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Janice Wells
7 Days Discovering California's Beautiful Coast
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Janice Wells

Torrance, CA Travel Agent

Janice Wells

Torrance, CA Travel Agent
A full-service Travel Leaders Associate Agency
2 reviews
100.00% Recommended
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COUNTRIES VISITED:California
PLACES VISITED:Carmel, Monterey, Pismo Beach, San Francisco, San Simeon, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Solvang
SUGGESTED DURATION:7 Days
An adventurous road trip up or down California's beautiful coastline that can be taken from Southern California in Los Angeles or from Northern California in San Francisco (the opposite direction). Highlights include Santa Barbara, Solvang, Pismo Beach, Cambria & San Simeon, Carmel-by-the-Sea & Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Francisco. Tourism Boards from each town have been included for more detailed ideas and itineraries. *See the links!
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DAY1
Santa Barbara
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Day 1 - Sample Wine Tasting in Santa Barbara & Solvang
*El Paseo, Southern California’s very first shopping center dating back to the 1920s, is home to an impressive collection of boutique wineries in downtown Santa Barbara’s Presidio District. The historic, open-air complex lent itself to expanding seating areas in the lovely courtyards between buildings. *Santa Barbara’s Urban Wine Trail originated in The Funk Zone neighborhood, so it has a large number of tasting rooms in a relatively small footprint of 13 blocks between lower State Street, Cabrillo Boulevard, Garden Street and Montecito Street. *The Haley Corridor neighborhood stretches from State Street to Milpas Streets between West Cota and Montecito Streets. It’s easily accessed on foot from downtown State Street and the Funk Zone, too. *See: https://santabarbaraca.com/itinerary/outdoor-wine-tasting-experiences/
HIGHLIGHTS:
Drive on Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara (before wine tasting!)
Soak in Hot Springs Canyon (also known as Montecito Hot Springs)
Sample craft beer at one of the many breweries
DAY2
Solvang
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Day 2 - Wine Tasting & More in Solvang
Solvang Wine tasting and touring is a memorable and definitely not-to-be-missed experience in Santa Barbara County Wine country of Solvang and the Santa Ynez Valley. Local grapes are planted, nurtured and crafted into award-winning wines that are sipped and savored worldwide. Most of the 120+ wineries in the area are boutique and family-owned. Stroll through one of these vibrant vineyards or visit more than 20 tastings rooms in downtown Solvang. Area wineries welcome visitors year-round and it's easy and fun to do self-directed wine tours or enjoy guided tours. Oscar-winning 2004 movie Sideways, shot on location here, helped plant Solvang firmly in the wine scene. *See:https://www.solvangusa.com/wine-country/ The Santa Ynez Valley includes the towns of Los Olivos, Buellton, Santa Ynez, Solvang, Ballard, and Los Alamos. Expect small walkable towns and villages with dozens of wineries dotted around the surrounding countryside.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Eat a danish pastry at one of the many bakeries in town
Have a drink or dinner at The Hitching Post made famous by the movie, Sideways
Visit Chumash Casino for a bit of gambling 5 miles out of Solvang
DAY3
Pismo Beach
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Day 3 - Exploring Pismo Beach
Pismo Beach, a classic beach town, is located on California’s famous central coast, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles along Pacific Coast and 101 Highways. It offers long white beaches for taking a pleasant stroll or for just enjoying the spectacular views of the Pismo Beach sunset. Enjoy Pismo’s great weather and fabulous area wineries. Prefer a more active vacation? Central Coast Golfing, riding the dunes in a four-wheel ATV, horseback riding, surfing, body boarding, or fishing can all be part of a Pismo Beach vacation. Take a leisurely walk on our award-winning boardwalk adjacent to the Pismo Pier. Shop at the Pismo Beach Premium Outlets, and be sure to visit the California Welcome Center while there. *See:https://www.experiencepismobeach.com/
HIGHLIGHTS:
Have clam chowder soup at Brad's
Drive your car on Grover Beach
Ride the sand dunes
DAY4
San Simeon
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Day 4 - Meet the Charming Towns of Cambria & San Simeon
