Pacific Coast Highway 1st Timer
 

My boyfriend and I are stay in Huntington for a few days mid June for a company trip. From there were planning a road trip from Huntington Beach to Monterey (Sunday - Tuesday). Where is the best stop along the way to...

a) ride horses on the beach that is a remote as possible? (Sunset and Romantic)
b) rent dune buggies that are exhilarating and fast?
c) play golf where it's beautiful but not outraeously expensive?
d) go on a picturesque hike where we can swim after?
e) have a zen experience (hot springs/massage)?

f) best airport to fly home to Florida from there

Thanks! Any help or advice is greatly appreciated :)
-Selina

Start by looking right in Huntington Beach. http://www.hcpec.com/
See if you can get a flight home from Burbank or maybe Santa Barbara.

Only time for a very quick response right now: I think you will have to dial back some of your wish list. Horseback riding mostly won't be very remote/lonely. For example Pebble Beach Equestrian Center does group trail rides plus limited availability for private rides.

>>d) go on a picturesque hike where we can swim after?<<

The hiking won't be a problem - hundreds of options, but (especially since you are likely used to Florida conditions) it is doubtful there will be much swimming. Maybe body surfing using wet suits. The Pacific is <B><blue>COLD</B></blue>

As for dune buggies -- the only place I'm aware of on the central coast is in Pismo Beach (there may be others, but out here dune buggies are more a desert thing)

per tom's post -- the HB center doesn't ride on the beach - it is inland.

You cannot take CA 1 along the coast from Cambria to Monterey due to a collapsed bridge. Plan on going inland using US 101.

You can ride horses on the beach in Morro Bay or Cayucos. Play golf in Morro Bay at the state park. It's nicknamed the poor man's Pebble Beach. Have a spa experience in Avila Beach. Forget swimming...the water is freaking cold (I am from Florida). Pismo for dune buggies but be careful cause lots of people get hurt because they aren't experienced.

I would go as far north on Hwy 1 as San Simeon. Cambria is a cute place to stay and you can visit Hearst Castle and Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery. After that you will have to backtrack a little and take Hwy 46 toward Paso Robles. LOTS of wineries in this area if you are interested. Then you will take Hwy 101 north toward Monterey. Don't miss Point Lobos.

San Jose is the most convenient airport in the area but not great options to Florida (depends on where in Florida). SFO will have better options.

Dune buggies are at Oceano Dunes near Pismo Beach like janisj said, not sure if you can ride horses on the beach.
Like Michael said, you will have to take Highway 46 from Cambria to pick up the Highway 101 (it is not called PCH north of Santa Barbara) to Monterey due to the Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge failure. The replacement bridge is currently projected for sometime in October or November.

>>The replacement bridge is currently projected for sometime in October or November.<<

Ooh - I hadn't heard that update. Good news!

3) https://www.playpacificgrove.com/

The hot springs in Avila Beach are called the Sycamore Mineral Springs.

https://www.sycamoresprings.com

Can do a lot of this within minutes apart between Oceano and Avila Beach.

a) ride horses on the beach that is a remote as possible? (Sunset and Romantic)

Not sure they do sunset rides but here's horseback riding at Oceano.

http://pacificdunesranch.com/

b) rent dune buggies that are exhilarating and fast?

Oceano. Only place to ride on the beach. Be careful!

c) play golf where it's beautiful but not outraeously expensive?

If you just want to get playing golf on the beach out of your system try Pismo. 9 holes- 3 par. Windy. Here's surrounding courses. Morro Bay golf course is nicer, near but not on the beach.

http://pacificdunesranch.com/


d) go on a picturesque hike where we can swim after?

For young and old but mostly a flat walk on a paved trail at Avila Beach, and walking right past the Avila golf course and straight towards the beach is Bob Jones Trail.

Start at Sycamore Hot Springs Resort and catch the trail. They serve a great breakfast and have private hot tubs branching off going up a hill. Pretty cool actually.

There's a nice stop along the trail to buy lunch and have some wine.

Yes, the Pacific is cold, but Avila Beach is a bit warmer than most nearby beaches and usually very little wind. Many people get in the water there mostly to cool off. Great place to tan too. If you like the buff, right next to it is Pirates Cove.

https://www.traillink.com/trail/bob-...the-sea-trail/
https://www.sycamoresprings.com/mineral-springs-resort/

These are all next to each other. At the end of the Bob Jones trail is Avila Beach and you can swim then catch a free trolley ride back.

e) have a zen experience (hot springs/massage)?

Sycamore Hot Springs Resort. You can get a massage there too. There is also a nearby hot springs pool.

Still at Avila, I would drive up See Canyon Road. Short but scenic drive with a new wine tasting spot along the way. The drive is popular mainly for autumn apples so you get the idea.

There are some nice hotels near the Trail that also rent bicycles and you can ride those on the Trail. Avila Beach is a great spot between San Luis Obispo (5 minutes north and another experience), and Oceano Beach, about 15 minutes south. For the short time you have you can do it all right there. Between the two beaches is Shell Beach where you may also rent kayaks. We live nearby and take many "stay-cations" doing these things and sticking close to home. You're also very close to Morro Bay and not far from Cayucus and Cambria. We do these drives often on a whim. It takes an afternoon.

bear900, I've lived in California for 44 years, and I want to take that trip!!

Correct link to Pismo Beach golf course

http://pismobeachgolf.com/

If you're going to be in Avila, I'd suggest playing golf there rather than Pismo... less wind, more protected and you have ocean views on part of it!

bear900 has given you everything that I would have posted! Bob Jones Trail is a great walk, especially in the early morning when there are less people.