Partington Cove Trail Hiking Overview

This day hike is doable for all ages.

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How to Get to Partington Cove Trail & Parking

From Monterey/Carmel to Partington Cove Trail

It’ll take 1 hour to drive 40 miles to the trailhead from Monterey (58 minutes for 37 miles from Carmel). You need to drive along Highway 1 southbound and the trailhead is on the right side. Click here to see the driving directions. 

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From Big Sur to Partington Cove Trail

If you’re starting from Big Sur, it’ll take only 18 minutes by car for 10.8 miles. When driving along Highway 1 southbound, the trailhead is on the right. Click for driving directions. 

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From San Simeon or Anywhere Southbound

It’ll take 1 hour 17 minutes to drive 54 miles from San Simeon to the trailhead. The drive will be going northbound on Highway 1 and the trailhead is on the left side. Check out the driving directions here.  

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Partington Cove Trail Parking

Parking is only along Highway 1, so you’ll see many parked cars close to the trailhead. Park your car as close as you can to the edge of the road so other cars can pass by. 

TIP: Don’t forget to lock your car and remove any valuable items in sight. 

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When To Hike Partington Cove Trail

You can visit this trail at any time of the day. There isn’t any signage about the opening and closing times at the entrance.

We stopped by this hike after 2:00pm and it was warm but had a slight ocean breeze. Bring water and a hat and wear sunscreen.

If you hike in the evenings or before sunrise, you must bring a handlamp. The trail does not have any lights. 

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What to Wear for the Hike

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What to Bring for the Hike

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What to Expect at Partington Cove Trail

Once you’ve parked your car, the entrance to the trail is easy to find. 

The trail starts off going downhill. Along the way, you’ll see some pretty wildflowers. 

Towards the bottom of the hill, the trail splits into two directions: 

Since the walk is short, you can do both. 

Note: Nearby the wooden tunnel, there is a forest area that you could walk through. We opted to skip this section as we wanted to see the ocean. 

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To Partington Cove & Tunnel

Going through the tunnel is a nice surprise. It’s cooler to walk through the tunnel. 

Once you’ve passed through, you walk next to Partington Cove and to an open cliffside area to see the ocean. Visitors can climb along the rocks to get closer to the edge of the water.

It’s such a pretty sight to see the clear blue waters and hang out on the rocks (they are sharp though!)

It’s not recommended to swim in the water as the currents are strong. 

There are benches if you want to rest and have a snack.  

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To Partington Point – The Rocky Beach Route

After completing the tunnel route, head back in the same direction and then turn left. It’s a short walk to the rocky beach, Partington Point. 

This beach doesn’t have any sand, so all pictures will take place on the rocks. Feel free to channel your “Little Mermaid” pose on the giant rocks! 

Since there aren’t as many benches here, it can be a shorter visit compared to the other tunnel route. 

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Return to the Car

Once you’re done visiting both sections, it’s time to head back to the car. It’s the same route as before, so it’s easy to return.

Going up will be a slight challenge since it’s uphill. You can do it! Take slow steps and go up slowly. It’ll be over before you know it. 

How to Get to Pfeiffer Beach

From Monterey or Carmel to Pfeiffer Beach 

It’ll take 56 minutes to travel 34 miles to Pfeiffer Beach from Monterey (52 minutes for 31 miles from Carmel). 

Drive along Highway 1 South until you pass by the Big Sur Station. Then, there will be a yellow sign, “Narrow Road – No pedestrian. No RVs and trailers.”

Note: It’s easier to find the sign when driving from Highway 1 South. 

Then, you’ll need to make a sharp right on Sycamore Canyon Road. Follow the road for 2 miles on the narrow road until you reach the beach parking lot. Click here to see the driving directions. 

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From San Simeon or Anywhere Southbound 

From San Simeon to Pfeiffer Beach, it’ll take 1 hour 40 minutes to travel 64 miles. 

Drive along Highway 1 North until you see the yellow sign and turn left into Sycamore Canyon Road. Then, follow the road as stated above. Click here to see the driving directions. 

TIP: There isn’t any reception here so download the driving directions to your phone ahead of time.

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Pfeiffer Beach Parking

Parking is not allowed outside of the beach area since Sycamore Canyon Road is very narrow. 

The cost to enter is $12 per car and is an all-day pass. Credit cards or cash (exact change) are accepted. 

You must leave the parking permit on the windshield dashboard of your car. 

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When To Visit Pfeiffer Beach

Pfeiffer Beach opens at 9:00am and closes at sunset daily. 

Due to the limited parking spots (about 60 spots), it’s highly recommended to get to the beach EARLY (before noon) and stay as long as you want. 

We went here twice due to a failed first attempt. We tried to go in the late afternoon around 4:00pm and were turned around near the road entrance. The parking lot was already full. 

We tried again the next morning after breakfast and made it! Once we left after 1:00pm, the park rangers set up a sign that the lot was full. 

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Top Highlights of Visiting Pfeiffer Beach

1. See purple sand on the dunes 

Once you enter Pfeiffer Beach, you’ll notice the purple sands on the sand dunes on the right side. It’s such a unique site to see the sand as they’re only on the dunes. The purple color is due to the erosion of manganese garnet from the hills. 

The purple sand blends in with the powdery white sand so the entire dune is not purple. Yet, it’s beautiful to see in person. We love how soft the sand is here. 

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2. Relax on the clean beach 

While the beach area isn’t large, there is plenty of space to relax and hang out for a few hours. We saw many children and families on their beach towels, mats, and hammocks. You can also have a picnic on the beach, but please remember to bring the trash with you. 

Walking on Pfeiffer Beach is allowed. You can also swim in the water, but the waves are rough and the water is often cold. 

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3. See the Keyhole Arch 

One of the coolest spots at Pfeiffer Beach is seeing a natural large rock with a giant hole at the bottom. The rock is surrounded by water, so it’s a pretty sight to see the waves pass through the arch. 

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4. Wander through the forest area 

If you continue to walk along the beach, there is a forest area with a short walking path. There isn’t a set hiking path, but it’s a quiet and shaded spot to get some nature and do some forest bathing. 

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5. See the sunset

We heard that the sunset is pretty at Pfeiffer Beach, especially to see the sun shine through the Keyhole Arch. Since we didn’t get a chance to visit the beach at sunset (due to the full parking lot), we’ll visit again in the future. 

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Other Things to Know About Pfeiffer Beach

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Where to Stay in Big Sur

If you plan to stay overnight in Big Sur, please reserve your accommodation as early as possible. The accommodation options are limited and on the pricier side (over $300/night). 

