Home / Destinations / Central California

Central California

Monterey / Carmel

Rejuvenating Sights of Monterey and Carmel - You guessed it right, this is the same beach immortalized by the famous writer John Steinbeck. Enjoy the best coastal experiences at this centre for fun, food entertainment with the awe-spiring weather. If not for the outdoor activities, Monterey is famous amongst tourists of its splendid display of natural wonders, pulled especially for you from the underwater treasures.

Whale Watching at Monterey Submarine Canyon - Witness the majestic being of Earth that is Whale, engrossed in action from the comfort of your boat. The Monterey Submarine canyon attracts a number of marine creatures, besides whales throughout the year. Pick up your binoculars to trace smaller cetaceans like fin and mink whales, orcas, dolphins and porpoises. It is probably the best place to impart a lesson about zoology to the children.

Monterey Bay Aquarium – Rated as the No.1 Aquarium in the World - Do you want to grace the life show marine animals without having to face its wetness in tight diving suits? Then the Monterey Bay Aquarium is soon to become your ideal sightseeing place. Home to remarkable numbers of marine creatures with their specific habitats, it is a humongous aquarium where the only wall between you and the exotic beings is a transparent glass. Explore through its 28-foot windows to find your new favourite sea animal!

17-mile Drive through the Pebble Beach - Forget all the kinds of long drives that you have ever taken, before you gear up to take a spectacular journey around the coastline of California’s Monterey Peninsula. Drop down at the Gold course to try your hand at this sophisticated game. Don’t worry about going back to your resting hotel, for the Pebble Beach resorts give an equal competition to every hotel’s service.

Carmel – Carmel beach, Main Village and Carmel Mission - Officially called Carmel by the Sea, this South end of Monterey Peninsula will take you back in time with its state sized natural beauty and archaic treasures. From the Carmel Mission to the Carmel Main Village, every inch of its land is populated with picturesque streets, gastropubs and antique inns for offering a relaxed time out to its visitors. To spice up your stay in Carmel, visit its singular and most beautiful beach and stop by the meadows, bluffs and trees to find a magnanimous respite from your technological life.

Big Sur

Enthralling Beauty of Big Sur - Gifted with precious contributions from both nature and mankind, Big Sur is a tourist destination in itself. Laden with a strong artistic history, molded by the forces of beauty and thoroughly equipped for a comfortable stay, the Big Sur can see immense crowds of travellers in itself. If you only have a day off from your big business trip to Central California, then Big Sur should be your first and only choice!

High 1 route – One of the Most Iconic Driving Route Running Between SF to LA - Reach out to the Big Sur Highway 1 if you are looking to add some thrill to your Central California vacation. Its twisty turns and closest to edge cliffs standing above the redwood trees provide an exceptional view. If you are lucky, you may even come across fog clouds hovering above the vegetation and daunting the landscape with their beauty. Before you take a U-turn for another road trip, do carry some of the best eatables of Big Sur River Inn.

Camping - Without spending a cozy night under the blanket of the sky and in the company of a bonfire, any visit to Big Sur is miserably incomplete. As per your sensibility, choose from the setup of State Park or Private Campgrounds to spread your night house. Make the most of your night out by hiking to the closest rivers and albino redwood tree forests. At the Big Sur camping expedition, there is rarely a minute to sleep.

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park - If the redwood trees have truly taken your breath away, then you mustn’t miss a visit to the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, where you can revel in their deepest shade. Spread across 26 miles, this Park is undoubtedly too long to be mapped on foot. Which is why you can choose to hire a bike or RV for travelling on its trails. You can also stretch your muscles by hiking all the way to the end with professional support. But of course, the latter is only possible over a long vacation plan.

Hike Along the Lines of Tall Redwood Trees - The Big Sur is surrounded by more than hundreds of redwood trees that unwrap a beautiful scene for hikers during the day and night. You can take your friends along its trails to enjoy a safe, adventurous and exciting trip to the grooviest woods of the world.

Hearst Castle tour - Relive the overwhelming age of gothic architecture and massive mansions in the Hearst Castle, where no item is uninteresting. This 165-room building standing tall as the crown of a hill is a reservoir of priceless objects and antiques from as old as the 16th century. Don’t hesitate from taking multiple tours of its compound to remember the names of all the different historical goods stored in it from early ages, like a poker table, jigsaw puzzles, silk banners, silver candlesticks etc.

San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo - This relatively small county in Central California is home to a number of sights. From natural beauty to wonderful man-made creations, one is sure to find a cure for every kind of their blues right here! Make it your first resting spot after a long journey, and you will get the right amount of energy to live a blasting vacation.

