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Central Coast

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.

 

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Crashing waves at Moonstone Beach Cambria California Central Coast 6
Posted inCalifornia Central Coast Southwestern US

California Central Coast Road Trip Itinerary: castles, wine and more

What could be more perfect any time of year than a California Central Coast road trip? Nothing. Leaving the SoCal area out of Los Angeles and heading north up the…
Taylor Family at Fiscalini Ranch Reserve Cambria California Central Coast 4
Posted inCalifornia Central Coast Southwestern US

Cambria, California: perfect for food, fun, & family travel. And wine.

For as much time as we spend in California you’d think that we’d have hit up most of the awesome spots or at least had a good handle on places…
Best California Missions: Easy, Beautiful Cali Road Trip Stops
Posted inCalifornia Central Coast

Best California Missions: Easy, Beautiful Cali Road Trip Stops

These California Missions make for great road trip stops as you drive from San Diego to San Francisco. Enjoy beautiful chapels and learn about California history with these missions along El Camino Real.
Pinnacles National Park: Everything You Need to Know for an Awesome Visit
Posted inCalifornia Central Coast National Parks

Pinnacles National Park: Everything You Need to Know for an Awesome Visit

Hiking in Pinnacles National Park in California is a beautiful and fascinating experience with caves, desert and canyons. A great addition to road trips or a weekend day trip from San Francisco, see how to plan a visit to Pinnacles.
Vineyard rows at Presqu'ile Winery Santa Maria Valley California 2
Posted inCalifornia Central Coast Podcasts

Santa Maria Valley Wine Country: How To Enjoy Best Of LA’s Wine Region

The Santa Maria Valley wine country is one of our favorite wine regions. During the COVID pandemic, LA's wine country is still open with precautions and new wine experiences. See hot to visit SMV wine country RIGHT NOW!
Vineyard rows at Presqu'ile Winery Santa Maria Valley California 2
Posted inCalifornia Central Coast

Wine Country Social Distancing in Santa Barbara County: the Santa Maria Valley is perfect!

Over the years we've had many visits to the Santa Maria Valley. It's our favorite off-beat destination on the California Coast. While the world, or at least the USA, is…
Taylor Family at UPick Blueberries Santa Maria California 1
Posted inCalifornia Central Coast Southwestern US

California Agritourism in the Santa Maria Valley: a new way to explore

We’ve loved visiting the Santa Maria Valley of California for years, ever since our first visit in 2017. We wanted to take a different approach to visiting on our most…
Taylor Family at art deco building downtown Guadalupe Santa Maria Valley California 4b
Posted inCalifornia Central Coast

The most Instagram-able town in California: Guadalupe CA

The most Instagramable town in California is Guadalupe, CA, on the Central Coast. With colorful art deco buildings, street art and unique nature, it's an Instagram dream.
Painted cow public art at Historical Museum San Luis Obispo 1
Posted inCalifornia Central Coast Southwestern US

San Luis Obispo, California: SLO CAL at its best

There are so many great towns on California’s Central Coast. We moved on from the Santa Maria Valley to the San Luis Obispo area (SLO) before hitting up Cambria and…
The Santa Maria Valley on California's Central Coast is a surprising destination, perfect for families looking for nature, farm life, wine tasting and California cuisine. Wine country meets the ocean. 2traveldads.com
Posted inCalifornia Central Coast Southwestern US

Santa Maria Valley: a new California getaway

You know that we try to do slightly unconventional trips with the kids.  Nothing crazy, but typically hitting more natural and historical sites over big ticket destinations. We just did…

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