According to Rusty Tweed, you should consider visiting the Big Sur area when planning a trip to the central California coast. This area boasts beautiful beaches, towering redwood trees, and a national park with beautiful views. The park is also home to several state parks, including the iconic Bixby Bridge and the rock towers at Pfeiffer Beach. You can also enjoy the sights of local wildlife at these locations.
When traveling to Big Sur, be sure to plan your trip in the fall or spring to avoid the winter months, which can cause mudslides. The area is also susceptible to coastal fog and storms, so it is best to travel there during the warmer months. You can also take a trip to Monterey to visit the area's regional airport. And while you're there, be sure to plan your stay accordingly.
Point Loma, California is a small peninsula that separates the Mission Bay from San Diego Bay. Situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains, it is considered one of the most scenic areas of the central California coast. This area is home to the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery, which is known for its baby blubber-lumps and elephant-like nose.
Los Osos is a sleepy town near the Morro Bay National Estuary and Montana de Oro State Park. This area is a popular place for people to enjoy a relaxing beach vacation. Located just south of SLO, it's close to beautiful beaches and a renowned scuba diving area. It's also a good place to experience the vibrant art scene.
Rusty Tweed thinks that Yosemite National Park is the second-most-photogenic park in the USA. This park is surrounded by tall mountains, lush rainforests, and countless lakes. Hiking trails can take you to some incredible viewpoints. Locals love hiking the Cave Rock Trail and seeing the incredible sunset over the lake. If you're visiting during the winter, you should bring snow chains for your car.
Point Lobos State Reserve is an area of spectacular natural beauty in central California. During the late spring, the landscape is covered with large sprays of colorful wildflowers. You can stay at the Carriage House Inn in Carmel-by-the-Sea or the L'Auberge Carmel. Another lesser-known area of the central California coast is the Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve. The reserve is home to a variety of animals and wildlife, including wolves, and has some unique animal habitats.
Redwood National Park is another area of breathtaking natural beauty. With its massive redwoods that tower 100 meters and some being over 2000 years old, hiking under the giants is truly an experience to remember. Aside from hiking through the forests, you can also enjoy whale watching and kayaking on the rugged coastline. You'll surely want to return to the park in the summertime. So make sure to visit the Central California Coast, and enjoy these beautiful places.
Point Reyes National Seashore is another location of spectacular natural beauty. It is home to more than 1,500 plant species and is famous for its tule elk. This area also has an enormous crater. The seashore is home to many seabirds, and kayaking is a popular activity in Points Reyes. If you're a nature lover, this will be a paradise.
Mendocino and Fort Bragg are both popular coastal towns. Rusty Tweed feels that you can also enjoy mini-golf, laser tag, and bowling. For more activities, consider visiting the Natural Bridges State Park and Nisene Marks State Park. There you can admire breathtaking sunsets and hike through redwood forests. You can even visit the charming town of Half Moon Bay and enjoy some of the northern California's best cuisine.
Carrizo Plains National Monument is located 60 miles east of San Luis Obispo and is a fantastic place to see tule elk and pronghorns. Though this park is not technically on the Central Coast, it is located on the edge of the Central California coast. This area of California is beautiful no matter what time of year you visit. You'll be happy you did.