Lady’s Fun Itinerary for 4 Days on the California Coast

Today I want to bring you my itinerary for spending 4 days on the California coast. This part of my home state is a fun place to head to the beach, see famous sights, explore local towns, and go wine tasting. If you want to spend a few days on the Central Coast, my guide will show you how to experience everything from the vineyards to the ocean. I’m here now and I’m excited to share the best of the region with you. I’ve included a map, too.

California Coast

The California coast is the stuff of legends. From world-class beaches to charming towns, big landmarks, and lush vineyards, this part of the Golden State has something for every visitor.

I was born and raised in California, and I’ve been coming to the coast since I was a child. In doing so I’ve gotten to know it from beach to barrel and beyond. The Central Coast in particular is one of my favorite spots.

On each trip I find more to love about it. Whether I visit an iconic place like Big Sur, go to the famous aquarium in Monterey, soak up the sun in Santa Cruz, shop in Carmel-by-the-Sea, or stop by one of the most unique hotels in California, there’s no shortage of amazing places to discover. I even got engaged here.

On this trip I’m spending 4 days on the Central Coast with my other half and two friends. They’re driving up from Los Angeles, and we’re traveling down from San Francisco. We’ve chosen the Central Coast because it’s the perfect place to meet in the middle.

We all did a fun trip to Big Sur a while back, and we’re excited to meet up again and see more of this part of the coast.

We can’t wait to visit some of our favorite spots in the region and see what’s new since our last trips. Given how much we love all traveling here, we know we’re going to have a good time.

Day 1

The first stop on our trip is Cambria, a small coastal town near San Luis Obispo. Cambria is the Latin name for Wales, and my inner Brit feels right at home here.

We arrive in the early evening and check into El Colibri Hotel & Spa. This Tuscan-inspired place is nestled between the coast and the hills. We love that the spacious rooms have fireplaces with views of the wooded area around the property.

The lobby lounge has a beer and wine dispenser that we activate with a card we get at the front desk. We start our trip with happy hour drinks, sipping wines made from locally-grown grapes and discussing our plans for the days ahead.

Cambria

After drinks we hop in our cars and drive for a few minutes to get to the heart of Cambria. We’ve booked a table for dinner at Robin’s Restaurant, a local place with an eclectic menu.

As soon as we arrive, we know we’re going to have a good time here. The enchanted garden is straight out of a fairy tale, and our table is surrounded by bright flowers and little lights.

The food and service at Robin’s are as good as the ambiance. Our server is amiable and knowledgeable, and everything from the famous salmon bisque to Robin’s Chow with prawns goes down a treat. To our delight, the wine list even has a Pinot Noir from Paul Lato, one of our favorite California wineries.

After dinner we walk to Mozzi’s Saloon in Cambria. This genuine cowboy bar was established in 1866. The saws on the walls and wagon-wheel chandelier are testaments to its history. We get a round of drinks and play pool as music from the jukebox offers a soundtrack to our night.

Day 2

The following morning our trip continues breakfast at a local restaurant in Cambria called The Hidden Kitchen. Along with its counterpart in nearby Cayucos, this place has come highly recommended by local friends. We’re excited to try it.

As the name implies, The Hidden Kitchen is tucked away on a side street behind a shop called Slabtown Mercantile. The restaurant is only open on weekends, and it serves smoothies, waffles, and drinks. Set in a fun outdoor space, The Hidden Kitchen is as unique as it gets.

Once we find it, we enter a sun-soaked courtyard dotted with tables. We order food and drinks at the counter, then find a place to sit by an ivy-covered wall. The savory blue corn waffles come topped with everything from eggs to avocado, and they taste as good as they look.

Paso Robles

After breakfast we hop in the car for our first official activity of the day: wine tasting. We drive for 30 minutes up Highway 46, being treated to increasingly stunning views of rolling hills and the famous Morro Rock as we make our way inland to Paso Robles.

Soon we come to Jada Vineyard & Winery, an organically-farmed estate that produces Rhone and Bordeaux-style wines. We’ve booked a tasting, and we’re seated at an outdoor table surrounded by oak trees and vine-studded hills. With a long bar on one side and a fire feature on the other, we feel like we’re in a Californian paradise.

We spend the next 90 minutes sampling everything from Viognier to Merlot, Tannat, and a few red blends. As we sip, our friendly host tells us all about the terroir, vineyards, and flavor profiles of the wines. The reds get better as they get bolder, and we purchase a few bottles before saying good-bye.

From the winery it’s a 15-minute drive to lunch in downtown Paso Robles. Fish Gaucho is a modern Mexican restaurant that gets stellar reviews. We love both our outdoor table and the rustic decor in the spacious dining room.

