“Cambria, CA Loves Me, this I Know” a guide and coupon book

Laughing & learning my way through Cambria. -Robin Riker, actor/writer

“Cambria, CA Loves Me, this I Know” by Brandon Follett

The hilarious former owner of the Bridge Street Inn, Brandon Follett, has brought smiles to Central Coast adventurers through his new Cambria guide and coupon book.  His newest book delivers 48 pages of fun that includes unique coupons ranging from discounts on restaurants to bicycle rentals.  Christina Tobin, Founder and Chair of Free & Equal, says it best, “Whether it’s politics or travel…different points of view create more choices.  Brandon’s perspective will help the reader discover some of Cambria’s best kept secrets.”

“Cambria, CA Loves Me, this I Know,” is more than the typical guide book containing a map with three line descriptions.  As educators have realized, humans do not always learn the same way.  Brandon is aware that not everyone travels the same way.  For example Brandon reveals the best places in Cambria to eat beans through a conversation he has with a character named Francisco and his tupperware of black beans.  Another example of Brandon’s unique style, is how he explains the clean smells of the Cambrian air through the perspective of a nose.    Brandon’s book will have you sniffing the air, taking selfie sexy photos, and drinking wine with a goat named Chet.

“Cambria, CA Loves Me, this I Know,” takes the alternative guide book to a whole new level by including 20 business coupons.  There are 10 coupons from Cambria and 10 coupons from Morro Bay (23 miles south of Cambria on the PCH).  The coupons range from 20% off a pint of beer to rent 1 bicycle and get the 2nd rental free.  There’s a coupon for every type of adventurer who’s excited to experience Cambria and the surrounding area.

“Cambria, CA Loves Me, this I Know,” can be purchased at the following locations: Stolo Family Vineyards, Ragged Point Inn and Resort, Henry Miller Library, Top Dog Coffee Bar, Coalesce Books, Seed & Soul, Bridge Street Inn, Ball & Skein & More, and Cambria Ocean Drifters.  10% of the author’s earnings will go towards the Cambria based nonprofit, Free and Equal Elections, an organization to broaden our electoral choices through education.

To purchase a book “Cambria, CA Love, this I Know”online click on cambrialoveme.com

5 more Morro Bay coupons and 10 Cambria coupons

 

The Bridge Street Inn -Cambria, California’s only hostel

When the sun slips below the Pacific and the landscape loses its definition, the stars are still hidden beneath twilight’s blanket, it’s time to check into the Bridge Street Inn.

The 110 year old Bridge Street Inn keeps the unique Central Coast vibe alive with its commitment to urban nature and the human spirit.  When guests step onto the property the first thing they’ll notice are the gardens.  Guests can enjoy the gardens while cooking up veggies from the local farmers market on the BBQ; watch the humming birds take in nectar from the drought tolerant flowers and succulents around the picnic table, relax in the comfy lawn chairs, or rock in the old-time porch swing framed by grape vines.

The human spirit can be as impressive as the Big Sur seashore or a fat elephant seal when guests from around the world start sharing their adventures and art in the common area.   Guests can grab one of the two guitars and share music, introduce other guests to favorite new bands through Spotify and Pandora, share stories, play Scrabble, and get rowdy with a physical game of Categories at the circular dinner table.

The Bridge Street Inn’s common room has plenty of thoughtful entertainment, aka non TV fun.  The library has a wide range of literature.  An example of what a guest can find on the book shelf:  Far Side cartoons, Federico Garcia Lorca poetry, The New Yorker magazine, and Revolution from Within by Gloria Steinem.  I’m afraid to say it but yes, the BSI does have high speed internet for the guest who wants to sit in their room and quietly stream South Park.

The Bridge Street Inn provides a fully stocked kitchen to create a gourmet dinner with the produce you bought at the local grocery or farmers market.  The kitchen has a guest refrigerator, filtered water, gas burning stove/oven, and an impressive seasoned cast iron collection.  The cast iron collection has been pieced together from various garage and thrift stores from Idaho to California.  The BSI has made a commitment not to poison it’s guests with perfluorooctanoic acid and C – 8 found in nonstick cookware.

The Bridge Street Inn is closed from 10:30 AM to 5 PM.  We have the same attitude as most of our guests.  We all came to the Central Coast to adventure and not to sit indoors.  At 10:30 AM we tidy up the hostel.  Once the hostel has a clean cozy feel to it we put away the cleaning supplies and turn into adventurers.  You will find us catching waves, hiking Big Sur, bicycling the Highway 1 and working on art just like you.

