CA National Forest Cerra Alto (Los Padres)

We have camped twice (in May both times) at the Cerro Alto Campground, while wine tasting and exploring the Central Coast around Paso Robles. The campground is in the Los Padres National Forest midway between the picturesque town of Morro Bay and the not so town of Atascadero.

The campground is situated in a mixed oak, pine and sycamore forest at an elevation of about 1,000 feet. It lies in a canyon pass along a semiannual mountain creek. The roads are paved, but narrow, winding and single lane with turnouts to each site.

This isn't a stellar campground for views or amenities, but we think we've found THE BEST spot in it, and there aren't a lot of options for camping in the Central Coast between San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles.

We've stayed in site #08, which you might not pick looking at the campground map. It's the first one on the loop, so you'd think it would be exposed, but there isn't a lot of traffic in this campground. It has a long, wide drive way that backs up to it's own little canyon, with trees all around and no other sites nearby. With the TD and TV in the drive you have privacy from the road and a lovely campsite with views up the canyon behind and probably the only "monumental" view of the Cerro Alto mountain in front. The campfire and table area is very large (plenty of room for extra tents/shelters) with shade at one edge and sun during day. Vault toilets and water are up the road. Not the best toilets so we set up a porta-potty in the side tent.

Here's picture of our set-up:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php...32062577.1073741833.1411505325&type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php...32062577.1073741833.1411505325&type=3&theater

And the canyon behind:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php...32062577.1073741833.1411505325&type=3&theater

This was May 2015 which was quite a bit drier then 2014, so perhaps if we get a good El Nino, things will be greener next year.

The 4-mile Cerro Alto Trail, which leads to the peak, begins within the campground. The rise is about 1900 feet so it's a steep (and warm) hike. But the top offers sweeping views to the coast.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10207095712657158&set=t.1411505325&type=3&theater

We especially like the wines and tastings at:
- Tables Creek, named the #1 winery in The Daily Meal's list of 101 Best Wineries in America for 2015, - See more at:http://www.tablascreek.com/#sthash.nFXSHi4Y.dpuf
- Justin (kinda commercial but impressive)
- Adelaida Cellers (wonderful Rhone varieties and old vine Pinot Noir)
- Demetria - a new find this year and further south in the Santa Ynez Valley, near Los Olivos. You need to call to make an appointment, because the road to the winery is private, long, twisting, so they have to limit the number of cars. But there is a lovely patio overlooking vines and the valley. Bring a lunch or cheese to go with wine. Good soft rock guitarist was playing when we were there. Could have happily whiled away the day!

Some food recommendations:
- We try to time our trip up or home to Los Angeles to have lunch at Industrial Eats in Buelton, Ca. NOT for pea soup. They do catering all over the valley and the cafe has killer pizza, house cured pastrami and charcuterie, salads. They have a little market with locally raised/caught meat and fish and a good selection of cheese and picnic items. We bought an awesome steak for the grill. Truth in telling, this place isn't cheap, but it's obviously well known to the locals. This is where we met and struck up a conversation with the son of the owner of Demetria wines.
- We've had lunch at Thomas Hill Organics. Shaddy patio or cool inside bar (it can be HOT in Paso Robles).
- Really good coffee..best cold brew...at Spearhead Coffee next to the Spa Central Coast (more on that later).
- Between the campground and Paso Robles is a quaint little town of Templeton. We discovered it late, so didn't have time to explore, but the 15 Degree C Wine Shop and Bar has a good selection of craft beers, local and international wines, and a small but good selection of cheese and deli items.
- Morro Bay is a short drive from the campground and a good place for breakfast. The Top Dog Coffee Bar has a cute back garden with little niches set with tables, benches, etc. to sip, relax and read. Beach hippy vibe with good coffee.
- On the way home we drove through the town of Los Olivos. Quaint western, but kinda yuppified. We didn't have time to explore, so will return. BUT we did buy lunch to take on our visit to the Demetria Winery at the Los Olivos Grocery. Sandwiches, salads, prepared food. Everything you need for a picnic!

One other recommended indulgence! Since the facilities at the campground are primitive and there are no showers, we try to wine taste on day one, hike in the morning of day two, and booked the shower room and massages at the Spa Central Coast in Paso Robles that afternoon. For both of us was best ever massage! It might have been the 4+ mile hike, but Mark is hard pressed to ever say a massage was strong enough. This was. We slept like babes in the teardrop that last night in camp!!