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.

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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  • Best Weddings in Wine Country

    Best Weddings in Wine Country

    Edna Valley
    Wine country weddings are scenic, memorable and incredibly romantic. Thanks to year-round sunny weather and an array of unique venues nestled among the vines, find dream wine country wedding venues all along Highway 1 and beyond. From breathtaking ranches and rustic barns strung with twinkle lights to the grandeur of…
  • Best Restaurants & Dining in Avila Beach

    Best Restaurants & Dining in Avila Beach

    Avila Beach
    With sunshine, surf, sand, and salty air, Avila Beach feels a lot like a perfect, tucked-away paradise. Sweeten the deal — literally! — with delicious cuisine, and Avila Beach becomes downright irresistible. Fortunately for travelers of all tastes and budgets, Avila Beach offers some of the freshest dining around. Splurge…
  • Shopping in Avila Beach

    Shopping in Avila Beach

    Avila Beach
    Avila Beach feels like paradise, and not only for its white sand beaches and other natural wonders — it’s a shopper’s paradise as well. Though downtown Avila Beach comprises just a few square blocks near the Avila Pier, these contain a wide assortment of storefronts. Deep into the…
  • Best Parks in Arroyo Grande and Edna Valley

    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.
  • Tide Pools and Sea Life of Avila Beach

    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 like Avila Beach. The sound of waves crashing, birds singing, and seals barking is the soundtrack to any day spent here. All creatures great and small inhabit and…
  • Best Restaurants in Arroyo Grande and Edna Valley

    Best Restaurants in Arroyo Grande and Edna Valley

    Arroyo Grande
    Discover a diverse range of dining experiences in Arroyo Grande and Edna Valley to suit every mood, preference and budget. From farm-to-table fare paired with local wine to authentic global cuisines, restaurants in Arroyo Grande and Edna Valley are here to serve something tasty for everyone. Indulge in lunch…
  • Best Parks in San Simeon and Ragged Point

    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

    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,…
  • Fishing Arroyo Grande

    Fishing Arroyo Grande

    Arroyo Grande
    Discover Fishing Along Highway 1 Lopez Lake General Info Located 10 miles east of Arroyo Grande, this freshwater lake is formed by the Lopez Dam, built in 1969 on Arroyo Grande Creek. The lake totals 49,200-acre-feet; fluctuating water levels and capacity can be found through the San Luis…
  • Shopping the Village of Arroyo Grande

    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…
  • Fishing San Simeon & Ragged Point

    Fishing San Simeon & Ragged Point

    San Simeon
    Explore Fishing in San Simeon & Ragged Point Fishing San Simeon With dramatic coastline, mild weather and rugged scenery, San Simeon and Ragged Point offer a beautiful backdrop for your fishing trip. Look for a wide variety of fishing opportunities here, including pier fishing, rock fishing, surf fishing,…
  • Surfing San Simeon to Ragged Point

    Surfing San Simeon to Ragged Point

    San Simeon
    Beyond San Simeon’s Highway 1’s well-known surf spots lies a coastline that feels like it’s been waiting just for you. From Big Sur’s southern swells to the hidden breaks near Ragged Point, peeling waves tuck into pristine coves, ready to reward those willing to explore. This is surfing as nature…
  • Tide Pools and Sea Life of San Simeon

    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. Here, whales spout and breach within full view of the San Simeon Pier at William Randolph Hearst Memorial Beach. Dolphins’ dorsal fins dip in and out of the…
  • Best Restaurants in San Simeon and Ragged Point

    Best Restaurants in San Simeon and Ragged Point

    San Simeon
    Restaurants in San Simeon combine fresh Central Coast ingredients with locally-caught seafood, stunning Pacific Ocean views and a diverse array of cuisines. Enjoy a variety of flavors in San Simeon, including fresh-caught fare, farm-to-table, pub grub, Mexican dishes and more. Home to world famous Hearst Castle, a visit to San…
  • Best Parks in Cambria

    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,…
  • Fishing Cambria

    Fishing Cambria

    Cambria
    The site of fishing tournaments and a historic fishing community, Cambria has been a destination for anglers for centuries. Bring your gear and prepare to spend an hour — or a week! — enjoying these tranquil, abundant waters. Ask the locals for tips, and they’ll likely guide you…
  • Surfing Cambria

    Surfing Cambria

    Cambria
    Located between two Highway 1 surf hotspots, San Simeon and Cayucos, Cambria’s surf scene sparkles as one of California’s hidden treasures. Local surfers cherish Cambria’s accessible waves and consistent surf conditions, particularly at Moonstone Beach. This pristine surf spot sits just a 12-minute walk from Cambria’s charming East Village,…
  • Best Places to Eat in Cambria

    Best Places to Eat in Cambria

    Cambria
    With its relaxed small-town-by-the-sea vibe, Cambria welcomes diners to get cozy in a wide variety of restaurants, cafes, bakeries and wine tasting rooms. Here, you’ll find everything from casual to fine dining, seaside vistas to tucked away fireside tables for two.