Find your perfect accommodation in Big Sur here. 

Here are some places to consider in Big Sur:

You can also consider staying in Monterey or Carmel for more affordable options. 

Click here for options in Monterey. 

Click here for Carmel’s accommodation options. 

Soberanes Canyon Trail Hiking Overview

This day hike is doable to complete for all ages.

• Challenging level: Easy to Moderate
• Distance: 2.5 to 3 miles round trip [The sign says 2.5 miles to complete]
• Time to complete: 1.5 to 2 hours round trip 
• Helpful tips: 
  • There are two portable toilets at the start of the trail. Please use these before hiking as there aren’t any other toilets along the trail.
  • As mentioned before, Rocky Ridge Trail is closed due to trail erosion and conditions.

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How to Get to Soberanes Canyon Trail

Soberanes Canyon Trailhead is between Big Sur and Carmel by the Sea so it’ll depend on your starting point for your California coastal road trip. It’s closer to Carmel though. 

The entrance to the trail is located right off Highway 1 at Gate 8, and across from the Garrapata State Park Bluff Trails. You can easily drive past it. Therefore, on Google Maps, search for “Soberanes Point Trail: Gate 8.”

Parking is a dirt lot in front of Gate 8. There is plenty of space for cars who want to visit the other nearby sites, Bluff Trails and Soberanes Point if they don’t want to hike. 

NOTE: Don’t forget to lock your car and remove any valuable items in sight. 

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From Carmel to Soberanes Canyon Trail

The distance is around 9 miles between Big Sur and Soberanes Canyon Trailhead and will take 15 minutes by car. 

The only way to get there is to travel along Highway 1 southbound. The destination is on the left. Click here for driving directions. 

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From Big Sur to Soberanes Canyon Trail

Big Sur is 17 miles away from the trail. It’ll take 25 minutes of driving to get there. 

Drive along Highway 1 northbound and the destination is on the right side. Click for driving direction.

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When To Hike Soberanes Canyon Trail 

You can visit this trail at any time of the day. There isn’t any signage about the opening and closing times at the entrance.

We started this hike at 1:30pm in July. It was warm outside but not too unbearable. As long as you have a hat, wear sunscreen, and bring water, you’re good to go!

If you hike in the evening, you must bring a handlamp. The trail does not have any lights. 

The trail is narrow and goes through the forest area, so we do not recommend visiting here when it’s raining.

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What to Wear for the Soberanes Canyon Hike

• Technical t-shirt – Wear a moisture-wicking t-shirt to absorb the sweat.
• Comfortable pants or shorts 
• Comfortable walking shoes – The trail isn’t too steep so hiking boots are not necessary. We wore Nike Free shoes and they were fine for the visit.
• Comfortable socks

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What to Bring for Soberanes Canyon Hike

• Backpack (optional) – You may not need to bring a backpack since the trail is short, yet it’s helpful to have on hand to hold snacks and water. Check out our favorite daypacks here: men’s day pack option / women’s day pack option.  
• Reusable Water Bottle – You must bring a water bottle as there aren’t any water fountains in the park. These are our favorite reusable water bottles to bring with us everywhere.
• Hat – The trail has a mix of sunny and shaded areas. Cover your head to protect yourself from the sun. Buy this hat.
• Sunscreen – Protect your skin from the sun. Check out this sunscreen.
• Sunglasses – Here are our favorite sunglasses.
• Headlamp (optional) – If you plan to hike at sunrise or sunset, then you’ll need a source of light.
• Travel Insurance documentation – If you’re flying into California to visit Monterey or Big Sur area, then it’s recommended to have travel insurance. You never know what may happen during your trip!

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Our Experience with Soberanes Canyon Trail

Soberanes Canyon Trail is a fun hike to do in the Big Sur area. Since we’ve seen some amazing coastal landscapes along the Pacific Coast Highway, it’s a nice change of scenery to see nature and greenery.

Parking is easy and plentiful in front of Highway 1 and Gate 8. The area is shaded so you’ll finish your hike with a cooled car. 

When entering the hiking trail, the first thing that you’ll see is a sign regarding the trail distance and the closure of the Rocky Ridge Trail. The sign says that the trail is 1.25 miles one-way. (Although, it took us a little longer than 1.25 miles one way according to our Strava data). 

We hope the Rocky Ridge Trail reopens in the future. We would love to come back and complete the full trail, supposedly over 7 miles for the full loop. 

At the entrance, you’ll see a few portable toilets. Don’t forget to use them before starting the trek. 

The hike is mostly flat with some uphills. In the beginning, the trail passes through a cacti garden. It’s random to see cacti as it’s only in this one particular area and on the hillside. 

Afterward, the landscape changes to summertime wildflowers. Since we visited in July, we saw pink and yellow wildflowers blooming everywhere. It’s a pretty spot to take photos. 

As a heads up, bees love this area since we saw many of them buzzing around and pollinating the flowers. As long as you don’t bother them, they won’t sting you. Just pass through the trail normally.

The second half of the trail is in the redwoods area. This area is a lot cooler as the redwood trees provided tons of shade. We passed by a dried up Soberanes Creek and it looked like you can go off the path to explore this area further. We saw a few people go off the path to the creek area, but we continued on the main path. 

We saw many trees fall down, and one giant trunk obstructed the path. All we needed to do is climb over it and continue.  

The end of the trail is a wide area inside the canyon in the forest area. You’ll see the same sign as at the beginning of the trail regarding the trail closure.

There aren’t any barriers continuing on the Rocky Ridge Trail. When you look further into the trail, there is dirt erosion so it’s not safe to continue. Hopefully, the trail gets fixed in the future, or maybe there will be steps built in the future. 

Anyway, the end of the trail doesn’t have any overlooks or viewpoints. It’s just the forest area, so it’s a bit underwhelming that the trail is done. 

You could extend the time longer to hang out and have a snack break, or turn around and return to the parking lot in the same direction. 

What we enjoyed about the trail is how quiet it is. We saw only a handful of people on the trail and not everyone finished the canyon. Therefore, we had the trail to ourselves! 

Big Sur Road Trip General Information & Travel Tips

How Many Days Should You Visit Big Sur? 

We suggest that your Big Sur itinerary includes at least 2 days, so it’s perfect for a weekend trip.  

The Big Sur area isn’t long and will take about 2 hours one way without stopping from Monterey/Carmel to the end of Big Sur, and then you’ll reach Ragged Point and San Simeon in San Luis Obispo County. 

