Drove all the way up to Paso Robles only to stop for gas and turn around.  There's so much amazing country you can see from the 101.  The only problem is that the amazing view is from the middle of the freeway, and they really try to discourage parking there.  I managed to find a frontage road on the way home with a ramshackle old diner.  It was super contrasty with the sun low in the sky and the building in shadow, so the best I could do was take advantage of the flares with the Black Slim Devil.