What to do In Central Coast California, CA
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Recommended activities in Central Coast California
Tours & day trips
See all 260 activitiesOpens in new tab![Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour](https://mediaim.expedia.com/localexpert/4583863/37d77f97-0316-4d4c-86a3-c8a679d1912f.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=500&rh=280)
Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour
Food, drink & nightlife
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Carmel Small Group Walking Food & Cultural Tour
Private & custom tours
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Tour of California Self-Guided Driving Bundle
Water activities
See all 33 activitiesOpens in new tab![Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour](https://mediaim.expedia.com/localexpert/4583863/37d77f97-0316-4d4c-86a3-c8a679d1912f.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=500&rh=280)
Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour
Classes & workshops
See all 20 activitiesOpens in new tab![2- Hour Pottery Workshop and Studio Tour in Ojai](https://mediaim.expedia.com/localexpert/1225357/bfab2b65-fab0-4023-b8fb-91e859822c47.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=500&rh=280)
2- Hour Pottery Workshop and Studio Tour in Ojai
Places To Go In Central Coast California
Welcome, traveler, to Central Coast California. Your journey has landed you here, and new adventures are calling your name. Now that you’ve arrived, you can stay in the safety and comfort of your hotel and watch the world spin past…or you can embrace this new place you’ve come to. Learn its streets. Meet its people. Learn its history. Your hand is already on the doorknob, isn’t it?
Things to Do in Central Coast California
You’ll not be wanting for things to do in Central Coast California. Explore the downtown area in search of museums and boutiques…or that next delicious meal. What tickles your fancy? A delectable five-course supper at the restaurant you’ve been hearing about? Or perhaps you’d rather read the paper while sipping hot coffee at one of the cafes scattered throughout town. Take in a show at the theatre, or just walk along down the main thoroughfare, watching people wander past.
Why spend hours ruminating over what to do in Central Coast California? Let the possibilities wash over you as you explore this new region. Move out on foot and get to know the area on a more personal level. Find that perfect souvenir at one of the smaller shops, or reinvent your entire artistic aesthetic at your new favorite gallery.
Is the wind whispering suggestions in your mind? Rent a car and take it out beyond city limits and into the wild blue yonder. Explore the smaller cities and towns past the border, and get to know the stories behind them. Visit a county fair and let childhood memories wash over you as cotton candy melts in your mouth. Sample hand-made jam at a stop on a forgotten highway, or let the hustle and bustle of modern life sweep you away as you lose yourself in the organized chaos of a modern metropolis. Your choices are endless—and so are the adventures to come.
When you book your journey with Travelocity, you’re never far from Central Coast California attractions. After all, the money you save when you plan a trip with us is best spent along the way. Whether it’s the roar of the city you crave, or the quiet solitude that comes with a simpler getaway, everything you need to get started is right here.
Popular places to visit
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Enjoy the thrills at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and find out why people love this theme park in Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area, or seek out the biking trails.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Perched on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, you’ll find a spectacular window into life both above and below the waves.
Hearst Castle
You can learn about the local history of San Simeon when you make a stop at a top site like Hearst Castle. Wander the area's seaside or simply enjoy one of its top-notch restaurants.
17-Mile Drive
Explore the great outdoors with a trip to 17-Mile Drive, a popular green space in Skyline Forest. Wander the beaches and seaside while you're in the area.
Cannery Row
Back when Steinbeck was a local, this waterfront stretch of Monterey was just called Ocean View Avenue. Eighty-plus years and a Pulitzer later, the famous author might still recognize the old place.
Capitola Beach
Why not spend a carefree afternoon at Capitola Beach during your travels in Capitola? While in this walkable area, you can savor the top-notch restaurants.