Things To Do

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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

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All Things to Do

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Best Outdoor Activities on Highway 1
California’s Central Coast beckons travelers seeking the best outdoor activities Highway 1 has to offer. This diverse and picturesque stretch of coastline consistently ranks among the nation’s top destinations for outdoor activities—and for good reason. Whether you’re craving coastal hikes with panoramic ocean views, peaceful kayaking through protected waters,…
Best Pet Friendly Hotels on Highway 1
Highway 1 welcomes four-legged travelers to California’s most spectacular coastal stretch, along with their human companions. This legendary roadway beckons pet owners with accommodations that embrace furry folks as treasured guests. Temperate weather creates ideal conditions for year-round dog-friendly activities and adventures. These include canine-friendly beaches, scenic hiking…
How to Get to Highway 1
Between Ragged Point and Nipomo stretches a section of Highway 1 where time slows and landscapes dazzle. Here, rugged cliffs plunge into sapphire waters while charming towns invite exploration. Though this seaside haven feels worlds away from everyday life, reaching it requires less effort than you might think. Major…
Best Coffee on Highway 1
Ragged Point
Fuel your Highway 1 road trip with a freshly-brewed cup of coffee. From bold beans to specialty lattes, find an array of energizing offerings served daily at a range of coastal coffee shops. With bright, modern coffee houses and cozy cafes perfumed with the scent of just-made pastries, there’s…
Things to Do in Arroyo Grande and Edna Valley
Arroyo Grande
Some corners of California’s Central Coast especially reward the people who get off Highway 1 and go looking. Arroyo Grande and Edna Valley? They are a couple of those corners. One is a walkable, creekside village with a historic suspension bridge and free-roaming roosters. The other is a cool-climate…
Things to do in Oceano/Nipomo
Oceano
Where coastal dunes roll into oak-studded farmland, Oceano and Nipomo unfold as Highway 1’s quieter thrill—the kind of place where a morning boardwalk through wetlands leads to an afternoon ride across towering dunes, then wraps with oak-grilled steaks under mesa stars. This is where coastal calm meets unexpected…
Things to do in Avila Beach
Avila Beach
Splash into a world of sun-soaked wonder in Avila Beach. With a protected cove, iconic pier and friendly locals, there’s something truly magical about this crescent of white sand tucked between Port San Luis and rolling green hills. Just 30 minutes south of San Luis Obispo (about 6…
Highway 1 is Dog-Friendly
Highway 1 loves its four-legged visitors! With one of the mildest, most temperate climates in the West, the great outdoors of our stretch of Highway 1 beg to be discovered. That means outside restaurant patios, parks, beaches, wineries, hiking trails and more, just right for quality time with Fido.
Things to do in Los Osos Baywood
Los Osos
Tucked along one of Highway 1’s most unhurried back bay stretches, Los Osos and Baywood Park are a choose your own adventure coastline: calm estuary waters perfect for kayaking, tide pools teeming with sea life, Montana de Oro trails with views that stop you mid-step and local eats that…
Things to do in Cayucos
Cayucos
Cayucos beckons as a classic California surf town. Here, mornings start with coffee and cookies, days drift between pier strolls, beaches, and bluff walks, and sunsets glow over the pier. This walkable coastal treasure invites you to park just once and explore everything from tide pools to antique finds.
Things to do in Cambria
Cambria
Where pine forests meet the Pacific, Cambria rewards the slow wander over the quick stop. Lean into the town’s tranquil rhythm and you’ll walk away with something deeper than a souvenir. A sunrise stroll along Moonstone Beach can easily stretch into an afternoon of farm-fresh meals, bluff-top trails and…
Things to do in San Simeon
San Simeon
Step onto windswept bluffs where world-famous architecture commands views of vast Pacific blue. This is San Simeon, the quintessential Highway 1 experience, where William Randolph Hearst’s magnificent castle rises from coastal peaks while thousands of Northern Elephant Seals gather on nearby sun-warmed beaches. A historic lighthouse cuts through morning…
Things to do on Highway 1
Highway 1 isn’t just a drive — it’s where the coast invites you to slow down, breathe deep and just coast. Along this iconic stretch of California, you’ll discover countless things to do on Highway 1: from waterfalls and historic piers to whale watching, wine tasting, tidepooling and kayaking.
Birchwood Nursery
Nipomo
Upon entering Birchwood, you are immediately greeted with the breathtaking greenery and wildlife on our grounds.
The Rock
San Luis Obispo
Since 1988, SLO Brew has contributed to Highway 1’s craft beer scene as well as its music scene. The old SLO Brew location in downtown San Luis Obispo served pints of its beer and welcomed bands and musicians from far and wide to play its storied stage. Today,…
Oak and Otter Brewing Company
San Luis Obispo
In an industrial area at the edge of Edna Valley, this brewery welcomes beer lovers and the beer-curious to taste their small-batch brews. Just off Tank Farm Road, the Oak and Otter Brewing Company taproom offers something for everybody. Like so many of the Central Coast’s ace brewers,…
Beer Gardens and Craft Breweries on Highway 1: Where to Drink, Eat, and Hang Out
The craft beer scene along Highway 1 is built for going with the flow: an open afternoon, a post-hike reward, a sunset pint with nowhere to be. This coastal craft beer guide covers the best beer gardens, taprooms and craft breweries on Highway 1, from cliffside patios to harbor-side…
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…