The California Central Coast

About 1 hour north of Santa Barbara is the underrated Gem of California’s Central Coast. Apparently not to be called “Central California”, but the Central Coast. While speaking to a local, I referred to the area as Central California, and she did indeed correct me.

This area has a unique Mediterranean climate, which allows for great farmland and beautiful scenery. Here are some suggested stops along your California Central Coast Road Trip. Included is an extensive list of wonderful stops; feel free to treat these options as a menu: pick and choose which ones peak your interest and add to your itinerary.


Top Sights Along Central Coast

Coming From the South

  • Santa Barbara
  • Santa Ynez Mountains
  • Solvang
  • Pismo Beach
  • Avila
  • San Luis Obispo
  • Morro Bay
  • Cambria
  • Moonstone Beach
  • Hearst Castle (San Simeon)
  • Elephant Seal Vista Point
  • Big Sur– Check out my Big sur blog post here
  • Andrew Molera State Park
  • Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
  • 17-Mile Drive
  • Carmel-by-the-Sea
  • Monterey
  • San Jose

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is a Beach-coastal town with Spanish colonial influence that can be seen in its’ buildings and architecture. This city is known as the American Riviera and is a very dog-friendly city. Before I visited Santa Barbara, the majority of the knowledge I had (which was little), was from to the TV show Psych. If you know, you know…Under Santa Barbara Skies!

Top Sights

Hiking/Beach

  • Douglas Family Preserve: Beautiful trails, Dog’s are allowed off-leash. Dog friendly: yes
  • Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens: Contains a 1.4 mile loop trail that offers diverse views. Dog friendly: yes,
  • Arroyo Burro Beach/Hendry’s Beach: Located right below Douglas Family Preserve(see option 1.): can park at the beach and take the trail up. Dog Friendly: yes
  • Montecito Butterfly Beach: Upscale beach, great for swimming and kayaking. Dog friendly: yes
  • Rattlesnake Canyon: Located near the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. There is a trail/hike and a park. The park is popular for biking and horseback riding. Beware, the hike warns of rattlesnakes. While hiking, another hiker making his way back down the trail, reported that he had seen 2 rattlesnakes around the bend. We decided to turn back at that point. This is dog-friendly, but proceed with caution for yourself and your dogs. Watch out for rattlesnakes.

Food

  • Best BBQ Santa Barbara: My friend introduced me to this mouth-watering food after a day of hiking. As soon as you walk in, you smell the sweet, smoky BBQ. Affordable and big portions.
  • Santa Barbara Public Market: A diverse yummy food hall.
  • Hook and Press: Try the Everything bagel donut.
  • The Funk Zone: Click here for the map and recommended spots and food.
  • Sama Sama kitchen: Southeast asian cuisine.
  • Bettina: Italian style pizza, doesn’t disappoint.
  • Corazon Comador: Delicious Mexican food, birria tacos, and squash enchiladas.
  • Dom’s Taverna: Specializes in Californian-style Basque food. What is Basque, you say…? It is a type of cuisine from the Basque Country, Spain. Fccused on simple preparation with fresh and seasonal ingredients paired with grilled meat or fish.

Activities

  • Stearns Wharf: Walk along the long pier and enjoy views and restaurants. Dog friendly: yes
  • Old Mission Santa Barbara: Beautiful scenery, rose gardens, Museum inside. Referred to as “The Queen of Missions”.
  • Funk Zone: Collection of food places. Dog friendly: yes
  • Santa Barbara Botanical Garden: Collection of diverse plants and a small redwood forest. Dog-Friendly: yes

Check out my Travel Guide to Santa Barbara.


Santa Ynez Mountains

Santa Ynez Mountains are part of a beautiful mountain range that makes up Los Padres National Forest. Which offers trails and often views of the Pacific coastline. If you are blessed with a clear day, the Channel Islands can be seen.

Top Trails for a Road Trip Stop.

