Page 45 - 2025-2026 Travel Guide to California

CENTRAL COAST
Endless, uncrowded beaches
TOP CITIES
Santa Cruz, Monterey, Carmel, Pacific Grove, Salinas, Gilroy,
Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, Morro Bay,
Cambria, Ventura, Lompoc, Solvang, Buellton, Pismo Beach,
Santa Maria, Camarillo, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Simi Valley
INTERNATIONAL GATEWAYS
San Francisco International Airport (SFO), 62 miles (100 km)
from Santa Cruz; 101 miles (163 km) from Monterey; Los Angeles
International Airport (LAX), 98 miles (158 km) from Santa
Barbara; 192 miles (309 km) from San Luis Obispo
TOURISM WEBSITES
santacruz.org seemonterey.com
carmelcalifornia.com pacificgrove.org
slocal.com visitgilroy.com
travelpaso.com santabarbaraca.com
visitoxnard.com morrobay.org
venturacountycoast.com visitventuraca.com
highway1roadtrip.com visitsimivalley.com
solvangusa.com
discoverbuellton.com
santamariavalley.com
experiencepismobeach.com
explorelompoc.com
POPULATION
2,242,000
CENTRAL
COAST
B Y J I L L K . R O B I N S O N
South of the San Francisco Bay Area, the coastal region from Santa
Cruz through San Luis Obispo has views that rival the rest of the
state. Within earshot of the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean,
this is where many Californians vacation, so it’s the ideal place to slow
down and adopt an appreciation of the great outdoors and a laid-back
lifestyle.
The three largest population centers of the Central Coast are Santa
Cruz, the Monterey Peninsula and Santa Barbara. In historic Monterey,
small-town Pacific Grove and fashionable artist retreat Carmel-by-the-
Sea, there are beautiful beaches, performing and fine arts venues,
outdoor pursuits, stylish shops, epicurean delights and an inland
region known for wine and agriculture. Santa Cruz has a similar appeal,
but beyond its redwood forests, this university town feels like a lively
beachside playground, home to a historic boardwalk and renowned surf
spots. Santa Barbara lures travelers with its white Spanish-style build-
ings, red-tiled roofs, vast beaches, plenty of fine arts venues, bright
boutiques, outdoor adventures, culinary tastes and an inland region
(the Santa Ynez Valley, featured in the movie Sideways) known for wine
and Santa Maria-style barbecue.
City & Town
Downtown Santa Cruz lies between the city’s vibrant beach attractions
and the redwood-rich mountains, where the University of California at
Santa Cruz is perched among groves of the huge trees. Fisherman’s
Wharf in Monterey is steps from the city’s historic buildings that date
2025-26 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA 43