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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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…

Ragged Point Bridge
Things to Do in Big Sur

Big Sur

Nestled along California’s breathtaking Highway 1, the Gateway to Big Sur beckons travelers with its awe-inspiring beauty and diverse attractions.…

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…

Ragged Point Highway 1
Things to Do in Monterey

Various

Move to the coastal rhythm of Monterey. This waterfront destination rewards roadtrippers with world-class ocean encounters, dramatic coastal walks and…

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…

Black Swift Falls Trail
Things to do in Ragged Point

Ragged Point

Step to the edge of dramatic clifftops where the Santa Lucia Mountains plunge into the shimmering Pacific. Here, where towering…

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

Various

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

Tidepool
Tide Pools and Sea Life of Avila Beach

Avila Beach

Imagine a seaside community surrounded by a wealth of wildlife in its own habitat, and you’ve probably imagined a place…

Tidepool Sea anemone
Tide Pools and Sea Life of Cambria

Cambria

Along Cambria’s craggy, dramatic shoreline, witness the lives of thousands of tiny creatures in their watery habitat. These tide pools…

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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,…

Tidepooling on the coast
Tide Pools and Sea Life of Highway 1

Various

Wherever you roam along Highway 1, the ocean never lies far away. In the 57 miles of coastline between Ragged…

Tidepool
Tide Pools and Sea Life of San Simeon

San Simeon

The stretch of coastline along San Simeon sees some of the most diverse sea life of all of Highway 1.…

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…

Whale Photo by Danna Dykstra-Coy
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Whale Watching on Highway 1: Your Guide to the Whale Trail

Various

When it comes to whale watching, the Central Coast boasts an embarrassment of riches, especially along the Highway 1 Road…

Carrizo Plain Wildflowers
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Wildflowers on Highway 1

Cambria

Brittlebrush, poppies, bluebells, lupine, sand verbena, and evening primrose are just a handful of the incredible wildflowers that bloom on…

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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…

Montana de Oro
Activity Map ~ Highway 1 Road Trip

Various

See the sights and highlights along the Highway 1 Road Trip! Featuring 101 miles of adventure, the route stretches from…

Arcadian Adventures
Arcadian Adventures

San Luis Obispo

Our mission is to provide our guests with bespoke itineraries of outdoor activities led by our dedicated guides.

Arroyo Laguna Beach

San Simeon

Arroyo Laguna Beach is a windsurfing and kiteboarding spot along the northern San Luis Obispo Coast.

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