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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  • Avila Beach Bird Sanctuary

    Avila Beach Bird Sanctuary

    Avila Beach
    Avila's fresh water stream micro estuary and salt water coastline provide a perfect place to eat and rest before continuing on their journey.
  • Boucher Trail at Piedras Blancas

    Boucher Trail at Piedras Blancas

    San Simeon
    The Boucher Trail runs from the paved elephant seal viewing parking for 1.9 miles, to a half mile north of the Piedras Blancas Light Station.
  • Salmon Creek Falls

    Salmon Creek Falls

    San Simeon
    Salmon Creek Falls is a natural, beautiful waterfall found on the Big Sur Pacific Coast Highway 1 located 3 miles north of Ragged Point Inn.
  • Central Coast Outdoors

    Central Coast Outdoors

    Morro Bay
    From the serene protected waters of Morro Bay to the rocky cliffs along Shell Beach, kayaking is a sport that can be enjoyed by all. 
  • 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 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. 
  • 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. 
  • 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 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. 
  • El Moro Elfin Forest Docent-Led Nature Walks Stewardship Travel Logo

    El Moro Elfin Forest Docent-Led Nature Walks

    Los Osos
    The Elfin Forest supports more than 200 species of plants, as well as 110 kinds of birds, 22 species of mammals, and 13 species of reptiles and amphibians.
  • Pecho Coast Trail Docent Hikes to Point San Luis Lighthouse with PG&E Stewardship Travel Logo

    Pecho Coast Trail Docent Hikes to Point San Luis Lighthouse with PG&E

    San Luis Obispo
    The secluded beaches, rugged cliffs and broad coastal terraces of the Pecho Coast have been privately owned and inaccessible to the public since the Spanish Mission Period. 
  • San Carpoforo Creek

    San Carpoforo Creek

    San Simeon
    The San Carpoforo Creek Beach Access is the northernmost portion of the state-owned properties in Hearst San Simeon State Park.
  • 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.
  • Oceano Park Campground & Lagoon

    Oceano Park Campground & Lagoon

    Oceano
    Oceano Park and Campground was once a favorite hunting and fishing ground of the Chumash Indians.
  • Horizon Hike over Edna Valley

    Horizon Hike over Edna Valley

    San Luis Obispo
    Enjoy a mild hike, learn about the vines as you walk through them and take in a 360-degree view of the valley.
  • California Coastal National Monument

    California Coastal National Monument

    San Simeon
    Connecting the Pacific Ocean with the land, the California Coastal National Monument provides unique coastal habitat for marine-dependent wildlife and vegetation
  • Hazard Canyon Reef

    Hazard Canyon Reef

    Los Osos
    Hazard Canyon Reef, located within Montaña de Oro State Park, is a gorgeous beach with tide pools and scenic views.
  • Lampton Cliffs Park

    Lampton Cliffs Park

    Cambria
    Lampton Cliffs Park is a 2.1-acre park with trails and benches overlooking the sea.