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

105 results found.
View:
Standard Card
Mini Card
  • Scenic Drive: Your Highway 1 Road Trip

    Scenic Drive: Your Highway 1 Road Trip

    San Simeon
    If you want the inside scoop on the best places to stop while driving the Pacific Coast Highway, you’ll need inspiration from a knowledgeable guide. Take your road trip on Highway 1 now.
  • Sea Otter Spotting Stewardship Travel Logo

    Sea Otter Spotting

    Morro Bay
    Cute, furry, and playful, Southern Sea Otters make their homes just offshore along the SLO CAL stretch of Highway 1. Sea otters are native to the north Pacific Ocean, with Monterey Bay, Big Sur, and the Central Coast as hubs of activity.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Spa & Wellness Experiences in San Simeon and Ragged Point

    Spa & Wellness Experiences in San Simeon and Ragged Point

    San Simeon
    Looking to pamper yourself with a Big Sur spa day? Revitalize your body and calm your mind in scenic San Simeon and Ragged Point. With spa and wellness retreats nestled along scenic Highway 1’s Gateway to Big Sur, you can enjoy an array of spa and wellness…
  • State Parks and Beaches of San Simeon

    State Parks and Beaches of San Simeon

    San Simeon
    Visit Hearst Castle along with its neighboring San Simeon state parks and beaches, and experience the very best of the Central Coast.
  • 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.
  • Surfing San Simeon to Ragged Point

    Surfing San Simeon to Ragged Point

    San Simeon
    Beyond San Simeon’s Highway 1’s well-known surf spots lies a coastline that feels like it’s been waiting just for you. From Big Sur’s southern swells to the hidden breaks near Ragged Point, peeling waves tuck into pristine coves, ready to reward those willing to explore. This is surfing as nature…
  • 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,…
  • 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 in Ragged Point

    Things to do in Ragged Point

    Ragged Point
    Step to the edge of dramatic clifftops where the Santa Lucia Mountains plunge into the shimmering Pacific. Here, where towering peaks and endless blue ocean collide, the coast’s raw beauty stretches toward the horizon. Welcome to Ragged Point — your gateway to Big Sur and portal to some of Highway…
  • Things to do in San Simeon

    Things to do in San Simeon

    San Simeon
    Step onto windswept bluffs where world-famous architecture commands views of vast Pacific blue. This is San Simeon, the quintessential Highway 1 experience, where William Randolph Hearst’s magnificent castle rises from coastal peaks while thousands of Northern Elephant Seals gather on nearby sun-warmed beaches. A historic lighthouse cuts through morning fog…
  • 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 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.
  • Tide Pools and Sea Life of San Simeon

    Tide Pools and Sea Life of San Simeon

    San Simeon
    The stretch of coastline along San Simeon sees some of the most diverse sea life of all of Highway 1. Here, whales spout and breach within full view of the San Simeon Pier at William Randolph Hearst Memorial Beach. Dolphins’ dorsal fins dip in and out of the…
  • W.R. Hearst State Beach Stewardship Travel Logo

    W.R. Hearst State Beach

    San Simeon
    William Randolph Hearst Memorial Beach provides the scenery, sand, and surf for an ideal beach day on Highway 1. This beach once bustled as a whaling outpost, and later as a port for receiving antiquities to adorn W.R. Hearst’s hilltop estate.