Page 47 - 2025-2026 Travel Guide to California

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-
submersible tour in Morro Bay. Discover
how the ocean has shaped the history of the
Central 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.
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.
INSIDER’S TIP
Most visitors flock to Carmel Beach for sunsets, but
locals know the best view is from the CARMEL
MEADOWS TRAIL—a short, scenic walk south of the
main beach. Park near Ribera Road, take the coastal
path, and enjoy a peaceful, crowd-free golden hour
with panoramic ocean views. BONUS: Bring a picnic
and a cozy blanket for an unforgettable experience.