Recent Press ReleasesThe Apple Farm Inn - The Best Hotel in San Luis Obispo, CA By Nicole Burchmore In the heart of California, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, you will find San Luis Obispo. Home to California Polytechnic University, a world famous Farmers Market, and shopping and food galore, it is a must stop on Highway 101. While San Luis Obispo has many choices for lodging, I would highly recommend The Apple Farm Inn, located directly off Highway 101. When I got married in San Luis Obispo in May 2006, I booked my room at the Apple Farm. The Apple Farm is much more than a hotel- it also has a wonderful restaurant and bakery, a Millhouse - where you will find a gift shop and floral shop, a massage shop, meeting/conference rooms, and several different wedding venues. The Apple Farm has anything a traveler/visitor could ever want. The Apple Farms rooms have cozy, Victorian decor that I found very charming and comfortable. You have a lot of different room choices based on your budget. There are rooms at the Trellis Court are for those on a smaller budget, and there are two suites in the Millhouse for those who are able to splurge. All rooms come with terry cloth towels (so cool!), a welcome basket, and Internet access. I stayed in one of the Millhouse Suites, and will say it was worth every penny. My balcony had a spa, and the bed was big and comfy. What I liked most was the visitors book in the room, where past visitors could write about their experience at The Apple Farm. I learned that not long before my visit celebrity chef Rachel Ray had stayed in the Millhouse Suite! The restaurant at The Apple Farm is something everyone should try. Serving traditional, home-style food, The Apple Farm has a wide array of culinary delights. They are open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. They can also provide you with a boxed lunch if you are doing some traveling around the area. I personally loved the Hot Turkey Sandwich that I devoured after not eating anything at all at my wedding. I will never forget that sandwich!During your stay at The Apple Farm, make sure to stop by the Millhouse. The Millhouse is an exact replica of a mill from the turn of the century. Inside you will find a really neat gift shop, and an assortment of different snacks to try- including homemade ice cream, apple cider, and popcorn. There is also a floral shop inside, where you can watch the floral designer creating one of a kind bouquets and arrangements.Between the deluxe accommodations, and the excellent food, The Apple Farm left me with wonder memories and a definite guarantee of my return. The Apple Farm is a true lodging experience that one is not easy to forget. Design Notebook: Eclectic accents at outlet prices For many people, visiting San Luis Obispo's Apple Farm isn't just about the cuisine - it's also about perusing the three-level gift shop overflowing with decor and collectibles. But the savvy bargain shopper knows the best deals can be found a few blocks down from the restaurant, at the Apple Farm Outlet. No, you can't get a scone there. And with
just a handful of open hours each week, it's not always easy to get to.
But if you're a fan of the wide variety of goods at Apple Farm's gift
shop, the outlet is definitely worth discovering. Apple Farm opened its first outlet in the mid-1980s. Located adjacent to its warehouse, the outlet sold out-of-season items at discounted prices. Seven years ago the warehouse moved to a location without a frontage store. Much to the dismay of bargain hunters, the outlet store disappeared. Then, in January of 2008, the warehouse moved to the old Stanley Motors location on Monterey Street. Once again, they had a perfectly situated retail space. The time-worn office site isn't exactly glamorous. "We left it rustic inside, but we put up some antique doors and things like that," said Apple Farm Executive Buyer Pamela Johnson. Low overhead allows the Apple Farm to offer some remarkable deals. All merchandise is at least 50 percent less than retail. Many pieces, like art and seasonal items, are marked down 70 percent or more. Twice a year, they host a large clearance sale where all items are 70 percent off and the selection of merchandise spills out into the parking lot. Seasonal items make up a large portion of the inventory. There is still Thanksgiving and Christmas decor in stock, along with new Easter and spring accents. Some outlet items are "extras" from the main store, such as the final few unsold pieces of a collection. A few have fixable flaws, such as frames with small chips that could be repaired with a dab of paint. Others are used goods, such as quilts, dust ruffles and robes from the hotel. Occasionally, Johnson picks up discounted merchandise at trade shows that go straight to the outlet. As with the Apple Farm gift shop, the selection is eclectic and ever-changing. You'll find everything from gag gifts and kitschy knick-knacks to elegant home decor such as lamps, accent tables, clocks, ceramics, artificial florals and art. There are child and baby products, bath products, candles, jewelry, handbags, high-end stationery, tableware, party supplies, and collectibles. Styles range from Americana to Old World. Take your time when browsing the shop. Among the overflowing baskets and shelves, you might find a treasure or two. On my most recent excursion I spied a signed piece of original art, a Vera Bradley lamp, beautiful big copper serving trays and a lovely Italian millefiori glass vase. The Apple Farm Outlet is currently open just two days a week: 10 a. m. to 4 p. m. Thursdays and Saturdays. As summer approaches, look for additional open days. Across USA, travel marketers give it the gas (As featured in the Travel section of USA Today on Friday, May 2, 2008) By Laura Bly With the economy in a slump, the specter of $4-a-gallon gas prices threatens to put the brakes on many vacation plans. In response, travel marketers are turning on an early spigot of prepaid gas cards and other incentives to keep tourists on the road, from carbon offset credits and public transit passes to (go figure) a free lesson at a high-performance driving school.
In San Luis Obispo, the Apple Farm has four summer packages that include $20 gas vouchers; packages run from June 15-Aug. 31 and cost $299-$399 for a two-night stay. 800-255-2040 or applefarm.com Rachael Ray's Tasty Travels - California Coast (Episode RY0208) Apple Farm is featured in the episode of the Food Network's popular show, Rachael Ray's Tasty Travels, about the Central Coast of California. The episode airs regularly on the Food Network. It originally aired in May of 2006.  |
   
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