We start by tucking into a range of salsas and guacamole, then continue with heaping plates of tacos. From mango cod to carnitas, they’re so good we can’t stop talking about them. It’s a genuinely impressive meal, and we know we’ll be back on future trips.

After tacos we drive for 10 minutes to get to the next stop on our itinerary: McPrice Myers. Nestled in the vine-laden hills of the Adelaida District, this winery’s goal is to articulate the diversity of the Paso Robles appellation and showcase the multiple climates and terroirs of California’s Central Coast.

When we arrive, we’re welcomed by a host. He pours us samples of everything from unique blends to 100% Zinfandels. As with Jada, we like the bolder wines. Our top pick is the Beautiful Earth Red. It has everything from Syrah to Grenache, Mourvedre, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, and Cinsault in it.

Coincidentally, McPrice Myers himself is here today. He comes to our table to tell us about his background, his growing techniques, and his approach to winemaking. Meeting him is a bonus to an already memorable experience.

Equally memorable is an impromptu olive oil tasting we do at the end. We try a number of single-varietal oils, blends, and flavored numbers before picking out a few to purchase along with the wine we’ve bought.

After the tasting, we drive back to downtown Paso Robles for some shopping. There’s no shortage of shops dotted among the restaurants, cafes, and tasting rooms here. We check out the clothing stores, home goods shops, boutiques, and olive oil purveyors, picking up gifts and mementos as we go.

All the shopping makes us thirsty. Thankfully we’ve booked a table at Cane Tiki Room. Right next door to Fish Gaucho (and with the same owner), it offers exotic cocktails and Polynesian small bites in a tropical paradise atmosphere.

As we enter, we notice the water feature, toucans, and South Pacific-inspired details that add to the ambiance. Woven walls and bamboo accents round out the tiki scene.

After we’re seated, we order a round of drinks. Delightfully, they each come in a unique glass. From classic tiki mugs to coconuts, they’re as fun as the cocktails are delicious. Mine even arrives with a flame on top.

After Cane Tiki Room, our day continues with dinner down the street at Thomas Hill Organics. This farm-to-table restaurant has a beautiful secret garden and a menu with inventive dishes featuring seasonal produce.

We start with wine flights from local wineries like Copia. Afterwards we order a starter of wild mushrooms on sourdough. Cooked to perfection, it’s a culinary highlight of our trip. The mushrooms are followed by our mains, which range from filet mignon to salmon.

Appetites sated, we drive for 10 minutes to get to Sensorio. It’s one of the largest immersive art exhibitions in California. Tucked away in the hills of Paso Robles, Sensorio is known for having thousands of colorful lights that illuminate the night.

We arrive just as the sun is setting. After walking along a path, we reach an area full of food trucks, a maker’s market, and live music. It’s an impressive welcome, and the perfect place to get into the spirit of Sensorio.

We take it all in, then walk to Field of Light, the main event. Broad paths lead us through an illuminated valley with over 100,000 glowing bulbs. As we walk, the sky turns golden with the setting sun. It’s magical.

After seeing Field of Light, we make our way over to neighboring exhibitions with names like Gone Fishing, Light Towers, and Fireflies. They’re creative ways to brighten up the night with colors and sound.

After an hour at Sensorio, we head back to downtown Paso Robles to explore the nightlife scene. We want to go to Eleven Twenty-Two, a cocktail lounge that’s been ranked among the top 50 hidden speakeasies, but the line is 60 minutes long when we arrive.

Undeterred, we go to Pappy McGregor’s. It’s a big award-winning pub with a series of rooms and bars. It’s busy inside and the drinks are good, and we all agree it’s a fun place to go on a night out in Paso Robles.

Day 3

The next morning we check out of El Colibri and continue our trip with breakfast. At the recommendation of the hotel receptionist, we go for caffeine and pastries at Cambria Coffee Roasting Company in the heart of town.

There’s a line down the street when we arrive, but it moves quickly. Soon we’re enjoying lattes and croissants on Adirondack chairs outside. The sun is shining, and it’s an ideal way to start our morning.

Hearst Castle

From Cambria it’s a 15-minute drive to Hearst Castle in San Simeon. Along with the area’s resident elephant seals, this impressive historic mansion is one of the main attractions on this part of California’s Central Coast.

Hearst Castle started its life as the hilltop home of publishing tycoon William Randolph Hearst. In 1919 he hired architect Julia Morgan to build a whimsical Spanish-style house overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

For the next 28 years, he commissioned room upon room, cottage upon cottage, swimming pool upon swimming pool.

The end result was an over-the-top estate brimming with European art, furnishings, and decorative objects. From bedrooms fit for prime ministers (Winston Churchill stayed here) to a swoon-worthy library and gardens smelling of roses, the place has to be experienced to be believed.

We take two tours while we’re visiting. The first is of the estate’s cottages and kitchens, and the second is of the house’s upstairs suites.

