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Introducing Central Coast
After San Francisco and Los Angeles, the Central Coast is the top reason to visit California. Alternative-lifestyle guru Timothy Leary called California the ‘nose-cone of the rocket’ and this was certainly its tip when he and his band explored it physically, mentally and chemically at the start of the 1960s. Much of the mystique and lore of the state is here. The scenery is some of the world’s most stunning, with magnificent redwood forests giving way to a craggy coast teeming with wildlife and interspersed with long beaches and pounding surf.
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Monterey Bay delights with character-filled towns like Santa Cruz and Pacific Grove and natural beauty that includes starfish-filled tidepools and amazing sea life. The famous Hwy 1 clings to the rocky cliffs, passing through storied Big Sur on to the glories of Hearst Castle.
The warmth of Southern California can be felt starting in the historic college town of San Luis Obispo. The hills south of here are dotted with wineries that rival and even surpass those of Napa Valley. Santa Barbara may well be the ultimate stop, combining a superb beach with urban chic. Offshore, the Channel Islands preserve a California of 1000 years ago.
No trip to California is complete without time on the Central Coast. At the least, spend a couple of nights on Monterey Bay, see the aquarium and then take a day to drive south on Hwy 1. Add in another day for Hearst Castle and devote at least two to the wineries and Santa Barbara. Such a trip might just exceed those of Leary and his cohorts decades ago.
Last updated: Mar 2, 2009
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