Page 94 - 2020 Travel Guide to California

SURFING CARMEL BEACH, above.
DRIVE
»
TOUR
Get more than a glimpse of
the Central Coast by driving
south of Big Sur on
HIGHWAY 1 past the small
beach towns of CAMBRIA,
MORRO BAY and PISMO
BEACH. Be sure to stop
regularly to sample local
delicacies, whether caught
from oceanside piers or
made by hand in beach-
town bakeries. The highway
cuts inland for a short jog
after San Luis Obispo, but
pops back to the beach
before approaching the
Santa Ynez Mountains and
posh SANTA BARBARA.
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, stop when you want
to, and dig your toes in the sand.
Heritage & Culture
Many place names on the Central Coast
remain from Native American tribes, as well
as from Spanish and Mexican settlers. The
California missions and other well-pre-
served buildings still exist from before 1850,
when California became a state. The Central
Coast’s inland region has a wealth of land for
agriculture—from the salad bowl to wine to
olives—but farmers here are just as comfort-
able taking a quick trip to the wide, sandy
beaches during breaks from the harvest.
Family Fun
The Central Coast is a wonderland for fami-
lies, with historic sites, accessible beaches
and outdoor space, and water activities. See
underwater without diving at the Monterey
Bay Aquarium, or be a kid again at the Santa
Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Inland, get a look at
California’s pre-statehood past and follow
the California Missions Trail along Highway
101—always a good lesson for grade-
schoolers and adults alike. South through Big
Sur, the variety of hiking paths can lead you
to a pink-sand beach or a seaside waterfall.
View underwater life on a semi-sub-
mersible tour in Morro Bay. Discover how
the ocean has shaped the history of the Cen-
tral Coast at the Santa Barbara Maritime
Museum. Go camping in the Channel
Islands or Los Padres National Forest. Even
picking your own berries at a local farm is
far more fun when you can smell the ocean
air and not hear the sounds of traffic.
92 2020 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA
VISIT CARMEL