4 Perfect Days in California Central Coast
The Central Coast of California is an adventurer’s dream! Picture this: You’re zipping through the sky on a zipline in Santa Margarita, feeling the rush of the wind and the thrill of the height. Or maybe you maneuver through an obstacle park in San Luis Obispo, testing your limits and having a blast. Fancy water activities? Paddle a kayak through the serene waters of Morro Bay, or ride the waves on a surfboard at Pismo Beach. For some off-road fun, hop on an ATV and roar over the Oceano Sand Dunes, it’s an experience like no other! And let’s not forget horseback riding through the vineyards of San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles and Santa Barbara, it’s as picturesque as it gets. The Central Coast is all about embracing the great outdoors and making memories that’ll last a lifetime. At the end of the day, or when you are taking a break from your excitement, there are plenty of hot springs to choose to sooth your sore muscle.
Culture and history also never take a back seat in California Central Coast. You can immerse yourself in the grandeur and charms of centuries past in Hearst Castle in San Simeon, or the many Spanish missions dotting many places in Central California -- the king of all missions in Carmel, and the queen in Santa Barbara. There is Solvang, the Danish capital of America, that's tucked by the hillside as if transplanted from Denmark. There are ever colorful flower fields throughout spring and summer in Lompoc. There are many festivals throughout the year that celebrate the diverse humanity that are emblematic of the California melting pot. Check out I Madonnari street painting festival in Santa Barbara in May, or Danish Day in Solvang in September. There is also the Sensorio field of light in Paso Robles by acclaimed artist Bruce Munro. So, if you’re an adrenaline junkie, a nature lover, or a culture buff, this is your ultimate playground!
Day 1: San Francisco - Solvang via Paso Robles, Pismo Beach and Lompoc
The first day already gives you a sampling of diversity of activities you can do in California Central Coast. I don't usually include a restaurant in an itinerary for a trip, but rather provide eating places as suggestions. Goshi is different, and you have to try it to believe it. ATV ride Pismo Beach is done in a sand dune that stretches for miles and at least a mile or two wide. If you are not into vehicular sport activities, there is an option to do sand sledding or hiking. The entrance to pedestrian only part of the sand dunes is through Pacific Dunes Ranch Campground. Throughout spring and summer, there are also opportunities to see the flower fields in Lompoc that stretch for miles.
Route: San Francisco - Goshi in Paso Robles/SLO - ATV in Pismo Beach - Lompoc flower fields - Solvang
Approximate distance: 315 miles
Estimated travel time: 5 hours 15 minutes
Suggested food option: Goshi in Paso Robles or San Luis Obispo
More information about the stops: Steve's ATV Rental in Pismo, Lompoc Flower Fields, Explore Lompoc, Solvang
Day 2: Solvang - Santa Barbara via Santa Ynez
I only found out by accident that it turns out Santa Ynez has a lot of equestrian facilities where you can learn to ride horses. There are so many choices that a few of those offer the convenience of booking on the same day (almost like drop in). The difference between this and a regular horseback tour is that they also teach you the basics of taking of the horses as well as different way of riding your horse.
Route: Solvang - Horse Riding in Santa Ynez - at leisure in Santa Barbara
Approximate distance: 40 miles
Estimated travel time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Suggested food option: Santa Barbara Public Market for lunch.
More information about the stops: Little Big Riding School in Santa Ynez, Santa Barbara Public Market, Visit Santa Barbara
Day 3: Santa Barbara - Atascadero via Los Olivos and San Luis Obispo
Santa Barbara has many festivals throughout the year and if you come to visit during Memorial Day weekend (i.e. the last weekend of May), you have the opportunity to participate in I Madonnari, Italian inspired street painting festival. The festival usually takes place at the front parking place of Santa Barbara Mission, so you can combine the visit to both together. I Madonnari is not the only significant festival for people to visit Santa Barbara. Throughout the year, pretty much every months, you can come to Santa Barbara and greeted with fun and interesting festivals like Summer Solstice, Laveder Festival, Wine Festival, Old Spanish Day Fiesta, Parade of Lights and many more. There are also many wineries in California central coast, and we always like to try a new one when we can. Roblar Winery fits the picture. Vista Lago Adventure Park offers obstacle course and ziplines (with one of those zips through a part of Lopez Lake) and another thrill activity like the Ledge, where you test your courage to drop through a ledge, with wire of course. Ensure your check Vista Lago's calendar that it is open before you go. The place is usually closed most of winter until late spring/beginning of summer.
Route: Santa Barbara Missiong (+ I Madonnari) - Roblar Winery in Los Olivos - Vista Lago Adventure Park in SLO - Atascadero - (Sensorio by Bruce Munro in Paso Robles)
Approximate distance: 130 miles add 35 miles round-trip if you also visit Sensorio.
Estimated travel time: 2 hours 40 minutes, add 35 minutes round-trip if you also visit Sensorio.
Suggested food option: Roblar Winery in Los Olivos.
Map: Santa Barbara to Atascadero, Atascadero to Sensorio in Paso
More information about the stops: I-Madonnari in Santa Barbara, Mission Santa Barbara, Roblar Winery, Vista Lago Adventure Park, Sensorio Paso Robles
Day 4: Atascadero - San Francisco via Paso Robles
California Central Coast is also famous for its farms. One of things you can do is to visit some Olive farms like Kiler Ridge Olive Oil, where you can learn how olive is pressed to make oil and sample different varieties of olive oils. There are general purpose farms like Mount Olive Farms where you can get fresh vegetables and fruits as well as some fresh farm to table food. It is also famous for its hot springs. The one outlined here is River Oaks hot springs in Paso Robles where the views of a lot of their hot spring tubs are over expansive wineries and rolling oak hills.
Route: Atascadero - Kiler Ridge Olive Oil - Bistro at San Antonio Winery - River Oaks Hot Springs - San Francisco
Approximate distance: 225 miles
Estimated travel time: 3 hours 50 minutes
Suggested food option: The Bistro at San Antionio Winery in Paso Robles.
Map: Atascadero - San Francisco
More information about the stops: Kiler Ridge Oliver Farm, The Bistro at San Antonio Winery River Oaks Hot Springs in Paso Robles
Comments
Post a Comment