Ladies, please ignore this article. It is for men only.

Guys, Valentine's Day is nearly upon us and most of you haven't made any plans yet. Some of you are lazy and some of you consider yourselves conscientious objectors to this so-called holiday. I've fallen into one or both categories in past years, and we all know they lead to trouble. So quit making excuses and get busy making arrangements.

Women have high expectations when it comes to February 14. They consider dinner, flowers and a gift to be the bare minimum. But instead of fighting with some other dude over the last bunch of supermarket roses, take it to the next level. Book you and your honey a weekend in Cambria and she might just stop bringing up your lame attempts to play Cupid in recent years.

Why Cambria? It's got all the ingredients for a successful romantic weekend away. Situated on the ocean just north of San Luis Obispo, it is far enough away to be out of town, but not too far that getting there is a hassle. Beachfront hotels, nearby wineries, morning fog and a great selection of restaurants seal the deal.

First things first: Book a room. April and I stayed at the Pelican Cove Inn, a cozy hotel that Cupid himself would recommend. It overlooks scenic Moonstone Beach, close enough that if you leave your sliding glass door open, you can smell the ocean and let the sound of the breaking surf lull you to sleep. We had a roomy upstairs suite with a fireplace, ocean view and small balcony from which to enjoy the view. It's the perfect setting to enjoy breakfast, a glass of wine and bite of cheese, or even dessert, all of which the hotel serves periodically throughout the day and includes with the price of your room.

"Play along and ACT SURPRISED when he tells you he's taking you away for the weekend."

Moonstone Beach is a postcard-worthy Central California seascape and the perfect setting for romance, which explains why everyone you see there is holding hands. Waves crash against rocks. Scattered driftwood accessorizes the wide beach, which backs up to low bluffs. A boardwalk runs for a mile or so along the bluffs, providing awesome views and an excuse to take a long leisurely walk arm in arm.

All that walking can make you thirsty. Fortunately, the Paso Robles wine country is a short drive away along State Route 46. There are dozens of wineries in the area and many have tasting rooms. We visited Mastantuono. Not because of its reputation for producing award-winning varietals, but because we liked the French chateau look of the tasting room and it was close to the highway. We take our wine seriously.

The wine was good, but the atmosphere was even better. Our server was very helpful in describing their offerings and steering us toward sampling things we might actually like. There was no air of superiority or snobbishness you find in other wineries. We particularly enjoyed the 2004 Syrah, which according to the tasting menu has "earthy aromas reminiscent of leather, spice and plum." Take their word for it, because I didn't recognize any of those flavors. Especially the leather.

Just like good wine, great restaurants are also easy to find in Cambria. The hard part is deciding where to go. The Moonstone Beach Bar and Grill is an easy walk from the Pelican Cove Inn. It's casual, but the food is excellent and the setting is relaxing. We sat on the ocean view patio, which is equipped with heater vents in the floor (you'll get major bonus points for that one, guys), and enjoyed a smoked salmon quesadilla, shrimp crostini and a candied walnut gorgonzola salad.

The following evening we ventured into town and had a late dinner at The Sow's Ear on Main Street. Funny name, but seriously good food. Their selection ranges from steaks and seafood to classics with a twist. Instead of chicken pot pie, they make it with lobster and April loved it. I went with the chicken fried steak, which was tender, moist and full of flavor. It's a popular place and reservations are a must.

There are plenty of other things to do in and around Cambria besides eat, drink and walk on the beach. The Cambria Pines Lodge is noted for its gardens, which are definitely worth walking through. Its meandering paths are dotted with benches and arbors that invite you to sit and enjoy the gardens and each other. The stunning Hearst Castle is six miles up Highway 1. Keep going and you'll find scores of elephant seals hauled out of the water sunning, snoring and bellowing at each other on the beach.

Shopping opportunities are also abundant along Main Street, Cambria's commercial hub, which has two distinct areas. West Village is more modern looking with faux fronts on the buildings and cutesy shops. But don't completely write it off. The Visions of Nature Gallery is there. It features the photographs of Bill LaBrie. If a rugged guy with silver hair and beard is behind the counter, that's Bill. In addition to being an outstanding photographer, he's also quite pleasant. We chatted him up for several minutes and he willingly shared some of the stories behind his shots.

At the other end of Main Street is East Village. It looks like a Main Street should, with older, character-rich storefronts. You'll find several antique emporiums, as well as Linn's, a great spot for lunch. The main restaurant is closed while the owners rebuild after a fire, but they've opened a scaled down version that serves up great homemade cooking and wonderful pies, cakes and bakery items.

Well guys, I'm not sure what else I can tell you, other than hurry up and book your reservations. And ladies, I know you're reading this, so do me a favor. Let him figure Valentine's Day out for himself. Don't give hints like tearing this page from the magazine and taping it to his steering wheel. Just play along and act surprised when he tells you he's taking you away for the weekend.


Cambria Travel Guide

Getting There
Cambria is about three and a half hours north of Santa Clarita. Take State Route 126 west to Highway 101 north. Take State Route 1 north and follow the signs into town.

Suggested Sites
Pelican Cove Inn
6316 Moonstone Beach Drive
Cambria, CA 93428
800-966-6490
www.pelicansuites.com

Mastantuono Winery
2720 Oak View Road
Templeton, CA 93465
805-238-0676
www.mastantuonowinery.com

Moonstone Beach Bar and Grill
6550 Moonstone Beach Drive
Cambria, Ca. 93428
805-927-3859
www.moonstonebeach.com

The Sow's Ear
2248 Main St
Cambria, CA 93428
805-927-4865
www.thesowsear.com

Visions of Nature Gallery
784 Main St Ste D
Cambria, CA 93428
805-927-0740
www.visionsofnaturegallery.com


Eric Harnish is a Newhall resident who finally learned it's a lot easier to celebrate Valentine's Day in a big way than to give his wife that whole spiel about it being a manufactured holiday cooked up by greeting card companies.