There are many beautiful viewpoints and stops along the coastline so it’ll be impossible to just drive directly through Big Sur. You’ll want to take your time to drive along the coast and go hiking, hang out at the beach, and just awe at the landscape. 

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Can You Visit Big Sur in One Day? 

Yes, it is possible to do a day trip to Big Sur. 

You’ll need to strategically plan ahead of time which places to visit and stick with the schedule. Otherwise, you’ll get sidetracked when stopping by every single vista point and won’t have enough time.

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Which Way to Visit Big Sur – North or South?

It’s up to you whether you want to go northbound or southbound along Highway 1! There is no wrong or right way to do your Big Sur road trip. 

We started our trip from Carmel, nearby Monterey, and made our way south along Highway 1. 

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Best Time to Visit Big Sur 

Spring (March to May) has pleasant weather ranging from 65-70℉ (18-21℃). It’s the perfect temperature to go hiking and explore the outdoors.  

Summer (June to August) and fall season (September to November) are the popular times to visit Big Sur. It’s the dry season so there is little to no rain; although rain may occur in October and November. The temperatures range from 70-77℉ (21-25℃). 

Winter time (December to February) is the coldest time of the year with a high of 60℉ (15℃). Expect the most rain out of the year. If there is a rainstorm, avoid the campgrounds and the hiking trails. 

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Don’t Forget Travel Insurance.

We highly suggest that you get travel insurance for your trip, especially if flying into California.

Accidents happen and you may need to get medical attention. Or, your luggage is missing on arrival. Having travel insurance will help ease issues that may occur on the trip. 

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Preload Maps Ahead of Time. 

Cell phone reception and data are limited and mostly non-existence along Highway 1. You’ll only get reception in Monterey/Carmel or San Simeon. 

While driving along Highway 1 is easy and is one lane in the north and south directions, you’ll still want to have maps. 

TIP: Preloaded the maps for an “offline version” to your phone. Or, take screenshots of Google maps to use on the trip. 

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Save Your California State Park Day Use Ticket. 

If you plan to visit several California state parks along Highway 1, do not throw away your parking day-use ticket. You’re allowed to use the ticket at more than 1 park per day. 

Parking cost varies depending on vehicle size. Day use cost $10. Click here for the pricing list. Exact cash or credit cards are accepted as payment. 

Parks do not charge those who walk into the park or bicyclists.  

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How to Get to Big Sur

If you’re flying into California, then the closest airports to Big Sur will be San Jose (airport code: SJC) or San Francisco (airport code: SFO). 

If you’re starting from Southern California, then you’ll fly to Los Angeles (airport code: LAX).

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From San Francisco to Big Sur

It’s around 145 miles from San Francisco to Big Sur. The drive will take 2.5 hours. The best way to travel is by taking 101 South and then 1 South once you reach Monterey. Click for driving directions. 

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From San Jose to Big Sur

San Jose is 100 miles from Big Sur and will take 1 hour 50 minutes of driving. The fastest way is to take 101 South to 1 South. Click here for driving directions. 

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From Monterey to Big Sur

Many visitors stop by Monterey on their way to Big Sur. The distance between Monterey and Big Sur is 30 miles and will take 45 minutes. The only way to get there is to take Highway 1 Southbound. See driving directions here. 

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From Los Angeles to Big Sur 

Driving from Los Angeles to Big Sur is quite a distance between 300-365 miles depending on the route. The shortest route is to take 101 North to 1 North. Expect to take 5 hours 20 minutes to 6 hours of driving. See the driving route here. 

TIP: You may consider spending overnight in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Pismo Beach, Solvang, or San Simeon to break up the long drive. 

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How to Travel Around Big Sur

Driving a car is the only way to travel around Big Sur and the neighboring towns. You have more freedom to set your schedule and to enjoy the car ride. It’s very doable to drive along the roads. 

If you need to stop somewhere, pull over to the far right of the highway so other cars do not hit you. Some Big Sur stopping points have a designated parking lot. 

TIP: For travelers flying into California, reserve a car in advance. The summertime is considered a high peak season so car rentals may be limited. 

Another option is to ride a bicycle along Highway 1. The road conditions are smooth and ideal for riding a bicycle. The only thing to worry about is the cars driving fast and the hill climbs with curvy lanes. We saw a few solo riders doing this route. 

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Where to Stay in Big Sur & Nearby Areas

Places to Stay in Big Sur

Staying overnight in Big Sur would be a luxurious treat. Many of the places are resorts or lodges in the forest areas. 

As a heads up, the places aren’t cheap (over $400 per night) and need to be reserved way in advance, especially during summer. Check if there is a minimum stay requirement. 

Read reviews and check availability for accommodations in Big Sur here. 

Here are some places to consider in Big Sur:

• Big Sur River Inn
• Big Sur Lodge
• Fernwood Resort
• Alila Ventana – This is an adult-only lodge and a splurge-worthy place that is over $2,000 per night! 

Note: Since Big Sur has limited data signal, many places do not have wifi or any charging ports! If this is the case, bring a portable battery charger. 

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Consider staying in Carmel or Monterey for more budget-friendly options. Plus, you’ll have easier access to various restaurants and shops. 

Places to Stay in Carmel 

Carmel is about 26 miles (40 minutes drive) away from the heart of Big Sur, so it’s not too far to drive back to stay overnight somewhere. 

Find accommodations in Carmel here

Below are places to consider when staying in Carmel based on the high reviews. Expect to pay over $200-$400+ per night for a room. 

• The Getaway 
• Horizon Inn & Ocean View Lodge 
• Carriage House Inn
• Tradewinds Carmel

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Our Recommendation: Comfort Inn

We stayed at Comfort Inn Carmel by the Sea, located in the main Carmel area, for 2 nights and the experience was pleasant. 

Reserve a room at Comfort Inn Carmel here.

We had a room on the lower level and it was recently renovated. The room was clean and came with a mini fridge and mini coffee maker. The wifi was strong enough in our room.  

The walls are on the thinner side so you will hear neighbors and doors shutting. Bring earplugs if you’re sensitive to noise. 

Breakfast is included in the room cost and there was a nice spread of cereal, oatmeal, pastries, eggs, and sausage. You can even make your own Belgium waffles. 

The parking lot is small and fits smaller cars. There is free parking along Torres Street. 

We enjoyed how this place is within walking distance to many restaurants and boutique shops in Carmel. We ate at Flying Fish Grill and enjoyed the fresh sea bass entrees. 

You can also walk to Carmel Beach which is .6 miles away and will take 12-15 minutes. 

