Hello,
My boyfriend and I have 5 days/ 4 nights Aug 29 - Sept 2 and want to travel the Central Coast. We have done plenty of Monterey/Carmel area and are looking for new adventures. Places we are considering:

Cambria/Hearst Castle
Paso Robles Wine Region
Pinnacles (too hot?)
Santa Barbara

Only requirements are a stop at Hearst Castle and some wine tasting, but would love suggestions on which towns we should stay in and sights in the areas not to miss. We are leaving from and returning to San Francisco.

Thank you!

Pinnacles is a one day trip. You need at least two hours (depending on where you are overnighting) just to get to where you can park your car. It isn't too hot but it's a really climber's hike.

If you want to do some hiking on shorter trails that are easier to get to - try Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park (for McWay Falls), and of course Point Lobos State Reserve. If I were to suggest just one, I'd suggest Point Lobos.

Paso Robles has a wine country and Santa Barbara has a wine country. Again, to really enjoy one or the other of these wine regions, you should plan on a full day.

Try doing a search in the search box above and you'll find that quite a lot has already been written on the areas you plan to visit. If you have further questions, please come back and ask away!

You are going Labor Day weekend. Hwy 1 will be a parking lot. Make your reservations now.

ag123,

With it being Labor Day Weekend, the coast is usually booked up, so you should book asap.

Our fave Central Coast destination is Moonstone Beach in Cambria. There is a wide range of accomodations right on the beach. It is near Hearst and you can visit the charming town of Cambria for shopping.

Depending on your price range, Santa Barbara will run $200+ for budget accomodations. If you decide on Santa Barbara, you can visit Santa Ynez Wine Country for the day. It's lovely.

Definitely explore Cambria, it's such a great place to spend time in. Moonstone Beach is beautiful and there is a boarded path there that runs along the ocean that is fun to walk/jog. If you want some great places to dine with oceanviews, the Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill and the Sea Chest are both nice choices for meals. There is a quaint downtown area there, also. Have fun on your trip! ***kim***

Thank you for all the suggestions!

Easytraveller: We have spent a lot of time at Point Lobos and area, it is one of my favorites too

I am thinking Cambria and Paso Robles might be perfect (I'm thinking SB may be too pricey for 4 nights)they have always been places I have driven through on my way elsewhere. Just not sure if that is enough to fill 4 nights with?

If there are any other gems in the Cambria and/or Paso Robles area, please do share!

Thanks!