Central Coast Cool Towns
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Monterey is located off Highways 1 and 68 at the southern end of Monterey Bay. Made famous by Steinbeck's tales of Cannery Row, Monterey has experienced growth over the years. Cannery Row has great fish restaurants and touristy shops. Victorian Bed & Breakfasts line the rocky shore. Tidepool exploration is abundant. Fisherman's Wharf offers deep-sea fishing charters and more touristy shops and restaurants. Sandy beaches surround the Wharf and invite visitors to kayak, snorkel, scuba dive and swim. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is the highlight and should not be missed.
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Carmel is located off Highway 1 just south of Monterey Bay. This is a quaint seascape village with European style. Stroll through the town and window shop or take the scenic 17-Mile Drive through the forest and along the coast. The Lone Cypress Tree is a photography must and is perhaps the most photographed tree in the world. Many romantic hotels and restaurants can be found in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Clint Eastwood was once the Mayor of this town and still has a vested interest in some of the businesses. Do you feel lucky? Keep an eye out for him if you're a fan. Swimming beaches and Scenic Drive are located at the end of Ocean Avenue. Watch for sea otters playing in the kelp beds.
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Big Sur is situated on some of the most pristine coastline California has to offer. Steep hillsides of lush pine forest mingle with Cypress trees before meeting a rugged Pacific coastline. Its seclusion from any major highways makes it a great place to unwind and relax. Situated between Carmel and San Simeon along the winding but immensely scenic Highway 1, the Big Sur region spans approximately 50 miles and includes several State Parks and secluded beaches. Some of the most expensive resorts in all of California are found here, yet there are also a fair number of campgrounds and rustic lodges with cabins. Popular activities in Big Sur include hiking, beachcombing, fishing, kayaking, diving, surfing and relaxing.
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Paso Robles is located east of Cambria and north of San Luis Obispo on Highway 101. Paso Robles is the heart of Central Coast Wine Country with over 50 wineries dotting the surrounding hillsides. Wine tasting is the main attraction where you'll find multiple tour options, or buy a map and head out on your own. The area is also known for its hotspring activity. At the Paso Robles Inn, some rooms have hot tubs filled with natural hotspring water. Or, for a small fee, you can soak in the spring waters at Franklin Hotsprings.
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Cambria is located off Highway 1 conveniently located between San Simeon and Morro Bay. Most accommodations are located at Moonstone Beach where only a small two-lane road separates them from the ocean. Every hotel and Inn offers rooms with ocean views. Other than hotels and Inns, the only other structures along Moonstone Drive are fantastic restaurants, bakeries and art galleries. Everything is within easy walking distance from your hotel. A wood boardwalk stretches across the bluffs overlooking the ocean below. Steps leading down the short bluffs and lookout points are strategically placed along the boardwalk. At dusk and dawn one can find the boardwalk bristling with tourists and locals alike for the spectacular sunsets. Cambria is only 20 minutes from Hearst Castle or the nearest winery along highway 46, and 30 minutes from Morro Bay.
TIP: This is our top pick for a romantic getaway in the entire state. Most of the hotels and Inns along Moonstone Drive have fireplaces in every room.
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Morro Bay is located approximately 20 miles west of San Luis Obispo off Highway 1. Morro Bay is an outdoor enthusiasts playground offering activities like boating, fishing, kayaking, surfing, hiking, biking, bird watching, beach combing, golfing and much more. Along the Embarcadero that parallels the harbor, visitors can find a multitude of restaurants, shops, kayak rentals, a small aquarium and even a submarine ride. Further south is Morro Bay and Montana de Oro State Parks offering estuaries, forests, Pacific headlands and secluded coves.
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San Luis Obispo is located off Highway 101 and was originally founded as one of the many Spanish Missions situated along the Kings Highway. The Mission still remains as the center point to a vintage downtown of unique shops and boutiques. The nearby university breathes life into the town with the need for entertainment and nightlife. Several wineries dot the foothills offering wine tasting and other amenities. The famous and eclectic Madonna Inn resides on the outskirts of town, and is just as much a tourist attraction as it is an Inn. Within a 30-minute drive are other places of interest including Morro Bay, Avila Beach and Pismo Beach.
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Solvang is located north of Santa Barbara off Highway 246. This town is a replica of an old Danish village. When you see the windmills, you know you've reached Solvang. This is where you can purchase unique Danish goods such as wooden shoes. It's hard to stay out of the many authentic bakeries. Local hotels and country inns are decorated in the style of Denmark. The real highlight of Solvang is that it's located in the heart of central coast Wine Country. Tasting rooms are found throughout the town and exceptional wineries can be visited by a short drive in any direction.
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Santa Barbara is located off Highway 101 between Santa Maria and Ventura. Tucked between the Pacific Ocean and Los Padres National Forest, Santa Barbara is a dream come true for any outdoor enthusiast. To the north, El Capitan is a popular region for some of the best campgrounds the Central Coast has to offer, not to mention 'Glamour Camping'. Spend the day wine tasting at one of the many wineries dotting the foothills. Shop, dine and take in a movie or concert at one of many historic theatres on State Street downtown. Explore the historic Santa Barbara Mission that was built by the Spanish in 1786. Drive out on Stearns Wharf for seafood as fresh as it gets or a stroll through the Ty Warner Sea Center. Charter boats also head out of the harbor daily for Channel Islands National Park just a few miles to the south.
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