Super short & easy (perfect quick stops)

Nojoqui Falls Trail

  • Distance: ~0.9 miles round trip
  • Time: 20–30 min
  • Why stop: Ends at a 70-ft waterfall
  • Vibe: Shady, flat, very chill
  • Dog Friendly: Yes
  • Great roadside stop off Hwy 101 / near Buellton
    👉 One of the easiest and most rewarding quick hikes in the area

Sweetwater Trail (Lake Cachuma overlook)

  • Distance: ~0.5 miles
  • Time: 10–15 min
  • Why stop: Panoramic view over Lake Cachuma + mountains
  • Dog Friendly: Yes
  • Vibe: Basically a scenic viewpoint walk
    👉 Ideal if you want a stretch break without committing to a hike

Easy but slightly longer (45–90 min)

Gaviota Wind Caves Trail

  • Distance: ~1.3 miles
  • Time: ~45 min
  • Why stop: Unique wind-carved caves + ocean views
  • Dog Friendly: No
  • Vibe: Short climb but still beginner-friendly
    👉 One of the most unique quick hikes in the range

San Marcos Foothills Preserve Loop

  • Distance: ~3 miles
  • Time: ~1–1.5 hrs
  • Why stop: Wide-open views of coast + mountains
  • Dog Friendly: Yes
  • Vibe: Rolling hills, not too steep
    👉 Good “classic Santa Barbara view” hike without heavy effort

Parma Park Loop

  • Distance: ~3.3 miles
  • Time: ~1.5 hrs
  • Why stop: Quiet, less crowded, nice panoramic hills
  • Dog Friendly: Yes
  • Vibe: Easy/moderate, good leg stretch
    👉 Popular with locals for a mellow hike

Bonus: if you want something super easy + scenic

Carpinteria Bluffs Trail

  • Distance: ~2.7 miles
  • Time: ~1 hr
  • Why stop: Coastal walk with ocean + seals sometimes 🦭
  • Dog Friendly: Yes
  • Vibe: Flat, more of a scenic walk than a hike
    👉 Great if you want ocean views instead of mountains

Quick road trip tip

  • A lot of Santa Ynez hikes are steep and exposed, so these shorter ones are ideal for casual stops.
  • If you’re doing multiple stops, you can easily chain:
    • Gaviota area → Nojoqui Falls → Lake Cachuma overlook

Solvang

“America’s Danish Capitol” is a quaint town that feels as if you are transported to the streets of Denmark. In the early 1900’s, Danish educators settled here and established what has become beautiful Solvang today, including windmills, Danish shops, pastries, and Danish architecture.

Top Sights

Activities

  • Ostrichland: This was such a fun, quirky stop. My nieces and us-adults, loved the experience. They have emus and ostriches that you can get up close to and feed. Click here for more information.
  • Highline Course Solvang: Complete a ropes course high in the trees or choose to zipline. Check Groupon for discounts. Click here for more information.
  • Walk the streets and window shop: Enjoy the vibe, some of my favorite stores were Jule Hus, Swedish Chocolate Factory, and Nathalies Doll house. Find pastries, sweet treats, ornaments, Danish wooden shoes, and handmade gifts. Look for Street Parking in the downtown area to be close to everything on foot.
  • Hans Christian Anderson Museum: Learn about the author of many or our favorite Fairy Tales.
  • Santa Ines Mission: Historical site, one of the 21 original missions along the pacific coast.

Food

There are soo many great options, one of my favorite things in Solvang was going wherever my stomach took me, haha. There are restaurants and pastries on every corner.

  • Old Danish Food Farm : Fudge Kitchen: If you like pretzels, this is a must-try. They even have a take-and-make-at-home bag.
  • Solvang Restaurant: Danish Food including the Danish donut- Aebleskivir.
  • Paula’s Pancake House: Serves Danish Pancakes, trust me you don’t want to miss out on these.

Check out my Blog post on Solvang here.


Pismo Beach

While working on the central coast, Pismo Beach was our go-to spot to hang and have dinner.

Top Sights

Hiking/Beach

  • Pismo Preserve: Offers several trails for e-biking and hiking, and offers views of the ocean. Dog friendly: yes, Watch out for ticks though, avoid letting your dog run in the brushy areas, stick to the trails.
  • Pismo Pier: Walk to the end of Pismo’s large, wooden pier. Dog friendly: no
  • Pismo Beach: Popular for surfing. Dog friendly: yes. We enjoyed setting up hammocks under the boardwalk while admiring the sunsets. At certain times of the year, you can see whales from shore.
  • Oceano Sand Dunes: The only beach in California where cars are allowed to drive on the sand. I would only drive on the sand if you have Four Wheel Drive. It seems every time we are there, someone gets stuck, but there are always plenty of trucks and helpful people around to help. This Beach also allows bonfires. Dog Friendly: yes. If not driving onto the beach, you can park at Fin’s Bar and Grill near the entrance of the beach road.