Tasting the Drinks of Wine Country - Pick up the shiniest glass from your house and delicately pack it in your bag, because for the San Luis Obispo wine tasting tour it is going to be your best and only defense. A considerable number of transportation providers have popped up in the county to take visitors on a ride around the wine production factories and vineyards spread out in SLO. Professional wine tasters who will teach you the method of identifying fine wine with just a sip would accompany you.

Farm to Table Restaurants - Probably the most unique feature of San Luis Obispo is its massive number of health-conscious, chemical-free restaurants. Vegetables grown through organic sources in a complete non-adulteration area in fact feed these relatively common places. For tourists who are running on a budget and uncompromising at the same time, these restaurants are the best bet.

Feel Blessed in Farms and Ranches - There is nothing more rejuvenating than the fresh breeze of an open field. And, when these sensations are shifted to the farms and ranches of SLO, you are sure to delve into the highest form of bliss unattainable at any other destination of the world.

Kayak tour at Morro Bay - Shun the weight of your travelling luggage to take a refreshing dip into the blue water of Morro Bay. This scenic water body stretching up to 4 miles also provides incredible views of the national Estuary that lays adjoining its waters. You can take your family along or merely hitch a ride alone for floating on the waterbed of nature surrounded by vibrant company. If the crowds of tourists accompanying you do not click your photograph as you row your way in open waters, the Lake officials will surely like to record your smile on film.

Unusual Thrills at an Uncommonly Attractive Prismo Beach - You might have heard of fun beach activities, but is only a rarity to find thrilling sand activities. It is precisely the latter that characterizes the Prismo Beach of SLO. Offering a vast range of events for visitors interested in toppling dust over a sand dune, this Beach is not your regular outing place. You can ride a horse, camp under the moonlight and drive on the beach choosing any vehicle you like. Since the fun activities are conducted under a controlled environment, you can shed the worries of security and just enjoy thrilling events.

Solvang

Live the Simple Life at Solvang, Danish town - Solvang in Danish means ‘Sunny Fields’ and this quaint little town is Santa Ynez Valley is just that, with its picturesque fields and twirling windmills. Don’t go by the simplistic looks of this town because it has layers of beauty that only a sharp eye can unfold. Food to the fun – Solvang has a different welcoming centre for every need of a visitor. The only limit to your expectation is your holiday duration!

Walk Around to Check Out the Tasting Rooms/ Hip Boutiques/ Shop Souvenirs - A simple stroll in the streets of the town would present to you a number of wine tasting rooms and hip boutiques where you can pamper yourself to a fine experience. You can also choose to spend your precious money on the cheap souvenir shops where every dime can bring you a valuable present.

Danish Pastries and Tea at one of the Bakeries/ or Chocolatiers - Dare to taste the calorific pastries of Danish cuisine at one of the town’s bakeries or chocolatiers. Choose from the wide variety of flavours available at the local shops and gulp it down with creamy tea.

Ride a Segway - Many companies provide professionally monitored Segway trips around the Solvang Mountains and city area. You can drive around the Santa Ynez Valley taking in the fragrance of blooming poppies without getting tired at all!

Visit Ostrich Land - The ostrich farm is a one of a kind establishment that allows visitors to feed petted ostriches with their own hands. At the cost of a little amount, you can purchase a bowlful of bird cereal. The only thing left after that is to hold your cereal full hand out rigidly for the bird to use. Don’t mind running around to find ostriches because the labor is worth its prize.

Take a Biking tour Around Town - If you find the Segway tours exceedingly tactful, you can also take a cycling tour, where you have the liberty to guide your own steps.

Rent a boat on Lake Cachuma - Even though water contact sports like swimming have been prohibited in Lake Cachuma, your drive through Solvang to reach it is never going to be wasted. You can hire a clean boat to swiftly run through the top of the water, splashing waves all around. Take your children along, and you might be able to participate in the most interesting nature programs ever designed.

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara - This particular city is dedicated to providing best in class food and entertainment to its visitors and is a must-see place for every individual if s/he intends to take a long break from the hectic everyday schedule. With the majestic Santa Ynez mountain as its backdrop, this Mediterranean-style city shows off its Spanish colonial heritage in its stucco buildings. It is one of the best places in Central California to relax and unwind.

East beach and Sterns Wharf - Never judge a Wharf by its cover – that is a lesson you are sure to learn at the Sterns Wharf, where high-quality seafood is sold in the open. You can run to its adjoining East Beach if you become tempted into tasting its fishermen’s catch!

