California Welcome Centers
The Central Coast region has three California Welcome Centers:
Central Coast Region Profile
In this narrow strip of coastal hills and valleys, discover romantic towns like Carmel-by-the-Sea, historic Monterey and elegant Santa Barbara, nicknamed 'the American Riviera'. The region’s classic drive along Highway One, linking San Francisco to Los Angeles, visits Big Sur, Hearst Castle, wine country and relaxed surfing towns.
MAJOR TAKEAWAYS
- The Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival is a longstanding favourite along the Central Coast, as Castroville produces 95 per cent of the nation's artichokes.
- The Ventura County Wine Trail includes nearly 20 wineries and tasting rooms in settings ranging from urban neighbourhoods to the bucolic Ojai Valley.
- Monterey remains an outstanding place to see whales year-round due to the cold, food-rich one-mile deep canyon just offshore.
- Local chefs in the Santa Maria Valley have maintained and refined a signature barbecue style created by ranchers in the mid-1800s, generating interest from foodies around the world.
- Oxnard is the Central Coast’s cultural hub, providing everything from impressionism to contemporary Latino works at the Carnegie Art Museum, housed in the original Carnegie Library.
Counties
There are five counties in the Central Coast region of California:- Monterey County
- San Benito County
- San Luis Obispo County
- Santa Barbara County
- Ventura County
Major cities
This region is home to romantic towns, including Carmel-by-the-Sea, historic Monterey and elegant Santa Barbara, nicknamed 'the American Riviera'. Oxnard is the largest city in the Central Coast.- Hollister
- Monterey
- Morro Bay
- Ojai
- Oxnard
- Paso Robles
- Pismo Beach
- Salinas
- San Luis Obispo
- Santa Barbara
- Santa Ynez
- Solvang
- Ventura
Major attractions
Go for an epic Highway One drive between San Francisco and Los Angeles to discover secret beaches and soaring cliffs.
- 17-Mile Drive: Take a drive on this scenic road on the Monterey Peninsula which includes famous landmarks like The Lone Cypress and Pebble Beach Golf Links
- Big Sur: Enjoy this rugged stretch of California’s coastal Highway One, which offers breath-taking scenery
- Bixby Bridge: One of the most scenic and photographed bridges in California, known for its dramatic views and graceful architecture
- Channel Islands National Park: Referred to as the 'Galapagos of North America', these eight islands are accessible by boat and offer wildlife viewing, hiking, sea kayaking and more
- Hearst Castle: Tour the incredible mansion that was once the home of William Randolph Hearst and is now a National Historic Landmark, featuring an unparalleled art collection and picturesque Roman pools
- McWay Falls: This 80-foot waterfall flows year-round from McWay Creek in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, and is one of two in California that cascades directly into the ocean
- Monterey Bay Aquarium: Experience innovative exhibitions, cutting-edge marine research and ocean conservation leadership at this popular family friendly attraction
- Pebble Beach Golf Links: This world-famous golf course features Pacific Ocean vistas and cliffside fairways and has played host to five US Open Championships along with the annual AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am
- Pinnacles National Park: Ideal for hikers and climbers, the park features rare talus caves and towering rock spires that are home to diverse wildlife
Destination marketing organisations
Central Coast Tourism CouncilDiscover Buellton
Discover Oxnard
Explore Lompoc
Highway 1 Road Trip
Morro Bay Tourism Bureau
Ojai Chamber of Commerce
Pismo Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau
See Monterey
Solvang Conference & Visitors Bureau
Travel Paso Robles
Ventura County Coast
Visit Carmel-by-the-Sea
Visit San Luis Obispo
Visit Santa Barbara
Visit Santa Maria Valley
Visit SLO CAL
Visit the Santa Ynez Valley
Visit Ventura
Weather
On California’s Central Coast, visitors enjoy mild weather year-round, making it an ideal region for outdoor recreation, wine tasting and much more.DEC-FEB
18°C
5°C
MAR-MAY
21°C
8°C
JUN-AUG
25°C
12°C
SEPT-NOV
24°C
9°C