California Official Visitor's Guide 2021 - 146

central coast

GILROY
Gilroy Gardens. Discover this charming agricultural
amusement park in the Garlic Capital of the World,
with garden-themed rides aimed at little ones and
the whimsical Circus Trees created by Axel Erlandson.
gilroygardens.org

GOLETA
El Capitán State Beach. Enjoy more than 100
campsites with tables, fire rings, and coin-operated
showers 20 miles away from Santa Barbara. A wooden
stairway connects bluffs to the sandy beach, a popular
spot for surf-fishing. 805/968-1033; parks.ca.gov
Gaviota State Park. An 811-foot-long railroad trestle
provides a picturesque canopy to coastal bluffs and
beachfront. Hike to the soaking pool at the Gaviota Hot
Springs to take a relaxing dip at this secluded beach.
805/968-1033; parks.ca.gov
Los Padres National Forest. These 1.75 million
protected acres along the rugged coastal mountains
of Central California are home to redwood forests,
grasslands, chaparral biome, and conifer forests. 805/
448-6487; fs.usda.gov
Refugio State Beach. Crystal waters are lined by large
palm trees, lending this beach a tropical look. Rent a
kayak and paddle offshore for unobstructed views of
Channel Islands National Park, or enjoy excellent coastal
fishing. 805/968-1033; parks.ca.gov
South Coast Railroad Museum. Built by the Southern
Pacific in 1901, the Goleta Depot is now home to a
fascinating little museum focused on the history,
technology, and adventure of railroading. 805/9643540; scrm.goletadepot.org

GUADALUPE
Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge.
Sweeping sand dunes serve as protected breeding
grounds for the endangered California least tern and the
Western snowy plover. 805/644-5185; fws.gov
Point Sal State Beach. Accessible only by a 9.8-mile
hike, this remote beach includes 1.5 miles of coastline,
surrounded by a rugged mountain ridgeline. Look for
seals sunning offshore on Lion Rock. 805/585-1869;
parks.ca.gov

HOLLISTER
Pacheco State Park. Once a portion of the Mexican
land grant, this land has served as a horse and cattle
ranch since 1843. Explore 28 miles of trails, grasslands,
and wildflower fields via foot or horseback. 209/8261197; parks.ca.gov

JOLON
Mission San Antonio de Padua. Nestled in grasslands
and oak trees, this carefully restored mission, dedicated
in 1771 and topped by archway bells, has an especially
beautiful setting. 831/385-4478; missionsanantonio.net

LOMPOC
La Purísima Mission State Historic Park. Take a
self-guided tour of this restored mission, founded
in 1787. Watch demonstrations of 1820s-era trades,
including blacksmithing, candle making, and more.
805/733-3713; lapurisimamission.org
Lompoc Museum. Explore more than 20,000 Chumash
and other Native American artifacts alongside displays
on pioneer life and natural history. Housed in the former
Carnegie Library. 805/736-3888; lompocmuseum.org

LOS OSOS
Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve. Explore groves
of dwarfed oaks dripping with lichen and hanging moss

146 | VISITCALIFORNIA.COM

atop ancient sand dunes. Although hundreds of years
old, these ancient trees reach heights of only 6 to 8 feet.
805/772-6101; parks.ca.gov
Montaña de Oro State Park. Walk or mountain bike on
trails that lead to wildflowers, coastal plains, and the
1,347-foot Valencia Peak. Visit in spring to see fields of
golden flowers in full bloom. 805/772-6101; parks.ca.gov

MARINA
Fort Ord Dunes State Park. This former military training
area stretches 4 miles along the Monterey Bay coastline.
Stroll along the boardwalk and the paved trail, popular
with cyclists. 831/649-2836; parks.ca.gov
Marina State Beach. Winding through Marina Dunes
Natural Preserves, this is a popular spot for hang gliding,
paragliding, and kite flying. Hike along a sandy boardwalk
on the Dune Nature Trail. 831/649-2836; parks.ca.gov

