Things To Do in the Central Coast
Welcome to California’s Central Coast—you’ve come to the right place. On your own Original Road Trip, you’ll find nature at its best, world-class attractions, and plenty of the California spirit. Famous attractions including Hearst Castle and the Monterey Bay Aquarium are just part of the draw—it’s easy to discover hidden gems beloved by locals, too.
The coastline beckons with 350 miles of popular sun-drenched beaches, wild shorelines, and dramatic coastal cliffs. Dozens of state and national parks offer cycling, hiking, bird watching, and more against some of California’s most beautiful backdrops.
The Central Coast is full of opportunities to bring home more than just memories. Shoppers can wander both quaint downtowns lined with boutiques and big outlet centers packed with bargains. And wine lovers can sip memories for years to come with stellar picks from hundreds of local wine makers.
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California Central Coast Things To Do
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Adventure Company of Santa Barbara
Guided sea cave kayaking at Channel Islands National Park, coastal kayaking, surfing, biking, wine tours, corporate events, and outdoor education!
Adventures Cal Coast
Santa Barbara bike tours and rentals, surf lessons, kayaking and paddle boarding. Come explore on two wheels or from the water with one of our adventures or rentals.
Alma Rosa Winery
Distinctive wines from an unparalleled region.
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner. Hug the Coast.
Avila Beach Golf Resort
The Central Coast’s premiere golf course and outdoor music, wedding, and event venue.
Breakaway Tours & Event Planning, Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo
Explore Paso Robles & San Luis Obispo Wine Regions like never before with Breakaway Tours! Private Charters & Shared Group Tours
Breakaway Tours & Event Planning, Santa Barbara
Deliciously Fun Wine Tours of Santa Ynez, Solvang, Wine Ghetto, Foxen Canyon Wine Trail & Santa Maria, Breakaway Tours knows them all!
Cannery Row
Historic Cannery Row is Monterey California's premiere destination for great hotels, shopping, dining, family fun and nightlife. Plan your visit today!
Car Week Concierge and Events
As a personal and corporate event concierge, CWC & Events will make sure your experience on the Central Coast is effortless and unforgettable.
Channel Islands Harbor
A coastal gem located about an hour north of Los Angeles.
Photo Credit: Bob PerryCHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY
A mere 25 miles off the coast of Santa Barbara, California visitors to the sanctuary can enjoy recreational opportunities such as whale watching, tidepooling, fishing, diving, snorkeling and kayaking. education
Channel Islands Sportfishing
Southern California's #1 Sportfishing destination. Fishing the Channel Islands.
Chumash Casino Resort
Chumash Casino Resort is your wine country gaming destination!
Condor Express Whale Watching
The Condor Express is whale watching California style. See blue whales, gray whales, humpback whales, orcas, and dolphins up close. Your Adventure Awaits!
Estrella Warbirds Museum & Woodland Auto Display
Located in Paso Robles, California, Estrella Warbirds Museum, has long been one of the fastest growing non-profit museums in Central California. It is home to a vast collection of military aviation artifacts, aircraft and memorabilia. It is also home to the incredible Woodland Auto Display.
Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park
Discover over 40 rides and attractions at Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park…where fun grows on trees!
Photo credit: Courtesy Hearst Castle/State of CA. All rights reserved.Hearst Castle®
Historic House Museum and CA State Park unit.
Island Packers
Cruising the Channel Islands for education, recreation and research since 1968.
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Visit this incredibly scenic waterfall, which flows year-round.
Manzoni Vineyards
Join us at either our Manzoni Cellars tasting room in beautiful Carmel-by-the-Sea, or at Manzoni Vineyards tasting room in the Heart of the Santa Lucia Highlands.
Photo Copyright John Bergez (CC BY 2.5)Mission La Purisima State Historic Park – Lompoc
Visit the most extensively restored mission in California.
Mission San Antonio de Padua – near Jolon
Of all the Spanish missions in California, Mission San Antonio's surroundings have changed the least.
Photo by Howcheng (CC BY-SA 3.0)Mission San Buenaventura – Ventura
Located in downtown Ventura, the ninth of California's 21 missions.
