What to see, eat and do on a road trip down California’s Central Coast

By

Steve Lyons

Special to The Seattle Times

There’s a certain version of a road trip that has always lived somewhere in the back of my mind.

It’s not a checklist, a destination or an itinerary. It’s more a feeling: windows down, Tom Petty’s “Runnin’ Down a Dream” blasting through the speakers and the anticipation of exploring what lies around the next bend.

My sister and her husband are devoted Route 66 fans, happily chasing sections of that nostalgic American highway this year as it marks its 100th anniversary. But for me, the granddaddy of all U.S. road trips has always been California’s Highway 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway.

I was a teenager in the ’70s, and long before I ever reached the Golden State, the Pacific Coast Highway had taken root in my imagination — the original road trip, filled with visions of weathered VW vans, freedom and endless possibilities.

So when the opportunity to explore California’s Central Coast earlier this year presented itself, Highway 1 felt like the ideal route — not only to finally delve into that long-held imagination, but also to capture America’s road-trip spirit during its 250th birthday year.

There’s ongoing local debate about where California’s Central Coast truly begins and ends, but it’s generally considered to stretch from somewhere south of Monterey to Ventura. Over my five-day adventure, the journey covered a glorious 130-mile stretch, from just north of San Simeon State Park down to Santa Barbara.

Explore California’s Central Coast

A road trip on the scenic Pacific Coast Highway is a great way to capture America’s road-trip spirit during its 250th birthday year.

And what a drive it was — one that fully delivered on those long-held California road-trip ideals: crashing Pacific waves, sprawling farmland and memorable roadside stops along the way.

Oh, and there were zebras.

But we’ll get to that.

During the trip, our three main stops were the town of Cambria, Santa Maria Valley and the city of Santa Barbara. Here’s a look at those destinations and what made this stretch of Highway 1 such a rewarding road trip.

Cambria

Located almost exactly halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles — roughly 225 miles from each — Cambria is framed by Monterey pine forests and the Pacific Ocean. The wind-shaped, almost sculptural, trees help create a moody, artistic, storybook atmosphere. It’s a blend of seaside beauty, hippie charm and mountain-village retreat.

I particularly enjoyed the vibe in Old Town, located in the East Village along Main Street. With its historic storefronts, independent shops and locally owned cafes, it has that tie-dyed T-shirt feel to it.

Cambria is also an excellent base for exploring some of the region’s unique attractions. Just north of town, the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery offers a chance to watch massive elephant seals lounging, battling and barking along the shore.

Nearby, Hearst Castle remains one of California’s most iconic landmarks, while the recently restored William Randolph Hearst Memorial Pier in San Simeon provides spectacular coastal views. And if you keep your eyes peeled on the drive between San Simeon and Cambria, you may spot one of the Central Coast’s most unexpected sights: zebras roaming the Hearst ranch lands — descendants of Hearst’s private zoo, which was dismantled starting in 1937. We lucked out, spotting about 20 of them grazing alongside cattle in the pastures.

Excellent eats: Few places capture Cambria’s country charm better than Linn’s Restaurant. The family business is set to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2027 and their famous olallieberry pie alone is worth the stop. For dinner, the Sea Chest Oyster Bar delivers classic coastal cuisine with fresh seafood and old-school ambience. Owner Steve Kniffen has been shucking oysters for more than 40 years, and if you can snag a seat at the counter, he and longtime right-hand man Jose Beltran will make sure you’re both entertained and exceptionally well fed.