Restaurant at SLO County golf course closes — but it’s not only big change in store at park
More than three years after it opened at the Dairy Creek Golf Course, the Siren El Chorro has closed its doors — but that’s not the only major change the golf course and its adjoining park are expected to see in the near future.
The Siren El Chorro’s concession agreement with San Luis Obispo County Parks and Recreation has ended, but the golf-and-more recreational facility embedded within the clubhouse at the golf course and 720-acre El Chorro Regional Park is still providing family fun. That includes the Swing Time and Toptracer tech-savvy golf driving range.
The current food and beverage service at the course, however, has stopped, according to a July 25 email sent to golfers and others by Josh Heptig, the county’s golf superintendent.
“Local food trucks will be providing food and non-alcoholic beverage services in the interim,” Heptig wrote. “Alcoholic beverage service is expected to resume within 45 to 120 days.”
Heptig and county parks officials know the time lag and changes won’t be easy for regular patrons.
They “understand your surprise and perhaps even shock at the news,” he said in his email.
“This activity will impact your experience at Dairy Creek, and I ask for your patience and grace with staff as we create an even better experience for all,” he said. “We vow to continue to provide the same great customer service, practice facilities and golf course conditions that exist today.”
He added that “a new fleet of Club Car golf cars will be arriving soon.”
In the meantime, new concessionaire group Marcerro must apply for a liquor license to operate in the space, he told The Tribune by phone Monday.
What will new upgraded clubhouse, park include?
The switch in concessionaires comes as the golf course is set to upgrade its clubhouse and add new amenities.
Plans for the redo — covered by a nearly 29-year, 54-page concessionaire contract approved by county supervisors July 16 — will include renovating the clubhouse’s “interior, outdoor patio and event spaces,” and adding “a new outdoor hospitality offering on the hill above the driving range,” Heptig said.
New amenities covered by the contract include 32 to 36 camping structures and ziplines, among others.
“The contract calls for (the concessionaire group) to spend a minimum of $350,000,” Heptig said of the renovations and additions.
Swing Time and Toptracer will continue to operate at the 2990 Dairy Creek Road facility, even as a new “specialty hospitality group” concessionaire from Australia begins some elaborate facility revamping around them, Heptig said.
That group was identified in the contract as NS SLO LLC with a Redondo Beach contact at Contained Hospitality.
Why did the Siren leave?
Restaurant owner Paul Boisclair said by email Sunday that they’d already begun to dismantle the Siren El Chorro, removing things they provided when it opened in January 2021.
“It was the Siren’s decision to leave El Chorro, and the Siren gave the county over a year’s notice,” he wrote. “At this time, the Siren has no further comment.”
Paul and Kelly Boisclair also own the Siren in Morro Bay. In January 2017, they finished remodeling a former rowdy, ramshackle dive saloon into what is now a lunch-dinner restaurant and bar and a sought-after entertainment venue.
That Siren is still going strong, Boisclair added.
Heptig meanwhile described the Siren’s departure from the golf course as a “mutual situation.”
“We had a great relationship together,” he said. “The Siren was a great partner to have.”
