Keys 2 the Coast – Pattea’s Trail in Edna Valley By Donna Polizzi
Vintage Bedding, fitting for Edna’s Suite Farmhouse (Photo provided by Pattea Torrence).
–Life is great. Especially when you wake up in the morning and know that there’s no place that you’d rather be. As founder of Keys2theCoast, the challenge is to consistently look for the best places to wine, dine, explore and more on the California Central Coast. Yes, I know… I have a tough job. Don’t hate me.
Donna Polizzi is a regional travel expert and founder of Keys2TheCoast.com, a free travel resource that gives honest recommendations based on personal experiences to help uncover local treasures. Wine, dine, explore and more on the California Central Coast.
Sextant Wines Tasting Room and Gourmet Deli, has long been one of my regular stops for good wine and sandwiches at the historic town site of Old Edna. Who would have known on the same property is a compound of vintage farmhouses that have been fully renovated? Pattea Torrence, the self-proclaimed Mayor of the Old Edna’s Township, has restored the buildings on the property. Pattea Torrence shared, “I wanted to create a charming country retreat, where people can come to my lovely little town and experience all of the things and places that I love so much… It has been a labor of love.”
One look at the farmhouses and you’ll want to make a reservation.
Waking up at the Old Edna’s Townsite, in a gorgeous bed with a beautiful bonnet, in a charming three-bedroom, country farmhouse named Suite Edna, is such a treat. I threw off the covers, stepped onto the original solid maple floors, and headed for the coffeemaker. Looking at the alluring vineyard beyond the kitchen window, was enticement enough to head for the porch to sip my coffee and look over a map that I’d found on the beautiful farmhouse table called “Pattea’s Trail,” which routed several nearby places to explore. There is also an extraordinary, man-cave type cellar called “Duke’s Sipping Cellar “directly under Suite Edna to enjoy a glass of wine with friends.
The beauty of this place is stunning. It is surrounded by lush, green mountains, covered with bright, yellow mustard flowers. It is the perfect place for a restful retreat. The only sounds that you may hear are.… two chickens clucking, three goats bleating, three pigeons cooing, and four adults-a-sipping near a farmhouse that everyone should see.
Out back is a blacksmith shop which was built in 1897. Behind the door is a magical room with three old farmhouse tables with 22 chairs that looks like it was decorated for a princess.
Another structure is called Almas’ room and has more charming than most cities. Inside it’s just a couple of chairs and books it’s the sweetest little library room where you can get lost in a good book.
The DeSolina farmhouse is also known as “Edna Valley Bridal Suite”, and is beautiful. It was such a treat to walk around the grounds, sipping a glass of wine.….it was nothing short of dream-like. It is reminiscent of a romantic movie that came out in 1980 titled “Somewhere in Time”, with Christopher Reeve & Jane Seymour. Like the movie, the weekend felt like a time travel experience.
Let’s talk food. As the map suggested, we picked up lunches at the Comfort Market at 116 W. Branch in Arroyo Grande. The owner Kari Ziegler, makes everything fresh. The menu offers a large selection of vegetarian and gluten- free items. Pattea’s Trail map enticed us to take our food to Tally Vineyard for a picnic and we were glad we did.
These weren’t your typical box lunches. The food was healthy and delicious. Can you imagine a BLT salad with bacon, bleu cheese, red onions, and tomatoes, served on local greens, with house made blue cheese dressing in a box lunch? Or how about a chicken salad, with citrus vinaigrette topped with free-range chicken salad, roasted carrots, and pepitas?
Pattea’s Trail starts at the Old Edna’s Townsite and takes you to fabulous places…from wineries, eateries, hiking trails and scenic roads with a chance to see zebras and buffalo in the distance, and thrilling zip-lines. You can explore on your own or follow the Pattea’s Trail Map to experience where the locals love to go in Edna Valley and neighboring Arroyo Grande and San Luis Obispo.
The Old Edna’s Townsite, oldedna.com at 1653 old Price Canyon Road in Edna Valley is truly hidden gem in the heart of wine country. What are you waiting for? Hit the trail.
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