[…]playground. The park also offers facilities for Santa Maria-Style BBQ, along with seating for up to 70 guests. Oceano Memorial Park lies just a short walk away from numerous restaurants, Pismo State Beach, and the Oceano Dunes State Vehicle Recreation Area. Enjoying a family picnic at the park Oceano Dunes […]
[…]by kayak. Fed with freshwater from Chorro and Los Osos Creeks, the Morro Bay Estuary spans over 2,300 acres beside Estero Bay. These two creeks run on either side of the Nine Sisters (volcanic peaks running southeast to northwest, ending at Morro Rock). The estuary is protected from the bay […]
[…]iconic California freeway just yet.Though parts of Highway 1 are not drivable near Big Sur, a 100-mile stretch in San Luis Obispo County from San Luis Obispo and the surrounding area to Ragged Point still welcomes travelers.The 100-mile stretch of Highway 1 along the Central Coast is known for its outdoor adventures, […]
[…]Like Bishop Peak, Cerro San Luis is one of the Nine Sisters peaks, and features a four-mile out-and-back hike with 1,100 feet of elevation change. To summit the mountain, take the main trail from the end of Marsh Street, just before the onramp to Highway 101. Find a dirt parking […]
[…]Coastal National Monument With 1,000 acres of islands, rocks and onshore areas along the California shore, this might be the most-seen national monument in the country. The California Coastal Monument protects a wide variety of birds and mammals, including the elephant seals that migrate to Piedras Blancas each year. One […]
[…]de Oro State Park Montaña de Oro opened in 1965 and is one of the largest state parks, with 8,000 acres and nearly 7 miles of coastline. Here, there is something for everyone to enjoy, including cycling, horseback riding, fishing, surfing, hiking, and trail running. Kids love to watch for […]
[…]miles north of Cayucos. Here, Chinese immigrants farmed sea lettuce, a type of seaweed, for over 100 years until they abandoned the cove in the 1960s. To reach China Harbor, drive north on Highway 1 from Cayucos, turn left on Villa Creek Road and drive to its end. Park there […]
[…]historic California architect, Julia Morgan, and built between 1919 and 1947. It rambles over 90,000 square feet of hallowed halls, once host to the who’s-who of Hollywood, Washington D.C. and beyond. Hearst was an avid collector, decorating his home with art and artifacts dating back to the time of the […]
[…]hats, hoodies and more, or you can even design your own. Using a superior DTG printing press and 100% cotton, ocean-safe clothing, the collective offers visitors the chance to make their own wearable art. Choose from a selection of images crafted by artists at the gallery, or bring your own, […]
[…]play.1pm – Walk it off at Estero BluffsWalkable wonder: Time to stroll off those fries. The easy-to-accomplish Estero Bluffs Trail in Cayucos features gentle paths leading down to a pocket of peaceful—and largely secret—beaches nested along salt-sprayed rocks. Peer into a patchwork of tide pools, where sea stars and urchins […]
[…]of antiquities— became property of the state of California. Today, Hearst Castle welcomes 750,000 visitors to tour its buildings and grounds each year. Kids will be amazed to see the iconic Neptune Pool and indoor Roman Pool, made with real gold. They’ll delight in seeing where Mr. Hearst slept, walked, […]
[…]linked to the dramatic rise and fall of the Northern Elephant Seal Population. Starting in the 1700s, the Pacific Northwest maritime fur trade over-hunted all species of marine animals, including Elephant Seals, Sea Otters and Whales. Prized for their oil-rich blubber—often used in lamps and lubrication—Elephant Seals were hunted to […]
[…]poetic, wild place puts the undeveloped countryside of Highway 1 front-and-center. Wander the 1-mile Fiscalini Ranch Bluff Trail for clear views of the shoreline and the ocean itself. The path is comfortable to walk and wheelchair-accessible, with benches made of driftwood throughout. These face out on the sea, welcoming passersby […]
[…]the DunesWith 1,500 acres of dunes, the Oceano Dunes State Vehicle Recreation Area (SVRA) is just begging for someone to ride a board over the sand. Is it any wonder someone would try it? Sandboarding is similar to snowboarding: just swap out the snow for mountains of soft, white dune […]
[…]good at Moonstone Beach, it’s really good. Get on swells of 5-7 feet from the northwest every 10-12 seconds at mid-tide. Paddling out is relatively easy here, but don’t let that fool you: this is for sure an intermediate+ spot. Park in the lot off Moonstone Beach Drive, and find […]
[…]somewhere else, like many birds and whales. The good news is you can see all of them along our 100 miles of pristine and protected Pacific coastline. Be sure to check out our Wildlife Viewing Tips to ensure everyone enjoys the experience, including the wildlife. Elephant Seals Captivating and unreal, […]
[…]Beauty Escape from your to-do list and embrace a new sense of calm at Mother Beauty, located at The historic Cass House in Cayucos. Home to restorative, results-focus facials and massage services, you’ll tap into your inner beauty through nurturing, balanced modalities and plant-based skincare. Explore handmade soaks plus a […]
[…]of antiquity was influenced by childhood travels with his educator mother, Phoebe Hearst. The 90,000-square-foot home and gardens set a tone for arts appreciation in San Simeon in a way that’s unique along Highway 1. As during Hearst’s lifetime, the presence of the ocean influences San Simeon culture profoundly. Here, […]
[…]locale includes interpretive signs and information for whale watchers of all ages. Of the over 100 sites along the trail (and 26 in California), six lie on the Highway 1 Road Trip. San Simeon (San Simeon Bay Pier)A picturesque beachside hamlet full of charm, Old San Simeon also makes for […]
[…]and black and flutters all over? Western Monarch butterflies, of course! Like birds, these jewel-toned beauties migrate twice per year. While other butterfly species can handle chilly winters, Monarchs aren’t able to survive in cold northern climates. To warm their wings, these fascinating insects overwinter along Highway 1. Ready to […]
