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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  • The Sweet Springs Nature Preserve Stewardship Travel Logo

    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

    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…
  • Fishing Avila Beach

    Fishing Avila Beach

    Avila Beach
    Avila Beach consistently lands on anglers’ bucket lists for good reason: the fishing and the views are excellent here. For those without a watercraft, two piers invite anglers of all ages and abilities to drop a line. Rockfishing in this area is also particularly good, for those willing…
  • 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 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 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…
  • 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 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,…
  • Tide Pools and Sea Life of Cambria

    Tide Pools and Sea Life of Cambria

    Cambria
    Along Cambria’s craggy, dramatic shoreline, witness the lives of thousands of tiny creatures in their watery habitat. These tide pools offer the opportunity for curious minds to discover a whole world of life at the ocean’s surface.
  • Sea Life of Oceano and Nipomo

    Sea Life of Oceano and Nipomo

    Oceano
    The stretch of Highway 1 between Oceano and Nipomo is some of the most beautiful and biologically diverse coastline in the state. Here, 15 miles of dunes make up one of the largest coastal dune systems in California.
  • Sandboarding, Surfing & Other Oceano Boardsports

    Sandboarding, Surfing & Other Oceano Boardsports

    Oceano
    The area is a family-friendly, natural playground for anyone who likes to ride — or anyone who wants to learn. Surfers, bodyboarders and skimboarders find plenty of space to play in the beaches south of the Pismo Pier.