california coastal region places to visit

The SLO Coast. San Luis Obispo might have the best stretch of beaches that includes Pismo Beach, Avila Beach, and Morro Bay . If you're heading to the city of San Luis Obispo, don't leave without finding the quirky Bubble Gum Alley.

Mendocino. Possibly the most charming town on the California coast, and the only one designated as a historical landmark, Mendocino was founded in the 1850s and boasts grand Victorian buildings that sit alongside saltbox cottages. This artist colony set atop a bluff overlooking the Pacific was also the setting for the popular TV series ...

Best Places to Stay. Just 10 miles down the coast, Mendocino is an especially charming coastal town and the only one on the California coast designated as a historical landmark. Established in the 1850s, you'll find grand Victorian buildings along with saltbox cottages. It's also famous for its art galleries, stunning scenery and as the ...

Here are my 25 best places to visit in California (the summarized list): Fort Bragg. This awesome lookout on the Coast Highway Lookout. Redwoods State Park. Sunset Cliffs Cave. Russian Gulch. Monterey Beach California. Shark Fin Cove Beach. San Francisco Bay.

1. El Matador State Beach. El Matador State Beach in Malibu, California. Located just north of the bustling Los Angeles city, Malibu offers a peaceful getaway on the coast. This wealthy beach town is known for mega-mansions, lots of outdoor hiking trails, and the scenic El Matador State Beach.

For easier navigation, the destinations are sectioned starting from the north down to the southern region of the state. If you want to visit more places in California, check out this guide. Northern California Coastal Cities. Northern California is famous for its awe-inspiring redwood forests, but the region's coastline is just as spectacular.

Published on 08/04/20. California's famous central coast stretches from just north of Los Angeles in Ventura County to south of San Francisco in Santa Clara, encompassing the spectacular regions of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Big Sur, and Monterey. Its 350 miles of beautiful coastline incorporates stunning vistas of the Pacific Ocean from ...

The last on my list of coastal California destinations has coves and arches, turquoise water, rocky coastline, and views for days. Sunset Cliffs have it all, the houses around the area are gorgeous, too. This is the perfect coastal California destination to go for a relaxing but breezy visit.

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Central Coast. From the epic grandeur of Big Sur to the scenic Santa Barbara coastline nicknamed "the American Riviera," this region of picturesque hamlets, jagged sea cliffs, and rolling wine country has long mesmerized visitors with dreamlike beauty. A drive along Highway 1 is an absolute must—be sure to leave time for stops at the ...

Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes, California 93420, USA. The Central Coast's Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes is one of California's largest dune stretches. and, in places, a jaw-dropping sight. It's a 22,000-acre spread of rolling dunes that is a playground for off-road vehicles and a burial ground for Hollywood's 1923 epic drama, "The Ten Commandments."

Bodega Bay. Just north of San Francisco, Bodega Bay is a must-see stop on your California coast road trip. Known for its hiking around Bodega Head -which also has epic whale watching-and easy access to the beachside Doran Regional Park, this area is perfect for nature-lovers and outdoor adventurers.

Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz is one of the better-known towns in Northern California. It has great beaches (check out natural bridges), a boardwalk with fun games and rides, a lighthouse, The Mystery Spot, and a really cool state park with old buildings called Wilder Ranch.

Newport Beach. Newport Beach is delightfully scenic coastal city in California with its cliffside views and some of the best surfing in the state. Take the ferry to Balboa Island and visit this beautiful little tourist trap for the day. You can even ride the Ferris Wheel or play in an arcade.

Fort Bragg. Hike and bike, wine and dine, or kayak and explore this remote and wild California coastal town. Start the day with a hot brew at Headlands Coffee House paired with some sweets from ...

The Four Regions of California's Central Coast. The furthest north, Monterey Bay is known for its famous bay and marine life. Visitors enjoy outdoor activities like kayaking, whale watching, and hiking. As you move south, San Luis Obispo features rolling hills, vineyards, and charming towns. ... California is one of best places to visit in ...

Paso Robles: Laid-Back Wine Country. Paso Robles is located inland, about a 40-minute drive from the coast, but it is a must-visit destination on the Central California Coast. California Highway 46, which runs east and west of Paso Robles, is lined with picturesque wineries you can tour. Downtown Paso Robles.

Wildflowers as far as the eye can see during a super-bloom at Carrizo Plains National Monument! Carrizo Plains is 60 miles east of San Luis Obispo on the outskirts of the Central Coast region. For this kind of view, you'll need to time your visit to coincide with California's annual wildflower bloom, from March-April.

California's Central Coast offers travellers a truly iconic vision of California: a dramatically steep coastline, oak tree-studded hills, and unparalleled views of the Pacific Ocean. From distinctive beach towns and boutique wineries to luxurious hotels and restaurants specializing in farm-to-table cuisine, the Central Coast is best experienced slowly and deliberately. And travellers ...

San Luis Obispo. San Luis Obispo is one of the must-visit coastal towns in California, especially if you are road-tripping from San Francisco to Los Angeles. It is located at a convenient halfway point between the two cities. However, it is also worth visiting for gorgeous views alone.

Best Places to Visit in California for 2024. Catalina Island. Lake Tahoe. Redwood National and State Parks. Carmel-by-the-Sea. Mammoth Lakes. Yosemite National Park. San Diego. Monterey.

4) Monterey. Millionaire yachts, yummy seafood restaurants, whales and the mother of all aquariums - welcome to Monterey! Monterey is one of the best Northern California beach towns to visit. To reach Monterey, you drive about 95 miles north up the coast from San Simeon. Theoretically, that should take about 2.5 hours.

4. Highway 1. Best region for road tripping, ocean views and couples. Though in southern California it's known by its more famous name, the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), northern Californians have a more succinct label for the 400-mile stretch from San Francisco to Crescent City: Hwy 1.