Pelican Inn & Suites sold to Santa Barbara-based hotel chain

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• Tourist tax promotes Cambria tourism

  Tourist tax promotes Cambria tourism

  North Coast lodging and tourism executives are spending funds paid by their guests to upgrade two Chamber of Commerce websites and otherwise help stimulate overnight tourist visits here.

  As of mid-February, Cambria Tourism Board and San Simeon Tourism Alliance had accumulated more than $650,000 between them to help promote local events and make it easier for potential travelers to learn about the beauty of the area, activities offered and available services, such as restaurants, shops and, yes, lodgings. Funds are kept separate for each community.

  The two boards, with final approval by the county Board of Supervisors, can allocate their funds toward promoting selected projects, programs and events that will help promote tourism and positively impact lodging occupancy in their areas, particularly during the slow seasons.

• Moonstone Beach Drive: One trail links to another

  Moonstone Beach Drive: One trail links to another

  California Conservation Corps members began tackling mounds of blackberry brush and poison oak Monday, April 16, the first construction steps toward building the last link of the Moonstone Beach trail and boardwalk from Leffingwell Landing to Windsor Boulevard.

  Work on the the small but significant project, 109 feet long and about 8 feet wide, along the south side of Moonstone Beach Drive from the El Colibri Hotel to Windsor, could take from a week to two weeks, according to Corps supervisor Kiva Vigil. He said no trees are to be removed for the project.

  The walkway plan includes a wood retaining wall about 3 feet tall by 60 feet long, as well as a guardrail on the downslope side facing Santa Rosa Creek, according to a report by the North Coast Advisory Council. The trail will have decomposed granite surface.

• Santa Barbara is known for luxury, but it can be done cheaply with some advance planning

  Santa Barbara is known for luxury, but it can be done cheaply with some advance planning

  SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - If you believe the glossy travel magazines, Santa Barbara drips money, and any visitor had better be ready to have their wallet leak all over the place, too. Touted as "the American Riviera," it's up there with Palm Beach, the Hamptons and Martha's Vineyard as playgrounds for that top 1 percent that the Occupy Wall Street protesters are talking about.

• Follow-Up File: Rebuilt Cambria Shores Inn keeps that old-time feel

  Follow-Up File: Rebuilt Cambria Shores Inn keeps that old-time feel

  A sizable investment and two phases of construction converted an economy motor lodge into a high-end boutique hotel.

• Chili contest, car show Saturday in Cambria

  Chili contest, car show Saturday in Cambria

  Expect a hot time around Cambria’s Veterans Memorial Building on Saturday, April 21, with pots of chili on the Pinedorado grounds side and 37 notable vehicles on display in the Veterans Memorial Building parking lot at 1000 Main St.

  The cook-off competition between a baker’s dozen of chili recipes runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with sampling ($5, one taste per booth) and judging from noon to 3 p.m., although cooking begins much earlier. Attendees vote, too, for People’s Choice awards.

  At the free car show, attendees vote for their favorite cars from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.