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Places to Stay in Monterey 

Monterey is only 4 miles (10 minutes drive) away from Carmel so it’s another good place to stay overnight. You may find more affordable accommodations in Monterey compared to Carmel. 

Click here for a list of Monterey accommodations. 

Here are some options to consider based on the high reviews. 

• Pacific Inn Monterey
• Monterey Bay Lodge
• Portola Hotel & Spa
• Marriott Monterey

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Map of Where to Go in Big Sur

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Top Places to Visit On Your Big Sur Road Trip 

Point Lobos State Nature Reserve

A visit to Point Lobos State Nature Reserve is a must-visit for any trip to Big Sur or if you’re visiting Monterey and Carmel only. 

Located at Carmel by the Sea, Point Lobos is a beautiful place to start or end your Big Sur road trip. We’ve been here two times and love it every time! 

Spend an hour or longer walking and hiking around the swoonworthy coastline and coves, seeing unique plants and foliage (such as laced lichen), and observing sea lions and seals basking on the rocks and beach at Sea Lion Point. 

No matter where you’re located, you’ll see the vibrant blue waters of the Pacific Ocean.    

Tip: When you enter the nature reserve, take a photo of the Point Lobos map. It outlines various hiking trails. Or, pay $2 at the entrance for a visitor’s guide/map. 

Wear your comfortable walking shoes as you may walk/hike longer than expected. We walked over 5 miles here! 

From the entrance, we took the route: Carmelo Meadow Trail – Granite Point Trail – Cabin Trail – North Shore Trail – Sea Lion Point Trail – Sand Hill Trail – Lace Lichen Trail. There were some uphills but they weren’t steep. 

We didn’t have a chance to visit the southern areas of Point Lobos. On a return trip, we’ll hike the southern trails to reach China Cove.  

If you get the chance to visit Whalers Cove on the north side of the nature reserve, check out the Whalers Cabin. Built by the Chinese fishermen, it’s now a history museum sharing more about the former abalone and whale industry in the area. 

If you don’t know where to walk, join a free guided walking tour. The nature reserve has guided walks on most days of the week. Get the chance to join a group and walk around different areas of the nature reserve and learn more about the history. Check out the schedule here. 

Parking: Vehicles pay $10 to park inside. Exact cash or credit cards are accepted for payment. 

If the parking lot is full or if you want a free option, you can park outside along Highway 1 Southbound. It’s normal to see a line of cars parked outside of the entrance and visitors walking a few minutes to enter Point Lobos.  

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Garrapata State Park Bluff Trails and Soberanes Point

Located in Garrapata State Park, Bluff Trails and Soberanes Point are two walking trails along the coastline. You’ll get to see the seasonal wildflowers and of course, the gorgeous blue waters. 

Bluff Trails is very flat and the path is easy to follow. It’s doable for those with young children. 

Soberanes Point has more hiking trail opportunities to wander through. 

Parking: Parking is along Highway 1. There is also Gate 8 dirt parking lot for Soberanes Canyon Trail and you can walk to either of these places. 

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Soberanes Canyon Trail

Nearby Bluff Trails and Soberanes Point is Soberanes Canyon Trail. It’s one of the hiking trails to conquer in Big Sur. You can skip the Bluff Trails and Soberanes Point if you prefer a nature trail or are pressed for time. 

The 2.5 to 3 miles out and back hiking trail is also located in the Garrapata State Park. 

The route is supposed to be over 7 miles and includes the Rocky Ridge Trail and a loop for Soberanes Canyon Trail but portions of the trail are closed due to poor conditions. 

The hike takes you through various beautiful landscapes such as the cacti garden on the hills, pink and yellow wildflowers with bees buzzing everywhere, and the quiet redwood forests. You’ll need to cross over a fallen redwood tree as you walk closer to the canyon. You will not get any coastal views here as you’re traveling inland. 

Once you reach the canyon, you’ll see the sign about the closure of the Rocky Ridge Trail; therefore, it’s the end of the trail. There aren’t any barriers to prevent you from continuing on the trail, but you can see mudslides and fallen tree branches on the steep areas of the trail. Do not risk the dangers!  

Read our Soberanes Canyon Trail Hiking Guide here

Parking: On Highway 1 North, there is a dirt parking lot for vehicles (referred to as Gate 8). The trail entrance is on the same side as the dirt lot.  

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Calla Lilly Valley

During the springtime, there is a walking spot along Highway 1’s Garrapata State Park that has wild white calla lilies in full bloom. The short walk leads to Garrapata Beach. 

We found out about this place from the Bay Area Hiker Facebook Group. 

During the summertime, the calla lilies are gone. Yet, there are wildflowers in the area to check out. 

We didn’t stop by this place but we’ll be back to check out this spot in the spring. 

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Rocky Creek Bridge

Constructed in 1932, Rocky Creek Bridge is a historic bridge with a cliffside view from Highway 1 Southbound. It’s a famous bridge that has one arch and is made with reinforced concrete. 

Rocky Creek is under the bridge, but the water level was low on our visit.  

There is a vista point to see the beach and ocean. Unfortunately, the property is private and there isn’t any way to walk down to the bottom of the cliff. 

Beware: This is not the iconic Bixby Bridge which is about a 1 mile away. Rocky Creek Bridge looks similar to Bixby Bridge.

Parking: From Highway 1 southbound, there is a small turnout for parking. 

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Bixby Bridge 

Bixby Bridge is one of the most photogenic spots along your Big Sur road trip. Whenever you see photos or souvenirs of Big Sur, this is the place!

Built in 1932, this historic bridge is similar to the Rocky Creek Bridge with one arch reinforced by concrete. The bridge overlooks the Pacific Ocean and has Bixby Creek under it. 

There are two views that you can get of the Bixby Bridge. First is the view from Highway 1 South with the arch, cliffside, and ocean. Second is from the northeast side where you get the arch along with the ocean in the background. 

Which one is better? We loved both of them and they provide different perspectives of the bridge. 

Note: The bridge gets very crowded so be patient with the photo opportunity. 

Parking: When going southbound on Highway 1, there is a small turnout right before crossing the bridge and a few cars can park there. There is a dirt lot across the turnout and visitors walk across to view the other side of the bridge. 

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Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is where you can easily spend a few days here to go camping and hiking. 

Camping needs to be reserved at least 6 months in advance, especially in the high peak season. 

As for hiking, there are various trails and distances ranging from .50 to 8 miles round trip. The longer and more adventurous trail, Pine Ridge Trail, is 23 miles one-way. 

