Just 11 miles down the San Luis Obispo County coast from Hearst Castle, charming Cambria is an irresistible destination in its own right. Every tour provides visitors with an opportunity to spend time marveling at the residence’s two lavish pools. Start your visit with one of Hearst Castle’s daily tours of the main house, or special tours of the cottages come in November or December to see the estate dressed up in its very-festive holiday decor. Now one of California’s most visited state historical monuments, the 165-room castle is an eye-popping extravaganza with 127 acres of terraced gardens, sparkling fountains, and wraparound views of the sunny Central Coast. Completed in 1947, this extraordinary temple to opulence served as the private residence of publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst. Mansions are a dime a dozen in California, but nothing comes close to Hearst Castle. Also in Morro Bay, scan the skies and waters for herons and egrets while also keeping one eye on the water for migrating blue, gray, and humpback whales. Knowledgeable docents are usually on site.įrom late October into February, monarch butterflies migrate to the groves at Pismo State Beach at Morro Bay, watch busy sea otters. From observation areas above the sands, watch bellowing bull elephant seals as large as minivans battle for territory, while quieter, smaller females nurture their plump, cigar-shape pups. For starters, head to the rugged strip of coastline known as Piedras Blancas, roughly seven miles north of San Simeon. ( read more) Wildlife Watching In San Luis Obispo Countyįrom flittering monarch butterflies as light as a feather to elephant seals that tip the scales at more than 5,000 pounds, San Luis Obispo County has an incredible variety of wildlife-and ways to see it. Or just make tracks in the sand along what is one of the most walkable beaches in all of California.
Take a walk out over the waves to watch the surfers, or maybe try your hand at fishing (no license required) then stroll along the oceanfront boardwalk. Once you get there, the historic 1,200-foot-long Pismo Beach Pier beckons built in 1928, it serves as a kind of town square for the community. Work your way toward the sands, through streets of beach cottages, surf shops, and clam chowder joints. The coastal hills open up to reveal shimmering turquoise waters and long stretches of the San Luis Obispo County coastline, with glimpses of this classic beach town hugging the shore. Highway 101, there’s an unforgettable moment as you reach Pismo Beach. Whether you’re driving from the north or south on U.S. Plants here were gathered from those found at other mission sites, then cloned, grafted, or planted from cuttings and seeds.
Another tour lets you visit the Huerta Historic Garden, which contains plantings that mimic those of the Mission Era (1769-1834). For more background, consider taking a guided tour to learn more about the mission’s art and architecture.
But do it quietly: this is still a practicing mission, with Franciscan friars in residence. Take time to stroll through the mission’s lovely gardens, including a collection of plants important to native Chumash Indians, and visit the historic cemetery. Old Mission Santa Barbara, established in 1786 by Spanish Franciscans and nicknamed “Queen of the Missions,” is a serene retreat from downtown Santa Barbara. Regardless of where you start and end your Highway 1 journey, be sure to pull over at these must-see spots along the way, listed in order of south to north-which keep the panoramic ocean views on your left. The most well-known (and photographed) stretch runs along California’s Central Coast from Santa Barbara to Monterey, passing by the unspoiled coastline of Big Sur. The iconic roadway-which extends for more than 650 miles from Dana Point north to Leggett-offers endless vistas overlooking the Pacific, with plenty of redwood trees and wildlife sightings along the way. California’s coast-hugging Highway 1 is what dream drives are made of.