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How do you beach? Do you arrive sand pail in hand for a day building castles with your family? Perhaps you’re all about holding hands on a sunset walk? Or maybe for you, the beach is a conduit to watch sandpipers race against the tide or whales spout at sea ― or a launch point for your kayak or surfboard? However you like to beach, you can download the free downloadable Beaches Map to discover your perfect stretch of sand along a Highway 1 Road Trip.
A Highway 1 Road Trip isn’t complete without a few steps on its famous beaches. And it isn’t just the miles of pristine sand; a trip to the beach over this 101-mile stretch features boardwalks, massive dunes and the drive on Avila Pier. Discovering the granular diversity here is part of the ride, whether you want to dig your toes into a rare black sand beach, explore tide pools or run your pooch on a designated off-leash beach.
The downloadable Highway 1 Road Trip Beaches Map provides the perfect planning tool for a few days spent basking in the Central California sunshine. In addition to a dozen well-known destinations, the Beaches Map identifies eight secluded hidden gems where only the locals go. You can also keep the digital Beaches Map handy for spontaneous stops at the expansive Cayucos Pier playground or a little fishing off the pier, no license required.
Many of the Central Coast's famous places, like Cayucos State Beach, offer excellent onshore restaurants, lodging options, and great surf, tidepools, and sand play. Cambria’s Moonstone Beach also features a playground for the littles as well as some of the best “shell habitat” anywhere along Highway 1.
The smooth “moonstones” gave the beach its name, but you can also discover beautiful driftwood and sea glass. The waves are often too strong to swim here, but not to worry, Moonstone Beach offers a seasonal swimming pool, a rarity on the California coast. Romantics shouldn't miss a sunset stroll along the mile-long boardwalk, which is ADA-accessible.
Another great way to access the sand awaits you at Oceano Dunes, the only coastal dunes in California where visitors can drive their vehicles directly on the beach. The 18-mile-long beach also allows bonfires, so don't forget to stack up the firewood before you and your crew head out for a day of surf fishing, kite surfing or some other coastal recreation. If you prefer four-legged over four-wheeled transportation, you can also book a horseback riding tour here.
The Highway 1 Road Trip features beaches for every interest, including a clothing-optional option at serene Pirates Cove at Avila. You'll need strong shoes to hike down the steep path, but the cove's gentle waves and chill ethos is worth the trip. (Pirates took advantage of the calm waters to land rum and other booty here in the 19th century.)
Easily accessible, Avila Beach is perfect for family play, considering the picnic tables, BBQ stands, playground and other recreation. A visit to the Central Coast Aquarium next to Pirate Park adds an edutainment touch.
Avila Beach and the Avila Pier, first built in 1876, contain all the components we associate with postcard-worthy California beaches, from surfers to dining over the water (with nearby seals) at Mersea’s. The Highway 1 Road Trip also features several more secluded options, whether you crave a daylong romantic stroll along Sandspit Beach in Los Osos or some solo contemplation time at the end of a 400-foot descent to Ragged Point’s Young Creek Beach at the southern end of Big Sur. Black Swift Falls embellishes this Zen-like environment.
Catching one’s breath over a beverage and snack on the Ragged Point Inn restaurant terrace is a long-held tradition. Of course, given the Central Coast’s reputation as one of North America’s premier winery destinations, tasting rooms are within an ocean breeze of the beach.
Hearst Ranch Winery sits directly above Hearst Memorial State Beach, an often-overlooked stretch of sand known for whale and sea otter viewing, snoozing elephant seals and other wildlife. The San Simeon Pier takes you farther into the secluded bay to look for marine mammals. The local Coastal Discovery Center even lends out binoculars.
Whether you want to run the pup, build sandcastles or stroll a boardwalk hand in hand, the Central California Coast has a beach for you. Like the popular Highway 1 Road Trip Wildlife Map and Hiking Map, you can now download the Highway 1 Road Trip Beaches Map to plot your way to the sand. Visit the Highway 1 Road Trip beaches webpage to download your Beaches Map.
Moonstone Beach
Montaña de Oro
Avila Beach
Oceano Dunes
By StoryStudio on March 1, 2023 4:35 PM
Moonstone Beach
Oceano Dunes
Hearst State Beach
Avila Beach
Cayucos
State Beach
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Cayucos State Beach
Avila Beach
Montaña De Oro
Hearst Memorial State Beach
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Start planning your trip today.
DOWNLOAD OUR MAP!
Start planning your trip today.
DOWNLOAD OUR MAP!