Introducing the new Coastal Discovery Trail, a special collection of activities that connect travelers with nature, history, local experts, and each other. Use the handy key to identify our best Highway 1 experiences for social distancing, solo and/or family time, and dog-friendly experiences.
You already know there’s more to great travel than just sightseeing – so let’s get you connected! When you use the Coastal Discovery Trail map, you’ll quickly access unique and deeply meaningful locations, experiences, and online resources. Learn, be inspired, and help preserve and protect these places you visit and fall in love with: that’s Stewardship Travel for Good.
Immerse yourself in over 100 miles of history, beaches, bluffs, preserves, parks, and activities along the Coastal Discovery Trail. Whether you’re indulging in relaxing, “leave-no-trace” beach time or leaving a donation at a historical site, it all helps restore and protect our region. Enjoy connecting with the good in the places you visit, the good in the local people you meet, and the good in yourself. Thank you for being a caring Stewardship Traveler on the Central Coast!
Best Beaches, Trails, Activities, and Historic Sites on the Coast
Use the resources, the map, and the links to find yourself on the best beaches, and immerse yourself in the best activities, walks, bike trips, paddling experiences, historic sites, whale and wildlife viewing locations, riding trails, and more.
Every activity and organization listed does something to help preserve and protect the Central Coast.
- 1Elephant Seal Rookery
- 2Six Whale Trail Viewing Sites
- 3Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove & Western Monarch Trail
- 4Sea Otter Spotting at Morro Rock & More
- 5W.R. Hearst Memorial State Beach, San SimeonIdeal for Solo Experiences & Social DistancingIdeal for FamiliesPet-friendly Beaches & Trails
- 6Moonstone Beach, CambriaIdeal for Solo Experiences & Social DistancingIdeal for Families
- 7Estero Bluffs State Park Beach & The Cayucos Shipwreck, CayucosIdeal for Solo Experiences & Social DistancingIdeal for Families
- 8Cayucos State Beach, CayucosIdeal for Solo Experiences & Social DistancingIdeal for FamiliesPet-friendly Beaches & Trails
- 9Morro Bay Strand Dog Beach, CayucosIdeal for Solo Experiences & Social DistancingIdeal for FamiliesPet-friendly Beaches & Trails
- 10Spooner’s Cove Beach – Montana de Oro State ParkIdeal for Solo Experiences & Social DistancingIdeal for FamiliesPet-friendly Beaches & Trails
- 11Avila Beach, AvilaIdeal for Solo Experiences & Social DistancingIdeal for FamiliesPet-friendly Beaches & Trails
- 12Pismo State Beach, OceanoIdeal for Solo Experiences & Social DistancingIdeal for FamiliesPet-friendly Beaches & Trails
- 13Black Swift Falls TrailPet-friendly Beaches & Trails
- 14Pacific Valley Bluff Trail
- 15Fiscalini Ranch Preserve Bluff TrailPet-friendly Beaches & Trails
- 16Harmony Headlands State Park Trail
- 17Audubon Sweet Springs Nature Preserve Trails
- 18Montaña de Oro State Park & Hazard Canyon Reef Hike
- 19Pecho Coast Trail to Lighthouse Hike
- 20Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes
- 21Piedras Blancas Light Station
- 22Point San Luis Lighthouse
- 23Discovery Center San Simeon Bay
- 24Morro Bay State Park Museum of Natural History
- 25Kayak Back in Time to Port San Luis Lighthouse – Avila Beach
- 26Seaweed Foraging Tour - Estero Bluffs State Park