48 2024-25 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA
B Y J I L L K . R O B I N S O N
S
outh of the San Francisco Bay Area, the coastal region from
Santa Cruz through San Luis Obispo has views that rival the
rest of the state. Within earshot of the crashing waves of the
Pacific Ocean, this is where many Californians vacation, so it's the
ideal place to slow down and adopt an appreciation of the great
outdoors and a laid-back lifestyle.
The three largest population centers of the Central Coast are
Santa Cruz, the Monterey Peninsula and Santa Barbara. In historic
Monterey, small-town Pacific Grove and fashionable artist retreat
Carmel-by-the-Sea, there are beautiful beaches, performing and
fine arts venues, outdoor pursuits, stylish shops, epicurean
delights and an inland region known for wine and agriculture.
Much of the same can be said of funky Santa Cruz, but away from
the redwoods, the university town resembles a beachside play-
ground, with its historic boardwalk and many surf spots. Santa
Barbara lures travelers with its white Spanish-style buildings, red-
tiled roofs, vast beaches, plenty of fine arts venues, bright
boutiques, outdoor adventures, culinary tastes and an inland
region (the Santa Ynez Valley, featured in the movie Sideways)
known for wine and Santa Maria-style barbecue.
Even though the Central Coast region's main highlight is indeed
its coast, the varied geography and moderate climate ensure that
S.BORISOV/SHUTTERSTOCK
.
OPPOSITE:BILL
PERRY/SHUTTERSTOCK
CENTRAL
COAST
CENTRAL COAST
Endless, uncrowded beaches
TOP CITIES
Santa Cruz, Monterey, Carmel, Pacific Grove, Salinas, Gilroy,
Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, Morro Bay,
Cambria, Ventura, Lompoc, Solvang, Buellton, Pismo Beach,
Santa Maria, Camarillo, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Simi Valley
INTERNATIONAL GATEWAYS
San Francisco International Airport (SFO), 62 miles (100 km)
from Santa Cruz; 101 miles (163 km) from Monterey; Los Angeles
International Airport (LAX), 98 miles (158 km) from Santa
Barbara; 192 miles (309 km) from San Luis Obispo
TOURISM WEBSITES
santacruz.org seemonterey.com
carmelcalifornia.com pacificgrove.org
slocal.com visitgilroy.com
travelpaso.com santabarbaraca.com
visitoxnard.com morrobay.org
venturacountycoast.com visitventuraca.com
highway1roadtrip.com visitsimivalley.com
solvangusa.com
discoverbuellton.com
santamariavalley.com
experiencepismobeach.com
explorelompoc.com
POPULATION
2,242,000
