Things To Do

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Your ultimate guide to the best things to do along the iconic Highway 1. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of the California coast, from the grandeur of Hearst Castle to lazy beach-side hamlets. Discover hidden gems, encounter diverse wildlife, and indulge in the region’s vibrant art and culture. Let this comprehensive resource be your compass for an unforgettable road trip adventure.

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1
How to Get to Highway 1

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Between Ragged Point and Nipomo stretches a section of Highway 1 where time slows and landscapes dazzle. Here, rugged cliffs…

Picnic Los Osos
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Los Osos & Baywood Activity Map

Los Osos

The Oso de Oro Loop takes you on a diverse tour of Los Osos and Baywood Park. 

Montana de Oro
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Los Osos State Parks and Beaches

Los Osos

With natural splendor to spare, Los Osos boasts two state parks and beaches: Montaña de Oro State Park and the…

Ragged Point Highway 1
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Monterey Road Trip: The Complete Highway 1 Guide

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Highway 1 hugs Monterey Bay’s glittering coast, where kelp forests sway in the Pacific current and otters float lazily along…

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Oceano & Nipomo Activity Map

Oceano

Explore Oceano as part of the Highway 1 Road Trip. 

Pismo Beach Pier
Pismo Beach Pier and Plaza: Parking, What to Do, and How to Plan Your Visit

Pismo Beach

Step out onto one of California’s longest piers and experience the laid-back rhythm that makes Pismo Beach one of the…

Highway 1 scenic aerial view
San Luis Obispo North Coast Byway – Route 1

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The San Luis Obispo North Coast Byway provides an extraordinary experience.

Hearst Castle in San Simeon, CA
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San Simeon Activity Map

San Simeon

The stunning natural beauty of San Simeon Cove; the enchantment of a hilltop castle – what a beautiful way to…

Arroyo Grande Village Downtown Family
Shopping the Village of Arroyo Grande

Arroyo Grande

Old-fashioned charm, mom-and-pop storefronts, and a friendly Main Street reminiscent of years gone by make Arroyo Grande and neighboring Edna…

Highway 1 aerial view near San Simeon
State Parks and Beaches of the Central Coast

Highway 1

From Ragged Point to Nipomo, you’ll find unspoiled beaches, quiet woodlands, marine protected areas, art, antiquities, and driveable dunes.

Kids playing at park Avila Beach
The 10 Best Parks on Highway 1

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In a land of natural splendor, it’s no surprise that the public has access to breathtaking, fun, and fascinating parks.…

Cayucos Beach Aerial
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The Perfect Cayucos Weekend Itinerary: Beaches, Bluffs and Small-Town Charm

Cayucos

Cayucos rewards travelers who slow down. Park the car, walk Ocean Avenue, and let the tide set the pace. A…

Pismo Preserve
The Pismo Preserve

Pismo Beach

Already a beloved local open space, the Pismo Preserve shows hikers, bikers and equestrians ocean views they hadn’t seen before…

Sweet Springs
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The Sweet Springs Nature Preserve

Los Osos

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

Highway 1 Sunset
The Ultimate Highway 1 Road Trip Itinerary: Ragged Point to Nipomo

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Want the ultimate Highway 1 road trip itinerary? Ours turns this stretch from Ragged Point to Nipomo into a full…

Cycling in Edna Valley Vineyards
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Things to Do in Arroyo Grande and Edna Valley

Arroyo Grande

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

Aerial views Libertine Avila Beach
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Things to do in Avila Beach

Avila Beach

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

Moonstone Beach Boardwalk Cambria
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Things to do in Cambria

Cambria

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

Walking along the Cayucos Pier
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Things to do in Cayucos

Cayucos

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

Back Bay Inn Los Osos
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Things to do in Los Osos Baywood

Los Osos

Tucked along one of Highway 1’s most unhurried back bay stretches, Los Osos and Baywood Park are a choose your…

Viewing Elephant Seals
Things to do in San Simeon

San Simeon

Step onto windswept bluffs where world-famous architecture commands views of vast Pacific blue. This is San Simeon, the quintessential Highway…

Santa Barbara Downtown
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Things to Do in Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara

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

Downtown Arroyo Grande Village
Things to do on Highway 1

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Highway 1 isn’t just a drive — it’s where the coast invites you to slow down, breathe deep and just…

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Wine Country Biking

Arroyo Grande

The most scenic way to experience wine country is from the saddle of a bicycle. In the Edna Valley, enjoy…

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