Food

Walking around Pismo Beach will give you plenty yummy options.

  • Wooly’s: Our absolute favorite, reasonably priced, delicious food, we like the carne asada nacho fries, the fried cauliflower, and the fish sandwich. The location is on the boardwalk on the beach and offers such great views of the ocean and sunset. Dog friendly: yes.
  • Splash Cafe: Pismo Beach is known for its clams; in fact, you will find them scattered across the beach. Splash Cafe is very popular for its’ Fresh Clam Chowder in Bread Bowls. This spot almost always has a line out the door, but it is worth it.
  • Old West Cinnamon Rolls: Mouth-watering cinnamon rolls, you will smell them once you are near. Usually has a line out the door.
  • Cowboy Cookies and Ice Cream: Your choice of homemade cowboy cookie paired with ice cream. We loved the banana ice cream they had paired with a warm chocolate chip cookie.
  • Pismo Yogurt: This is a pretty solid choice for a Fro-yo joint. The item that I kept going back for more of, especially after a long day of work, was their Dubai Strawberries. Imagine a bowl of fresh strawberries covered with Dubai chocolate, pistachio crunch topping, and ice cream (optional).
  • Fin’s Bar and Grill: Located at the entrance of the beach road to drive onto Oceano Dunes, offers fresh seafood, some of the best Fried shrimp I’ve had.
  • Beach ‘in Biscuits: My dog friend told me about this place, all the biscuits and gravy that your heart desires. they do have a patio. Dog friendly? Yes.

Activities

  • Monarch Butterfly Garden: At peak times, 100’s of monarchs migrating can be seen. On off seasons can still see a few. Also enjoy the sandy boardwalk through beach flowers and succulents.
  • Take a picture by the Pismo Beach Letters.
  • Window shop at the stores at Pismo.
  • ATV tour: Or rent an ATV on Ocean Dunes.

Click here to check out my Guide to Pismo Beach


Avila

A coastal town that offers great food and beaches Very close to Pismo Beach.

Top Sights

Hiking/Beach

  • Bob Jones Trail: Paved 5-mile trail through trees leading to Avila beach and Avila Promenade, which is a fancy outdoor mall. Many like to bike this trail. Dog friendly: yes.
  • Avila Ridge hike/Ontario Ridge trail: About 3 miles does have a decent elevation gain quickly. In spring and winter offers beautiful fields of flowers with ocean views. Dog friendly: yes.
  • Avila Beach Pier: Walk the pier across from the Avila Promenade Shopping Center.
  • Old Porte Beach: Dogs allowed off leash before 10 am and after 5 pm.

Food

Avila Promenade offers many great dining options:

  • Shuck Shack: yummy pizza- we would order this for work quite often because its that good.
  • Custom House: Seafood, including Surf and Turf
  • Avila Farmers Market: Seasonal. The food stands offered are so tasty. See below in the activities section for more info…

Activities

  • Avila hot springs: Has cabins connected to a pool, water slide, and a hot tub filled with spring water. Click here for more information. I think it would be fun for a family reunion stay.
  • Sycamore Hot Springs: Upscale resort-type pool and network of private mineral hot tubs tucked away in the forest. Very relaxing and felt bougie. Also offers spa packages and lodging. Click here to learn more.
  • Avila Farmers Market: This was soo fun! Dancing, live music, food, and beach! Located at Avila Promenade, the city offers a trolley shuttle to avoid parking headaches. Click here for more info. THe market season is from May until August , Friday nights, between 4-8 pm. the food stands here are so good.
  • Avila Promenade: offers shopping and food across from the beach.


San Luis Obispo

Commonly referred to as its acronym: SLO (pronounced slow) by locals. It is a beautiful college family-friendly town. Offers Beautiful hikes and yummy restaurants.

Top Sights

Hiking

  • Bishops Peak: Moderate-Hard: Better in the morning. Beautiful views., One of central coasts volcanic caps. Dog friendly: yes.
  • Mount Madonna or Can Serro Luis Peak: Madonna’s Inn is located at the base of the trail. Moderate-Hard: Better in the morning. Another one of the central coast’s volcanic caps. Dog friendly: yes.

