April 23rd, 2010
Our good friend Dave McDonald stopped by yesterday to take pictures of some of the wildlife we are lucky to have here at The Casitas. Dave is a bit of an Renaissance man. He is a craftsman (he made our Casitas sign) and a gifted photographer. He was here specifically to try to get a good picture of a quail. Well, not only did he get that but he will be back soon to focus on the great horned owls which have been hanging around lately. If the picture below is any indication, the great horned owl picture will really be something special.

Quail at The Casitas
Tags: craftsman, dave mcdonald, great horned owl, photographer, quail, the casitas, wildlife
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December 11th, 2009
At The Casitas we try to be as green as possible, from our sustainable bamboo flooring, recycled glass wine goblets, to the solar heated swimming pool, we always try to be better to our guests and the environment. The latest opportunity to be green came recently when 3 of the properties water heaters all went out at the same time. This presented us with a unique opportunity to replace the old tank type water heaters with new, efficient tankless water heaters.
What a difference. Now water is not being kept hot day and night waiting to be used, it comes out hot on demand. The electric on demand water heaters represent a huge step forward in efficiency. Because energy is only used “on demand”, almost 100% of the electricity used to make the hot water goes directly where it’s needed, our guests. Traditional water heaters are far less efficient because they are constantly running, whether water is needed or not. Not only will we save money in the long run, we now have 3 new storage cabinets scattered around the property!
3 of the properties 5 heaters are now on demand. When it is time to replace the other two we will be 100% tankless. Less is more and we hope you agree.

Smaller is better

A "room" for two, without the old water heater.
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August 12th, 2009
I love a course that looks good and is fair. This Peter Jacobsen Signature Course fits the bill to a T, or should I say “TEE”? The Jacobsen Hardy Design Team utilized the natural surroundings of the area to make this San Luis Obispo County golf course truly unique. Mature cypress trees, lush green fairways and cool fresh ocean air make Cypress Ridge a golfers’ paradise. It is a challenge for golfers of all skill levels. Better yet Cypress Ridge is only 8 miles from The Casitas of Arroyo Grande Bed & Breakfast, making us the place to stay when you are looking for lodging when you enjoy central coast golf .
One of the things I like is Cypress Ridge’s “combo” tees. This allows the average golfer to stretch his game and hit from the “blues” the majority of the time without feeling like they have to over swing. The course itself is very well kept, up to or exceeding what you find on private courses. Among the more fun holes, for me at least, is # 7, a reachable, uphill par 4. From the blues it is 288 yards but plays like 310. I haven’t reached it but a playing partner has. How many times do you get an eagle opportunity on a par 4? Not too often, this alone makes it worth the trip. Number 17 is a downhill par 3. The tee shot has to split the pine trees that line the fairway. It make you think that your are teeing off in a tournament on TV. It is 184 from the blues. The greens are true and fast, especially if you play after the morning dew has burned off.
This is a classic golf course you’ll keep thinking about long after you’ve played this central coast treasure. You can visit their website at www.cypressridge.com.
Tags: central coast golf, combo tees, cypress ridge, golf, jacobson hardy design team, peter jacobson, peter jacobson signature course, the castias of arroyo grande bed and breakfast
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July 27th, 2009
This is a Casitas News Update!
The Casitas is going nationwide tonight. PBS’s “The History Detectives” recently filmed a segment about Amelia Earhart featuring The Casitas in many of the scenes. The segment investigates whether a piece of metal could have come from Amelia’s plane months before her disappearance. To read more about tonight’s episode the following link will take you to “The History Detectives” website:
http://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/investigations/706_ameliaearhart.html.
To find out the airtime in your area click on the link below to access the PBS website:
http://www.pbs.org/tvschedules

Pat & Tony with segment host, Elyse Luray (holding plane fragment)
Tags: amelia earhardt, elyse luray, history detectives, pbs, the casitas
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July 16th, 2009
Like many of you, I too was a skeptic of B & B’s. But after celebrating our one year anniversary at The Casitas of Arroyo Grande Bed & Breakfast, I can honestly say there are a lot of benefits to guys that plan a stay at a luxury B & B. For example:
- Gourmet breakfasts abound. Try finding something half as yummy at any hotel…and it’s included in your overnight stay!
- Concierge service without any lines and with your interests at heart. Innkeepers on site will make your visit special and know the local hidden gems that they want to share with you. You don’t need to have much planned aside from booking the room, the owners will help make your trip a great memory after you arrive.
- Surprise your significant other! They will be very appreciative of your romantic intent, and you score big-time too!
- No, you do NOT hear your neighbors through the walls–many B&B’s are secluded and private stays–
AND you will likely have your own full bath as well as other features like a fireplace bedside or gorgeous view, (contrary to old mis-perceptions about B&B stays).
- Escape! Peace and quiet, many B&B’s are nestled in a natural setting–while you’re still close to civilization and have the choice of great things to do! Many are located near very cool attractions, whether it’s a charming neighborhood in DC, an ancient fishing village, or a small CA coastal village near wineries.
- History, and something special off the beaten track! Many properties are converted vintage or unique estates–they offer something very memorable that your significant other will treasure and want to return to again. (see #10, for how that also works again!)
- Amenities! Fluffy robes, wine and cheese fireside, fine bath salts for a soak in the tub, super comfortable king size beds, and (yum!), chocolates on your pillow.
- Technology–B&B’s are generally NOT in it to nickel and dime you, today many feature free open wireless, hi-def satellite or cable TV, and iPod hookups so you have it all and never have to leave the haven of your room or cottage.
- Stay-cations! You’d be surprised to find a romantic B&B almost in your own backyard, and we never seem to make the time to experience what’s around the corner from us–being green and saving on fuel costs to boot…more to spend on food and other goodies during your outing.
- MAJOR BROWNIE POINTS! How many birthdays and anniversary gifts are hard to figure out and lack that creative flair? Your partner will flip over your creativity if YOU do the planning for a romantic getaway.
So, what are you waiting for? Make a bold move today or for those already ‘in the know’ about the huge bennies of a luxury B&B stay, remind that special someone, new or old, that you’re dialed in and have that romantic, thoughtful flair–Go guy!
Some of our favorite All Star “Go to Guys”:

Steve Eberhart took Laurie to the real "Wisteria Lane"!

Ray Neufeld has Jane right where he wants her, at The Casitas!
Tags: anniversary gift, concierge service, fluffy robes, gorgeous view, gourmet breakfast, hi-def TV, iPod hookups, luxury b&b, natural setting, peace and quiet, staycation, the casitas, wine, wineries, wisteria lane
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July 16th, 2009
One thing I was worried about when Pat and I moved last year was where I was going to play golf. In Los Angeles I knew where to go and luckily had a great group of friends to play with. I can now tell everyone that people in Central California are wonderful and the golf courses are just as good.
If you’re staying here and golf is something you enjoy, you’ve come to the right place. I get to play every Tuesday with a group of friends from Arroyo Grande and Pismo Beach. They have shown me how many great courses are within a 15 - 30 drive from The Casitas. If you live in San Francisco or Los Angeles a 15 - 30 minute drive is nothing, especially if golf is the reward!
I will post weekly blogs about the courses we play. Each has their own character that makes it fun to play. For a rundown of courses close to The Casitas, you can follow the link to the golf page on the website, http://www.thecasitasofarroyogrande.com/golf.
Tags: central coast golf, the casitas
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May 28th, 2009
Spring is here in full force at The Casitas of Arroyo Grande. Flowers all over the property are blooming and new life is everywhere. We hear swallow chicks chirping in their nests and we have seen several large families of quail walking around the property.
We got a picture of one of the larger families out for a late afternoon snack on our back lawn. How many chicks do you count? Obviously the Octo-Mom has nothing on the Casitas Quail!

Quail Family Enjoying The Casitas Lawn
Tags: blooming, Casitas of Arroyo Grande, flowers, quail family, swallows
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May 6th, 2009

Tony Holding Injured Quail
Last Sunday Pat spent the day potting plants we had queued up in the front courtyard. She worked her tail off but things around The Casitas are just a little nicer for it. As she was working in the yard I was working in the kitchen when I heard the loud bang of a bird flying into a window. I ran outside and found that a quail had knocked himself senseless and was lying stunned on the ground. If you have been here or know anything about the birds, you know they are very skittish. To our amazement he allowed us to pick him up and hold him. Thankfully he didn’t have any bleeding. We put him in a cushy shoebox and put the box in the bushes where they like to nest.
We were on our back deck about 30 minutes later when we heard rustling in the leaves and here comes our quail walking by looking none the worse for the experience. When he walked by he didn’t have that furious mad dash that they usually have. He was very calm. Maybe that famous Casitas TLC rubbed off on him. We hope he may become the liaison between us & the local quail community!
Tags: casitas tlc, quail, the casitas, the casitas of arroyo grande
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May 4th, 2009
It’s done! Work on the pool is finally finished and the pool is now open to guests, weather permitting. For those of you who don’t know about our pool, it is a two lane, 25 meter lap pool. Or if you aren’t too up on the metric system, the pool measures 82′ x 12′. Plenty big enough for a good workout.
Please note, the pool is heated via solar panels. Right now the pool temp is warmer than the air temperature. It is a balmy 80 degrees today!
The Casitas of Arroyo Grande Bed & Breakfast has to be one of the few, if not the only B & B’s with a lap pool.

Looking down the length of the pool.
Tags: 25 meter lap pool, pool at the casitas, swimming, the castias of arroyo grande bed and breakfast, views
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March 23rd, 2009

Swallows Over Casitas Back Lawn, 2008
Last week Pat and I were sitting on the back deck enjoying a glass of wine with my sister Gerti and her husband John when we saw the first swallows return to the Casitas. It was pretty cool to see them checking out which nest was theirs. FYI, the mud nests are under the eaves of the Casitas and main house. Swallows “mark” their nests and return to the same one each year.
When we bought the property last year the swallows had already returned. This year we were lucky enough to see it happen first hand. If you haven’t seen them up close they are incredible to watch. They seem to stop on a dime in mid-air, and then change direction in an instant. The Casitas of Arroyo Grande Bed and Breakfast is thrilled to have resident swallows, they entertain and do a great job eating bugs!
Tags: swallows return
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