With its fascinating legacy, beautiful vistas and surrounding marine wildlife, the Point San Luis Lighthouse is the ideal destination for couples on romantic getaways, history buffs, or families bent on adventure.  And with the generous, family-friendly accommodations just minutes away, a visit to “the Point” has never been so comfortable.

Point San Luis is easily accessible by nearby San Luis Obispo Airport (SBP), with views of the surrounding vineyards that produce some of the world’s most sought-after wines. 

With a rental car, guests can tour the wineries of Edna Valley, where producers like Chamisal Vineyards, Kynsi Winery, and Sextant Winery open their doors seven days a week for tastings.  With delectable picnic lunches available at the historic Old Edna town site gourmet deli, visitors can enjoy the picturesque countryside while eating lunch among the vines.

Luxurious accommodations await at the oceanfront Avila Lighthouse Suites in Avila Beach, just a 10-minute drive west. Kids will love the spacious heated pool, life-sized checker board, putting green, and ping pong tables on the family deck, while adults can shed their cares during a massage or body treatment at the on-site Spa Central Coast Avila Beach. 

Pacific Eye has grown even stronger now that Steven W. Dixon, M.D., has merged his practice with Pacific Eye.

The merger happened Aug. 1, but Dixon will continue to see patients in his current Lompoc, Calif. office. And many Pacific Eye doctors will begin to offer their services in Lompoc. Dixon’s standards for excellence in medical and surgical eye care will enhance Pacific Eye's service to patients on the Central Coast, the ophthalmology practice said.

“Through the years, Dr. Dixon has distinguished himself as a doctor with high clinical and ethical standards,” said Pacific Eye Managing Partner Ahmad Amir, M.D. “The addition of Dr. Dixon and the Lompoc office will help us better serve patients on the Central Coast.” 

Mindbody, the largest online software provider in the health and wellness industry, and SpaFinder, Inc., the largest global spa resource, have launched an expanded online booking feature at SpaFinder.com.

Now, visitors to the website can search and then book from over 40,000 classes and 60,000 appointments each day directly with the 13,000-plus wellness facilities using Mindbody’s business management software.

The Mindbody-SpaFinder collaboration began in February 2011 when the two companies agreed to display Mindbody’s inventory of fitness, yoga, Pilates and martial arts studios on SpaFinder.com.

Since April, consumers looking for wellness services and activities on SpaFinder.com have enjoyed the ability to search tens of thousands of spas and fitness studios, the largest online inventory of wellness businesses in the world. Now, these consumers can also book their desired service or activity directly with these businesses through SpaFinder.com.

The San Luis Obispo Children’s Museum is the recent recipient of a $25,000 gift from the Edna Piantanida Trust, in memory of Paul Piantanida, who ran the auto repair business on the site where the museum stands today.

The Paintanida family has a long history with the Children’s Museum. Edna’s husband, Paul, owned the machine shop at the corner of Nipomo and Monterey streets. Paul’s Garage opened in 1948 and eventually served as the original Children’s Museum, from 1990 to 2004.

Paintanida was a well-loved and respected member of the San Luis Obispo community. As a child, he helped support his family through the Great Depression. As an adult, he founded and ran two successful companies, served in World War II, and mentored Cal Poly students.

More than 100 Central Coast businesses are generously showing their support for Court Appointed Special Advocates' (CASA) 9th annual special fundraising event, Rendezvous at the Country Club, to support abused and neglected children of San Luis Obispo County.

Local products and services will make up a big part of the theme, entertainment, and auction items for the event, which will be held on Sept. 17 at 5 p.m. at the San Luis Obispo Country Club. Cost is $100 to attend.

"The amount of support that we receive from local businesses every year for our Rendezvous event is remarkable," said Teresa Tardiff, executive director of CASA of SLO County. "From premium wines to spa days to golf packages, the support from Central Coast businesses plays a big role in the fundraising success. Each year, funds raised from Rendezvous typically make up one-quarter of our annual budget."

Local businesses are also volunteering time and making donations to support Rendezvous. Ali Carscaden, Sommelier and Owner of 15 degrees C Wine Shop and Bar in Templeton, CA will be attending the event to volunteer her time and expertise. 

The San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce celebrated the unveiling of its new 24-hour touch screen kiosk on July 25 with a special ribbon cutting ceremony.

The Chamber completed the production on the kiosk in June to allow visitors and locals to find visitor information including restaurants and hotel accommodations any time of the day or night, even when the Visitors Center is not open. 

A new, customized touch-screen kiosk is now accessible just outside of the Visitors Center and downstairs from the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce.

This user-friendly kiosk is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and features listings for local restaurants and lodging as well as provides information about events and things to do in and around San Luis Obispo. 

For more information about the kiosk, click here. 

San Luis Obispo County’s most prestigious wine industry honor was announced last week by the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance in partnership with the Independent Grape Growers of Paso Robles, the Central Coast Vineyard Team, the San Luis Obispo Vintners Association and past award recipients.

The 2011 San Luis Obispo County Wine Industry Person of the Year Award honoree is Stacie Jacob, Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance executive director.

Jacob officially received the honor during the California Mid-State Fair’s Cattlemen and Farmers’ Day, at an awards ceremony focused on recognizing San Luis Obispo County’s Cattlemen, Cattle Women, Farmers, Vintners, and other leaders in San Luis Obispo County agriculture. Special commendations, proclamations and resolutions were presented by local dignitaries and elected officials to all honorees. 

“This award ceremony truly brings together the agricultural industry of San Luis Obispo County to honor its leaders,” said Paul Hoover, a member of Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance Board of Directors and owner of Still Waters Vineyards. “Programs instituted during Stacie’s tenure as executive director have raised the profile of the Paso Robles AVA not only locally, but nationally and internationally.”

Pacific Coast Business Times will feature the fastest growing public and private companies in the Tri-Counties in late August. This special section will provide a snapshot of the year's fast-growth superstars.

The Fastest Growing Companies Awards Reception will take place Sept. 12 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach in Ventura, Calif.

More than $43,000 was raised for patients and hospital services during the fifth annual Golf and Tennis Tournament, The French Cup, where more than 145 members of the community participated in the tournament that was held in June at the San Luis Obispo Country Club.   

The event featured a golf tournament, a women’s doubles tennis tournament and an awards reception. Since its inception in 2007, The French Cup has generated more than $240,000 for French Hospital Medical Center (FHMC) programs and services.

The winning foursome of Leonard Cohen, Ann Paredes, Al Carlin and Bryce Wagner took home the highly acclaimed French Cup trophy, created by Malcolm Demille, who designed the PGA Tour trophy. In a captivating match-up, Carol Hall and Jennifer Sansone won the tennis tournament.