Visiting the Central California Coast

[SunnyOne]

This summer, our family will be traveling from the east coast to Santa Barbara, CA to attend a wedding of another family member. (at the Hotel Californian!) That part of the state
is the one part I've never traveled to.
We're planning to stay for a week after the wedding to sightsee by rental car, around the area.
Please suggest any particular spots of interest, restaurants or hotels that you can recommend.
Our interests are many: arts, culture, dining, walking/hiking, wine and brew tasting, basically we're open to
just about anything.
Many thanks.

 

[cathy63]

The two big summer events in SB are Solstice (~June 21) and Fiesta (July 30 to August 3 this year), which are excuses for big outdoor parties, parades, music, craft fairs, food. So if your visit overlaps with either of those, you might want to look into what's offered.

The mission and its museum are worth visiting, especially if you've not been to one before or aren't familiar with California history. Santa Barbara is known as the Queen of the Missions and it's one of the most beautiful. It's still used as a church and you can attend a Catholic mass there if you like. There are various other historic Spanish era buildings around.

You'll be staying in the Funk Zone area, which is full of wineries and breweries, so it would be easy to do a walking tour there. For dining, we like the Black Sheep Brasserie on Cota St. DH likes Handlebar for morning coffee (he's a cyclist), but there's probably another roastery closer to where you're staying.

If you have high school kids with you, take them to UCSB and walk through campus.

You could make a day trip up the coast to Cambria and Hearst Castle; or go inland to the artsy town of Ojai; or the Danish town of Solvang (their Danish Days festival is in September); or wine tasting in the Santa Ynez Valley.

 

[COcheesehead]

That is our favorite part of the state.
Places we enjoy:
Moon Rocks Beach, do the boardwalk hike along the coast
Cambria
Cayucos
San Luis Obispo. Lots of good restaurants and hotels. Hike the M.
Paso Robles
Favorite Wineries: Linne Calodo, $25 tastings and well worth it. Turley in Paso. Jaffurs in SB. Ojai in Ojai.
HWY 1 is closed past San Simeon due to a rock slide. Check road conditions.

 

[like2]

A few places I can recommend-

Cold Spring Tavern, they have live music and tri-tip sandwiches on the weekends

Cachuma lake is nice and you can rent a boat at the marina and cruise around the lake, it is very full now. No swimming in the lake, but you can fish and there is a great nature center

Jalama Beach about an hour north of Santa Barbara a very pristine beach and a great burger at the general store.

Santa Barbara botanical garden is a very nice way to spend the day and is close to the Santa Barbara Mission.

La Puisima Mission is my personal favorite of the California Missions and is about an hour north of Santa Barbara.

 

[Lewis Clark]

Santa Barbara is beautiful. I think you will enjoy the area.

 

[Koolau]

It's been quite some time since we were there - and we were there in the dead of summer. Something we noticed which could be useful to know: It's very cool on the coast. Going inland a couple of miles - or maybe 10 - it can be hot, really hot. (Just for what it's worth.)

 

[Lewis Clark]

I have not been there in a while, but if you expect to go as far north as Monterey:

Activities:
Monterey Bay Aquarium is outstanding.

Drive along Ocean View Blvd and Sunset Drive between Lover's Point Park and Asilomar State Beach

Walk along the coastal recreation trail from the town of Seaside and go west past Fisherman's Wharf, Cannery Row, Lover's Point Park to the Point Pinos Lighthouse.

Driving along the 17 Mile Drive through the Pebble Beach community is very scenic. It is a private community and they do charge visitors ($11.25 per car if you want to blow some dough.)

17-Mile Drive | See Monterey County, CA

One of the most scenic drives on the Monterey Peninsula, and quite possibly the world, resides behind the prestigious gates of Pebble Beach, California. The

www.seemonterey.com

Driving along the coast on California Route 1 between Carmel and Big Sur is very scenic. Several parks and preserves available for hiking.

Walking along Cannery Row.



Restaurants:
Tarpy's Roadhouse

Tarpy's Roadhouse | A Monterey Steakhouse

Looking for the best Monterey Restaurants with a Patio? Tarpy's offers tranquil patios, savory steaks, and fresh seafood to make us the best Monterey Steak House Restuarant

www.tarpys.com

The Sardine Factory

The Sardine Factory | Voted Best Restaurant in Monterey, CA

For over 55 years, The Sardine Factory has set the standard for fine dining in Monterey. Our luxurious dining rooms, attentive service and exquisite cuisine provide an unforgettable dining experience.

www.sardinefactory.com

Our favorite clam chowder at Old Fisherman's Grotto

Old Fisherman's Grotto

Founded by Sabu Shake Sr in 1950, Old Fisherman's Grotto has endured and grown into one of the most beloved restaurants in California.

www.oldfishermansgrotto.com

Domenico's

Domenicos on the Wharf – Fresh Seafood and Italian Cuisine

domenicosmonterey.com

 

[fjpajerski]

Sadly, CA 1 thru Big Sur remains closed for still many many months while the road is yet again being rebuilt after yet again another large slide.

But if you are determined to reached the Carmel area, loop around to there via US101. And you then will reach the finest most scenic meeting of land and ocean known, that of Point Lobos State Park.

