Things To Do

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Things To Do

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

Hearst Castle

Cayucos Pier

Oceano Dunes

Piedras Blancas Lighthouse

Activities

Best Things to Do

Arts & Culture

Beaches

Biking

Fishing

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All Things to Do

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Monterey Road Trip: The Complete Highway 1 Guide
Highway 1 hugs Monterey Bay’s glittering coast, where kelp forests sway in the Pacific current and otters float lazily along the surface. This is where your Monterey road trip begins—but here’s the secret: The best moments don’t come from checking boxes. They come from pulling over. From enchanting Monterey aquarium…
Best Outdoor Activities on Highway 1
California’s Central Coast beckons travelers seeking the best outdoor activities Highway 1 has to offer. This diverse and picturesque stretch of coastline consistently ranks among the nation’s top destinations for outdoor activities—and for good reason. Whether you’re craving coastal hikes with panoramic ocean views, peaceful kayaking through protected waters, or…
How to Get to Highway 1
Between Ragged Point and Nipomo stretches a section of Highway 1 where time slows and landscapes dazzle. Here, rugged cliffs plunge into sapphire waters while charming towns invite exploration. Though this seaside haven feels worlds away from everyday life, reaching it requires less effort than you might think. Major cities…
Day Trips on Highway 1
Welcome to California’s quintessential coastal journey, where Highway 1 unfurls an enviable collection of seaside escapes perfect for day trips from San Francisco, Los Angeles, or the Central Valley. While each destination charms visitors into staying longer, we’ve crafted flexible two-day itineraries that showcase the best experiences along this iconic…
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 and Edna Valley? They are a couple of those corners. One is a walkable, creekside village with a historic suspension bridge and free-roaming roosters. The other is a cool-climate wine…
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 something truly magical about this crescent of white sand tucked between Port San Luis and rolling green hills. Just 30 minutes south of San Luis Obispo (about 6 miles from…
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 own adventure coastline: calm estuary waters perfect for kayaking, tide pools teeming with sea life, Montana de Oro trails with views that stop you mid-step and local eats that cap…
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, beaches, and bluff walks, and sunsets glow over the pier. This walkable coastal treasure invites you to park just once and explore everything from tide pools to antique finds. Build…
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 rhythm and you’ll walk away with something deeper than a souvenir. A sunrise stroll along Moonstone Beach can easily stretch into an afternoon of farm-fresh meals, bluff-top trails and joyrides…
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 1 experience, where William Randolph Hearst’s magnificent castle rises from coastal peaks while thousands of Northern Elephant Seals gather on nearby sun-warmed beaches. A historic lighthouse cuts through morning fog…
Things to do on Highway 1
Highway 1 isn’t just a drive — it’s where the coast invites you to slow down, breathe deep and just coast. Along this iconic stretch of California, you’ll discover countless things to do on Highway 1: from waterfalls and historic piers to whale watching, wine tasting, tidepooling and kayaking. Around…
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 natural Los Osos. At 32 acres, the preserve is owned by the Morro Coast Audubon Society and includes hiking trails, interpretive signs, footbridges, and memorial benches. Local and migratory…
Best Park in Avila Beach
Avila Beach
Fun in the sun? Absolutely. When it comes to having a good time, Avila Beach parks offer the best possible conditions. The average temperature in this quaint beachfront town ranges between a comfortable 64 degrees F and 72 degrees F. The white sands of the beach are always…
Best Parks in Arroyo Grande and Edna Valley
Arroyo Grande
Arroyo Grande and Edna Valley Parks are a family friendly destination with plenty of safe, fun opportunities for kids or pets to run, laugh and play. Spread a blanket in the grass, explore rugged terrain, partake in friendly fieldsports, or hit the playground for an afternoon of exploration.
Best Parks in San Simeon and Ragged Point
San Simeon
With their many miles of untouched coastline, beaches, forests — even a castle! — San Simeon and Ragged Point offer a wealth of spectacular family-friendly destinations. The parks here are wide-open for exploring and discovery. Ascend the “enchanted hilltop” of Hearst Castle to follow the footsteps of media…
The 10 Best Parks on Highway 1
In a land of natural splendor, it’s no surprise that the public has access to breathtaking, fun, and fascinating parks. On this special stretch of Highway 1, the wild and the wonderful conspire to bring kids and their grownups closer to nature — and to each other. Here,…
Shopping the Village of Arroyo Grande
Arroyo Grande
Old-fashioned charm, mom-and-pop storefronts, and a friendly Main Street reminiscent of years gone by make Arroyo Grande and neighboring Edna Valley must-shop destinations. Visitors love walking the Village of Arroyo Grande (or “the Village,” as the locals call it), taking in the sights and sounds of this…
Best Parks in Cambria
Cambria
A good public park can add so much to a vacation along Highway 1. In Cambria, parks are destinations for flying kites, barbecuing burgers, and letting the kids (and dogs) burn off some steam. Most parks here include wide views of the Pacific Ocean, where sea otters, whales,…