California Official Visitor's Guide 2023 - 140

central coast
OCEANO
Pismo State Beach. Camp, fi sh, surf, swim, and
bird-watch at this state beach, which features a coastal
sand dune habitat and a freshwater lagoon. Visit the
monarch butterfl y grove November through February.
805/473-7220; parks.ca.gov
Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area. Over
fi ve miles of beach and sand dunes off er 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
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. 800/2-OXNARD;
visitoxnard.com See ad, pgs. 135-137
PACIFIC GROVE
Monarch Grove Sanctuary. View the colorful
monarch butterfl y 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
Point Pinos Lighthouse. Visit the oldest (circa 1855)
continuously operating lighthouse on the West Coast.
Illumination has changed from whale oil to electricity-
but the construction and even the lens remains intact.
pointpinoslighthouse.org
PAICINES
Pinnacles National Park. A little over an hour from
the coast, Pinnacles off ers great rock climbing, hiking,
wildlife, camping, and wildfl ower blooms. Visiting during
the cooler months is recommended as summer heat
can be extreme. 831/200-1722; nps.gov
PASO ROBLES
Paso Robles Visitors Center. Located in the heart of
downtown. Pick up a visitor guide and a wine map to
explore this small town, rich in history and dotted by
vineyards. 805/238-0506; pasorobleschamber.com
PISMO BEACH
Monarch Butterfl y Grove. More than 10,000 butterfl ies
fl ock here from late October through February to seek
winter shelter in the towering limbs of eucalyptus trees.
805/556-7397; monarchbutterfl y.org
Experience Pismo Beach. Classic California, famous
for its world-famous pier, miles of beautiful white sand
beaches, outstanding accommodations and a rich wine
region minutes away. Check out lodging specials, go
to experiencepismobeach.com. Join us on Facebook,
Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and Pinterest. See ad, pgs.
135-137
SALINAS
National Steinbeck Center. This center celebrates
the creativity of the Salinas-born literary master John
Steinbeck. Learn about his work through theatrical sets
and interactive exhibits. 831/775-4721; steinbeck.org
Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge. Surf-fi shing,
waterfowl hunting (mid-October through mid-January),
wildlife viewing, and hiking are the big draws here. See
snowy plovers, black legless lizards, Caspian terns, and
more. 510/792-0222; fws.gov
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA
Mission San Juan Bautista. Built in 1797, it's the largest
of the state's missions. The church boasts three aisles
and a magnifi cent altar. Look for 180-year-old paw
prints in the fl oor tiles. 831/623-2127; oldmissionsjb.org
SAN LUIS OBISPO
City of San Luis Obispo. We're small-town California
with big-time charm, ready to welcome you. Enjoy wine
tasting, hiking, biking, boutique shopping and more
at this home base for Central Coast adventure. 1-877/
SLO-TOWN; visitslo.com See ad, pgs. 135-137
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. This 1772 mission
off ers a museum with artifacts, a tranquil garden,
and docent-led tours of the mission and its grounds.
Open all day every day of the year. 805/543-6850;
missionsanluisobispo.org
SAN MIGUEL
Mission San Miguel. Sometimes called " the jewel of
the California missions, " San Miguel is the only mission
in the U.S. with the original fresco paintings. View them,
along with artifacts and the original building. 805/4673256;
missionsanmiguel.org
SAN SIMEON
Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery. Head here in
January to see (and hear) the bellowing elephant seals
as they bring their little ones into the world. No fees or
reservations required. 805/924-1628; elephantseal.org
SANTA BARBARA
Old Mission Santa Barbara. Admire the twin bell
towers, Moorish fountain, colorful rose gardens, and
abalone-encrusted Chumash altar from the 1790s.
Tour its whitewashed rooms and museum. Open daily.
805/682-4149; santabarbaramission.org
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. Hike 5.5 miles of trails
through this 78-acre garden focused on native plants.
View fi elds of colorful wildfl owers and groves of sky-high
redwood trees. 805/682-4726; sbbg.org
Visit Santa Barbara. A culturally radiant coastal city
that elevates the spirit, refreshes the soul and awakens
the senses. Plan your getaway and get a free Visitor
Magazine at santabarbaraca.com. 800/676-1266 See
ad, back cover
SANTA MARIA VALLEY
