Best Central California Beaches

A Quick Tour of the Best Central California Beaches
from Santa Barbara Surfing to Monterey Whale Watching

The beaches on the central California coast are some of most beautiful in the state. Spanish explorer Juan Cabrillo discovered towering Morro Rock, a landmark in Morro Bay's harbor. A little farther up the coast -- and a few centuries later -- newspaper baron William Randolph Hearst hosted Hollywood stars and world leaders for glamorous weekends at San Simeon near Cambria California.

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By the way, Pismo Beach California and San Simeon near Cambria California have the largest over-wintering colonies of monarch butterflies in the U.S.

The majesty of 576-foot-tall Morro Rock (a protected peregrine falcon sanctuary) is diminished a smidge by the town’s power generation plant. The waterfront is touristy, but kayakers love the calm waters of the bay and birders flock to Morro Bay Estuary to spy more than 70 species of migratory birds.

Just five miles north, beach-basic Cayucos unrolls a pier and quiet, dog friendly beaches.

About 45 minutes north, still Cambria California is a charming village where you can spend hours browsing the work of local artists.

Here you are very close to Hearst Castle.

There are four regular tours of this palatial home filled with a European art and antiques, which is just as it was when newspaper-baron William Randolph Hearst and Marion Davies

(his movie star mistress) entertained a slew of stars, celebrities, circus performers, socialites and heads of state -- everyone from Charlie Chaplin to Winston Churchill. It’s definitely worth a trip the Central California coast!

Big Sur beaches are wild -- Mother Nature at her finest. Pull up a piece of driftwood at some of the prettiest California State Beaches on the coast. At Andrew Molera State Park you can watch the surf crash through rock outcroppings. Some beaches require a short hike in, but vacation rental homes overlooking the coast have postcard-perfect views.

Three miles south of Carmel California Point Lobos State Natural Reserve has beautiful hiking trails and great scuba diving at Whalers and Bluefish Coves.

One of the most romantic California beaches is in Carmel California. The town is like a storybook painting come to life. Cobbled sidewalks pass (multimillion-dollar) cottages with names instead of number addresses. The shopping and art galleries on Ocean Avenue are world-class, ending at a beautiful cypress-studded, white-sand beach.

If you love Carmel’s charm, but not its crowds, head for neighboring Pacific Grove California.

Nestled between Carmel and Monterey, this Victorian-style town has stunning views from the MontereyBay Coastal Trail. It’s a short walk from downtown to Lovers Point, a rocky outcropping sheltering a small cove beach families and scuba divers love.

Mile-long Asilomar State Beach is one of many dog friendly beaches with great tide pools to explore.

Wrapped in lush pines, Monterey California has a historic pier, great shopping and the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium, making it ideal for a family beach vacation.

You can kayak among adorable sea otters in the morning, have lunch at Old Fisherman's Wharf and then splurge on a round of golf at Pebble Beach Golf Links.

Or snag a bargain at the outlets on Cannery Row in the afternoon.

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