Food

  • Madonna’s Inn: Stop by and try Madonna’s famous delicious huge cake slices.
  • Petra Mediterranean Pizza and Grill: They do say Mediterranean food is one of the best diets for your health, and this restaurant offers a delicious gyro pizza with lots of toppings and sides.
  • Luna Red: Oh, Luna Red I’ll never forget you… haha. This spanish-style resturaunt has amazing Paella’s that are big enought to share for 4 people. Or take the leftovers home for yourself.

Activities

  • SLO Farmer’s market: Central Coast loves its’ Farmers Markets. Not Dog friendly, Held on Higuera Street on Thursdays, 6-9 PM. Enjoy music, fresh produce, diverse food, and community. Parking is best found on Palm/Morro or Marsh/Chorro Street.
  • Music at the Plaza: Held on Friday -Summer evenings, it usually starts in June. This event provides free music and dancing at the outdoor Plaza. -Mission Plaza, 898 chorro St. More info here.

Check out my Hiking guide in central Coast.


Morro Bay

Just a slow-magical-Californian Beach-town. Offers stunning views of animal life, Morro Rock, and vacation shopping.

Top Sights

Morro Rock is the iconic volcanic cap, that can be seen jutting up out of the water.

Hiking/Beach/Trails

  • Morro bay harbor walk: Paved, 0.4 mile walk, Dog friendly: yes.
  • Morro Nature Preserve Promenade: Paved 0.7 walk, Dog friendly: yes.
  • Dog-Friendly Beach: Morro Strand State Beach or Cayoucous Pier
  • Montana De Oro: Located 20 minutes north of Morro Bay, this State park offers campgrounds, historical sites, ocean cliffs, super blooms, and hiking trails. Dog friendly: no.

Food

  • Blue Shell’s Sweets and Treats: This shop releases a tantalizing smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls, they also have an option of candied pecan topping with icing. Stop by while you are exploring.
  • Rose’s Bar and Grill: We stopped by for some tasty food after a whale watching tour. It has a beautiful wood interior, with a great view of Morro Rock and the bay. The atmosphere almost feels like you are dining on a ship. We loved the Coconut Prawns, seriously, so much great seafood on the central coast. We also liked their alfredo fettuccine with veggies, and my husband loved the hearty burger he ordered.
  • The Lil Hut: Offers yummy burgers with real garlic on their garlic fries. Walk down the side towards the harbor, and find seating with a great view of Morro Rock. Technically, these seats are at Harbor Hut, which also looked like it had yummy food.

Activities

  • Whale Watching: so many tours offered, we saw so many whales. Make sure to bring nausea aides if you get seasick. Don’t want to be throwing up off the back of the boat(Trust me, speaking from experience). Check Groupon for discounts; whale tour options are available in Morro Bay.
  • Spot Sea Otters and Seals: These Ocean critters put on quite the show and can be seen right from the pier. Dog friendly: yes.
  • Paddleboard Morro Bay: Paddle in the protected Bay, there are many kayak rentals nearby, also check Groupon. Some like the Kayak Shack rent pup-friendly kayaks. Dog friendly: yes.
  • Shop till you Drop: Lot’s of beachy souvenir stores to window shop.

Check out my blog post of exploring Montana de Oro.


Cambria

This Charming and romantic seaside town is halfway between LA and San Francisco. This historic town has roots from native inhabitants, and in the late 1800’s/early 1900’s became popular for its farming, mining, and whaling industries. Many of the top sights are closely located, and Cambria is quite dog-Friendly.

Top Sights

Hiking/Beach

  • Moonstone Beach boardwalk: 1-mile-long boardwalk with green, flowy trees, and a view of Moonstone Beach. Difficulty level: Easy. Dog friendly: yes on the boardwalk. Dogs not allowed on the Beach.
  • Fiscalini Ranch: Enjoy over 8 miles of trails at this beautiful ranch. The most popular trail is the mile-long Bluff Trail. This trail includes views of ocean bluffs, common whale and sea otter sightings, and a rare Monterey pine forest. The ranch also offers special events from time to time, for example, their Spring Flower Show. Click here for more info. Dog friendly: yes,

Food

  • Linn’s: Offers a few different stores and cafes. Started in the 1970’s as a family farm that became famous for its olallieberry Pie, a cross between a raspberry and a blackberry. This pie was featured on Food Network. Their restaurant offers home-style cooking, including mac n’ cheese, chicken pot pie, and meatloaf.
  • Robin’s Handcrafted Global Cuisine: Beautiful atmosphere feels like you are sitting in a fairy tale cottage garden. The menu offers plenty of fresh veggies prepared in delightful ways.