Unfortunately, we didn’t have a chance to visit Big Sur State Park this time. It’s on the bucket list to visit Big Sur River Gorge and swim/walk through the peaceful gorge. 

Parking: There are a few parking lots for day-use visits and costs $10 per vehicle. 

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Pfeiffer Beach

In the heart of Big Sur is Pfeiffer Beach. It’s a hidden beach spot to spend a few hours or the whole day. We saw many families hanging out on the beach and having picnics. 

Check out the unique purple sand on the dunes. It’s worth the visit to see this since we haven’t seen it anywhere else. 

Keyhole Rock, an arch in a giant rock, is a photogenic spot to see the waves pass through. 

You can also walk along the beach and see the waves pass by. The waves are rougher here so you may not want to swim in the water. 

TIP: We suggest that you visit this beach early – either in the morning or before noon. Once the parking lot is full, cars cannot go down the road to the beach. We had to go here twice since we couldn’t enter in the late afternoon on the first day.

Read our Pfeiffer Beach Guide here

To Get Here: You can easily miss the road to enter the beach since there isn’t any signage.

To find the beach entrance, you must find the yellow sign, “Narrow Road – No pedestrian. No RVs and trailers” and turn into the street. It’s easier to spot coming from Highway 1 Southbound.

Then you drive 2 miles on a narrow and windy road until you get to the parking lot.  

Parking: The parking lot is small and holds 65 vehicles so you need to get here early. Cost is $12. Exact cash or credit card is accepted for payment. 

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Partington Cove Trail

Partington Cove, a part of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, is one of the best hikes to do in Big Sur. 

It’s a short 1-mile round trip hike that gives you beautiful views of the coastline. It’s mostly flat with only the start/end of the trail with a slight hill.

The hiking route splits to two routes – one goes through a wooden tunnel to the coast and another goes to a rocky beach.

The two routes aren’t marked but you can follow them both and they’ll lead you to the waters. If you have the time, check out both of them as they provide different views of the coast. 

For us, we prefer the view after going through the tunnel. There is a cove and the area has nice contrasting views of the rocks with trees. 

Read our Partington Cove Trail Hiking Guide here

Parking: There is only parking along Highway 1.  

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McWay Falls

McWay Falls is one of the pretty waterfalls in North America to check out. Located in the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, McWay Falls is an 80-meter waterfall that flows onto a secluded beach and to the ocean.

It’s easy to get to the there is a flat and easy walking path from inside the park that takes you to a viewing platform. There isn’t any way to walk directly to the beach and waterfall. 

Do not attempt to see the waterfall from Highway 1. The view will be terrible. It looks like there used to be a shortcut from Highway 1 to the viewing platform but that has been sealed off. 

While the waterfall has cascades all year round, the falls are very small, especially from the viewing platform. Therefore, it’s a very short visit here. 

Parking: This state park has self-parking only. There isn’t a staff member at the entrance, but there is a box to add your payment. The cost is $10 per vehicle. Please be honest and support the state park if you do park here! 

You can also park along Highway 1 Northbound for a free option. Parking will be tight. Watch for cars before opening the doors. 

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Limekiln State Park

This state park was on our list of places to visit to go visit the Limekiln Waterfall, but all trails are closed due to the 2020 Dolan Fire. 

Currently, the campgrounds and beach are open to the public, so there are options if you want to visit!

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Ragged Point & Ragged Point Trail

When heading northbound on Highway One, Ragged Point is considered the starting point to Big Sur. It’s only 15 miles away from San Simeon. 

At Ragged Point, stop to get something to eat, stay overnight at the inn, and refuel on gas.

If you aren’t tired from the day, hike the Ragged Point Trail. It’s a short .80 mile round trip hike that leads to Ragged Point Beach. It’s a bit steep in some areas but has some incredible views of the oceanside.

There is supposedly a waterfall called Black Swift Waterfall, but we saw a thin stream of water. 

Parking: There is a parking lot for guests. 

Ragged Point Trail/Black Swift Waterfall Hiking Overview

This day hike is doable to complete in less than an hour. You can stay longer if you want to hang out on the Ragged Point beach.  

• Challenging level: Easy to Moderate
• Distance: .75 miles round trip
• Elevation: 322 feet (according to Strava)
• Time to complete: 30 minutes to 1 hour
• Helpful tips: 
  • Use the bathroom before you arrive at the trail as there aren’t any along the trail.
  • Wear shoes with traction. Hiking poles will be helpful but they’re optional. 
  • Children can do this trail but need to be very careful in slippery and muddy areas. 

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How to Get to Ragged Point Trail

Ragged Point Trail is between Big Sur and San Simeon so it’ll depend on your starting point for your California coastal road trip. 

The trail is located in the back of the Ragged Point Inn and Restaurant area, so park in the guest parking lot and go from there. 

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From Big Sur to Ragged Point Trail 

The distance is around 50 miles between Big Sur and Ragged Point Trail and will take 1 hour and 15 minutes by car. 

The easiest way is to travel southbound on Highway 1 to get to Ragged Point. The destination is on the right. Click here for driving directions. 

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From San Simeon to Ragged Point Trail 

San Simeon is closer to Ragged Point than Big Sur. The distance is only 15 miles away and will take 20 minutes of driving. 

Drive along Highway 1 northbound and the destination is on the left. Click for driving direction. 

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When To Hike Ragged Point Trail

This hiking trail is open at any time of the day. The sign at the beginning of the trail didn’t mention any opening and closing times. 

We started this hike at 5:00pm at July so the sun was still out. 

If you hike this trail at night, you must bring a handlamp. The trail does not have any lights. 

We do not recommend hiking this trail when it’s rainy or if the trail is muddy. There are some steep areas with no handrails so you will slip and fall. 

As mentioned earlier, we did not see a waterfall on the trail as we visited during the summertime. There may be larger waterfall cascades during the rainy season in wintertime.

