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We all love summertime, but truth be told, winter can often be the best time of year to be a local on the central coast. We get stretches of sunshine like we've been seeing lately. We get the beaches almost to ourselves. And we can take advantage of winter rates at some of the most beautiful hotels and resorts anywhere.

If you take the time to make a stop at one, and you'll be served all kinds of reminders there's No Place Like Home:

For 15 years when I'd come home to the central coast from the Midwest, my first order of business after leaving the airport was to soak up some sunshine, sea air and maybe a margarita or two on the Marísol Restaurant patio above Shell Beach. There's good reason for that. "It's everything about the central coast. It's the ocean. You can watch the whales. We have good friends here, usually great weather, it's just perfect!" says Brett Holeman from Grover Beach.

The patio at Marísol at the Cliffs Resort offers something you just can't find at every luxury resort across America: the setting. It's amazing. "I think every screen-saver we have is of the local sunset, 'cuz it doesn't get better." says Brett Holeman who visits Marísol from Grover Beach.

Cristina Moncyo is from Ecuador, but has been living in Pismo Beach for a few months. She says the setting is as good as it gets. "The ocean the view, the people here, the drinks are pretty good. (laughter)"

The hotel draws people from all over the world, but we locals can enjoy the views here too. In fact the folks here kind of enjoy us hanging around. The setting is world-class and you can enjoy it on the cheap if you can get here for happy hour Monday through Friday. You pay for your discounted drinks, but the view and even dinner can free of charge. David Kline is the manager at Marísol: "Tuesday are very popular. It's Taco Tuesday. Wednesday is selected seafood items 50-percent off from a local seafood vendor, Thursdays is all you an eat wood-fired pizza and pasta. And Friday is selected appetizers at 50 percent off."

Scott Pierce of Pismo Beach calls The Cliffs one of a kind. "There's no other place on the central coast that you can come to meet your friends, spontaneously, grab a table, ocean view, nice bartenders, grab a drink, talk for a little and five minutes later you are home."

People save all year long to spend a few days here, and once they see a sunset from this spot, they often become return visitors. And I'm not the only one who finds it the perfect place to clear the chaos that accompanies a cross-country excursion. Scott Pierce takes all his out-of-town guests here. "This is our number one spot. Usually we pick them up from the airport and drive them here and then go home."

It's hard to believe, but there are a lot of spots like this on the central coast, and many of them are offering winter specials to locals. I mentioned a few I know about on my blog, but I highly recommend you call and ask if they have a locals rate from now through March. You'll likely be pleasantly surprised!