Channel Island National Park - This unique national park comes with a tour package of five different ecosystems that stand on their respective islands. As the most pristine destination of entire Central California, it is an immortal example of the vivacity of life.

State Street- Food/ Shopping and tasting rooms - The essence of Californian culture lies in its food, and there is no better place to gorge into mouth-watering dishes at massively slashed prices than Santa Barbara. Pick any stall offering your choice of cuisine, and you would be left amazed.

Funk zone – Hotspot for tasting rooms -

If you are a foodie out on vacation, then the Funk Zone in Santa Barbara should feature as the most important destination in your travel list. The converted warehouses of this place dedicated to upholding the culture of food and service, and have more than twenty wine tasting rooms and numerous other cafes, galleries, shops etc. – each of which can palpitate your taste buds. Choose from the variety of programs offered by their staff to take a guided tour of the different tasting rooms.

Santa Barbara Mission - This cultural and historic mark of the city is a centre for its religious faith. For tourists, it also functions as a concrete tapestry of the art bred by the city’s civilization and its Spanish ancestry.

Cozy Stays at Luxury Resorts - The perk of a Santa Barbara visit is that you get to make the most fun out of your day, sparing no expense in the quality of events, and yet you get to sleep in a cozy resort under exceptionally pampering services.

Farmers Market - This modest scale and the outstanding product-driven market have sprung all around California, but the one in Santa Barbara is particularly memorable for its rich collection of local crops. Just grab a fruit or two, and you are ready for an action-packed day!

Beach Trips – Not One but Many - Had Santa Barbara been similar to other beach cities, it would not be enjoying a long coastline that has more than seven major beaches, Arroyo Burro and Butterfly Beach being the two most popular. If you are looking to get a hard tan, now you know which city you should visit.

Santa Barbara Zoo - Bring your children along for this fascinating zoo that is unlike any of its kind. Spreading in 30 acres, it hosts the most delightful presence of exotic creatures and exhibits from around the world.

Hiking the Gaviota Peak - If you thought that Santa Barbara would let you walk away with your travelling calories, then you were mistaken. Its Gaviota Peak positions a challenging hike for all its visitors who wish to appreciate Santa Barbara from mind-boggling heights

Weather

Central California is a mostly coastal area and enjoys a Mediterranean climate throughout the year. It is bearably warm and dry in the summers while the winters bring along considerable humidity and cold. Despite of the overall climate, it is a common observation that the seasonal variations are rarely observable in the coastal areas like Big Sur, Monterey and Morro Bay. But for travelers eager about visiting Central California as easily as possible, it is a great fact that irrespective of the season it is a great place to visit throughout the year. Spring lasts from April to May, showering spells of rain on and off but waking up to pleasant mornings every day. Summers are rather the first choice of travellers for in the warmer days, it is easier to enjoy the tourist destinations with their complete package of entertainment. Everything between food to sightseeing is open in summers. In case your travel plans mainly involve skipping across the natural sights in Central California, then the months of September to December are the most opportune days to pay your visit. Studded blue skies with clouds are common in these months and make for a pleasant outdoor as well as the indoor trip.

Culture

Similar to the rest of the country, Central California is also dominantly inhabited by Protestants. A significant number of residents are also Roman Catholics that come from Mexican, Hispanic, Irish, Italian and Filipino ancestry. Owing to fulfilling opportunities at Central California cities, a number of natives from other countries have migrated to its land. So, you can also find ardent followers of Hinduism, Buddhism, Shinto, Sikhism and Taoism in its cities. It is interesting to find that Central California also hosts one of the largest number colonies of Muslim and Jew families.

For travellers with a knack for finding new kinds of dishes, California is brimming heaven. Each of its diverse residents has added a taste of their respective cultural foods to make up its cuisine. That is why, its countrywide dishes demonstrate clear influences of Spanish, French, Italian, Mediterranean, Asian, Oceanian and Latino ingredients. However, the basic components of every classic Central Californian dish are seafood, fine wine and abundantly fried foods. For diet-conscious travellers, a number of sophisticated restaurants also offer dishes with flavour bursts and reduced calories.

Central California’s entertainment industry is rich with a variety of performing arts being nurtured there. It is no surprise to find that famous musical celebrities like Dr Dre, Linkin Park and Guns n’ Roses have been bred by its culture. Likewise, it is home to a number of literary artists and movie stars who often stay there for relaxation.

Language

Following the ordinances of the country, English is the official as well as the most used language of Central California. Its majority of Christian citizens (be it Roman Catholics or Protestants) are the major speakers of English language. In relatively closed circles of immigrant communities, one may also find individuals conversant in Spanish, Chinese and Filipino (in order of popularity). Bilingual speakers are a rarity in the cities of Central California, though there are nearly no citizens who do not use English.