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What to Wear for the Ragged Point Hike

• Technical t-shirt – Wear a moisture-wicking t-shirt to absorb the sweat.
• Comfortable pants or shorts 
• Comfortable walking shoes with traction or trail running shoes – Hiking boots are not needed but you can wear them if you feel more comfortable. Justin wore Nike Free shoes while I wore Altra trail running shoes. You’ll want to have shoes with traction. Buy Altra Superior Men Shoes or Altra Superior Women Shoes here. 
• Comfortable walking socks or moisture-wicking socks 

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What to Bring for the Ragged Point Hiking

• Backpack (optional) – Since this hike is short, it’s not necessary to bring a backpack, yet it’ll be easier to hold snacks, water bottles, and other necessities. Plus, you can be hands-free. Check out our favorite daypacks here: men’s day pack option / women’s day pack option.  
• Reusable Water Bottle – Stay hydrated during your hike and use a reusable water bottle. There aren’t any water fountains along the trail. These are our favorite reusable water bottles to bring with us everywhere.
• Hat – The trail does not have any shade so protect yourself from the sun. Buy this hat.
• Sunscreen – Protect your skin from the sun. Check out this sunscreen.
• Sunglasses – Here are our favorite sunglasses.
• Hiking poles (optional) – You may need these for extra stability along the trail. We love to use these poles. 
• Headlamp (optional) – If you plan to hike at sunrise or sunset, then you’ll need a source of light. 

• Beach gear – If you want to hang out on the beach, then prepare your beach essentials such as towels and swimsuits.

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Our Experience Hiking Ragged Point (Black Swift Falls) Trail

Ragged Point Trail was the last hiking trail of our Big Sur 2-day itinerary and it was a memorable one. 

We did the hike in mid-July and started the hike around 5:00pm so the sun shined brightly. The weather was warm but slightly cool due to the coastal breeze. 

After parking our car in front of Ragged Point Inn and Restaurant, tightening our shoes, and walking to the back of the complex, we reached this ominous sign at the start of the trail. 

While the sign didn’t deter us, it was a good reminder to be careful of the trail conditions for any hike. 

The beginning of the trail had a wooden staircase (20-30 steps) and then the rest of the narrow trail was on the dirt. Expect to go downhill to reach the ocean. 

Some parts of the trail were steep, slightly muddy, and required short sideways steps. Just take your time and do not rush. These areas are where the hiking poles would be helpful. 

Along the way, we passed by yellow wildflowers and had gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean. The beach got closer and closer as we headed down. 

When we were close to the bottom of the trail, it was scrambling time! 

The easiest way to get to the beach was to walk and climb down on giant boulders and rocks and cross wooden planks to navigate down to the beach area. The experience wasn’t too bad but just be careful to get the proper footing. 

The view of the ocean was beautiful and peaceful. We watched the ocean pass by on one of the rocks. 

The secluded beach was small. It’s possible to stay longer to hang out there, but you would need to watch the waves as they get closer to land. 

Once we finished soaking in the beauty of the area, it was time to head back up the rocks. The trail is the same to return to the parking lot. We decided to take the adventurous (not a shortcut) way and climb up along the wall. 

We passed by what we think is the Black Swift Waterfall, but it was just a dribble. 

During our visit, we saw 6 hikers on the trail. Not many, but at least the trail was very quiet.

How to Get to San Simeon, California

San Simeon is along the central coastline on Highway 1 between San Franciso and Los Angeles. The two mid-size cities closest to San Simeon are Monterey and San Luis Obispo. 

From Monterey to San Simeon

Drive your car along Highway 1 South for 94 miles. Without stopping, it’ll take 2 hours and 20 minutes. Click here for driving directions. 

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From San Luis Obispo to San Simeon

The easiest way to get to San Simeon from San Luis Obispo is to take Highway 1 North for 42 miles. It’ll take 45 minutes to get there. Click for driving directions. 

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From San Francisco to San Simeon

San Simeon is 240 miles away from San Francisco. You’ll need at least 3 hours 45 minutes to drive one way. Since the distance is far, you’ll want to stay overnight in San Simeon to enjoy the California road trip.  

The best way to get here is by taking 101 South for 200 miles, taking 46 West, and then heading to Highway 1 North. Click to see the driving directions. 

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From Los Angeles to San Simeon

San Simeon is 230 miles from Los Angeles and will take 4-hours to drive. It’s best to stay in San Simeon for the evening since it’s a long drive. 

Take 101 North to 154 West and then get back on 101 North to 1 North. Click here for more details on the directions. 

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How Long Do You Need for a San Simeon Day Trip?

It’s recommended to spend a half day to a full day in San Simeon, depending on your time. 

Even if you have only a few hours, it’s worth the visit to San Simeon.

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Map of San Simeon Attractions

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Things to Do in San Simeon for a Day Trip

1. Take a tour of Hearst Castle. 

San Simeon’s famous attraction is Hearst Castle. 

William Randolph Hearst, a well-known newspaper publisher, built this gorgeous estate on top of a hill between 1919 to 1947. With the help of Julia Morgan, the architect, they created multiple buildings and guesthouses, with the largest main building called Casa Grande. 

Hearst Castle hosted many parties with celebrities and high-profile guests. Everyone stayed overnight at the estate surrounded by rare artifacts, paintings, artwork, sculptures, and even unique ceilings. 

As of 1957, Hearst Castle is a part of the California State Park where visitors take a 1-hour tour of the estate. The tour is required and includes a round-trip bus ride from the ticket area to the estate and a tour guide. 

Note: During your ride, you may see a handful of zebras grazing on the grass with the cows. 

There are 9 tours to take, such as Grand Rooms, Upstairs Suites, Cottages and Kitchen, Julia Morgan, Designing the Dream, Art of San Simeon, Hearst and Hollywood, Holiday Twilight, and Evening Tour. 

The Grand Room is a recommended tour to take for first-time visitors. The tour includes 40+ people so it is large, yet you go through the main rooms such as the Assembly, Billiards, Theater, Neptune Pool (the featured photo of this post), and Roman Pool. 

Otherwise, any of the other tours provide greater insights into Hearst Castle’s history. The groups are smaller so you can ask more questions to the tour guide. 

We recently took the Upstairs Tours and had a fantastic time. We had the chance to see two libraries with beautiful decor of Greek vases and first-edition books. Our tour guide gave us a sneak peek of the kitchen even though it wasn’t a part of the tour.   

Once you’re done with the tour, consider watching the 45-minute documentary, Hearst Castle – Building the Dream, in the theater. It’s free with admission. 

Tips: Wear walking shoes. Bottled water is allowed on the tour. 

Address: 750 Hearst Castle Rd, San Simeon, CA 93452

Admission Cost: $30 for Adults, $15 for Children for most tours. Specialty tours are $35-$100 for Adults and $20-$100 for Children. 

It’s recommended to buy the tickets ahead of time so you can your preferred time slot. Buy tickets here. Otherwise, you can buy them on the day of your visit. 

If you want to do more than 1 tour, you’ll need to buy them separately. 

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2. Visit the William Randolph Hearst Memorial Beach/Hearst State Beach. 

Right across from the Hearst Castle is the William Randolph Hearst Memorial Beach/Hearst State Beach. It’s a good spot to rest after your visit from Hearst Castle.