Activities

  • Piedras Blancas Lighthouse: Tour a lighthouse.
  • Explore East Village Cambria: Known for its historic buildings and art galleries. Cambria historical Society offers a free self-guided walking tour. Learn more here.
  • Explore West Village Cambria: Quieter, more coastal vibe shopping.
  • Step Ladder creamery: Visit this highly loved Goat farm, featured in National Geographic. Take a tour, learn how cheese is made, taste test the cheese, and play with goats.


Moonstone Beach

Technically located in Cambria, this spot is so special it deserves its own shout-out. The beach is made up of millions of tiny, smoothed rocks made from Jade, Chalcedony, and Jasper, giving a unique look.

Top Sights

Activities

  • Boardwalk: About 2 miles round trip, Dog friendly: yes.
  • Explore Driftwood teepees: Constructed by visitors on the beach.
  • Tidepools: Explore Tidepools near the north end of the boardwalk.
  • Beach: Admire the rocky sand. some people do wade in the water at certian spots like the river mouth, but waves and tides can be dangerous at this beach. Dog friendly on the boardwalk: Not on the actual beach.

Food

  • The Moonstone Beach Bar and Grill: Walkable
  • Sea Chest Oyster’s Bar: Also a popular walkable stop.

Hearst Castle (San Simeon)

One of California’s most famous landmarks, Hearst Castle is a historic estate perched above the coastline.

Why Visit

  • Take a guided tour through the grand mansion, with Stunning architecture and design, set in beautiful hills with ocean views.
  • Maybe spot zebras running around the ranch.
  • Unique history of newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst

Check out my Guide to exploring Hearst Castle


Elephant Seal Vista Point

Located just down the road from Hearst Castle, this is one of the most unique wildlife stops along the California coast. Dog friendly: yes.

What You’ll See

  • Massive elephant seals lounging on the beach
  • Males can weigh up to 5,000 pounds

Best Time to Visit

  • Mating season (winter):
    • Loud, active, and dramatic- honestly kind of crazy… haha
    • Males competing and vocalizing
    • The bark of an elephant seal took me by surprise, and will probably take you by surprise as well!
  • Other times of year:
    • Seals resting, sunbathing, and slowly “scooting” across the sand

It’s both fascinating and funny to watch these huge animals move around on land.


Big Sur

A collection of State Parks containing stunning stretches of land along the California coastline providing breathtaking views.

Big Sur stops

  • Ragged Point Inn & Restaurant
  • Sand Dollar Beach / Plaskett Creek
  • Limekiln State Park
  • Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park / McWay Falls
  • Nepenthe Restaurant
  • Pfeiffer Beach
  • Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
  • Bixby Bridge
  • Garrapata State Park
  • Soberanes lookout

Check out my guide to visiting Big Sur, you could spend days here if you wanted.


Andrew Molera State Park

Andrew Molera State Park

Scenic Viewpoints Along the Drive: Andrew Molera State Park

  • Not dog-friendly
  • Parking: $10 in the lot, or free along the roadside
  • Hike: 8-mile loop including Creamery Meadow, Panorama Ridge, and Bluff Trail
  • Trail Features:
    • Crosses a cold river
    • Steep and winding sections
    • Bluff portions offer stunning ocean views
    • Sections over logs and through mountain vistas
    • Redwood forest at the top

  • Tip: If you’re primarily interested in ocean views, take the Bluff Trail and loop back—it’s shorter but still offers dramatic coastal scenery.

Point Lobos State Natural Preserve

Often called the “Crown Jewel of the California State Park System,” which is saying something considering there are 200+ state parks.

  • Not dog-friendly
  • Small entrance fee
  • Parking fills by 9 AM in spring/summer

Popular Trails

  • Bird Island Trail — short, easy, and leads to emerald waters at China Cove
  • Cypress Grove Trail — walk through rare Monterey cypress trees with dramatic coastal views

17 Mile Drive

 A scenic roadway that winds through the rugged coast of Monterey area. Several iconic stops include the most photographed tree in the world, The Lone Cypress, Spanish Bay, and Bird Rock. Does cost $12 but can be reimbursed with a purchased $35 or more at Pebble Beach Resorts.


Carmel by the Sea

A whimsical “fairy-tale” town on California’s Coast: offering dog-friendly activities, cute cottage architecture, and art galleries. This unique town has no fast food chains, no metered parking, and no street addresses, which adds to its’ charm. Dog friendly: yes.

