Must-see attractions in Central Coast

Unpretentious, value-priced wines set among rolling hillsides, with vineyard tours ($10, including wine-tasting flight $20 to $40) by appointment.

Heading east of Santa Cruz to Capitola, New Brighton State Beach is a quieter place for a swim, paddle boarding or camping on a forested bluff.

Amble around this peaceful arboretum and picturesquely decaying 19th-century structures from Cowell Ranch, upon which the UCSC campus was built.

Anti-serious Old West saloon pours bold reds, including an outlaw ‘Ballistic’ Zinfandel and ‘Liquid Love’ dessert wine. No tasting fee.

No-oak Chardonnay, barrel-selected Pinot Noir and bold estate Syrah, with artisanal cheese, charcuterie and chocolate pairings on weekends.

Originally built as a lodging house and tavern in 1847, and used as a theater from 1850, this building is currently closed for renovation.

The La Selva Beach exit off Hwy 1, near Watsonville, brings you here, where you can have miles of sand and surf almost all to yourself.

Along Cannery Row, stop at Steinbeck Plaza to soak up bay views and snap a photo of yourself with a bronze bust of the famous writer.

Samples from six different labels inside an early-20th-century wooden schoolhouse, with two bocce ball courts outside.

With a good surf break and bathrooms, this pretty all-around sandy spot is further east of 26th Ave off E Cliff Dr.

Migratory birds are attracted to this mile-long stretch of sand bordered by a lagoon formed by the Carmel River.

Boisterous tasting room pours different varietals from Edna Valley and Paso Robles, with a tiny gourmet deli.

Open to the public, this fine adobe structure was originally built in 1847 by Scottish settler, David Wight.

Big beach with bonfire pits and a lagoon, good for kids and often fairly empty. It’s off E Cliff Dr.

In a rust-colored barn tasting room, tipple hand-crafted, small-lot wines grown mostly organically.

This roadside farmstand offers smoothies, soups and lets you harvest your own herbs in the garden.

Small, family-run vineyard pours cult-worthy Pinot Noir inside a cozy brick tasting room.

Sip Paragon Vineyard estate Chardonnay by panoramic windows overlooking fields of grapes.

The park's east entrance sits at the crossroads of Hwys 146 and 25.

The park's west entrance is reached via Hwy 146 from Soledad.