fautrever.com

• Eateries
• Adventures
• Related

Eateries

Far Western Tavern

We were in nearby Santa Maria and were looking for a unique place to celebrate our anniversary so we gave Santa Maria-style barbecue at the Far Western Tavern a try. The building didn’t look like much from the outside but the interior ambiance was all cowboy. On the walls hung tools of the ranching trade and several large steer heads yet the room wasn’t dull or dingy. On the table the plates had a cowboy motif and we were greeted with a crudité plate of olives and fresh, crisp vegetables. Our server was very attentive and helpful and after several minutes of deliberating we opted for the anniversary special dinner for two. Our steaks, which were grilled over a red oak fire, were tender, delicious and perfectly cooked, the homemade salsa was fresh and flavorful, and the pinquito beans were marvelous. The FWT has been owned and operated by the same family since 1958, clearly they know what they are doing and they do it well. We washed it all down with a delightful wine from their list which features Central California vineyards. All in all it was well worth the drive and every penny. Caution: Reservations are suggested, especially on weekends.

Phone: (805) 343-2211
Address: 899 Guadalupe St, Guadalupe CA 93434

Adventures

Oso Flaco Lake Natural Area

The dunes area can be a bit confusing since it is a patchwork of ownerships and managements that run it. Suffice it to say, the area is protected and open to the public. There are two main entrance points, one south of the small town of Guadalupe and one to the north. We stopped in at both of them but our favorite was the northern entrance at Oso Flaco Lake. The Oso Flaco area boasts a large boardwalk across the lake, perfect for birdwatching and then a trail winds through the dunes to the ocean. Though we could hear the engines of OHVs, we were relieved to read that they are not allowed in this section of the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes. We were treated to a close-up sighting of a threatened Western Snowy Plover as well as numerous other birds. The boardwalk is handicapped accessible and the area is open from dawn to dusk. Hint: Stop in at the Dunes Interpretive Center in town first to get an overview of the area and its importance. Caution: Mountain Lions have been sighted in the area, though they pose minimal risk, use caution.

Phone: (805) 343-2455
Address: 1055 Guadalupe St, Guadalupe CA 93434
Drive north on State Highway 1, through Guadalupe and turn west on Oso Flaco Lake Road. A cooperatively managed Nature Conservancy/State Park parking lot is three miles down this road.