Photo by Pimpinellus (CC BY-SA 4.0)Mission San Carlos de Borromeo de Carmelo – Carmel
Historic site in Carmel, with beautiful scenery.
Photograph by Robert A. Estremo, copyright 2004. {{cc-by-sa-2.0}}Mission San Juan Bautista
Explore the wonders of the beautiful mission that is over 200 years old.
Photo by Jeff Krause (CC BY-SA 3.0)Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
The fifth mission, includes a public plaza built along San Luis Obispo Creek.
Mission San Miguel Arcangel – San Miguel
Mission San Miguel Arcangel is a National Historical Landmark.
Photo by Dmitry Rogozhin (CC BY-SA 3.0)Mission Santa Barbara
Queen of the Missions, offering self-guided tours daily.
Mission Santa Cruz
The Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park sits atop Mission Hill with excellent views of the city.
Mission Santa Ines – Solvang
Historical Mission, which commands a superb view of the Santa Ynez River Valley.
Mission Soledad
Mission Soledad is located one mile west of Hwy. 101 near the town of Soledad.
Montana de Oro State Park
Rugged cliffs, secluded sandy beaches, coastal streams, canyons, and hiking.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
The Monterey Bay Aquarium was named the #1 Aquarium in the U.S.
MONTEREY BAY NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY
The nation's largest aquatic park.
Monterey Conference Center
The newly renovated Monterey Conference Center is a state-of-the-art meetings facility.
Monterey Touring Vehicles
Rent a classic car to drive Hwy 1, Pebble Beach, Big Sur & Carmel. Iconic cars for iconic drives!
Museum of Ventura County
The Museum of Ventura County celebrates the history, art, and culture of Ventura County.
Copyright Jim York PhotoNational Steinbeck Center
Literary museum dedicated to Pulitzer Prize-winning author John Steinbeck.
Natural Bridges State Beach and Monarch Grove
Scenic beach with its famous natural bridge and Monarch Grove.
Ojai Valley Museum
Explore the Ojai Valley through permanent and temporary exhibitions, programs and events at the Ojai Valley Museum in downtown Ojai.
Paddle Sports Center
For 25 years, Paddle Sports Center has been Santa Barbara's premier paddling destination. Come explore the magic. KAYAK | SUP | SURF
Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance
Paso Robles Wine Country – all you expect from a world-class wine region. Except snobbery.
Pinnacles National Monument
Camping, hiking, rock climbing, and caving among these dramatic rock formations.
Pismo Beach Premium Outlets
Savings of Up To 65% at your Favorite Brand-Name Outlet Stores.
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
With outstanding sightseeing, this area contains headlands, coves and rolling meadows.
Refuge
Refuge is America's 1st Co-ed Relaxation Spa
Return to Freedom, American Wild Horse Sanctuary
Wild horse sanctuary offers tours, retreats, photo safaris, & volunteer programs.
Roaring Camp Railroads
A trip to Roaring Camp is a visit to a 1880s logging camp, complete with general store, depot, opera house, and other vintage buildings.
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum
A must-see attraction! Tour through Air Force One, view replica of Oval Office!
Santa Barbara Zoo
Known as one of the world's most beautiful zoos, the Santa Barbara Zoo is a “must-see” for animal lovers and families looking for fun.
Santa Maria Philharmonic Society
The Santa Maria Philharmonic Society presents classical music concerts each season to enthusiastic audiences, as well as special programs for the children of the community.
Santa Paula Art Museum
The Santa Paula Art Museum features rotating exhibits of art displayed in the beautifully restored Limoneira building in historic downtown Santa Paula.
SLO Car Free
Reward yourself with car-free, care free travel to San Luis Obispo!
SLO Orchids
We are a unique orchid greenhouse with hundreds of species shipping to locations all over the country from Arroyo Grande, California.
Town of Harmony
Town of Harmony Pop. 18—one-block wonder rich in heritage, quirk, art and culture.
Uncorked Wine Tours
Uncorked Wine Tours serving the entire Central Coast and both Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo wine countries.
Ventura Harbor Village
Ventura Harbor, where visitors can relax in a sun kissed oceanfront playground.
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