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When you Travel for Good on your Highway 1 Road Trip, you’ll do more than discover scenic views and exciting wildlife experiences. Thanks to the following itineraries, you can leave our special slice of California coastline even better than you found it! View Elephant Seals in the morning and Monarch butterflies in the afternoon, participate […]

Long before the days of surfing and sunbathing, the earth’s beaches spent millennia playing host to a spectacular array of flora and fauna.

Use the Coastal Discovery Trail to discover and help protect the best beaches, wildlife viewing, and hikes for solo, family and pet-friendly experiences along the Highway 1 Discovery Route. Your Weekend Itinerary: Saturday Explore Avila Beach Walk or Bike Ride on the Bob Jones Trail Pick up your FREE clean up kit and complimentary tote bag […]

Take a walk on the wild side! Discover Highway 1’s most surprising wildlife viewing tips this winter, the perfect time to catch awe-inspiring animals and sea life in action.

Top travel journalists from across the country have been writing about the wonders of the Highway 1 Discovery Route. Some are in awe of our gorgeous beaches. Others are fascinated by our beautiful wine country. Many are stunned by the diverse things to do here. All have an appreciation for our wide open spaces. Here […]

Cliff-climbers, ocean paddlers and eager explorers of all ages: If top secret thrills, chills and action are what you seek, look no further. We’re unveiling Highway 1’s most enticing hidden romps along the sea, sand and sky!

From David Kindy at Smithsonian Magazine The Best Place to Watch Monarch Butterflies Migrate Might Be This Little California Beach Town Thousands of western monarchs migrate to Pismo Beach each fall to escape winter cold, but climate change threatens the species’ survival. As the air cools and sunlight declines each fall, thousands of western monarch […]

The Washington Post recently chronicled where the whales are, detailing their migratory patterns along the Pacific Coast. Each January and February these wondrous animals trek hundreds of miles along the Whale Trail. San Luis Obispo County is the proud home to 10 Whale Trail locations and six interpretive signs that onlookers can use to help […]

The whole gang can get excited for these crowd pleasing coastal excursions It’s a big, exciting world out there. Brake for fun in SLO CAL! When the whole family’s ready for adventure, head to the SLO CAL coast, where kids of all ages can explore, play and giggle in the sand. That’s right: Highway 1 […]

Find your sanctuary (and preserve your sense of well being). If solitude and serenity is what you seek, allow SLO CAL to ease your mind as you stretch your legs. Dreamlike hills, untouched cliffs, vibrant wildlife and endless uncrowded beaches and hiking trails await travelers along pristine Highway 1. Finally: fresh air, open sky and […]

Interesting Animal Encounters in California Visitors come from all over the world to discover California’s inspiring landscapes and wildlife. California boasts more native species than any other state, and residents are passionate about protecting them, investing $30 million each year to conserve wildlife habitat. Discover wildlife in a variety of ways, from safari-style lodging and […]

We all want more immersive experiences in our lives, especially when we travel. The new year should ring in less calendar obsession and bring more opportunities to lose ourselves in our surroundings. The Coastal Discovery Celebration offers just such an opportunity to unwind, expand and contribute to making our surroundings (and ourselves) more meaningful. From […]

HIGHWAY 1’S TIME-HONORED DESTINATIONS AWAIT YEAR-ROUND Cruise back in time as you traverse Highway 1 along the scenic SLO CAL coast. From illuminating lighthouse tours to Hearst’s famous castle overlooking the Pacific, the region’s rich history is revealed with every ebb and flow of the tide. Sure, the whaling ships and Dune-dwelling poets may be long […]

Want to travel deeper? Follow our all-new History & Heritage Trail History buffs, start your engines. Introducing the Highway 1 Discovery Route’s History & Heritage Trail, designed for travelers who want to dig deep on their travels. Step back in time by exploring landmarks that shaped Central Coast history, including train depots, ports, ranchos ― […]

Photo © 2013 “Mike” Michael L. Baird, flickr.bairdphotos.com As part of the Coastal Discovery Celebration, why not have a whale of a time whale watching along Highway 1? Nothing brings a sense of awe for nature’s wonders like seeing a whale spout or tail with your own eyes. And on the Highway 1 Discovery Route, […]

Ever wonder why we call it the Highway 1 “Discovery” Route? Simple: This stretch of 101 miles through coastal San Luis Obispo County begs to be discovered. Along its twists and turns, every inch of Highway 1’s untouched shoreline contains vast worlds to explore. Each step through quiet forests, historic landmarks, and charming towns leads […]

Whale Trail The Whale Trail is a series of sites where the public may view orcas, other cetaceans and marine mammals from shore. Along the Whale Trail you’ll be looking over the waters of one of our nation’s most spectacular marine protected areas, offering some of the best wildlife viewing in the world-including 34 species of […]

Kind Traveler on Highway 1 Kind Traveler on California Highway 1 – 130 Hotels, Destinations, & Charities Empowering Travelers To Do Good Highway 1 Discovery Route celebrates Kind Traveler’s one-year anniversary and a way for travelers to easily make a positive difference. Kind Traveler, the travel industry’s first socially responsible, ‘Give + Get’ hotel booking […]