The Central Coast of California is best known for its tourism and agriculture, and there are so many amazing cities and towns to visit, from Santa Barbara to Monterey.
Our road trips along California’s Central Coast are nothing if not epic, and I think a drive down the Pacific Coast Highway in Central California is one of the most beautiful in the US. There’s never a dull moment with or without kids; we’ve done it both ways.
If you want to end a shopping excursion in Santa Barbara with a few winery visits in Santa Maria Valley, we have a great plan to set you up. There is also Channel Island National Park that we highly recommend adding to your list when you are in this area with a majestic lighthouse and perfect views!
There are many picturesque stops along a PCH road trip through the Central Coast, but we have found Morro Bay to be one of the prettiest. Between Morro Rock and the sand dunes, it’s really unique and a must-stop.
If you want a classic Cali beach vibe (think Beach Boys) for your trip, we have a great itinerary for hanging out in San Luis Obispo. Our Kids have always loved the vintage candy store in town, and we have some top recommendations on where to stay that is family-friendly and get a great night’s sleep.
We love this part of the California coast, and if you plan to head in that direction, we are happy to help you find the route that checks all your boxes. Drop us a message if you need recommendations, and check out our posts to get the inside scoop.
The Yosemite Valley Tram Tour is a great way to experience the highlights of Yosemite National Park if you’re short on time or energy. See what to expect, how to book it, and find our why it’s one of the best National Park tours available.
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Redwood National Park is a great family destination for getting into nature and learning about the giant coastal forest. Get ideas for things to do and parts of the park to visit on your California Coast road trip.
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The Bodega Bay Lodge is a beautiful property set just off the beach on the Sonoma Coast of Northern California. Review and ideas for things to do in the Bodega Bay area of Sonoma County.
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The Evergreen Lodge at Yosemite is ideal for exploring the quiet side of Yosemite National Park. From family cabins to rustic retreat lodging, the Evergreen Lodge has many options and is located very near Hetch Hetchy and Groveland, California.
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Everybody seems to have an opinion about overrated sights and places to visit. Roadside attractions are totally cliched to stop at, but why not stop? Viewpoints on highways that have pull-outs are usually there […]
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Perfect West Coast National Parks road trip plan, from Joshua Tree to Olympic National Park. Stops in the Sierras, Central Oregon, and the best of Washington State’s mountains.
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Kings Canyon National Park is beautiful and full of epic trees and view. Visiting Kings Canyon in any season is fun and interesting, but beware of snowy days. Tips and tricks for hiking at Kings Canyon and where to stay (National Park lodge!).
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The San Francisco Bay Area National Parks sites include breathtaking nature, historic homes, famous WWII sites and more. Perfect for learning about the USA or just enjoying the Bay Area. Explore beaches, the Redwoods and more.
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Yosemite National Park is one of the most visited or dreamed about destinations in the United States. Can you blame everyone for wanting to explore the valleys and peaks that are the subject of […]
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Every city has its defining characteristics that make it unusual and attractive. Seattle has the ferry system and Pike Place Market, Los Angeles has the film industry and beaches, San Francisco has the cable […]
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Growing up in Washington with family in both northern and southern California, the West Coast road trip was guaranteed at least once per year… if not three times. This meant though that we got […]
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Going off the beaten path is something so many travelers strive for. You know that we’re usually traveling with kids, so we try to experience the less-crowded areas of the world when we can […]
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I went to Crescent City, California once when I was a kid. I just remember being told that in 1964 a tsunami (tidal wave) crashed into the town… and then I was terrified of […]
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As we made our way through Northern California and explored the beaches and National Parks, we stayed in all kinds of hotels and lodges. When we left the Bodega Bay Lodge and headed north […]
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When you live on the coast you get accustomed to certain maritime things. You know, like hearing fog horns, continually sweeping up sand in your house, having lighthouses in half of your family photos. […]
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Ooh, we love a good tourist attraction. Not a tourist trap, but a genuine attraction. Of all of the classic American icons a few really stand out: the Statue of Liberty, the White House, […]
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It was so great to stay in lodges on our #2TDgoparks2016 roadtrip. After several days of snow chains and foiled hiking plans it was nice to arrive at the Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite. We’d […]
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After a few days of battling the fog and snow in Sequoia National Park we took the short drive to cross the border into Kings Canyon National Park. Like with Sequoia, we had big […]
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