Things To Do

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.

Visitors and locals alike enjoy the self-guided walking tour that visits 26 historic structures throughout the small and welcoming town.

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. 

The Volunteer Program at the Dunes Center is crucial to its ability to fulfill its mission. 

The Ranch is far from the largest of coastal ecosystems, but packs more biological diversity into a confined area than many larger properties. 

The Ranch is far from the largest of coastal ecosystems, but packs more biological diversity into a confined area than many larger properties.

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.

Docent-led Lighthouse tours arriving via the historic trolley are held every Wednesday and Saturday

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. 

Located on beautiful San Simeon Bay, the Coastal Discovery Center celebrates the connection between land and seas.

When you spend a valuable hour or two collecting marine debris and litter with friends, family, or on your own, you help protect wildlife and make a difference with your visit.

A trekker’s paradise, Avila Beach boasts a wide variety of hikes and trails, from challenging to casual.

The mission of the Central Coast Aquarium is to cultivate a community dedicated to ocean stewardship. 

A Living History Lesson

The majestic Estero Bluffs State Park allows visitors to explore the landscape and beaches on the northern end of Cayucos.

Go back in time to the lonely and blustery life of the lighthouse keeper with a visit to the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse.

The site is part of an Audubon Nature Preserve, featuring a vegetative restoration project and access trails to monarchs and other scenic areas within the preserve.

With its extravagant antiquities, architecture, and heritage, Hearst Castle welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Plan your visit today.