Throughout the experiences, our guides tell us about the decorative elements of Hearst Castle and the social history of Hearst’s home.

The tours are quick and efficient, permitting us to see a lot of the house and grounds. It’s fun to hear about the art and architecture of this place, not to mention the Hollywood stars Hearst frequently had staying with him.

Cambria

After the tours we drive back to Cambria to shop. There’s everything from New Age boutiques to home goods stores in town. We particularly like Sea + Green, a pretty place with vintage and handmade goods.

We browse the wares at Sea + Green, then pop into a few antiques shops and stores selling crystals and gifts. It’s a fun way to spend an hour.

Morro Bay

From Cambria it’s a 20-minute drive to get to our next stop: Morro Bay. This famous spot on Highway 1 is known for the ancient volcanic mound that looms large at the end of its beach.

We park in a small lot at North Point Natural Area and descend a short flight of stairs to admire the views of Morro Rock. It’s amazing to see, and even from a distance we marvel at how large it is.

We walk around the area for a bit, taking in the foaming waves of the ocean and the yellow wildflowers on the shore. It’s a beautiful day, and we we’re grateful to be outdoors in the sunshine.

Pismo Beach

Back in the car, we drive for 30 minutes through San Luis Obispo and past the iconic Madonna Inn to get to Pismo Beach. There we check into our rooms at the Inn at the Cove. They’re decorated in soft sea hues and feature terraces with views overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

After unpacking our bags, we walk past the hotel pool and hot tub, alongside the clifftop Adirondack chairs, and down to the beach below. The small cove is surrounded by steep cliffs, and there’s a stunning keyhole arch in the rocks. It’s the perfect spot to soak up the California sun.

When said sun starts to go down, we walk up to the Inn at the Cove’s clifftop gazebo to enjoy front-row seats for the sunset.

San Luis Obispo

Later we make the 15-minute drive to San Luis Obispo for dinner. We’ve booked a table at Bear & The Wren, an artisanal restaurant and pizzeria in the lively Creamery Marketplace.

We’re seated at an outdoor table in the restaurant’s courtyard. After browsing the menu, we tuck into everything from Caesar salad to wood-fired asparagus and thin-crust Neapolitan pizza. There’s a buzzing atmosphere, and we feel like we’ve landed in the perfect place to start a night out in SLO.

After dinner we walk to BA Start, a retro arcade and taproom with over 40 classic games, pinball machines, air hockey, pool tables, and other entertainment. We order a round of drinks and spend the night playing everything from Galaga to Ms. Pac-Man and pool.

Day 4

The next morning we tuck into the continental breakfast and waffle bar at the Inn at the Cove. Afterwards we check out of our rooms and make the 5-minute drive to the heart of Pismo Beach.

Pismo Beach

We walk around Pismo and pop into surf shops like Esteem before heading down to the pier. We stroll out along the wooden boards, taking in views of the ocean and the beach along the way.

The walking helps us work up an appetite, and we head over to Old West Cinnamon Rolls next. This famous shop is known for pastries made from the recipe Betty Clemens created at her family home in nearby Shell Beach decades ago.

Handmade and baked fresh daily, these fluffy rolls come in flavors like walnut, maple bacon, and mudslide. We order a box topped with cream cheese frosting to eat at the tables outside, plus several more to take away with us.

Carmel Valley

From Pismo Beach we say our good-byes and hop in our cars for the trips back to San Francisco and Los Angeles. The drive north takes me and my other half to another place we love on the Central Coast: Carmel.

After 2.5-hours, we arrive in Carmel Valley. This inland area is known for its vineyards, so we stop for some wine tasting. Folktale Winery features 15 acres of sustainably-farmed vineyards and gardens along the Carmel River.

The tasting room is straight out of a fairy-tale, as is the series of courtyards outside. From sofas to a stage for live music, there’s a lot going on here.

We’re seated at an outdoor table and our host brings us the Reserve Red flight. We sample everything from the Whole Cluster Pinot Noir to red blends with names inspired by Game of Thrones. It all goes down a treat among the colorful flowers and wine barrels.

Capitola

After the tasting, we hop in the car for the final stop on our trip: Capitola. It’s just under an hour’s drive from the winery to Margaritaville, a waterfront restaurant in the heart of Capitola Village.

Margaritaville is known for its Mexican food and views of the colorful Capitola Venetian hotel. We’re meeting local friends for dinner here, and we’re seated at a table on the deck.

Soon we’re enjoying everything from crispy fried calamari to beer-battered fish tacos. It’s a delicious way to end our day, not to mention our trip.

4 Days on the Central Coast

After dinner we drive up and over Highway 17, reaching San Francisco in around an hour and 20 minutes. We’ve had an amazing trip, and we’re already planning our next California adventure. I hope this blog post has inspired you to do the same.

Map

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