Things To Do

Highway 1 Road Trip logo - links to homepage
Tidepool Children
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.

Featured Attractions

Activities

All Things to Do

Search
Destinations
Features
294 found
294 found
1
Million Dollar View Ragged Point
Gateway to Big Sur

Ragged Point

Big Sur represents the best of the West. As one of the nation’s top attractions, Big Sur sparkles with vast…

Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Natural History Center

Guadalupe

The Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Complex is comprised of 18 miles of coastline and is one of the most ecologically significant and…

Hearst Castle Zebras

San Simeon

What’s black and white and visible from Highway 1? Believe it or not, zebras are a common sight for drivers…

Highway 46, Cambria
Highway 46 Scenic Drive

Cambria

Beginning at the forested seaside town of Cambria, where houses are built on stilts to mimic the stately pines that…

Hiking Arroyo Grande and Edna Valleys

Arroyo Grande

Find yourself on a hike in either of these two scenic valleys where sunshine, vineyard views, and cool coastal breezes…

Hiking in Cayucos
Hiking in Cayucos

Cayucos

Sweeping coastal views and a temperate climate make hiking the trails in and around Cayucos a must-do. Ready to hit…

Bluffs Hike in Montana De Oro State Park
Stewardship Travel for Good Logo
Hiking Los Osos

Los Osos

A hiker’s paradise, Los Osos lies in a valley at the edge of the Pacific Ocean. Trails of all lengths…

Stewardship Travel for Good Logo
Hiking Oceano and Nipomo

Oceano

A hike across the varied trails of Oceano or Nipomo means wildlife, peaceful lagoons, abundant native plants, and views of…

Black Swift Falls Trail
Hiking On Highway 1

Highway 1

Hiking along the Highway 1 Road Trip showcases the diversity of this abundant place. From Ragged Point to Nipomo, each…

Hiking in San Simeon and Ragged Point
Hiking San Simeon and Ragged Point

San Simeon

Whether your preferred hike involves a view of the coastline, country or mountains, you will have no problem finding a…

Cayucos pier and surfers
Historic Piers and Lighthouses on Highway 1

Avila Beach

Take in all the piers and lighthouses of coastal San Luis Obispo County, or choose just one or two to…

How to Get to Highway 1

Various

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

BlendFest Event
Live Music on Highway 1

Various

Forget overcrowded venues and noisy night clubs—Highway 1 moves to the rhythm of its own beat. All you need to…

Picnic Los Osos
Stewardship Travel for Good Logo
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
Stewardship Travel for Good Logo
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…

Photo credit required to California State Parks Oceano Dunes District
Stewardship Travel for Good Logo
Monarch Butterfly Groves on Highway 1

Pismo Beach

The site is part of an Audubon Nature Preserve, featuring a vegetative restoration project and access trails to monarchs and…

Spooners Cove
Montaña de Oro State Park

Los Osos

This park features rugged cliffs, secluded sandy beaches, coastal plains, streams, canyons, and hills, including 1,347-foot Valencia Peak.

Tidepool Family
Stewardship Travel for Good Logo
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
Stewardship Travel for Good Logo
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
Stewardship Travel for Good Logo
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…

Moonstone Beach Boardwalk Wildflowers
Moonstone Beach

Cambria

Considered one of the Central Coast’s best beaches, Moonstone Beach is an ethereal outpost where waves meet a shoreline perfect…

Morro Rock at sunset
Morro Bay Beach and Morro Rock

Morro Bay

This beach is a coastal frontage park featuring outstanding picnic sites.

Morro Bay Sea Life

Morro Bay

San Luis Obispo County has an abundance of sea life throughout the coastal towns including elephant seals, sea otters, starfish,…

Load More