Driving Up the California Coast
Road-tripping up the Central Coast of California is one of my greatest joys in life. Whether we’re spending a day in Santa Barbara or a weekend in Cambria, I’m always adding new places to my running list of things to see and do (and eat and drink!). Here are some of my current favorite spots off the 101 freeway:
Bob’s Well Bread Bakery | Los Alamos
Stopping here for biscuits + coffee is an absolute must. There’s also a huge antique store across the street filled with treasures (I’ll have to show you the artwork I snagged!) plus several other restaurants, wine bars, and shops just down the road.
The Landsby Hotel | Solvang
While Solvang can err on the side of kitschy, The Landsby stands out as a well-designed hotel with a great restaurant nestled in its courtyard. John and I spent a night here recently and loved our stay!
Dinosaur Caves Park | Pismo Beach
Not only is this dino-themed park conveniently located right off the 101 freeway but it’s situated on a gorgeous bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Unreal!
Avila Valley Barn | Avila Beach
If you’re familiar with Underwood Family Farms in Ventura County, Avila Farms will feel like the Central Coast equivalent. There’s farm animals, a tractor ride, lunch and snack options, plus a huge barn with fresh produce, artisanal dry goods, and much more.
Scout Coffee | San Luis Obispo
One of my ultimate goals in life is to know all the good coffee spots everywhere I travel. There are two Scout Coffee locations in SLO and both are impossibly charming. I always pick up a bag of coffee beans to keep the vacation spirit alive at home!
Apple Farm | San Luis Obispo
No trip up the coast is complete without a stop at the Apple Farm! This adorable spot features a hotel, gift shop, and a restaurant with the best baked beans you’ll ever have.
Cambria Pines Lodge | Cambria
This hotel is just up the road from Moonstone Beach and makes an incredible wood-fired pizza! There’s also a restaurant and bar plus a secret garden that we all love to explore.
Moonstone Beach | Cambria
If you only stop in Cambria for a brief moment, you absolutely MUST visit Moonstone Beach. The shore is covered in gorgeous rocks and sea glass that provides hours of meditative treasure hunting. It’s one of my favorite places on the planet.
Grow Nursery | Cambria
This layered garden shop is such a fun gem! It’s tucked in the back of a multi-shop courtyard and it is aesthetically pleasing on every level. I purchased an oversized Grow tote bag during my last visit and use it to carry my laptop and planner to work everyday!
Oceanpoint Ranch | Cambria
We’ve stayed in a handful of hotels in Cambria but this one is definitely my new fave for vacationing with young kids. It’s situated on a huge property at the end of Moonstone Beach and features lawn games, a game room, fire pits that turn on with the push a button, an onsite restaurant, and much more. We recently spent a weekend here and the kids had an absolute blast playing corn hole and croquet at sunset while I sat by the fire with wine in one hand and a book in the other. It was one of those magical moments where I felt like I finally made it!
William Randolph Hearst Memorial Beach | San Simeon
This beach is just a few miles up the road from Cambria and down the hill from Hearst Castle. The outlook from the pier offers picturesque views of the coastline and you can often spot sea otters floating by!
California is such a gigantic and diverse state, sometimes I’m overwhelmed thinking of all the places I still want to explore! Where should we go next?
