Blog

Find your sanctuary (and preserve your sense of well being). If solitude and serenity is what you seek, allow SLO CAL to ease your mind as you stretch your legs. Dreamlike hills, untouched cliffs, vibrant wildlife and endless uncrowded beaches and hiking trails await travelers along pristine Highway 1. Finally: fresh air, open sky and […]

At this exact moment in time, no one really knows what travel will look like in the future. Or even when it will open back up. Will the quarantine lift closer to the Fourth of July or Labor Day? So much remains murky. All that travel aficionados can do right now is daydream on Instagram or book tickets […]

Due to the COVID-19 Shelter-in-Place orders in California, some beaches may be closed to the public. Please check before heading out: County: https://www.emergencyslo.org/en/impacted-services.aspx#County-and-City-Parks State: https://www.emergencyslo.org/en/impacted-services.aspx#State-Parks Your guide to hiking, camping, surfing, fishing and more along Highway 1 Summer road trips are made of this! Pack the cooler with sandwiches and sodas, grab the camera and pull on […]

Interesting Animal Encounters in California Visitors come from all over the world to discover California’s inspiring landscapes and wildlife. California boasts more native species than any other state, and residents are passionate about protecting them, investing $30 million each year to conserve wildlife habitat. Discover wildlife in a variety of ways, from safari-style lodging and […]

Visit These Four Gardens to Get Your First Taste of Spring’s Bounty Wherever you are in the United States, here’s where to go to embrace the season’s best feature—freshly-bloomed florals. By Erica Sloan  March 17, 2020Read the full article from MarthaStewart.com here In addition to the return of warmer weather, blooming gardens are arguably spring’s most cherished feature. […]

Top 6 places to go foraging in the US Our ancestors foraged to survive, but harvesting wild food became much less common after the advent of the grocery store. Fast forward to the present day: Americans want to know what’s in their food and where it’s coming from, and they’re increasingly motivated by sustainable travel. […]

A bounty of exciting experiences await in coastal San Luis Obispo County. Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Natural History Center This non-profit organization works to protect the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes, a 30-kilometer stretch of the largest intact coastal dune ecosystem on Earth. Take a free, naturalist-led Stewardship Travel tour to learn about this fragile landscape. Hummer tours near Pismo […]

We all want more immersive experiences in our lives, especially when we travel. The new year should ring in less calendar obsession and bring more opportunities to lose ourselves in our surroundings. The Coastal Discovery Celebration offers just such an opportunity to unwind, expand and contribute to making our surroundings (and ourselves) more meaningful. From […]

In a Pacific state of mind? Whether you choose to spend the bulk of your vacation under the water, on top of the water, or hiking, camping and exploring near the water—SLO CAL has your next coastal adventure on tap. Look no further than the seaside communities nestled along scenic Highway 1, where endless blue waves and sunny […]

Long considered a necessary interlude on the way to somewhere else, this once-sleepy stretch has become a destination in its own right. Travelers are finally catching on to what locals have known long all along: the Central Coast of California offers quiet beauty, agricultural bounty, and some of the best wines in the state. Coastal […]

HIGHWAY 1’S TIME-HONORED DESTINATIONS AWAIT YEAR-ROUND Cruise back in time as you traverse Highway 1 along the scenic SLO CAL coast. From illuminating lighthouse tours to Hearst’s famous castle overlooking the Pacific, the region’s rich history is revealed with every ebb and flow of the tide. Sure, the whaling ships and Dune-dwelling poets may be long […]

This winter, go where the weather is always merry and bright (more than 300 days of sun per year means your winter vacation has little chance of being rained out). Pack your swimsuit, hiking boots, your appetite, and perhaps a Santa sun visor. Highway 1’s coastal communities are legendary for outdoor fun, fresh cuisine and enchanting destinations open to the […]

Want to travel deeper? Follow our all-new History & Heritage Trail History buffs, start your engines. Introducing the Highway 1 Discovery Route’s History & Heritage Trail, designed for travelers who want to dig deep on their travels. Step back in time by exploring landmarks that shaped Central Coast history, including train depots, ports, ranchos ― […]

Photo © 2013 “Mike” Michael L. Baird, flickr.bairdphotos.com As part of the Coastal Discovery Celebration, why not have a whale of a time whale watching along Highway 1? Nothing brings a sense of awe for nature’s wonders like seeing a whale spout or tail with your own eyes. And on the Highway 1 Discovery Route, […]

Ever wonder why we call it the Highway 1 “Discovery” Route? Simple: This stretch of 101 miles through coastal San Luis Obispo County begs to be discovered. Along its twists and turns, every inch of Highway 1’s untouched shoreline contains vast worlds to explore. Each step through quiet forests, historic landmarks, and charming towns leads […]

Highway 1 Dream Drive AUGUST 9, 2018 The iconic coastline drive along Highway 1 has re-opened to travelers! So we’re celebrating with a Highway 1 Dream Drive on Thursday, August 9th. From the Central Coast Tourism Council: Extreme weather in 2017 severely affected the areas around Big Sur and northern San Luis Obispo County, resulting […]

California’s Edna Valley America’s Answer to Tuscany Article Reposted from Roadrippers.com   California is a wine-lover’s paradise. The weather and soil provide perfect grape-growing conditions, and the sun-soaked beauty and laid-back culture of the state make California a dreamy destination for wine sampling. Of course, Napa and Sonoma are popular regions for wine, but Central […]

Arroyo Grande Valley has an adventure for everyone Hop off Highway 1 and burn off some steam with a glass of wine! Article Reposted from Roadrippers.com   There’s nothing like a road trip along Highway 1, but let’s face it, that’s a lot of time in the car. If you’ve got the itch to stretch […]