San Simeon offers a variety of activities, tours, and sightseeing locations for visitors to enjoy during their stay at one of the most beautiful destinations along the Central Coast. *See: https://visitsansimeonca.com/ Nearby Cambria is not to be missed! In fact, you will enter Cambria before San Simeon. Experience Cambria like never before by following a custom, curated itinerary designed around all of the things you love most. From drinks and dining to activities and adventures, you’ll find everything you need for a getaway full of memorable moments. *See: https://visitcambriaca.com/choose-your-itinerary/ Both towns are known for their wines too!
HIGHLIGHTS:
Visit Hearst Castle in San Simeon
Walk along Moonstone Beach in Cambria
Rent bicycles through Cambria
Have dinner at Robin's Restaurant in Cambria
DAY5
Carmel
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Monterey
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Day 5 - Get to Know Carmel-by-the-Sea & Monterey
Visit Carmel-by-the-Sea and discover one-of-a-kind experiences around every corner in this one-square mile village nestled along California's Central Coast. Whether you have a day – or two or three – Carmel-by-the-Sea will reward you with some of the world's finest scenery, historic sites, art galleries, restaurants, and boutique shops. *See: https://www.carmelcalifornia.com/ From the dramatic panoramas of Big Sur to the fairytale cottages of Carmel-by-the-Sea, these paths tie all of Monterey together, creating one big, epic journey. A visit to the iconic Monterey Bay Aquarium and a trip through time on historic Cannery Row merely scratch the surface of things to do on California's central coast. No matter what path you take, it’s sure to lead to inspiration. *See: https://www.seemonterey.com/
HIGHLIGHTS:
Take an early morning stroll along pristine Carmel Beach, ranked as one of the nation's cleanest
Tour the beautifully restored Carmel Mission, a historic landmark since 1771
People-watch at famed Hog's Breath Inn, the popular restaurant and bar once owned by Clint Eastwood.
Kids will love Monterey Bay Aquarium
Walk around Cannery Row
Head to the River Road Wine Trail in the Salinas Valley
DAY6
Santa Cruz
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Day 6 - Beach Vibes in Santa Cruz
In Santa Cruz County, the fun only begins at the beach. With over 14 state parks, wineries, museums, farmer’s markets, surfing, shopping, and family fun activities, there are plenty of things to do. Visit the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Roaring Camp Railroads, the Santa Cruz Wharf, the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, and other attractions that are quintessentially Santa Cruz County. Taste complimentary sparkling apple cider samples at the tasting bar at Martinelli’s Company Store. Try your hand at a you-pick farm, and gather seasonal strawberries, olallieberries, and apples. Pet a live shark at a local aquarium, say hello to a King Snake at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History across from Seabright State Beach. Want to experience the redwoods but are traveling with small children or grandparents? Hop aboard Roaring Camp Railroads and take an hour-long ride through a forest filled with majestic trees.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Ride the Giant Dipper Rollercoaster on the Boardwalk
Take the Roaring Camp Railroad train into Felton
Eat dinner at Shadowbrook Restaurant
DAY7
San Francisco
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Day 7 - Leave Your Heart in San Francisco
From the fog rolling under the Golden Gate Bridge to America’s only moving National Historic Landmark, San Francisco is home to some of the most iconic attractions in the world. What makes San Francisco one of the world's most compelling destinations? Its many icons. Recognized around the world as being synonymous with San Francisco, these seven legendary attractions should be at the top of any visitor's itinerary. Each has its own fascinating history, offers multiple visitor experiences, and will wow your friends and followers with their photogenic beauty. *See: https://www.sftravel.com/things-to-do/attractions/iconic-san-francisco
HIGHLIGHTS:
Drive across the Golden Gate Bridge
Visit Alcatraz Island
Ride a Cable Car
Walk around Fisherman's Wharf
Drive or Marvel at the World's Crookedest Street, Lombard Street
Visit Coit Tower
See The Painted Ladies - a gorgeous row of pastel houses with the most stunning views of SF
FINAL THOUGHTS
This 7-day itinerary captures the stunning coastline of California and why this state has so many people flocking to experience it! Summer would be busiest and Fall would be ideal. If you need help with any lodging, I can recommend and book for you!