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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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…

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…

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.

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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Tide Pools and Sea Life of Cayucos

Cayucos

With 100 miles of Pacific coastline, our stretch of Highway 1 boasts abundant sea life including marine mammals, tide pools,…

WR Hearst State Beach
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W.R. Hearst State Beach

San Simeon

William Randolph Hearst Memorial Beach provides the scenery, sand, and surf for an ideal beach day on Highway 1. This…

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Audubon Sweet Springs Nature Preserve

Los Osos

Trails lead among Monterey Cypress and eucalyptus to two freshwater ponds, and around a salt marsh to the edge of…

Cayucos Estero Bluffs
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Be an iNaturalist with the Cayucos Land Conservancy

Cayucos

Did you know that the Cayucos Land Conservancy sponsors a Citizen/Scientist Project on iNaturalist to catalog all plant and animal…

Central Coast Aquarium, Avila Beach
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Big Fish, Little Fish at Central Coast Aquarium

Avila Beach

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

Central Coast Aquarium, Avila Beach
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Central Coast Aquarium

Avila Beach

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

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El Moro Elfin Forest Docent-Led Nature Walks

Los Osos

The Elfin Forest supports more than 200 species of plants, as well as 110 kinds of birds, 22 species of…

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Fiscalini Ranch Preserve Docent Nature Walk

Cambria

The Ranch is far from the largest of coastal ecosystems, but packs more biological diversity into a confined area than…

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