California Central Coast Travel Guide - Introduction

The California Coast Travel Guide - Central Coast is a resource for those planning a road trip along the magnificent stretch of Pacific Coast Highway from Santa Barbara to Monterey. The main route is via US-101 between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo, then the Pacific Coast Highway (California Highway 1) between San Luis Obispo and Monterey. The northern stretch includes the amazing Big Sur section of Pacific Coast Highway, one of America's most scenic routes. Many side trips are included: to gorgeous beaches, scenic wine country, historic Spanish missions, and more. Details include descriptions, links to many references, and suggested visit times.

The California Coast route can offer a trip as short as two days or more than a week. Most people drive much of the Pacific Coast Highway one way as part of a trip between Los Angeles and San Francisco, both outstanding tour destinations in themselves. The fast return either way is via Interstate-5. Many tourists travel the coast route from Los Angeles to San Francisco, then head inland to visit Yosemite National Park and other destinations in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

For those uncomfortable with heights, we suggest traveling south to north. This will put you on the inside of the road through the section of cliffs on the Big Sur Coast. The most typical route from Los Angeles: take freeway US-101 to San Luis Obispo, California-1 from San Luis Obispo to Monterey, California-68 from Monterey to Salinas, then US-101 north into San Francisco.

Directory to the California Central Coast

From south to north the route passes through Santa Barbara County, San Luis Obispo County, and Monterey County. Each county and its namesake city gives you a different perspective of the Central Coast.

• Santa Barbara, California and Santa Barbara County

  The county's highlight is the urbane and beautiful city of Santa Barbara, one of California's favorite vacation cities. It features scenic beaches, popular Stearns Wharf, a main street with boutique shops, restaurants, and sidewalk cafes; and many cultural and historic sites, including the renowned Mission Santa Barbara. It is also the home of the University of California, Santa Barbara (in adjacent Goleta).

  The county's beautiful beaches are generally south-facing, offering shelter from the prevailing winds, and therefore comfortable recreation. The inland county offers scenic rolling hills and valleys, and is outstanding wine country, made famous by the 2004 movie, "Sideways". The town of Solvang is noted for its unique Danish heritage and atmosphere.

• San Luis Obispo, California and San Luis Obispo County

  The center of the California Central Coast, the county offers a taste of the "old" California: less crowded, slower paced, and beautiful. The small city of San Luis Obispo (population 42,000) is completely different from Santa Barbara: uncrowded and slow paced with antique buildings and a lovely, tree-covered main street. Every Thursday night, the streets shut down for the San Luis Obispo Farmer's Market, far more a party and celebration than simply a market.

  The county features small, quiet beach towns and beautiful sandy beaches (which can still get crowded on holiday and summer weekends), some with visitor piers. Check out our favorite stop, beautiful Morro Bay.

  The tiny town of Cayucos is sometimes called "the last California beach town". The remote north county features a rocky coastline with coves and small beaches. It is also the site of the world-famous Hearst Castle, the spectacular estate built and occupied by William Randolph Hearst in the early 20th century.

  The county also features two completely different wine countries. The cool coastal region south of San Luis Obispo features white wines, Syrah, and Pinot Noir. The warmer, inland north county around Paso Robles features hearty red wines. Both areas include many small family wineries offering tasting. The network of country roads west of Paso Robles offers some of the finest scenery in the state.

• Monterey, California and Monterey County

  The highlight is the Big Sur section of Pacific Coast Highway, California Highway-1, one of America's finest scenic routes. Besides the great scenery, the road is an engineering marvel. In some places, the road has been blasted into sheer cliffs; in others, spectacular bridges span steep canyons. Look for numerous state parks and beaches along the way. At Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, an 80-foot waterfall drops off a cliff straight into the ocean. The scenery at Point Lobos State Reserve south of Carmel looks more like an artist's drawing. The reserve is also richly intense with marine mammals and seabirds. At Big Sur, look to hike in the region's famous coastal redwoods.

  The city of Monterey is completely different from Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo, a mixture of affluence, scenic beauty, and great places. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of the world's finest. The famous shopping and cultural district, Cannery Row, is right next door. The stark and rugged beauty of Asilomar State Beach contrasts with nearby Pebble Beach, one of America's most famous golf complexes. And almost every visitor will pay the toll for the famous 17-Mile Drive.

Index to the California Central Coast Travel Guide

• Introduction to the California Central Coast
• California Central Coast Map
  
  
• Santa Barbara County
  • What to do in Santa Barbara
  • Santa Barbara Hotels, Bed & Breakfast, Inns, and other Lodging
  • Santa Barbara Camping, State Parks & Beaches
  • Santa Barbara Spanish Missions
  • Santa Barbara Wine Country
    
    
• San Luis Obispo County
  • City of San Luis Obispo, Pismo Beach, Avila Beach, and Port San Luis
  • Morro Bay, Cayucos, Cambria, Paso Robles, Hearst Castle, Point Piedras Blancas, and Ragged Point
  • San Luis Obispo County State Parks & Beaches
  • San Luis Obispo County Spanish Missions
  • San Luis Obispo County Wine Country
    
    
• Monterey County
  • City of Monterey, Carmel, Pebble Beach, Big Sur Coast Highway, and Los Padres National Forest
  • Monterey County State Parks & Beaches
  • Monterey County Spanish Missions
  • Monterey County Wine Country
    
    
• Travel Itineraries - Trip Planners