Hidden Secrets

The round outdoor sculpture near Ragged Point Inn provides a perfect window to the Big Sur coastline. One of the most Instagram-able shots around, this view explains why Ragged Point really is the Gateway to Big Sur.

At Ragged Point, follow the Black Swift Trail down, down, down to a tiny black sand beach with its own waterfall. Just be sure to bring your grippy shoes and a sense of adventure.

Between December and February, mother elephant seals give birth to their young right on the beach at the Elephant Seal Rookery in San Simeon. Stand on the cliffs and watch the circle of life unfold. Locals’ tip: Head north from the Rookery on the Boucher Trail to avoid the crowds and find five more elephant seal overlooks.

The magic of San Simeon Bay lies in its position, protected from the wind — and from crowds. Paddle along the shore and you may just see an elephant seal happily sunning itself on the beach.

Set amongst the eucalyptus trees in old San Simeon, Hearst Ranch Winery pours wine with a view of the ocean and the San Simeon Pier. You may even spy the ghost of William Randolph Hearst, who kept his world class art collection in the barns here.

A herd of zebras in San Simeon? Believe it or not, descendents from William Randolph Hearst’s zoo roam Hearst Ranch in full view of Highway 1.

A network of 17 hiking trails spreads across the remarkable seaside Fiscalini Ranch Preserve. Walk through the forest, over the hills, and along the shore, or just relax on a driftwood bench and soak in your surroundings.

One of the largest free range herd of Clydesdale horses roams the Covell Ranch in Cambria’s countryside. Take a trail ride on one of these majestic animals over the hills and through the ranch’s large stand of Monterey Pines.

Savor a slice of Cambria’s fresh-baked finest at Linn’s Easy As Pie Cafe. Around here the olallieberries — an unusual cross between Loganberries and Youngberries — are legendary.

Travel Highway 46 between Cambria and Paso Robles in spring, and don’t be surprised when your jaw drops. The rippling, rolling hills cascade down in vibrant emerald to the sparkling ocean with distant views of Morro Rock — a view just begging to be Instagrammed.

Between Cayucos and Cambria, Old Creek Road delights cyclists from around the world with its challenging hills and ocean views. Go single file with a cycling buddy or take the climbs solo.

Walk the winding Estero Bluffs Trail near Cayucos, and you’ll see an old fishing boat that ran aground, left in a little cove. Scramble down and you can even get to the ship at low tide, if you’re careful.

Delicate anemones, spiny urchins, dancing hermit crabs and more inhabit a miniature world of wonders at the Cayucos tide pools. Bring the family for an hour or spend the day exploring every nook and cranny.

Looking for a unique place to watch the sunset? The whale tail bench at Cayucos’s 1st Street beach access affords the perfect position for wishing the sun goodnight.

If you want to see fuzzy, plucky California Sea Otters, you usually have to stake out your spot among everyone else. Not so at this little-known sea otter preserve overlooking Morro Rock in Morro Bay, where there’s plenty of room to watch their adorable antics.

You may have been on a wine tasting tour, but what about a seaweed foraging tour? The Marley family in Los Osos teaches all ages to forage edible seaweed, then prepares seaweed ramen on the beach.

Hike out to the end of the Montaña de Oro Bluff Trail in Los Osos for one of the most expansive vistas around. Come in fall to get the clearest view of the bay between Point Concepcion and the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse.

Whale watching is awe-inspiring along Highway 1, but the area around Avila Beach sees more than its fair share of these gentle giants. Perch on the Harford Pier, take a whale watching tour, or paddle into San Luis Bay on your kayak.

The Point San Luis Lighthouse is a hidden gem in and of itself, tucked back behind the hills of Avila Beach. A tree swing on the property faces the ocean for what is the most relaxing, romantic spot around.

The historic Swinging Bridge in Arroyo Grande is one of the only in California. At 40 feet above the Arroyo Grande Creek, and 171 feet across, it provides plenty of wobbly, wiggly fun.

True solitude is rare, but the expansive ecosystem of the Oceano Dunes offers the real deal. Enjoy 22,000 acres of protected dunes between Pismo Beach and Point Sal, one of the largest dune systems in North America.

A biplane ride over Oceano gives a view of the Central Coast not usually seen. Take in the wide, sparkling Pacific Ocean, the beach towns of Oceano, Pismo Beach, and the rippling dunes.

At Nipomo’s Monarch Club at Trilogy, a sculpture garden featuring work by independent local artists welcomes guests in. Made from steel, marble, stone and glass, the collection is free and open to the public.

After Cecil B. DeMille directed The Ten Commandments on the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes in 1923, many set pieces were buried under the sand. Decades later, excavators unearthed a large Sphinx head, a bit of Hollywood history now on display at the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center.

Want to see all the under-the-radar spots? Book your stay at one of hundreds of lodging properties to return to after adventuring. There’s something for everybody and every budget. Set up a cozy home base, and you’ll be ready to experience it all.