Vacation along California's Central Coast

The California Central Coast is 300 miles long and goes from Santa Cruz to Santa Barbara.  This area contains some of the most beautiful country on the west coast.  The Central coast of California has much to see and visit.  There are wineries, beautiful beaches, giant redwoods, fabulous mountains and streams.  There are many historical places to visit like the Hearst Castle, California Missions and small quaint towns.  Highway 1 from Big Sur to Morro Bay is absolutely stunning.  The Monterey Bay Aquarium, Santa Cruz’s Boardwalk and the Hearst Castle are must see places.

You must visit Morro Bay.  Morro Bay is half way between San Francisco and Los Angeles.  Morro Bay is known for its big rock.  When you are in Morro bay you are a short distance from the Hearst Castle.  Morro Bay has many shops and restaurants.  You should visit the Morro Bay Natural History Museum.  You will find the Museum in the Morro bat State Park.  Morro bay has many wineries nearby.  Morro Rock is known as “the Gibraltar of the Pacific.”  The Peregrine Falcon lives on the rock.

Tourism is the city’s main industry.  Many people go to Morro Bay to enjoy a beach vacation.  The most popular beach is on the north side of Morro Rock.  Some of the beaches are owned by the State.  Part of Morro Bay is a state and national bird sanctuary.

If you like to camp there are three sites available.  The Morro Stand state beach Park has a three mile coast area.  Visitors can see Estero Bay and Morro Rack from this area.  There are many activities including fishing, surfing, wind and kite surfing, kite flying and sunbathing.  You can also stroll on the beach, go bird watching and explore Morro Bay.

You can camp at Morro bay State Park.  There is a lagoon.  You can go sailing, fishing, hiking and bird watching.  You can also stay at the San Simeon State Park.  You can view the Pacific Ocean when you camp at San Simeon Creek Camp ground.  Dogs can not go on the beach at this campground.

Cambria is located in Northern San Luis Obispo County.  It is located half way between San Francisco and Los Angeles.  The town is a short drive from the San Simeon State Park.  The best known beaches in Cambria are Leffingwell Landing and Moonstone Beach.  Exploring the tide pools can be great fun.

Harmony is located a few miles south of Cambria.  Eighteen people live in Harmony and it is the smallest town in California.  In 1869 a creamery was built in Harmony.  It was the Harmony Creamery and processed milk from the surrounding dairies into butter and cheese.  Harmony had a school house, general store, stables, blacksmith, feed store and post office.  William Randolph Hearst used to stop at Harmony on his way to San Simeon to get fresh buttermilk.  The creamery closed in 1955.  The post office is now closed.  The Harmony Glass Works and Harmony Pottery are still open.  The Harmony Glass Works is an art gallery.  They have a large collection of hand blown glass items such as sculpture, vases, platters, wine glasses, hearts, paper weights, ornaments, jewelry and many other unique items.  The Harmony Cellars Winery overlooks the town.  The winery has a gift shop and tasting room.

Harmony nearly died out when a new road was built that bypassed the town.  The town still hangs on.  Harmony is well worth a visit.

Solvang is an authentic Danish settlement that was founded in 1911.  Solvang has many specialty shops that cater to tourists.  You can taste wine at the many wineries in the area.  You can visit the Mission Santa Inez.  Solvang has many Danish bakeries.

Solvang is a beautiful little tourist town.  It is small and you can tour the whole town on foot.  There are hundreds of shops and restaurants to check out.  Solvang has chocolate shops, bakeries, and coffee and beer gardens.  Solvang has many places for you to stay at. 

You can go to Ostrich Land, Lake Cachuma, and Horse Ranches and on jeep tours.  Solvang is located in the center of Santa Barbara, County wine country.

The Solvang bakeries, restaurants and shops offer the tourist a taste of Denmark.  Solvang is a great place to stay while you check out the Santa Ynez valley.

Article sources:

http://www.californiadaytrips.com/central-coast.html