California's Central Coast offers world-famous scenery, decent surfing opportunties, kite surfing launch spots and sport fishing. This region is home to Big Sur, San Simeon and Pismo Beach, all of which have been regularly featured in commercials and movies. Come in and see what we have to offer...
Created by [email protected] on 01/7/2005.
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Avila Beach
Among the most popular beaches in San Luis Obispo County is Avila Beach. This family-friendly beach is generally among the safest swim beaches on the Central Coast, with relatively small waves and typically warm weather.
Avila Beach also offers a great family park, swings and a slide on the beach and a public pier.
Pismo Beach
Pismo Beach further south on San Luis Bay offers miles-long walks from the yellow-and-white cliffs of Pismo Beach proper to the sandy stretches west of Grover Beach and further south past Oceano and Guadalupe to Devil's slide, a huge dune that separates this long sandy stretch from a small cove just north of Point Sal.
Oceano State Vehicular Recreation Area
Oceano State Vehicular Recreation Area is a sandy stretch of beach and dune area where motorists may cruise to their heart's delight. ATVs, 4x4, family campers and motorcycles live it up here, particularly on holiday weekends when State Parks limits access to avoid overcrowding.
Guadalupe Dunes Preserve
Guadalupe Dunes Preserve, accessed from Highway 166 west of Guadalupe in Santa Barbara County, offers fantastic opportunities for solitude, but very dangerous swimming conditions. Visitors enjoy long walks on this windswept beach where crashing waves are particularly picturesque shortly before winter storms. Whale sightings off the beach are not uncommon. A kiosk at the end of Highway 166 seeks donations, but there is no required fee to access this stretch of beach. The road is closed once the beach lot is full. Wait for someone to come out or take a long walk along the paved road to the beach. This beach is not accessible after dark.
Point Sal Beach
Point Sal Beach is even more secluded ever since a winter storm in the late 1990s washed out the access road. But the long hike (or multisport bicycle ride) to the beach (9 miles round-trip) is worth the effort. The old road is still serves as a great pathway for hikers and mountain bikers. If you don't have the time or the energy make the whole trip, just climb halfway (to the summit) and enjoy the spectacular view which spans Vandenberg Air Force Base to the south and the Five Cities to the north.
Montana de Oro State Park
Montana de Oro State Park offers several beaches, none of which are safe for swimming but all of which are beautiful. For a long, sandy walk, head for the sand spit. For rock hunting and creek play, head to Spooner's Cove. Or park just south of Spooner's Cove and take a walk along the many paths atop the bluffs to find some wonderful coves.