There is a beach to relax and swim in. Take a walk along the pier for another view of the ocean. You can also have a picnic here. 

For adventurous visitors, there is a 4-mile round trip San Simeon Point hiking trail. 

Address: 750 Hearst Castle Rd, San Simeon, CA 93452

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3. Awe at the Elephant Seals at the Elephant Seal Vista Point. 

One of the coolest spots in San Simeon is seeing tons of northern elephant seals lying on the beach and playing at Elephant Seal Vista Point. 

Elephant seals are large seals where the males have long noses that look like an elephant. These seals are HUGE – males can weigh up to 5,000 pounds, females 900-1,800 pounds. 

This vista point has a well-maintained walking path with signage that has fun facts about these animals. There are two areas to check out the elephant seals – far left and far right (when entering the parking lot). The far right section tends to have more. 

You can visit this spot at any time throughout the year. Each month varies with the elephant seal lifecycle. January and February have the most births so you’ll see many pups on the beach. We visited in July and November and noticed the difference in weight for these seals.

You’ll love seeing them living a good life of sleeping, relaxing, and doing seal stuff. You may see the adult males fighting with each other. 

Depending on the time of your visit, volunteers walk around, greet the visitors, and provide a wealth of knowledge about the seals. Feel free to ask them any questions. 

Tip: This area is super windy. Wear a light jacket if you get cold. 

If you want to further support the elephant seals, check out the Elephant Seals Visitor Center (250 San Simeon Avenue, Suite 5A, San Simeon) for information and to buy souvenirs. 

Address: Along Highway 1 (5.2 miles away from Hearst Castle, 2 miles from Piedras Blancas Light Station). There are many signs along Highway 1 leading up to the vista point so you won’t miss it. 

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4. Visit Piedras Blancas Light Station. 

Who loves visiting lighthouses? 

Piedras Blancas Light Station was built in 1875 and the lighthouse was 100 feet tall. Due to the earthquakes over the years, the lighthouse received damage. It’s been recently restored and is shorter than before at 70 feet tall. 

In the past, the lighthouse helped sailors navigate the ocean. 

To learn more about the lighthouse and its history, take a 2-hour tour. Since the light station is not opened every day, you must check the schedule and book your tour in advance. 

We didn’t have a chance to visit this place as the day of our San Simeon visit did not coincide with the opening dates. We hope to visit this place in the future!

Address: 15950 Cabrillo Hwy, San Simeon, CA 93452

Admission Cost: $10 Adults, $5 Children (6-17 years), Free under 5 years old. Buy tickets here. 

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5. Explore the cute town of Cambria.

Cambria is the neighboring town of San Simeon and you can easily drive through it along Highway 1.

Main Street is fun to walk through with modern and Victorian historic buildings. There are boutique shops and restaurants.

We recommend trying Robin’s Restaurant for delicious Asian and South American fusion cuisine. We recommend trying Robin’s Restaurant for delicious Asian and South American fusion cuisine. We tried Moqueca (Brazillian seafood stew), misoyaki butterfish, and truffle fries.

Other stops include Moonstone Beach and Fiscalini Ranch Reserve for walking trails.

Cambria also has places to stay overnight if you’re interested. Find the perfect accommodations in Cambria here. 

Address: Along Highway 1 – About 9 miles (13 minutes) from central San Simeon

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6. Visit Ragged Point. 

About 15 miles away (20 minutes) from San Simeon is Ragged Point. It’s a small town that people stop by along their way to or from Big Sur. 

Here, you can order food, buy snacks and gifts, and refuel your car’s gas tank. (Just know that the gas is higher than the other nearby towns). Staying overnight at the Ragged Point Inn & Resort is also another option. 

For the hikers, consider taking the .75-mile round trip hiking trail, Ragged Point Trail which leads to the ocean and small beach. The hike is slightly steep so you’ll need to trek down slowly. It can be muddy, so do not attempt it if it’s raining. 

Check out our Ragged Point Trail guide here.

Address: 19019 CA-1, Ragged Point, CA 93452

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Where to Stay in San Simeon, California

If you decide to stay overnight at San Simeon, there are a few motels and hotels to consider. Many are only 4.5 miles away from Hearst Castle so they’re conveniently located. 

Check out San Simeon’s accommodations here. 

Here are some San Simeon accommodations to check out based on high reviews: 

• Quality Inn San Simeon (Check out our opinion below)
• Morgan Hotel San Simeon 
• Cavalier Oceanfront Resort 

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Our Recommendation

We stayed one night at the Quality Inn San Simeon. It’s an older place, yet we had a pleasant stay. 

We had a corner room so it was a HUGE size. There was so much space. It had a king room with a view of the courtyard. The room also included a desk, mini fridge, mini bar counter, bathroom, and a fireplace. (The fireplace is lovely to warm up the room during a cold evening!)

Breakfast is included in the room and is available in the dining area next to the check-in area. The offerings include eggs, sausages, make-your-own Belgium waffles, pastries, cereal, etc. It’s a decent spread. Plus, having breakfast here will save you money. 

In the afternoon, the check-in area has coffee, tea, and cookies for guests.

Free parking is available. At check-in, the hotel asks for the car license plate number and car model. 

The cost was higher probably due to the summertime travel. We paid a total of $180. 

Book a room at Quality Inn San Simeon here. 

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Final Thoughts on a San Simeon Stopover

Your one day in San Simeon will go by quickly! Hope you’re inspired to visit this small town when traveling along California’s Pacific coastline. Feel free to stop by any vista points along the way in San Simeon and enjoy the views. 

If you need ideas on other places to visit along Highway 1, check out the blog posts: 

• San Luis Obispo Weekend Itinerary
• Hike Mount Madonna in San Luis Obispo
• Hike Bishop Peak in San Luis Obispo
• Pismo Beach in 1 Day
• Visit Oceano Sand Dunes near Pismo Beach

Which place would you like to visit in San Simeon? Let us know in the comments below. 

How to Get to San Diego

Since we’re coming from the Bay Area, San Diego is quite a distance to travel. Here are some transportation options to take to get to San Diego for your weekend getaway. 

By Car – If you’re planning to do multiple stops along the way, then driving a car is the way to go. It’ll take 7-8 hours of driving one-way from San Francisco or San Jose, and without any breaks. Since that is a long time on the road, adding a stop halfway to rest or spend the night is recommended.  

