[…]covered picnic tables, a security gate and a play area. Make sure your furry friend is all up-to-date on vaccinations, and bring water to drink. And if he or she isn’t completely tuckered out afterward, maybe hit up the nearby off-leash dog beach at Studio Drive and Pacific Avenue. To […]
[…]of wine, from Tempranillos and Malbecs to rosés and Chardonnays, and the old-school copper-topped bar adds an authentic, vintage feel to the experience.   Hearst Castle No trip along Highway 1 is complete without a stop at Hearst Castle. Newspaper mogul William Randolph Hearst used his fortune to build […]
[…]toddlers! The secret? Crowd-pleasing stops that combine easy viewing with spectacular, up-close-and-personal animal displays. If this sounds like a tall task, you haven’t yet experienced San Simeon’s Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery, a must-stop for any family motoring along the coast. Observe magnificent Elephant Seals in their natural habitat from […]
[…]Pacific Ocean and coastal cliffs and beaches from its perch in the Santa Lucia mountain range 1600 feet above. Visitors can still find Elk and wild zebras roaming freely over the hillsides as though they were part of the original zoo at the castle from back in the 1930s. doesn’t […]
[…]Castle’s Majestic Tours Hearst Castle – in 1865, George Hearst, a wealthy miner, purchased 40,000-acres of ranchland that included the Mexican Ranchos of Piedras Blancas, San Simeon and Santa Rosa. In 1919, his only son, William Randolph Hearst, inherited the land from his mother, Phoebe Apperson Hearst. By then the […]
From 7×7’s Long Weekend on the Central Coast: Foraging, Wine Tasting, Wildlife + Small-Town InnsDay One: Sweeping Views + Beachside Stops Along Highway 1 Perfect Pit Stops: Monterey + Big Sur + San SimeonStart your morning with a quick detour through Monterey for craft coffee and beautiful sweet and savory pastries […]
[…]growing that dates back to the Spanish missionaries, wine from the 27 wineries in the area is top-notch. Plus, the Arroyo Grande Valley nearby features even more incredible wineries, and the Edna Valley is only a quick, 5-minute drive from the beach– Tuscany can’t boast that, now can they? Old […]
[…]Addie Street Sandbar isn’t exactly a hidden gem, though: it’s popular with everyone from out-of-towners and newbies to veteran local surfers. It doesn’t hurt that parking is free, either! Unheard of in Pismo Beach, the free parking makes this an especially appealing spot. Head out early to avoid the crowds […]
[…]to look for when harvesting underwater foliage. Plus, they’ll even cook up a big bowl of seaweed-topped ramen as a reward for all your hard work! Kick back on the beach, slurp up that steamy broth, and pat yourself on the back for learning a totally unique new skill. This […]
[…]a dynamic urban wine trail winding through downtown San Luis Obispo and dozens of enticing farm-to-table restaurants nestled all along Highway 1, taste a cornucopia of culinary experiences, including special pairings and multi-course winemaker dinners. You’ll also want to check local calendars for exciting food and wine festivals, many of […]
[…]Estuary In the southernmost part of the bay lies the Morro Bay National Estuary, spanning 2,300 acres and connecting Morro Bay and Los Osos. A sandspit in the center of the bay protects it from the open Pacific Ocean, altogether making this area unique and picturesque. It’s easy to see […]
[…]angling has different restrictions. When the boat-based rock fishing season opens (typically in mid- to late spring), find lingcod that can average 10 pounds or more. Locals often use metal jigs with squid here. Deep Sea Fishing Cambria Try deep sea fishing off Cambria’s coastline for Pacific Barracuda, Calico Bass, […]
[…]Natural Reserve protects 90 acres of ancient dwarfed oaks in a coastal dune habitat. Dating back 800 years, the oaks’ gnarled roots make a spectacular backdrop for any exploration of the area.History of the Oaks PreserveTemperatures in Los Osos range from the 50s and 60s in winter to nearly 70 […]
[…]the plain, embark on the Overlook Hill Trail. Located adjacent to Soda Lake, this trail offers a 360-degree perspective of the surrounding landscape. Embark on a brief, tenth-of-a-mile hike leading to a hilltop offering panoramic views of the lake below. From this elevated vantage point, the valley unfolds in all […]
[…]electric vehicle charging station located at 180 West Grand Avenue in Oceano. The whimsical orange-and-black creatures can be found fluttering along Eucalyptus trees at the Monarch Butterfly Grove, especially on sunny winter days (mating season reaches its peak near Valentine’s Day). Travelers are encouraged to enter via the Meadow Creek […]
[…]a cool communication device. At the Claymation Volcano, become a filmmaker and create your own 10-second long movie of an erupting volcano using clay. There’s a whole lot of shakin’ going on at the Shake Table where you can hone your engineering skills by building and testing structures against the […]
[…]the entrance just west of the Highway 101 offramp, on Avila Beach Drive.Pool and waterslidesThe 5,000-square-foot swimming pool at Avila Hot Springs is heated year round to 85 degrees F. With plenty of chairs and tables for poolside meal service, the pool also features two squiggly water slides for wet […]
[…]reason for this is because the people behind tourism in this area are taking the next step in eco-tourism by promoting stewardship travel. Stewardship travel is a simple concept, really. It’s a way for visitors to learn more and form a deeper connection with the area by either spending time […]
[…]It’s the only California State Park that allows vehicles to drive on the beach, so take the five-and-a-half-mile loop on your ATV or OHV. After cruising the dunes, spend the night at one of the area’s many beachfront hotels and vacation rentals. A sunset over the dunes is something you […]
[…]great publishing mogul William Randolph Hearst loved to deck out his lavish palace with over-the-top decorations during his heyday of the 1920s and 30s. Today, the castle reflects that classic festive spirit, and then some: nearly every bit of Hearst Castle’s 68,500 square feet gets a dose of holiday sparkle.Want […]