See details at

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

California State Parks

www.parks.ca.gov

Visitor Information - Point Lobos Foundation

www.pointlobos.org

--- Frank

 

[38Chevy454]

If you just follow Hwy 1 up the coast you will find numerous great spots to visit. Hearst Castle is by San Simeon and neat to see, if a bit of tourist hotspot. Get tickets in advance if you decide to do that. HC is a neat thing to see and experience. Pismo Beach you can drive on the beach, just be careful not getting stuck. Avila Beach is kind of a hidden little town and beach area off the main path. Hwy 1 goes inland a bit to San Luis Obispo which is a college town with a lot of activities and places to see. From there Hwy 1 goes out to the coast and Morro Bay is nice (can see Morro Rock up close and personal), or just up the road to Cayucos a little less commercialized. Keep north and you get to Hearst Castle, but also check out the sea lions that hang out on the beach near San Simeon. Just up to Hearst Castle and then back to Santa Barbara can take the whole week time you have.

If you want to stay inland more, just go up US-101 and go east a bit to stop at Solvang which is a small Danish style village. In Buellton eat at at Pea Soup Anderson's, a famous split pea soup restaurant. Continue on 101 north to SLO. If you want to go to Paso Robles and the wine area, at SLO take 101 north to Paso. It's a neat little town and many wineries around the area with Paso as a base.

I went to college at Cal Poly SLO, and even though it was many years ago, the basic stops above are still good suggestions.

 

[BOBOT]

I have not been there in a while, but if you expect to go as far north as Monterey:

Activities:
Monterey Bay Aquarium is outstanding.

Drive along Ocean View Blvd and Sunset Drive between Lover's Point Park and Asilomar State Beach

Walk along the coastal recreation trail from the town of Seaside and go west past Fisherman's Wharf, Cannery Row, Lover's Point Park to the Point Pinos Lighthouse.

Driving along the 17 Mile Drive through the Pebble Beach community is very scenic. It is a private community and they do charge visitors ($11.25 per car if you want to blow some dough.)

17-Mile Drive | See Monterey County, CA

One of the most scenic drives on the Monterey Peninsula, and quite possibly the world, resides behind the prestigious gates of Pebble Beach, California. The

www.seemonterey.com

Driving along the coast on California Route 1 between Carmel and Big Sur is very scenic. Several parks and preserves available for hiking.

Walking along Cannery Row.


Mega Dittoes for the whole Monterey idea, ESPECIALLY the aquarium. MUST see!

Edited to add: Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, easy distance from Monterey & drop-dead spectacular.

 

[EastWest Gal]

Morro Bay is an excellent stop along the way up the coast. There is state park, a lagoon and estuary with wildlife. There are some good areas to see sea otters. It's also a bit off the beaten path for tourists as well. Another town up the coast is Cambria, which has several wineries. Both are south of Hearst Castle, which I think is worth seeing. My family used to stop at Morro Bay on our way to southern California when I was a kid, but I don't know Cambria. Having lived in PA for 26 years, I'm sure it is all changed. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

I second the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Whale watching trips are available in several places along the coast.

Last, summers can be cool but you will almost never experience rain.

 

[cathy63]

If you just follow Hwy 1 up the coast you will find numerous great spots to visit. Hearst Castle is by San Simeon and neat to see, if a bit of tourist hotspot. Get tickets in advance if you decide to do that. HC is a neat thing to see and experience. Pismo Beach you can drive on the beach, just be careful not getting stuck. Avila Beach is kind of a hidden little town and beach area off the main path. Hwy 1 goes inland a bit to San Luis Obispo which is a college town with a lot of activities and places to see. From there Hwy 1 goes out to the coast and Morro Bay is nice (can see Morro Rock up close and personal), or just up the road to Cayucos a little less commercialized. Keep north and you get to Hearst Castle, but also check out the sea lions that hang out on the beach near San Simeon. Just up to Hearst Castle and then back to Santa Barbara can take the whole week time you have.

If you want to stay inland more, just go up US-101 and go east a bit to stop at Solvang which is a small Danish style village. In Buellton eat at at Pea Soup Anderson's, a famous split pea soup restaurant. Continue on 101 north to SLO. If you want to go to Paso Robles and the wine area, at SLO take 101 north to Paso. It's a neat little town and many wineries around the area with Paso as a base.

I went to college at Cal Poly SLO, and even though it was many years ago, the basic stops above are still good suggestions.

Sadly, the Pea Soup Andersen’s in Buellton closed a couple of years ago.

 

[audreyh1]

Sadly, CA 1 thru Big Sur remains closed for still many many months while the road is yet again being rebuilt after yet again another large slide.

But if you are determined to reached the Carmel area, loop around to there via US101. And you then will reach the finest most scenic meeting of land and ocean known, that of Point Lobos State Park.

See details at

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

California State Parks

www.parks.ca.gov

Visitor Information - Point Lobos Foundation

www.pointlobos.org

--- Frank

Loved Point Lobos State Park!

 

[MC Rider]

Montana de Oro beach

 

[Surewhitey]

Cambria is one of our faves along with Paso Robles for the wineries.

Going north on 1 from Cambria, Salmon Creek falls is impressive and not too strenuous.

 

[Trailwalker]

I'm glad to read above that Cold Spring Tavern is still around. I haven't been there in over 30 years, but enjoyed it when we lived in California.

 

[tutan]

Take the ferry from Ventura to one of the Channel Islands. Hiking is quite scenic. We were also lucky to catch a glimpse of the endangered island fox on Santa Cruz Island.

Carrizo Plain National Monument.

Carrizo Plain National Monument | Bureau of Land Management

All vehicles including UTVs on the monument must be street-legal (DMV plated) and all vehicles must stay on roads.2025 Wild FlowersClick here for more information on the latest 2025 wildflower conditionsSpring 2025. Dry conditions on the monument have impacted this year’s wildflower season...

www.blm.gov

Worth a visit to see the soda lake from the boardwalk. Also a short walk to Painted Rock to see some ancient pictographs. Sadly some have been damaged by vandals.

 

[braumeister]

Solvang is a fun town to visit. It's like a little bit of Denmark in California.