The "Sideways Tour" is October 3-4, 2009. We will be stopping or driving past some of the locations in the Santa Ynez Valley depicted in the movie "Sideways." If you haven't seen the movie, NetFlix or run to Blockbuster this week and rent it. It is a lot of fun! We will also drive past one of the main gates at the "Neverland Ranch", where just a few weeks back, folks were still signing giant cards and hanging wreaths and flowers in memory of Michael Jackson.
After stopping at Fess Parker Winery (where you might recall the character "Miles" drank the entire "spit bucket"), we will stop for lunch at one of the delis in Los Olivos, or bring a picnic lunch as there is a little park in the middle of town. If time permits, we will also stop at the "Firestone Winery" before heading into Los Olivos and the Neverland Ranch. Afterward, we will head toward Solvang where everyone can spend time walking, shopping, or whatever else you desire. This website will give you ideas of other spots you might want to stop at on your own if you do not want to spend the time in Solvang.
Both the Fess Parker Winery and the Firestone Winery offer tasting at $10 each. I believe you can share a glass. If we are lucky, we might run in to Fess Parker. For those of us old enough to remember... Fess has one of the greatest Disney voices of all time, and is best remembered for his roles as Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone.
For dinner we will be eating at AJ Spurs in Buellton, not far from our hotel, where there is a lot of space for a large group, plenty of parking, and a lot of good food! You may recall this location in the movie. This is where the "engaged" character "Jack" meets a young waitress and ends up going home with her, only to have her husband walk in on the two of them. He left "everything" behind and had to go back later to retrieve it all.
Meet up Saturday, October 3, 2009, at the Black Bear Diner in Gilroy (on the opposite of freeway from Gilroy Outlets). If you want breakfast, you should plan to arrive at the Black Bear Diner by 7 AM. We will depart the parking lot at the Black Bear Diner at 8 AM sharp!
From Gilroy, it will be a 3-1/2 to 4 hour drive down Hwy 101. Once we arrive in the Santa Maria area, we will exit to the right at Betteravia Road. We will then turn left onto S. Bradley where will enter the Home Depot parking lot. This will be our final gathering spot before we head back over the highway and on toward Foxen Canyon Rd enroute to the Fess Parker Winery.
The Days Inn in Buellton, if space is available should give latecomers the quoted club rate of $98.99 + tax.
Sunday, for those that want a scenic drive, you can head on over to Hwy 1 and enjoy the beauty of our California coastline or return up Highway 101.
This trip has something for everyone, including those who do not want to spend the entire day in a MINI.
