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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Tidepool Sea anemone
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Monterey Bay Aquarium: The Complete Visitor Guide

Various

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

Tidepool Family
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Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) — South End

San Simeon

Vast and teeming with life, the Pacific Ocean impacts nearly every part of life on the Central Coast, from wildlife…

Whale Photo by Danna Dykstra-Coy
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Monterey Bay Whale Watching

Various

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

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

Various

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. 

Oceano train station
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Oceano Train Depot

Oceano

A critical historic site for the development of San Luis Obispo County, the Oceano Train Depot now stands as a…

Oso Flaco Lake hike in Nipomo along Highway 1
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Oso Flaco Lake

Arroyo Grande

Just north of Guadalupe, California, lies one of the most scenic natural areas all along California’s coast, Oso Flaco Lake.

Piedras Blancas Lightstation
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Piedras Blancas Light Station

San Simeon

The Piedras Blancas Light Station stands as a monument to maritime days gone by. The lighthouse, built in 1875 and…

Point San Luis Lighthouse
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Point San Luis Lighthouse

Avila Beach

Founded in 1890, Point San Luis Lighthouse has saved many lives in its time, and remains a beacon over San…

SLO Botanical Garden
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San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden

San Luis Obispo

The mission of the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden is to display the diverse plant life of the Mediterranean climate…

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…

Aerial view of the Santa Barbara Coastline and Pier
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Santa Barbara Road Trip Guide: Routes, Stops, and Weekend Planning

Santa Barbara

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

Sea Otters Photo credit required- Photo © 2013 “Mike” Michael L. Baird
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Sea Otter Spotting

Morro Bay

Cute, furry, and playful, Southern Sea Otters make their homes just offshore along the SLO CAL stretch of Highway 1.…

Seaweed foraging in Cayucos
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Seaweed Foraging Tours

Cayucos

This is an intimate and educational experience that is always family friendly.

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Spooner Ranch House at Montaña de Oro State Park

Los Osos

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

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…

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…

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…

A couple walking on sand dunes at the Oceano Dunes
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Things to do in Oceano/Nipomo

Oceano

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 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…

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