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

Golfing

Hiking

Shopping

Surfing

Wildlife Viewing

Farmer’s Markets

Spas & Wellness

All Things to Do

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  • Nipomo Native Garden Volunteer Days Stewardship Travel Logo

    Nipomo Native Garden Volunteer Days

    Nipomo
    The site is in the final stages of being restored to a native botanical garden which will feature native plant communities endemic to the Nipomo Mesa and dunes complex.
  • Walk Back in Time: Cambria Museum & Historic Buildings Self-Guided Walking Tour Stewardship Travel Logo

    Walk Back in Time: Cambria Museum & Historic Buildings Self-Guided Walking Tour

    Cambria
    Visitors and locals alike enjoy the self-guided walking tour that visits 26 historic structures throughout the small and welcoming town.
  • San Simeon Visitor Center

    San Simeon Visitor Center

    San Simeon
    Need help planning your San Simeon escape? Have questions about everything there is to see, do and experience here? 
  • Cayucos Visitor Center

    Cayucos Visitor Center

    Cayucos
    Listen to the quiet and stillness that only a small town in an untouched countryside can provide. 
  • Los Osos & Baywood Park Visitor Center

    Los Osos & Baywood Park Visitor Center

    Los Osos
    This hidden gem of the Central Coast is just a 20-minute drive from San Luis Obispo along cattle grazing, lush agricultural countryside, and a short 3-mile scenic drive from Morro Bay. 
  • CowParade

    CowParade

    Los Osos
    Over 75 cities and 200 million people worldwide have participated in CowParade, one of the most successful art endeavors ever.
  • San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden Stewardship Travel Logo

    San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden

    San Luis Obispo
    The mission of the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden is to display the diverse plant life of the Mediterranean climate zones of the world and to provide opportunities for education, recreation, conservation and research. 
  • Shopping, Dining & Antiques

    Shopping, Dining & Antiques

    Arroyo Grande
    It is a picture of what everyone's hometown was or should have ever been...It is a picture of true western history and natural beauty...It is a picture of Americana...It is the Village of Arroyo Grande!
  • Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Natural History Center

    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 largest intact coastal dune ecosystems on earth.
  • Cayucos Land Conservancy Bluffs & Nature Walks

    Cayucos Land Conservancy Bluffs & Nature Walks

    Cayucos
    The "Bluff Walks" and nature walks program offers guided hikes on the Bluffs and other ecosystems on the coast. 
  • Volunteer at Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Natural History Center Stewardship Travel Logo

    Volunteer at Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Natural History Center

    Guadalupe
    The Volunteer Program at the Dunes Center is crucial to its ability to fulfill its mission. 
  • Fiscalini Ranch Preserve Docent Nature Walk Stewardship Travel Logo

    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 many larger properties. 
  • San Luis Obispo North Coast Byway – Route 1

    San Luis Obispo North Coast Byway – Route 1

    The San Luis Obispo North Coast Byway provides an extraordinary experience.
  • Fiscalini Ranch Preserve Monthly Work Day Stewardship Travel Logo

    Fiscalini Ranch Preserve Monthly Work Day

    Cambria
    The Ranch is far from the largest of coastal ecosystems, but packs more biological diversity into a confined area than many larger properties.
  • Big Sur National Scenic Byway

    Big Sur National Scenic Byway

    Big Sur
    Travel the route that hugs the California coast, providing access to austere, windswept cypress trees, fog-shrouded cliffs and the crashing surf of the Pacific Ocean.
  • Harford Pier

    Harford Pier

    San Luis Obispo
    A small town relic, the Harford Pier is a historic monument to the bygone eras of sea commerce 
  • Ontario Ridge Trail

    Ontario Ridge Trail

    San Luis Obispo
    Ontario Ridge Trail is a rugged, sometimes-steep track crossing a 700-foot hill above the Shell Beach bluff, with spectacular ocean views.
  • Fisherman’s Beach

    Fisherman’s Beach

    San Luis Obispo
    No matter what time of day it is, you will more than likely find dogs running free through the surf.