Can’t Find a single Business Sign obstructing the Skyline in Cambria

The glorious signs of a healthy economy.

I will not let Cambria’s anti free market strict business sign code stifle my capitalist creativity. Let’s see what the communists think about bicycle sandwich board signs.

A large glowing neon Bridge Street Inn sign would benefit guests. As you can see from this photo there really isn’t a good landmark for directions.

Moon Handbook: Santa Barbara and the Central Coast discovers the musical talent of Brandon Follett

It’s true! I’ll play guests a song or recite a poem at the Bridge Street Inn.  Pick up a Moon Handbook at your local bookstore or at the Moon website.

 

Harold Black Bean Vacations at The Bridge Street Inn

The other day I received an e-mail from Francisco De Lovely inquiring about where he can eat a delicious black bean meal. He writes:

Dear Brandon,

I’m coming to Cambria to vacation with my last two tupperware containers of black beans. I have enjoyed a blissful 6 months with my 25lbs bag of black beans. I named my friend Harold Black Bean. I’ll be arriving at The Bridge Street Inn around dinner time. I’m excited to use your famous cast iron collection to cook up Harold. I also have a special Harold breakfast planned. I’m concerned about the 10:30AM to 5PM lock out. Can you recommend a local favorite restaurant where I might enjoy some of Harold Black Beans relatives?

Thank you,

Francisco and Harold Black Bean

Harold Black Bean likes to go to the beach.

I write back.

Hello Francisco and Harold Black Bean,

Myself and guest, Melissa, recently went on a black bean bonanza. To answer your question we went to lunch at Sebastian’s Store and Cafe located 9.1 miles North of Cambria off of Highway 1 near Hearst Castle. Their black bean burger is EPIC!!!! That evening we made a black bean pizza followed by Heavous Rancheros for breakfast. Hope you enjoy the black bean bonanza photo blog.

See you soon,

Brandon

I recommend the black bean burger at Sebastian’s General Store & Cafe in Old San Simeon Village

Black bean burgers at Sebastian's are so large that we probably ate all of Harolds' cousins.

The surrounding area around Sebastian’s provides plenty of different places to digest black beans.

Melissa digests her black beans along the coast.

Brandon digests his black beans in a tree.

After digesting the black bean burger Melissa and I are ready for the black bean pizza dinner.   The below black bean pizza is similar to the lentil pizza that appeared in the blog post My Underwear Matches my Pizza.  Here’s a link to view a description of the black bean pizza toppings.  http://bridgestreetinn.wordpress.com/2012/02/07/my-underwear-matches-my-pizza-at-the-bridge-street-inn/

Brandon gets ready to enjoy his second black bean meal.

Melissa and I had to take a break from the black bean.  We didn’t eat black beans till breakfast.  I dreamed of black beans.

huevos rancheros: black beans, scrambled eggs, cheese, tortilla, veggie chorizo, green sauce.

Melissa gets ready to enjoy her 3rd black bean meal in a row.

Here are a couple of nutritional links about Harold Black Bean.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/238506-black-bean-nutritional-facts/
http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/legumes-and-legume-products/4284/2

Chickens at The Bridge Street Inn inspire Art

Egg paying guests

The longest staying guests at The Bridge Street Inn are in need of a new home. These laying hens will exchange eggs for room and board. They also might do for your inner artist what Pablo Picasso mistresses did for him.

Pablo Picasso painting of Marie Therese

Quote from a potential chicken adopter Fransico De Lovely, “I’m a starving artist looking for inspiration. I adore Picasso. A beautiful mistress, pen, and paper sounds like a recipe for a potential art love baby. Yikes! I like to draw chickens because they are affordable subjects and I’m not attracted to them.”

Here are couple of pieces The Bridge Street Inn chickens have inspired.

I love to feed chickens because they feed my inner artist

"If I do draw people they must look like chickens." Fransico De Lovely

Water Conservation at the Bridge Street Inn Hostel

https://youtu.be/iz1KvFj1zYs

Aimee Wyatt explains the Bridge Street Inn’s approaches to water conservation, including directions on how to make a lid sink.  Check out the Bridge Street Inn Hostel in Cambria, California.