Take a Quiz

Top Restaurants & Bars

Montrio Bistro - Though, no words can define the uncountable wonders awaiting tourists at Monterey, a meal at Montrio Bistro sure acts as the best of its experiences. Decorated with bricks this restaurant was once a firehouse. Its spicy food often becomes evidence of its history. Try out the grilled steak, salmon and lamb chops to try the blend of European flavours in American cuisine.

Monterey’s Fish House - Picking the choicest fishes from the Monterey Bay this eatery is always crowded with foodies that are enthusiastic about trying innovative dishes. You can choose from the gourmet seafood dishes or classics like seafood pasta or ahi tuna offered by the counter. Though you are sure to reorder after taking in the mere fragrance of the cooking food.

Chart House - If you wish to go for a more refined eating experience in Monterey, then try out the Chart House where Californian cuisine is served with many other aesthetic pleasures. Pick a window seat if you are looking for an opportunity to dine with the Monterey Bay.

The Tuck Box - Do not go on the looks of this particular restaurant of Caramel because it houses some of the best chefs that can prepare an English meal for you in minutes. Sip into some English tea and enjoy the collection of collectables secured by the restaurant.

Mulligan Public House - The working motto of this place is enough to summarise the delicious food and social experience offered on its walls. As a place to make visitors “feel like locals”, this tightly packed restaurant is an ideal place to grab any meal for dining and takeaway.

A.W. Shucks - Check out this fun run restaurant for rough yet subtly rejuvenating eating time. Serving best in class seafood with oyster bar drink since decades, it is an appropriate place to refresh your travelling instincts.

La Cosecha - Coming from Paso Robles, this Spain inspired restaurant has a unique aura of its own. If you can move your mind away from wondering about the small leaning plates, you can enjoy some of the best pizzas here.

II Cortile Ristorante - Gorge into classic Italian cuisine at the II Cortile Ristorante placed in Pablo Robles. The noodles, seasonal seafood truffles and sips of wine available at this place are unmissable products of Central California.

Thomas Hill Organics - You would love to take a bite into the local flavours of Central California, especially if it offered at Thomas Hill Organics. The organically grown vegetables used at this restaurant come with a promise of exquisite taste with good health.

Firestone Grill - The single most place in San Luis Obispo with the promise of world-class service and cost-effective menu rates is Firestone Grill. For travellers with a budget, having three meals a day in its counters would instead save more.

Petra - If you evaluate food quality as per the variety offered, then Petra must be your first pick. You can order delicious bites of the most exotic food right here – the only catch it comes in incredibly low amounts.

Vegetable Butcher - As impressive is the name of this place, equally fascinating is the kind of service maintained by its chefs. The food is made to perfection for satisfying both the eyes and tongue.

Rock and Roll Dinner - You need not be a rock music fan if you wish to enter this restaurant in Grover Beach. The lively ambience and quirky layout of this place are a sight for sore eyes, while its food is an addictive plate full of flavours.

Feed My Seoul - Central California has a deep-seated taste for everything grilled, and this restaurant of Grover Beach is dedicated to serving customers what they need.

The Spoon Trade - No, you do not have to trade your spoons to eat here, but you surely must have a huge appetite. Its refreshing menu cannot be missed for anything in the world.

Jaywalking in the Busy Streets

Central California is a popular tourist destination that receives visitors from all over the world, throughout the year. It is only common to find considerable numbers of travellers like oneself storming the most famous tourist spots on any single day. Amongst the hectic moments that ensure it is highly undesirable of tourists to neglect Central California’s traffic rules and dissuade from following the queue in public alleyways. The order and regulations are only placed to improve the transit of tourists and citizens during the day. So, failing to follow them sincerely may lead to huge inconvenience. In worst cases it may even invite the attention of authorities, thereby entailing a significant amount of fine or punishment.

Not Exploring Sights by yourself

As high are the number of sights in Central California, equally high are the chances to miss out on their serene beauty due to a tight tour schedule. As is true of every other tourist destination, the underlying aesthetics of a place can only be learnt by experiencing it first-hand. Though tour guides ensure that the travellers are least affected by the hassles of inter-city transits and given ample opportunity to explore different tourist destinations, it is often insufficient. So, you can try to ditch the travel guide’s company for a day in between your central California trip and visit the different destinations by yourself. The more you are exposed to the lives of its citizens, the more you shall be able to grasp the essence of Central California.