Volume 16 Issue 3 - May/June 2009 - Ferrari Club of America ...

18FCA SOUTHWEST REGION - SPRING, 2009GOURMET RIDE AND DRIVEArticle Byand Photos ByPhotos ByDoug Jim Bindman PrestineWhere the 2008 GourmetRide and Drive was to the historic and funky little CentralCoast beach town of Cayucos, this year was accompaniedby a return to current and fashionable. In 2009 our destinationwas Shell Beach, an upscale suburb at the north end ofPismo.The event began with the tradition of a Thursdayevening opening dinner at the home of event organizersJoan and Doug Prestine. The usual core group of establishedveterans, several with five Gourmet Rides under theirbelt, soon had the newcomers and the usual guest or twofrom the Pacific Region into the spirit of things.It was time for a Coastal Route this year, and Fridaymorning had us on our way along PCH through Malibuwhere we picked up locals wishing to avoid the trek downto Pacific Palisades for the official start. Following a reststop in Ventura, we continued up the coast by way of theback-roads behind Carpenteria and Santa Barbara beforeturning slightly inland for lunch at the Vineyard Restaurantin Santa Ynez. After enjoying a wonderful selection of luncheonchoices on a patio overlooking the rolling landscape,we continued north through Foxen Canyon and a rest stopin Santa Maria on our return to the Coast.Our destination was The Dolphin Bay Resort & Spawhere we were received by a cordial staff and escorted to theprivacy of beautifully appointed 1,100 square foot oceanfrontone bedroom suites to prepare for the evening’sContinued on page 21Various participantsPhoto captions from above:Some of the group at a rest stop. Luncheon.