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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 Surhttps://highway1discoveryroute.com/activities/gateway-to-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 […]

The mysterious allure of Highway 1’s Oceano Butterflies, beaches, burgers and Bohemians Article Reposted from Roadrippers.com There’s something magical and mysterious about Oceano. An energy, a vibe, a culture, call it what you will, but it’s definitely there. In the 1930s and 1940s, Oceano’s dunes were home to a colony of Depression-era refugees drawn to […]

Nipomo, the gateway to the Central Coast, is an old west gem Article Reposted from Roadrippers.com There’s no shortage of wide-open spaces along Highway 1, but if you’re looking for something totally different, Nipomo will take you back to another era. In a lot of ways, the town still feels like what it must have […]

Hot springs, wine, and… pirates? Exploring Avila Beach, CA Where you can pick your perfect paradise Whatever your idea of a perfect vacation looks like, it probably involves a good amount of relaxing. Relaxing doesn’t always have to equal boring; it can mean treating yourself to an invigorating hike with scenic views, or exploring a […]

Elfin forests & rugged coastline in Los Osos & Baywood Park Exploring Highway 1, off the beaten path Highway 1 has no shortage of natural beauty, but perhaps the most enchanting and mysteriously beautiful stretch is the portion around Los Osos, and Baywood Park. Massive volcanic rocks rise up from the ocean, twisted pygmy oaks […]

Welcome to Cayucos, Highway 1’s Quintessential Beach Town from RoadTrippers No place does effortlessly cool coastal beach towns better than California. And of them all, there’s not a one more effortless or cool than Cayucos. Settled in the 1860s by a ship’s captain, the town remains more or less untouched by large-scale development, leaving its […]

Tales of Big Sur’s Ghosts   Come along and listen to some tales of the ghosts and spirits that haunt Big Sur Country with Rory Cosma at Ragged Point Inn and Resort. Legend has it that at the bottom of this incredible view from the Ragged Point Inn there is wreckage of numerous cars rotting […]