Final Destination: San Luis Obispo

However you decide to travel we suggest you bring a camera and stay an extra day or two. The area is beautiful and will take your breath away in so many ways.

Travel:

Via Airline

The closest major airport is Fresno Yosemite International Airport, located in Fresno, California and is116 miles from the center of San Luis Obispo, CA. The second closest is Bob Hope Airport (BUR / KBUR), which is in Burbank, California and is 150 miles from San Luis Obispo, CA.  From either location you then have two options; take a commuter plane into the SLO airport or rent a car and travel the remaining distance.

Via Private Aircraft
Ah, now you’re arriving in style! San Luis Obispo has it’s own first class general aviation airport with plenty of transient parking. Visit the airport’s web site or the Airnav page for more details. Transient parking is south of the control tower and is marked with red traffic cones. Ask the ground controller for a progressive taxi.

Via Car
If you decide to drive beware that traffic can be heavy, especially on a Friday between the hours of 3:00 and 7:00pm, but the sights are amazing.

Coming from Southern California (Los Angeles/Orange county areas) we suggest taking the I5 or 405 North to the 101 west/north past Santa Barbara about 1 hour and a half.  Depending on where you are staying will determine if you will exit in Arroyo Grande, or San Luis Obispo.  Both are relatively small towns and not hard to navigate.
Coming from Northern California (San Francisco Bay area) we suggest taking the 101 south straight to San Luis Obispo it is about 290 miles south on the 101 from San Francisco.  However, if you have time and want to travel along the coast, a beautiful trip can be made by taking Highway 1 all the way down too.  It takes a little longer, but you’ll have a great view of the coast.

Local Accommodations:

To ease your travel we’ve found some great places to stay and were able to negotiate some discounted rates for our wedding guests.  Discounted rooms are limited so please make your reservation early.

Peachtree Inn
2001 Montery Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 543-3170
www.peachtreeinn.com
The room rate at this location is $110 – $130.
Book by Date: July 22, 2009
Comments: They are ranked as the 2nd best place to stay in San Luis Obispo. If you can get a room there consider yourself lucky! A breakfast is included and it is very close to down town if you decide to take a walk and meander the area. It is also close to the famous Apple Farm restaurant if you’d like to dine there at some point.

**We could not get a wedding block here, because it is such a small hotel. When I called in May they were already half way booked for our wedding weekend. So call NOW if you can.

Best Western Casa Grande
850 Oak Park Blvd
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
(805) 481-7398
www.bestwesterncalifornia.com
We have blocked 15 rooms at this location at a rate of $85 – $90.
Book by Date: September 20, 2009
Comments: This is the choice place to stay of Kristi’s relatives who come and visit. It is clean, low cost, no frills, good area, not too far from the house and a reasonable rate. When booking mention the Vest-Rapp wedding for the group rate.

La Cuesta Inn
2074 Monterey Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93410
(800) 543-2777
www.lacuestainn.com
There are only 3 rooms available here at $119/night.
Book by Date: September 20, 2009
Comments: This is a a hotel very comparable to the Marriott in cleanliness and service. The hotel assistant manager said he could spare three rooms at an incredible deal due to some mutual connections. If you choose this place to stay please contact the Assistant General Manager, Jeff Rice directly and he will handle your stay personally. This location is the closest to down town and Cal Poly. The premises are very nice and newer. To reserve a room call and ask for Jeff Rice. Tell him you are with the Vest-Rapp wedding party and would like to book a room.

Best Western Inn Royal Oak
214 Madonna Road
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 544-4410
www.royaloakhotel.com
We have blocked 15 rooms at this location at a rate of $119.
Book by Date: September 29, 2009
Comments: If you’d like to be close to where the bridal party will be staying… choose this hotel! It comes with a Deluxe Continental Breakfas (waffles, eggs etc.) along with many other amenities. It is very close to shopping and the famous Madonna Inn.  When booking use either the bride’s or grooms last name to get the group rate.

Embassy Suites Hotel
333 Madonna Road
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 549-0800
http://embassysuites.hilton.com/en/es/groups/personalized/SLOCAES-600-20091022/index.jhtml
We’ve booked 10 rooms here priced between $152 and $172 depending on one or two beds.
Book by Date: October 8, 2009
Comments: Each of these suites comes with either one or two beds and a large spacious living room with a sofa bed.  Additional items include: coffee maker, two televisions, data ports, refrigerator, microwave oven as well as access to a fitness room and pool. These suite are very comfortable and could fit more then 4 people easily. As a guest you can enjoy a cooked to order breakfast and the hotel managers evening reception. When booking ask for the Vest-Rapp wedding group rate.

About SLO :

San Luis Obispo is not only a college town, but a farmers town that relishes the fact that they have been able to keep some of the quaint uniqueness of a small town while still being a growing community. It is a very peaceful and easy going place and thus has earned the coined term “SLO town”.

Things to Do and See:

If you have the option and stay on a Thursday make sure to enjoy the Farmer’s Market on downtown Higuera street. They close off at least four blocks once a week for all the local farmers and vendors to open up shop in the middle of the street for the locals, and visitors alike. Get some fresh vegetables, fruits, watch some entertainers and enjoy the ambiance. It is a great place to hear and see artists, and sample a variety of food and BBQs from local restaurants who put up shop out on the busy street.

The Madonna Inn is a famous California landmark located in SLO and wonderfully fancyful place to visit. The ballroom, restaurant and property are lavishly laid out and even the guest rooms are decorated in a unique style, no two are the same. If you have a little time, visit The Madonna Inn, enjoy a cup of coffee and look around. It is worth the trip! Sometimes you can even look in the guest rooms while the maids are making their rounds.
**Incidentally, the bridal party will stay their the night before and be getting ready the morning of the wedding in the Traveler’s Suite. If you want to stop by the night before let us know.

The area is also known for the rolling hills, beautiful beaches (Pismo Beach, Shell Beach and Avila Beach) and local winery’s (Claiborne & Churchill, Baileyana, Saucelito Canyon, Edna Valley).

Two other wonderful places to visit close by are Sycamore Mineral Spring Resort and Avila Barn. Both are located in Avila. At Sycamore Resort, you can get a massage, have a meal or if you just want some quiet time, rent one of their healing and relaxing natural springs hot tubs. Each one is privately tucked away in the hills and available by the hour. Right down the road from Sycamore is Avila Barn; a wonderful old fashioned farmer’s market, all the fresh produce are grown right there on the privately owned farm lands. There are also many farm animals, baked goods, fresh ice cream and unique products. This is a great place for the whole family.

One final recommended stop… Doc Burnstein’s Ice Cream Lab! They make this ice cream in down town Old Arroyo in an antique fashioned parlor setting. You’ve never had such rich delicious ice cream. Every time our family has guests, we make sure to take them to this signature place on their way out of town. We want them to leave with sweet thoughts so they return soon!

When you do arrive we hope you enjoy your stay and see why we chose this place for our wedding.

If we can be of further assistance to you, don’t hesitate to contact :
Kristine Vest at (949) 293-2360 or by email at kvest92618@yahoo.com