California Central Coast
Map and Links
Central Coast California
includes rich farmland where fruits, vegetables and wine grapes are grown. A
variety of wineries, quaint coastal cities, and fast-growing cities change
almost weekly. From the Hearst Castle State Park tours in San Simeon to the
California Missions at Lompoc, Solvang and Santa Barbara, from the Michael
Jackson Neverland Ranch near Santa Ynez to movie, Sideways, filmed in
Buellton, Central Coast Californians enjoy great weather, a slower pace than
Los Angeles and a central location between L.A. and San Francisco, just over
200 miles each way. Click on the map below or the links to follow the
Central Coast trail to the cities, lakes and
beaches you want to see.
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Arroyo Grande - Known for its charming
downtown shopping district, Arroyo Grande also enjoys wine tasting, and antiques
stores. Several events each year include the Memorial Day Weekend Strawberry
Festival, voted as one of the best Memorial Weekend events by major media.
Several things of note we particularly enjoy are the roosters that roam
downtown, and the Swinging Bridge.
County: San Luis Obispo |
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Atascadero
- Farms with a variety of wineries and fresh food products, a great
weekly Farmer's Market and beautiful Atascadero Administration Building
on the Register of National Historic Places. County: San Luis Obispo |
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Avila Beach - Avila Beach is a community
of San Luis Obispo. Known for its three piers (two public and one private), new
hotels and beautiful public park at the beach, Avila Beach also is home to the
Diablo Canyon Nuclear Generating Station. County: San Luis Obispo |
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Ballard
- Ballard is a small
town located in the Santa Barbara wine country near Los Olivos. It is home to
Mattie's Tavern, an historic building that serves as a fine dining restaurant.
County: Santa Barbara |
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Buellton
- Buellton is known for Andersen's Split Pea Soup and the Ostrich Farm.
It also offers hotels and shopping for visitors to enjoy. County: Santa
Barbara |
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Cachuma Lake
- Cachuma Lake offers boating and fishing, plus camping facilities.
Located northeast of Santa Barbara, the lake does not allow swimming as it is
used as a water reservoir. County: Santa Barbara |
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Cambria
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Cambria is home to beautiful Moonstone Beach. A village atmosphere in the beach
city with houses and hotels overlooking the beach on verdant hills, Cambria
includes gourmet dining and a location close to Hearst Castle. County: San
Luis Obispo |
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Casmalia -
Casmalia, once a vibrant port for goods from San Francisco, in recent years the
town became a toxic waste dump for national corporations disposing of everything
from jet fuels to metals and bi-products of manufacturing. A clean up process
may take years to of mitigation. For now, a small number of residents live in
the nearby town. It is best known for Hitching Post steakhouse. County:
Santa Barbara |
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Cayucos
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Cayucos is one of the bay area and southern California's favorite little
getaways. A fishing pier, downtown shops with an Old West theme, new shops with
gourmet and wine, and the oceanfront along the town make Cayucos an attraction.
Located near San Simeon's Hearst Castle, from most vantage points in Cayucos you
can see Morro Rock to the south. County: San Luis Obispo |
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El Capitan SB
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This state beach is a lovely seaside camping area for tent camping and RVs.
Located north of Santa Barbara and south of Goleta, the park is well attended
throughout the year.
County: Santa Barbara |
Gaviota County:
Santa Barbara |
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Goleta - Goleta
incorporated as a city several years ago, re-defining itself apart from the City
of Santa Barbara, which it once was a part of. Goleta is home to the University
of California Santa Barbara and features some stunning beaches and coastline. County:
Santa Barbara |
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Grover Beach
- Grover Beach features beautiful beaches and an Amtrak station stop. The
beaches include sand dunes, fishing, surfing and a variety of recreational
activities. County: San Luis Obispo |
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Guadalupe
- Guadalupe has beaches, a rural atmosphere, farming, packing facilities and
some of the most affordable housing in the region. Adjacent to Guadalupe is the
Oso Flaco dunes park. County: San Luis Obispo |
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Harmony -
Harmony is one of the smallest cities on the Central Coast. Once famous for its
creamery, the town is a collection of crafts shops. Set in a valley, the
rural setting is serene. County: San Luis Obispo |
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Lompoc
- Lompoc is adjacent
to Vandenberg Village and the Vandenberg Air Force Base. When missile launches
occur nearby, the city can't help but notice. Known previously for its
flower fields, those have mostly disappeared. Mission La Purisimia Concepcion is
located near the city bounds. County: San Luis Obispo |
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Los Alamos - Los Alamos, set in the valley on the eastern
slope of hills that line the Pacific Ocean, is a residential community with
several tourist attractions such as antiques shops. It features an annual event
in September, Los Alamos Days. County:
Santa Barbara |
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Los Olivos - Los
Olivos is charming little shopping area with a B&B, wine tasting and a very
relaxed atmosphere. It is home to the annual Quick Draw competition. County:
Santa Barbara |
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Los Osos |
Morro Bay |
Nipomo |
Oceano |
Orcutt County:
Santa Barbara |
Oso Flaco |
Paso Robles |
Pirate's Cove |
Pismo Beach |
San Luis Obispo |
Santa Maria
County: Santa Barbara |
San Simeon |
Santa Barbara
County: Santa Barbara |
Santa Ynez County:
Santa Barbara |
Shell Beach |
Solvang County:
Santa Barbara |
Surf Beach |
Templeton |
Vandenberg Base |
Other Stuff |
CC Golf |
Big Sur Map |