As the nation rings in the New Year with parades and parties, San Luis Obispo, California
hosts a bright and lively festival unlike any other—attended by some of the most awe-inspiring performers of the natural world.
On wing and by water, a menagerie of migratory species lead the way to the lush and still-warm environs of the ideal winter vacation spot in San Luis Obispo (located halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco).
With a host of alluring accommodations
—including B&Bs, economy lodges, unique hotels, and high-end chains—San Luis Obispo’s human guests will find an ideal winter refuge, as well, this new year, while feathered and finned area visitors help them celebrate life, love, and new beginnings in 2010:
Monarchs Reign: The exquisitely decorated monarch butterflies flit, float and fly in the thousands to their ancestral throne among the Eucalyptus groves of Pismo Beach in time for the New Year. Tourists visiting San Luis Obispo from November through February can witness the mesmerizing scene of 25,000 butterflies—one of the largest Monarch colonies in the nation—filling the air with living confetti.
Elephant Seals Trumpet: There is never a dull moment at the elephant seal rookery in San Simeon during the winter. Visitors on their way to or from Big Sur or Hearst Castle can stop in for a sometimes shocking display of claim-staking, mating, birthing, and weaning throughout the season—but January is especially exciting, as the first adorable pups are welcomed into the world!
Winter Birds Wow: In a truly breathtaking show, around 250 species of birds big and small take wing to their favorite vacation destination in time for the annual Winter Bird Festival in Morro Bay, attracting birders and nature-lovers to the area on January 15 – 18, 2010.
Grey Whales Make a Splash: Winter whale watching visitors in San Luis Obispo County can see how Grey Whales celebrate a New Year (and warmer waters) as they spout off the shores of Morro Bay and Pismo Beach throughout the winter months. The giant cetaceans (en route to Baja on one of the longest mammalian migrations) entertain Central Coast beach walkers and boaters alike.
For more details about San Luis Obispo getaways and January 2010 events, visit the website at www.SanLuisObispoVacations.com
. Editors seeking additional information or images may contact Holly Padove (holly@thepressroom.com) or Jamie Relth (jamie@thepressroom.com) at On the Horizon Communications, (805) 773-1000.