So I am one of those people who would like a little change (only in scenery, not in camaraderie or debauchery!). Now, as you all know I had an awesome time in Morro Bay and I think Dusty and LMS do an amazing job putting the spring event together, so please do not think that the option I've put together here is a knock against them in any way because it is not. I'm simply stepping up to the plate as we were asked to do if we want change. That being said here's my proposal for 2011.
First know that what would be our usual weekend, April 23rd and 24th, is Easter and the weekend after that is still Spring Break.
DATE: June 3-5, 2011. Pushing it out will avoid the Easter conflict, avoid a conflict with Carlisle, and help with weather concerns. (This also avoids conflicts with local events)
LOCATION: Pismo Beach & Arroyo Grande (these two towns are less than 10 mins apart)
SHOW & SHINE: Saturday June 4th 9am-1pm. This allows the afternoon for driving, shopping or whatever else you would like to do, but the time is flexible we just have to let them know what are start and end times are. Village Green in Arroyo Grande http://www.arroyogrande.org/city-hall/city-departments/recreation-and-maintenance-services/parks/city-parks/village-green.html
This is a great grass park located in the Village of Arroyo Grande. The Village has shops, restaurants, bars...all within a walkable neighborhood. The use fee for this park is $75 so it'll cost each of us a couple dollars to cover that cost.
Here is a link for more information about the Village www.arroyograndevillage.org
HOTEL: Spyglass Inn http://www.SpyGlassInn.com/ has offered us a group rate of $149. They have a wonderful beach front location in Pismo Beach. There is a restaurant on site (banquet could be held there). For those arriving early/staying later, weekday rates would be $96.
BANQUET: Saturday evening at the Spyglass Inn Restaurant. Menu details will be addressed after we confirm that we will go ahead with this location. Costs will be comparable to previous banquets. Convenient location means no drinking & driving.
SUNDAY: Open for driving!
DRIVES: We can head out on the roads in the South SLO County wine region. Here's a map http://slowine.com/cm/wineries_vineyards/wine_tasting_map.html. Or we could head north on PCH to San Simeon and Big Sur.
I tried to address concerns about finding a city that welcomes us, keeping it on the central coast, having a hotel that can accommodate us and give us reasonable rates (bonus: its on the ocean), incorporate time to check out the cars and chat, find a private banquet room for us at a reasonable rate, avoid rain, and most importantly be in an area with great driving roads.
A note about room rates: I realize that this is more than was paid in the past but they've given us a significant discount off of their $199 summer rate and the staff there have been exceedingly helpful. However, if the offered rate is a significant deterrent, the Best Western Casa Grande in Arroyo Grande (http://www.bestwesterncasagrande.com/) has offered us a rate of $79 for the weekend of May 6-7 (they're already booked for the June 3-4 weekend). The Village Green Park is still available for us to use on that weekend.
What do you think?
Jen
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