>Actually the movie was shot in and around Santa Barbara mostly over the >mountain into the Santa Ines Valley.

See, I thought it was set in that wine district east of San Luis Obispo
- but that is the west end of the Santa Ines Valley, isn't it? I'm not
looking at a road map at the moment. We drove from Santa Barbara
through Reagan Ranch territory (no Reagan fan I, but I'd rather attach
his name than Jackson's to such beautiful country) and came out on 101
close to San Luis Obispo - 8 years ago on our honeymoon. We were just
driving, didn't stop anywhere. No place to stop that we could see, just
back roads and ranches. Then two years ago we drove a couple of the
"wine country roads" out of SLO, ending up in Pismo Beach. We never got
around to Solvang for some reason.

So I could be getting the Sideways locations confused, but I thought it
was Central Coast, kind of on the way to Santa Maria, back of Santa
Barbara. Oh well. Better get out of text based NG and look it all up on
the map.

Santa Barbara can be awfully tacky if you're a budget tourist. We were
not happy staying by the beach in a $120/night place (1998 dollars).
Too honky tonk. Ten years ago I went to a weekend workshop in a former
convent in Montecito, right next to the ranch where JFK Sr. honeymooned
with Jackie. MOntecito is a delight, Mediterranean, ocean views. But I
don't choose to spend my money on $700 a night resorts; the convent's
prices were more my style - spartan digs, wholesome food, beautiful
surroundings - just right for a retreat.

Leila