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

Shopping

Surfing

Wildlife Viewing

Farmer’s Markets

Spas & Wellness

All Things to Do

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  • Seaweed Foraging Tours Stewardship Travel Logo

    Seaweed Foraging Tours

    Cayucos
    This is an intimate and educational experience that is always family friendly.
  • Shopping on Highway 1

    Shopping on Highway 1

    Cambria
    Find locally-made art, ceramics, cheeses, wine, furniture, surfboards, herb and spice blends, soaps, candles, glasswares, jewelry, breads, books, souvenirs, clothing and more.
  • Skate Parks of Highway 1

    Skate Parks of Highway 1

    Ready to roll? Skate Parks can be found all along Highway 1, providing a fun way to enjoy the great outdoors on four wheels. Whether you’re a beginner to the sport or lifelong skateboarder, you’ll find plenty of half-pipes, handrails, vert ramps and bowls to explore along the…
  • Solo Travel Highway 1’s Wide Open Spaces

    Solo Travel Highway 1’s Wide Open Spaces

    With the need for social distancing, there’s never been a better time to dream about your next party-of-one trip.
  • State Parks and Beaches of the Central Coast

    State Parks and Beaches of the Central Coast

    Highway 1
    From Ragged Point to Nipomo, you’ll find unspoiled beaches, quiet woodlands, marine protected areas, art, antiquities, and driveable dunes.
  • Stores in Cayucos

    Stores in Cayucos

    Cayucos
    The main thoroughfare of Ocean Avenue cruises through downtown Cayucos, which boasts several unique shopping opportunities.
  • Surfing Cayucos

    Surfing Cayucos

    Cayucos
    The Cayucos Pier is a decent spot for beginners, and it's great for families who want the quintessential surf town experience that is quiet, uncrowded and laid back.
  • Surfing Spots on Highway 1

    Surfing Spots on Highway 1

    San Simeon
    Once called “The Lost Coast” by Surfer Magazine, this rugged stretch of coastline boasts some of the best-kept secret surf spots in California.
  • The 10 Best Parks on Highway 1

    The 10 Best Parks on Highway 1

    In a land of natural splendor, it’s no surprise that the public has access to breathtaking, fun, and fascinating parks. On this special stretch of Highway 1, the wild and the wonderful conspire to bring kids and their grownups closer to nature — and to each other. Here,…
  • The Best Restaurants in Cayucos

    The Best Restaurants in Cayucos

    Cayucos
    Aside from delicious dishes and diverse flavors, places to eat in Cayucos are special because most are within walking distance of the pier.
  • Things to do in Cayucos Stewardship Travel Logo

    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. Build…
  • Things to Do in Monterey

    Things to Do in Monterey

    Move to the coastal rhythm of Monterey. This waterfront destination rewards roadtrippers with world-class ocean encounters, dramatic coastal walks and historic adobe architecture. And the food—fresh, locally-caught—arrives on your plate still tasting of the tide. From the iconic Monterey Bay Aquarium to hidden waterfront nooks along the Coastal Recreation Trail,…
  • Things to do on Highway 1

    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. Around…
  • Tide Pools and Sea Life of Cayucos Stewardship Travel Logo

    Tide Pools and Sea Life of Cayucos

    Cayucos
    With 100 miles of Pacific coastline, our stretch of Highway 1 boasts abundant sea life including marine mammals, tide pools, and kelp forests.
  • Tide Pools and Sea Life of Highway 1

    Tide Pools and Sea Life of Highway 1

    Wherever you roam along Highway 1, the ocean never lies far away. In the 57 miles of coastline between Ragged Point and Nipomo, the Pacific Ocean defines the landscape.
  • Whale Watching on Highway 1: Your Guide to the Whale Trail Stewardship Travel Logo

    Whale Watching on Highway 1: Your Guide to the Whale Trail

    When it comes to whale watching, the Central Coast boasts an embarrassment of riches, especially along the Highway 1 Road Trip. Here, whales, dolphins, sea otters, seals and seabirds play within full view of the shoreline.
  • Wildflowers on Highway 1 Stewardship Travel Logo

    Wildflowers on Highway 1

    Cambria
    Brittlebrush, poppies, bluebells, lupine, sand verbena, and evening primrose are just a handful of the incredible wildflowers that bloom on the Central Coast.
  • Activity Map ~ Highway 1 Road Trip

    Activity Map ~ Highway 1 Road Trip

    See the sights and highlights along the Highway 1 Road Trip! Featuring 101 miles of adventure, the route stretches from the scenic coastline in Ragged Point south through the agricultural communities of Oceano and Nipomo.