Hi there!

The Central Coast of California is home to some of the most beautiful spots in the Golden State. For today’s newsletter, I wanted to talk about 5 of my favorite Central Coast destinations worth adding to your travel bucket list.

Quick note: this email contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you click on the URL and make a purchase (at no cost to you!).

Santa Barbara

​Santa Barbara will forever be one of my all-time favorite destinations in California. The charming city (nicknamed the “American Riviera”) has amazing restaurants and cafes, excellent museums and historical landmarks, great hikes, and of course, gorgeous beaches. That said, even if it’s not warm enough for the beach, there’s still so much to do in the area.

During a getaway to Santa Barbara, be sure to visit the historic courthouse, stroll down State Street, explore the shops and wineries in the Funk Zone, and walk down the wharf and along the coast. I’m also a big fan of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden!

Paso Robles

For an escape to wine country, make your way over to Paso Robles – it’s home to 200+ wineries! A few of my favorite wineries in the region include Opolo, Adelaida, and Daou. It’s definitely worth booking a wine tour so that you don’t have to deal with driving (getting Ubers can be difficult, as service is limited in some areas), and have some assistance putting together your wine tasting itinerary.

Besides wine tasting, you can shop and dine in town, visit Light at Sensorio (an immersive outdoor light show), and relax at Franklin Hot Springs. If you’re planning a longer getaway, you can also spend some time in the charming town of San Luis Obispo, or go on an easy coastal hike at Montaña de Oro.

Cambria

This laid-back seaside town is perfect for a chill getaway on the coast. One of the most famous attractions near Cambria is Hearst Castle, which is located just north of town in San Simeon.

In addition to touring this historic landmark, you can spend your visit shopping and dining in town, strolling down the scenic Moonstone Beach Boardwalk, and doing an easy coastal hike at Fiscalini Ranch Preserve. I also recommend stopping for a tasting at Hearst Ranch Winery (it’s located right across the Pacific Coast Highway from the Hearst Castle Visitor Center).

Carmel-by-the-Sea

​Carmel-by-the-Sea is easily one of the prettiest towns on the Central Coast. The walkable town features gorgeous, fairytale-inspired architecture. There’s also an incredible dining scene, and tons of amazing hotels (I particularly love Le Petit Pali).

Carmel is also surrounded by natural beauty. Head south to explore Point Lobos and spend a day in Big Sur, or set aside some time to drive the 17 Mile Drive in Pebble Beach. You can also head over to Monterey to visit the world-famous aquarium or go on a whale watching cruise.

Big Sur

If you haven’t visited Big Sur, consider this your sign to plan a trip! Spend your visit hiking along the coast, seeing the redwood trees, and driving down the Pacific Coast Highway to take in the natural, rugged beauty.

There is so much to do and see in Big Sur…after all, it spans over 70 miles of the Central Coast. Some highlights include McWay Falls, Bixby Bridge, and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park (where you can get up close to the redwood trees!). I also highly recommend grabbing a meal at Nepenthe.

–

Feel free to hit reply and let me know if you’re planning a trip to any of these destinations!

Happy travels!

Kyra, Sea to Sequoia​

Follow along on Instagram, Tik Tok, Facebook, & Pinterest