Top Sights.

Hiking/Beach

  • Carmel Beach: White sandy beach with beautiful sunsets: Dog friendly: yes

Food

  • The Treehouse Cafe: A mixture of options on the menu, including Mediterranean, curry, seafood, and hamburgers. also offers a dog menu, choose between a salmon patty, a hamburger patty, or steamed chicken. Dog friendly: yes.
  • Bruno’s Deli: Fill out your deli card, and they will make and pack up your sandwich for you. We bought lunch here and ate it later at Sobranes Lookout if you are heading South into Big Sur.
  • La Bicyclette: French inspired menu and wood fire pizza.

Activities

  • Search for the famous Fairytale Cottages: The town is filled with fairytale-looking, cottage homes, which are a part of the ambience of Carmel by the Sea. It is fun to wander around and admire.
  • Explore Art Galleries and shops
  • Take a walking tour: explore the city with a storytelling historian guide. They offer dog-friendly tours.
  • Rent a bike or a side-by-side bike for your dog: check out the info here.

Monterey Bay

Visit this Coastal Town with a view of the Monterey Bay. Deep in this Bay is the Monterey Canyon, which supports diverse marine life, kelp forests, and whales.

Top Sights

Hiking

  • Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail: 18-mile stretch of coastal trail that leads to the aquarium and Cannery Row. Walking, biking, and kayaking near the trail.

Food

Restaurants along the Cannery Row offer many great dining options:

  • The Sardine Factory: Fresh seafood, and features an iconic sardine boat.
  • Gianni’s Pizza: Delicious Pizza and Gelato.

Activities

  • Cannery Row: Walk around Cannery Row, this area was a known hub for fishing and canning sardines. Most of the canning buildings have been turned into hotels and shops. It is super fun to explore and feel like you have traveled back to an early-1900s fishing district.
  • Monterey Bay: An amazing aquarium featuring soaring kelp forest tanks and a wide variety of sea life. If you’ve seen Finding Nemo 2, the aquarium in the movie is based on the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
  • One of the most impressive exhibits is the kelp forest—one of the first of its kind ever displayed in a tank. The story goes that the original creators were scuba divers who wanted to showcase what the nearby kelp forests really look like. One staff member even mentioned that she had scuba dived just a few miles from the aquarium, and the exhibit truly does it justice.
  • Parking can be a challenge, so it’s best to go early. Otherwise, you may have to park in town and walk—which isn’t too bad since you’ll already be exploring Cannery Row.
  • Treasure Hunt: A family-friendly interactive adventure, based on a pirate attack that really did occur on Monterey Bay in the 1800’s. Located on Cannery Row, involves a ride, animatronics, and targets to hit.
  • Explore Old Fishermen’s Wharf: This historic pier offers the hustle and bustle of restaurants and stores.
  • Visit the outdoor decks near or the ones at the Aquarium: Overlooks the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Admire frequent sightings of seals, sea otters, and whales.

Click here to check out my Travel Guide to Monterey.


San Jose

San Jose is also known as the “Capitol to Silicone Valley”.

Top Sights

Activities

  • Winchester Mystery House: The legend is that the heiress, Sara Winchester, continued construction on her house for 36 years to keep ghosts at bay. The house is now like a maze with stairs leading to nowhere.
  • The Municipal Rose Garden: Walk around or have lunch in the large and beautiful Rose garden.
  • The Tech Interactive: Offers interactive labs that explore different sciences and technology. Also has the largest IMAX Dome on the west side of the Mississippi.
  • Children’s Discovery Museum: Let the kids explore and interact as they learn.
  • Visit Japan Town: One of the only real Japantown left in the U.S. Stop at the grocery stores and get Japanese snacks.

Food

  • Falafel Drive Inn: Offers Mediterranean cuisine, hot dogs, and hamburgers.
  • Shuei Do Manju: Delicious and affordable Japanese steamed buns with sweet cream filling.
  • Kumako Ramen: found in Japan town, offers Japanese cuisine, including Ramen.

Central Coast, you have my heart

The Central Coast is a myriad of adventure and scenery. Who knew just driving up Highway 1, following the winding coastline of California, would offer so many entertaining ,stops. Hopefully you can pick and choose what would be perfect stops for you and your party. Have fun exploring!


Download my Central Coast Road Trip Itinerary Menu to help plan your trip!

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