MONTEREY
Cannery Row. The Central Coast's premier visitor
destination, with ocean-view hotels, award-winning
restaurants, boutiques, wine tasting, attractions, and
exciting nightlife. Plan your visit at canneryrow.com. See
ad, p. 7
Cooper Molera Adobe. Visit Monterey's Old Town Historic
District to find two adobe homes and a barn complex
dating back to 1827. Take a stroll through the scented
geranium, rose, and herb gardens. 831/223-0172;
coopermolera.org
Monterey County Youth Museum. Children ages 10
and under can spend a day at the beach, play a round
of golf, perform at a theater, or plant on a farm at this
8,500-square-foot interactive play space. 831/649-6444;
mymuseum.org
Monterey Museum of Art. Dedicated to the preservation of California art. Gain a deeper understanding of
Monterey's legacy as an arts colony through the works of
notable residents. 831/372-5477; montereyart.org
Monterey State Beach. This beach comprises three
separate sections. Beachcomb at Seaside, explore the
sand dunes at Houghton M. Roberts, or rent a kayak
to paddle out at Windows on the Bay. 831/649-2836;
parks.ca.gov
Monterey State Historic Park. Explore historic homes
through a docent-led or self-guided tour. See where
Spanish explorers landed in 1602 and view one of the
last remaining whalebone sidewalks. 831/649-2907;
parks.ca.gov
Point Sur State Historic Park. This seaside park is
marked by the Point Sur Lightstation, which has been
continuously operating since 1889, and the Point Sur
Naval Facility. 831/625-4419; parks.ca.gov

MORGAN HILL
Henry W. Coe State Park. Discover 87,000 acres of wild
open spaces. With lofty ridges and steep canyons, the
park's rugged terrain is ideal for hiking, mountain biking,
and horseback riding. 408/779-2728; parks.ca.gov

MORRO BAY
Morro Bay State Park. Camp, hike, and explore the
lagoon and natural bay habitat. Enjoy views of Morro
Rock, a registered historical landmark and bird sanctuary for the peregrine falcon. 805/772-6101; parks.ca.gov
Morro Strand State Beach. Three miles of sand stretch
between the north and south entrance of this coastal
frontage park on Estero Bay. Spend the night at one of 85
campsites. 805/772-6101; parks.ca.gov

MOSS LANDING
Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve.
Watch sea otters frolic in tidal creeks, black-tailed deer
graze in oak woodlands, and cliff swallows gather mud
for their nests in the state's second-largest estuary.
831/728-2822; elkhornslough.org
Moss Landing State Beach. This long sandy beach,
protected by dunes and popular with surfers, is known
for its world-class waves. View western snowy plovers
nesting right on the sand. 831/649-2836; parks.ca.gov
Salinas River State Beach. Fish, horseback ride, and
comb for shells on the strip of land between the Pacific
Ocean and the Old Salinas River. Features nesting
habitats and coastal dunes. 831/649-2836; parks.ca.gov
Zmudowski State Beach. Catch kingfish, sole, flounder,
lingcod, and salmon at this Monterey Bay beach. A
nature reserve at the Pajaro River estuary protects a
tidal wetland system rife with seabirds. 831/649-2836;
parks.ca.gov

OCEANO
Pismo State Beach. Camp, fish, surf, swim, and
bird-watch at this state beach, which features a coastal
sand dune habitat and a freshwater lagoon. Visit the
monarch butterfly grove November through February.
805/473-7220; parks.ca.gov
Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area. Over
five miles of beach and sand dunes offer a unique spot
for recreational off-road vehicle use and only-here sand
activities, including beach camping, horseback riding,
and Hummer rides. 805/773-7170; parks.ca.gov

OXNARD
Heritage Square. Visit a collection of spectacular
Victorian and Queen Anne-style turn-of-the-century
buildings in historic downtown. Opt for self-guided
or docent-led tours, available on weekends.
805/483-7960; heritagesquareoxnard.com
Mandalay State Beach. Coastal dunes, wetlands, and
a sandy beach are preserved at this undeveloped park.
Closed March through September to protect nesting
areas of the endangered snowy plover. 805/585-1850;
parks.ca.gov
Silver Strand Beach. The mile-long beach offers three
popular surf breaks: The Jetty, The Bowl, and La Janelle.
Find colorful murals on the walls of Port Hueneme Naval
Base. 619/435-5184; parks.ca.gov
Visit Oxnard. Mix things up in Oxnard-gateway to
Channel Islands National Park-home to a picturesque
harbor, miles of pristine beaches, world-class museums
and Dallas Cowboys Training Camp. Visit Oxnard.
800/2-OXNARD; visitoxnard.com See ad, p. 142

PACIFIC GROVE
Asilomar State Beach. Located on the Monterey
Peninsula, take a scenic walk along this one-mile strip of
beach broken up by rocky coves, then head inland, across
the street, and explore the adjacent Asilomar Dunes
Natural Preserve. 831/646-6440; parks.ca.gov
Monarch Grove Sanctuary. View the colorful monarch
butterfly migration, arriving in November and departing
in late February after the mating season has commenced.
Docents are present 12-3 p.m. Admission is free.
831/648-5716; pgmuseum.org
Pacific Grove Natural History Museum. With a mission
to become a living field guide for the Central Coast, this
museum first opened its doors in 1883. Visit in winter
to view migrating monarch butterflies. 831/648-5716;
pgmuseum.org

California Official Visitor's Guide 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of California Official Visitor's Guide 2021