Things To Do

A trekker’s paradise, Avila Beach boasts a wide variety of hikes and trails, from challenging to casual.

California’s Central Coast beckons travelers seeking the best outdoor activities Highway 1 has to offer. This diverse and picturesque stretch…

With its mild, sunny weather, rugged beauty and beachside location, Los Osos-Baywood has all the right conditions for a day…

The stretch of Highway 1 between Ragged Point and San Simeon offers some of the most sought-after cycling in the…

When you spend a valuable hour or two collecting marine debris and litter with friends, family, or on your own,…

Step into downtown Cayucos and you’ll find a beautifully restored 1870s landmark that’s just come back to life—weathered redwood siding…

Located on beautiful San Simeon Bay, the Coastal Discovery Center celebrates the connection between land and seas.

The historic Dana Adobe in Nipomo transports visitors back to the time of vaqueros, ranchos and Mexican land grants.

Find Elephant Seals on the beach, just off Highway 1. The rookery is easily accessible, free, and open to the…

The majestic Estero Bluffs State Park allows visitors to explore the landscape and beaches on the northern end of Cayucos.

With its extravagant antiquities, architecture, and heritage, Hearst Castle welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Plan your visit…

Step into the Monterey Bay Aquarium and feel world on land slip away. Towering kelp forests sway just beyond the…

Few stretches of California coast deliver ocean wildlife encounters as consistently as Monterey Bay. The reason is geological: a submarine…

Few coastal cities stack experiences like Santa Barbara: glittering waterfront, lively downtown, relaxed beaches, coastal wine plus canyon trails all…

In 1892, Alden B. Spooner, Jr. built this ranch house overlooking the sea.

Located at the meeting of freshwater run-off and the saltwater ocean, the Sweet Springs Nature Preserve is a jewel of…

Some corners of California’s Central Coast especially reward the people who get off Highway 1 and go looking. Arroyo Grande…

Splash into a world of sun-soaked wonder in Avila Beach. With a protected cove, iconic pier and friendly locals, there’s…

Where pine forests meet the Pacific, Cambria rewards the slow wander over the quick stop. Lean into the town’s tranquil…

Cayucos beckons as a classic California surf town. Here, mornings start with coffee and cookies, days drift between pier strolls,…

Where coastal dunes roll into oak-studded farmland, Oceano and Nipomo unfold as Highway 1’s quieter thrill—the kind of place where…

Santa Barbara rewards wanderers who look beyond the postcard. Where the Santa Ynez Mountains meet the Pacific, Spanish-style architecture and…

Join us for kids activities and storytime with hands-on interaction with tide pool animals and aquarium exploration.

The mission of the Central Coast Aquarium is to cultivate a community dedicated to ocean stewardship.