Santa Maria Valley. Home to 34 wineries and tasting
rooms, 24 scenic hiking trails and 15 beaches in the
heart of Santa Barbara County. Unbottle a much-needed
getaway and enjoy the uncrowded coastline of Santa
Maria Valley. 805/925-2403; santamariavalley.com
See ad, pgs. 135-137
SANTA YNEZ
Visit the Santa Ynez Valley. Two hours north of
L.A., discover 100+ wineries, incredible food, and an
authentic, relaxed vibe. For a complete listing of properties,
restaurants, wineries, tasting rooms, and events, go
to visitsyv.com See ad, pgs. 135-137
SIMI VALLEY
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum.
This Ventura County complex celebrates the 40th U.S.
president, and sits on 100 hilltop acres with sweeping
views of the ocean. 805/522-2977; reaganfoundation.org
SOLEDAD
Nuestra Señora de la Soledad. Get a glimpse of the
hardscrabble life this isolated 1791 mission endured
before it was abandoned for nearly a century in 1832.
The building was beautifully restored in 1954. 831/6782586;
californiamissionsfoundation.org
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Old Mission Santa Inés. The museum, church, and
garden of this 1804 Capuchin Franciscan mission are
open every day but Sunday for self-guided tours. See
19th-century art, manuscripts, vestments, and more.
805/688-4815; missionsantaines.org
VENTURA
Channel Islands National Park. Known as " the
American Galapagos, " these islands off er stunning
scenery and biological diversity, plus sea-cave kayaking,
snorkeling, diving, camping, and whale watching.
805/658-5730; nps.gov/chis
Ventura Harbor Village. A vibrant, seaside attraction
with 35+ waterfront restaurants, coastal boutiques,
wine tasting, live music, entertainment, artisans, fresh
seafood, pamper services, boat and kayak rentals,
oceanfront hotels, Channel Islands NP Visitor Center
and excursions. Open daily. venturaharborvillage.com
See ad, p. 137
Visit Ventura. Explore with nothing more than your own
two feet. Stroll through local shops in pedestrian-only
Downtown, enjoy dining at incredible restaurants, just
blocks from the ocean 805/641-1400; visitventuraca.com
See ad, pgs. 135-137
stay
HOTELS AND RE S OR T S
CAMBRIA
Cambria Pines Lodge. 2905 Burton Drive. 152 rooms.
25 acres of forest and gardens. Heated pool and hot
tub, day spa, complimentary breakfast, lounge with
nightly entertainment. Minutes to Hearst Castle, beach,
wine tasting. 800/966-6490; cambriapineslodge.com
$$-$$$
CARMEL
Tickle Pink Inn at Carmel Highlands. 155 Highland
Drive. 35 rooms. Our enchanting coastal hideaway
overlooks the Big Sur coastline, and a host of luxurious
complimentary amenities pamper you from morning
to night. 800/614-7437; ticklepinkinn.com $$$ See ad,
p. 141
MONTEREY
Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay. 2 Portola Plaza.
California's premier family-friendly destination with
unparalleled modern coastal luxury, in the heart of
downtown Monterey with 379 guest rooms, on-site dining,
a spa, and access to the destination's most popular
attractions. 831/649-4511; portolahotel.com $$-$$$
See ad, pgs. 135-137
SANTA BARBARA
Cabrillo Inn at the Beach. 931 E. Cabrillo Blvd. 39
View Rooms and 2BR, 2BA Vacation Rental. Oceanfront
East Beach. " Rates as low as you will fi nd along the
Beachfront " -L.A. Times. 90-degree pool and FREE parking.
" Free Nights " promotion available. 800/648-6708;
cabrillo-inn.com $-$$$ See ad, pgs. 135-137 and 149
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140 | VISITCALIFORNIA.COM

http://parks.ca.gov http://www.missionsantaines.org http://www.visitslo.com http://parks.ca.gov http://www.missionsanluisobispo.org http://www.nps.gov/chis http://www.visitoxnard.com http://www.missionsanmiguel.org http://www.venturaharborvillage.com http://www.visitventuraca.com http://www.elephantseal.org http://www.pgmuseum.org http://www.pointpinoslighthouse.org http://www.santabarbaramission.org http://www.sbbg.org http://www.nps.gov http://www.cambriapineslodge.com http://www.santabarbaraca.com http://www.pasorobleschamber.com http://www.ticklepinkinn.com http://www.santamariavalley.com http://MonarchButterfly.org http://www.experiencepismobeach.com http://www.visitsyv.com http://www.portolahotel.com http://www.steinbeck.org http://www.reaganfoundation.org http://www.fws.gov http://www.cabrillo-inn.com http://www.californiamissionsfoundation.org http://www.oldmissionsjb.org http://www.VISITCALIFORNIA.COM

California Official Visitor's Guide 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of California Official Visitor's Guide 2023