Central Coast makes another best-of travel list — this time for ‘plant moms’

First Vespera on Ocean in Pismo Beach landed on a travel list to start the year. Then Paso Robles got kudos.

Now it’s the Central Coast as a whole that’s been showcased as a must-visit spot.

The region got a shout-out in travel website TripSavvy’s “Best Places to Travel in 2020” list as the “Best Place for Plant Moms.”

Confused about what that means? Check out #plantmom on Instagram and you’ll get an idea — pictures of rooms filled with big green houseplants, carefully cultivated by their loving owners (aka “plant moms”).

In the scope of the TripSavvy listing, it seems to apply more to plant lovers in general — no houseplant experience necessary.

“The rugged shores of Big Sur, San Luis Obispo’s rolling hills, and the well-maintained gardens of Hearst Castle (celebrating its centennial in 2020), coupled with a focus on conservation and sustainability make California’s Central Coast our 2020 pick for plant moms,” the site said. “It’s a departure from usual favorites like Portland, but that’s why we’re so enchanted.”

TripSavvy highlights tourist locations such as Big Sur and Harmony Headlands State Park, activities like wine tasting and hiking and popular local businesses like soon-to-open Hotel Cerro and Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort and Spa as perfect ways to enjoy the region’s natural beauty.

Big plus points for the Central Coast? “An influx of sustainability focused restaurants and hotels,” TripSavvy says.

“No matter how you like your nature, the Central Coast has an abundance of locales just waiting to awe you,” concludes the listing.

TripSavvy’s Best Places to Travel list is compiled using data from the site’s Editor’s Choice Awards, as well as “first-hand knowledge of our team of editors and writers around the world.”

Other top destinations for the year are Las Vegas; New Orleans; Washington, D.C.; Richmond, Virginia; and Rwanda.

For the full list, visit www.tripsavvy.com.

This story was originally published January 15, 2020 at 5:00 AM.

Kaytlyn Leslie

The Tribune

805-781-7928 (voicemails only)

Kaytlyn Leslie writes about business and development for The San Luis Obispo Tribune. Hailing from Nipomo, she also covers city governments and happenings in San Luis Obispo. She joined The Tribune in 2013 after graduating from Cal Poly with her journalism degree.