![]() Then go for a soak in the mineral-rich waters of Avila Hot Springs. When you’re not enjoying the beach, stroll along the promenade on Front Street and peruse its shops, bistros and chic tasting rooms, like the one at Peloton Cellars. The San Luis Obispo County town also feels very traditionally homey thanks in part to its unique geography: sheltered in San Luis Obispo Bay, Avila Beach has calmer waters and warmer air than other towns on the Central Coast. This bright, sweeping view includes just a half-mile of beach and a small town centre, but don’t let its size fool you: there’s a lot to do. The single-carriageway road, just off Highway 1, that leads north into Avila Beach winds through a lush oak valley and past natural mineral-rich hot springs until-suddenly-a panorama of ocean and palm trees appears. They’re a remnant from the Hearst Castle private zoo, once home to monkeys, lions, tigers, orangutans and a single elephant. As you drive out of San Simeon, keep your eyes peeled for a herd of zebra grazing the hills. Or head north to Big Sur to enjoy the extreme luxury of the Post Ranch Inn. For a cosier experience, check into one of the cottage-style inns in neighbouring Cambria to the south. Spend the night in San Simeon at The Morgan, inspired by Hearst Castle architect Julia Morgan, or at the Cavalier Oceanfront Resort, where guests enjoy nightly bonfires overlooking the beach. Sebastian’s also doubles as a tasting room for Hearst Ranch Winery. Housed inside an 1850s-era landmark that originally sold goods to local whalers, the café serves up juicy burgers alongside handcrafted wines. Whether you spend the day hiking along the beach or walking the halls of Hearst Castle, Sebastian's General Store and Cafe is the perfect place to refuel your body and relax your mind. The pebbly Little Pico Creek is the perfect place to search for shells and explore rockpools filled with starfish, sea anemones and crustaceans. Arroyo Laguna is a windsurfer’s dream, with gusts regularly reaching 40 miles per hour. Hearst Memorial State Beach, you can choose from among two dozen picnic sites, swim in the surf or hire a kayak from Kayak Cambria for an offshore adventure. San Simeon’s handful of beaches offer very different delights. At the end of the path, you can see the Piedras Blancas Light Station from a distance book a tour for a closer look. The Boucher Trail starts at the rookery parking lot and extends 1.9 miles north, providing the opportunity to check out other coastal wildlife or simply admire the cliffs. Head here in winter to see these extraordinary creatures (males weigh as much as 2,270 kgs) as they bring their little ones into the world. At Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery, elephant seals cover the shore. There are plenty of ways to explore the beachy beauty of San Simeon. Alongside the castle (an absolute must-see), San Simeon shines with such natural splendour that you’ll see why William Randolph Hearst chose this area in which to build his otherworldly abode. Hearst Castle, a shining example of Gilded Age extravagance, welcomes 1.5 million guests to its magical grounds each year. Its central location makes the town a natural stop on Highway 1-but San Simeon’s main draw is its world-famous mansion. Smack-bang between Los Angeles and San Francisco is the seaside town of San Simeon. Tour legendary Hearst Castle dig for clams in Pismo Beach, or soak in mineral springs in the town of Avila Beach. Shop for treasures in art galleries in funky-fun Cambria. Look for otters on a guided kayak tour of Morro Bay. Beyond the city, adventures and discoveries abound. Shorts are almost year-round attire in the region, especially on students at the campus of California Polytechnic State University (aka Cal Poly), in the hills above the city of San Luis Obispo, also home to a handsome Spanish mission. Bright sun mixes with cool fog and sea breezes-great for agricultural, and people too. Nook-and-cranny valleys cradle farms and ranches, and relaxed tasting rooms invite you to come in and relax. Here, coastal mountains roll into a frothy sea, with whales spouting offshore. This fertile stretch of the California coast, roughly halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, has undeniable appeal, with buzz-worthy farm-to-table restaurants, celebrated wine country, historic sites, and welcoming, low-key communities, each with distinctive charms-not to mention drop-dead gorgeous settings. ![]()
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