Monarch Beach and Paso Robles Wineries

Dr Mary Travelbest Guide

In this episode: FAQ is: Need services for handicapped? Where can you go for information?

Today’s Destination is: Monarch Dunes and Paso Robles Wineries, CA

Today’s Mistake- Trusting the first person you ask for directions

Travel Advice: Visit your local zoo or park and get some outdoor fun.

FAQ: Need services for handicapped? Where can you go for information?

Answer: We talk about ability-travel here often, so listen if you want to know more.

I have a friend named Kathryn who is traveling the world now, when she can, and doesn’t let her handicaps keep her from going. She works full time as a teacher, and travels weekends and holidays. She went on a summer trip to Australia and New Zealand and we spoke while she was there.

She says there are plenty of services available to those with a lack of ability, and to seek help when you need it. The best advice is to try to stick to a morning routine, as much as possible.

Here’s a few companies that specialize in travel for those situations.

Arrange Accessible accommodations by contacting your hotel and requesting a special room.

Arrange assistance while flying and try to get special accommodations.

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/special-procedures

Make sure travel insurance includes medical, because medical is not covered by most plans when you are out of the country.

Enroll in the Smart Travelers enrollment Program (STEP)

https://step.state.gov/step/

Here’s a few companies that specialize in travel for those situations.

Mobile International USA

Curb Free with Cory Lee

Flying Wheels Travel

Accessible Journeys

Open Doors Organization helps people with travel challenges.

https://opendoorsnfp.org/

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/tour-companies-dedicated-to-travelers-with-disabilities

Today’s destination: Monarch Dunes and Paso Robles Wineries, CA

Monarch is a butterfly that was well-known in this farming area of Nipomo, CA. and inspired a development of 1200 homes surrounded by beautiful beaches and farming agriculture.

Many people travel to Nipomo for the golf experience. There’s a community of homes, built by Shea Homes that could double for a land-based cruise ship, except it’s not. It’s a community that pops out of nowhere of single family homes. The activities are resort-like and the atmosphere is healthy-looking adults in their 60’s and 70’s. These baby boomers are living large and have their desserts. Many drive Tesla’s. Many have 3 car garages. Some are on the golf course and others on the vineyard, facing the ocean. The breeze is nice here, but the blowing sand gets old fast. There is a ton of sand to sweep. The clubhouse has a pool and spa, plus there’s a shed for throwing pottery and Bocce Ball courts by the pickleball courts. It’s open to the public.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g32785-d624263-Reviews-Monarch_Dunes_Golf_Club-Nipomo_San_Luis_Obispo_County_California.html

You’ll also find some great wine tasting in Paso Robles. less than an hour from Nipomo. The region got its reputation of being a wine destination in the 1960’s, starting with the soil scientist from San Luis Obisbo, and Jack Niven was the soil and fruit expert known in this region.

https://www.goldmedalwineclub.com/winery/niven-family-wine-estates-san-luis-obispo-county

In Paso Robles it is known by winemakers that the same fruit can taste different even when grown as little as 2 miles away. Patience is key in wine growing here as well as in other wine regions.

I visited this July 4 weekend 2022 and stayed in the resort-like area with friends. They played pickleball. And I went to the swimming pool and spa. We planned wine tasting and other cultural adventures. One of those was at the Baileyana winery, on a warm July afternoon, looking over the vineyards from a tent outside in the parking area, surrounded by grassy areas and a building that held the wines. We had a couple of hours tasting and eating our picnic lunch. We arranged this ahead of time and it was easy to find the location and parking.

Our wine expert was Martha, who attended UCSB and has been here for nearly ten years. Baileyana is owned by the Wine Exchange now, who also own Bread Butter in Napa and Chronic in Paso Robles.

https://www.wxbrands.com/

Do visit a winery and tour a vineyard. Bring a picnic lunch and buy a bottle at the winery.

Don’t forget to make a reservation. Golfing, wine tasting or a meal. You may need to reserve in advance, so plan ahead if you can.

Today’s Mistake- Trusting the first person you ask for directions

I get lost a lot. I ask for directions most of the time. This week, I got lost in a casino. I was unable to find where I was going. I found an employee and asked for help. They sent me in the wrong direction, so I got lost again. The next person gave the right directions, and I found my way to my destination. Don’t always trust the directions until you find it’s correct.

Today’s Travel Advice-Visit your local zoo or park and get some outdoors fun.

Get outdoors. Leave the devices behind and spend time with the animals, tree life and make a friend. What is your favorite Zoo? My favorite is the World Famous San Diego Zoo. They are now part of the Wildlife Alliance.