Moon's Newest Handbook, Santa Barbara & The Central Coast, Hits Bookstores Nationwide

Online, November 4, 2010 (Newswire.com) - For Michael Cervin, writing about California's Central Coast is a dream come true and his new Moon handbook, Santa Barbara & The Central Coast is currently in bookstores nationwide. "This is the most comprehensive travel book to date covering Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara wine country, as well as Ventura and Ojai in Ventura County, and Morro Bay, Cambria, San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles," the author says. The book details the best area wineries, choice places to eat and stay, and things to see and do from the usual (Mission Santa Barbara, Morro Rock, Hearst Castle) to the unusual (Bubblegum Alley in San Luis Obispo, the Frog Wall in Santa Barbara, Ojai's Pink Moment, and Morro Bay's Black Hill). "Having lived in Santa Barbara for over a decade exploring the beaches, mountains, boating on the water, scuba diving at the Channel Islands, running along the water's edge, tasting the food and sampling the wine, my joy is in sharing those experiences with others," Cervin says.

After working as an actor in Hollywood (Michael appeared on the TV shows 3rd Rock from the Sun, Grace Under Fire, The Young and the Restless, It's A Miracle, and others) he chose to settle in Santa Barbara. He first found work with a world-renowned architect which gave him an appreciation for the unique and diverse architecture displayed along the coast. Passionate about local history, Michael served on the Historic Landmarks Advisory Commission for Santa Barbara County and became well versed in the layered and intriguing history the Central Coast offers. "I started writing about the Central Coast wine industry over a decade ago and that has translated into my serving as a wine, spirits and food judge at competitions from California to Portugal, and Puerto Rico to Virginia." A love of the region was best displayed when Michael married his wife at Leadbetter Beach in Santa Barbara then had his wedding reception at Kalyra Winery in Santa Barbara wine country.

As a full time writer Michael's work has appeared in Decanter, Wine & Spirits, Wine Enthusiast, Skywest, Westways, and more than 70 publications covering wine, food, and travel. Along the way Michael has interviewed Jonathan Winters, Dan Aykroyd, Mario Andretti, Gina Gallo and other celebrities. His book of poetry, Generous Fiction, was released in 2009, and he is the restaurant critic for the Santa Barbara News-Press. Michael's next Moon book,
California Wine Country will be released in May, 2011.