by: Lindsey Serna's camera