Page 142 - 2015 Travel Guide to California

SPECIAL
»
EVENTS 2015
SANTA BARBARA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Jan. 27-Feb. 7, Santa Barbara sbiff.org
SAN LUIS OBISPO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL March 10-15, San Luis Obispo
slofilmfest.org
TASTE OF SOLVANG March 18-22, Solvang solvangusa.com
OJAI STORYTELLING FESTIVAL April 20-May 3, Ojai ojaistoryfest.org
PASO ROBLES WINE FESTIVAL May 14-17, Paso Robles pasowine.com/events/winefestival.php
CALIFORNIA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL May 16-17, Oxnard strawberry-fest.org
I MADONNARI May 23-25, Santa Barbara imadonnarifestival.com
LOS OLIVOS JAZZ & OLIVE FESTIVAL June 6, Los Olivos losolivosrotary.org/olivefest.html
SUMMER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION June 19-21, Santa Barbara solsticeparade.com
SAN BENITO COUNTY SADDLE HORSE SHOW & RODEO June 26-28, Hollister
sanbenitocountyrodeo.com
CALIFORNIA WINE FESTIVAL July 16-18, Santa Barbara californiawinefestival.com
GOLETA LEMON FESTIVAL Sept. 26-27, Goleta lemonfestival.com
EPICURE.SB Oct. 1-31, Santa Barbara santabarbaraca.com
140 2015 T R AV E L G U I D E TO C A L I F O R N I A
ELEPHANT SEAL COLONY
north of Cambria, left;
surfers off Pismo Beach
Pier, above.
The Great Outdoors
Even though Santa Barbara and San Luis
Obispo are larger than the rest of the beach
towns, there’s enough space throughout
the Central Coast region to find ample
breathing room. Hike to the top of Bishop
Peak, the tallest of the Nine Sisters, a chain
of volcanic peaks. Take advantage of some
sweet surf spots and catch the perfect
wave. Head out from Santa Barbara on a
whale watching tour to see some of the
largest mammals in the Pacific Ocean.
On the Carrizo Plain, considered the
largest single native grassland in the state,
it’s possible to see surface fractures of the
San Andreas Fault. The Los Padres
National Forest stretches across the scenic
Coast and Transverse ranges, and offers a
wealth of opportunities for fishing,
hiking, camping and bicycling. Kayak
among tide pools and kelp forests where
sea otters live in Morro Bay, or just amble
along miles of scenic beaches and dig your
toes in the sand.
VLADISLAV GURFINKEL/SHUTTERSTOCK; KEVIN PHILLIPS/SHUTTERSTOCK. OPPOSITE: JAMES MATTIL/SHUTTERSTOCK; SEBASTIEN BUREL/SHUTTERSTOCK