By Plane – From San Francisco (airport code: SFO) to San Jose (SJC) to San Diego (SAN), it’s a 1.5-hour plane ride one-way. After your plane ride, you’ll need to rent a car or utilize a ride-hailing option to travel around the city.  

By Train – Amtrak has two stations in San Diego – Old Town Transportation Center (OLT) or Santa Fe Depot (SAN). From San Francisco to San Diego, it’ll take 12 to 15 hours one-way depending on the time of departure. Since there isn’t a direct line, there is a transfer partway through the ride. The cost of the ride starts at $70 (coach seating) and $90 (business seating). 

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How to Travel Around San Diego

By Car – Since San Diego is a large city, it’s best to have a car. Rental cars are available if landing at the San Diego International Airport. With the car, you have more control over your schedule. 

By Bus or Trolley – San Diego’s Metropolitan Transit System has a network of buses and trolleys that travels throughout the city. Use this trip planner to figure out where to go. 

From the airport to Old Town, there is a free airport shuttle called San Diego Flyer. Check out more here. 

By Ride-Hailing – Uber and Lyft are available in San Diego. 

If you’re arriving from the San Diego International Airport, these two ride-hailing companies are available. Click here to read more on Uber pick-up or Lyft pick-up. 

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Things to Do on a Weekend in San Diego

San Diego is a large city with different areas so figuring out what to do will depend on your interest. 

We took a low-key and relaxed approach when exploring the city with our friends. Therefore, there isn’t a jam-packed itinerary like what we usually share.

1. Spend the day in La Jolla.

La Jolla is a popular place to hang out for some gorgeous views of the coastline, beaches, and swimming. There are also plenty of opportunities to wander around the streets to check out the art galleries and souvenir shopping. 

Walking around the La Jolla Coast Boulevard/La Jolla Cove area is a great starting point to see the picturesque ocean views. The walking path is flat and has stopping points for Shell Beach, Boomer Beach, and La Jolla Cove. The beaches are a popular weekend spot so it will be crowded. 

La Jolla Cove is also a good spot to practice scuba diving. We saw a few people with scuba diving gear. There are a few seals and sea lions who hang out in this area. They’ll swim around and relax on the rocks. 

**Do not approach the wildlife. We saw a few people getting close to a seal who was on a rock and it was very vocal about people getting too close. 

Other fun experiences include learning how to surf, go kayaking, and visit a cave. Check out the Sunny Jim Caves (the starting point is at the Cave Store.) We, unfortunately, didn’t have time to visit but this will be on the to-do list for the next visit. 

There are tons of restaurants to eat at in this area. We tried Bobboi Natural Gelato for delicious gelato. 

We also tried a small pop-up shop called Bunny Chow for South African food. The menu was simple with lamb, beef, chicken, vegetarian, vegan curry, and optional in a bread bowl. The curries had lots of flavors and the owner was friendly. 

**Note: It looks like Bunny Chow has moved to a permanent location at 7128 Miramar Rd #1, San Diego.

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2. Wander through in Balboa Park.

Balboa Park is easily one of the best places to visit in San Diego on your weekend trip. Established in 1835, Balboa Park has 17 museums, the famous San Diego Zoo, gardens, walking paths, and beautiful architecture to explore. The park is huge so you can spend half a day to a full day wandering around. 

One of the photogenic spots to visit is the Lily Pond. It’s located across from the Botanical Building (which was closed on our visit). There are a few koi fish swimming but most people just hang out around here. Also, check out the incredible Casa del Prado buildings for the intricate architectural details.

Depending on your visit, there may be street vendors selling arts and crafts or snacks along the Plaza de Panama Fountain area. The fresh churros stuffed with look delicious. 

For more fun in Balboa Park, take a walking tour or go on a scavenger hunt. 

The San Diego Zoo borders Balboa Park and does a lot of conservation work for wildlife. While you’re here, check out the botanical gardens, take a guided bus tour, and see the majestic wildlife. It’s a fantastic place to spend the day in San Diego, especially for those with children and families. 

You can also visit the sister site, Safari Park, in Escondido for more fun. 

Click here for 1-day discounted tickets to San Diego Zoo. 

Click here for 2-day discounted tickets to San Diego Zoo and Safari Park. 

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3. Go hiking. 

We love hiking and San Diego and the neighboring cities have a few hiking trails to conquer. Mission Trails Regional Park in San Diego has over 65 miles of trails to explore. For those who love conquering peaks, check out 3-miles Cowles Mountain Trail to reach the peak at 1,592 feet high. 

The Potato Chip Rock on Mount Woodson’s peak is a popular hike in Ramona. It’s an Instagram-worthy spot for the thin chip-shaped rock ledge. 

As a heads up, you’ll need to start hiking early in the morning to avoid the heat and humidity. Don’t forget to stay hydrated and bring lots of water with you. 

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4. Eat Mexican food.  

Food is an important part of a trip. Whenever we go to San Diego, we love to eat Mexican food. Eating tacos and burritos is high on the list. 

We’re used to eating Mission-style burritos in the Bay Area and we miss the California style with no rice and includes french fries. 

We love eating at Lolita’s Mexican Food. There have 7 locations in the San Diego area and we stopped by the Kearny Mesa location. There are a variety of options from burritos, tacos, chimichangas, tortas, quesadillas, and much more. We ordered a large Tsunami fries (carne asada with grilled shrimp, guacamole, sour cream, and cheese) which is enough for sharing. We also had a shrimp and fish taco (these were huge). 

Another favorite of ours is Roberto’s Taco Shop for the tacos. The restaurant has expanded to over 60 locations in the San Diego area and Nevada. Check out the menu here. 

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5. Explore Old Town. 

San Diego’s Old Town is a historical area with museums, buildings, shopping, and restaurants. The area is home to the Old Town Historical Area. Learn about how the city of San Diego started and see what life was like in the early days at the historical buildings. 

To take a tour of this area, consider taking the Hop On, Hop Off trolley. It passes by 100 landmarks in San Diego and Coronado Island and you can explore at your own pace. Click here to buy tickets. 

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6. Visit the Maritime Museum. 

Want to learn more about historical sea vessels? Consider visiting the Maritime Museum. It’s considered one of the best three Maritime Museums to visit around the world. 

You get the chance to walk on restored ships and submarines (at the time of publication, the submarines are not accessible due to the pandemic). It’s a fun place for children to learn and explore what life was like on a ship.

Buy tickets to the Maritime Museum here. 

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7. Visit Julian as a day trip. 

Julian is a former mining town and a fun day trip from San Diego. It’s only 1 hour away from San Diego. 

The historic main town is small, yet walkable. There are plenty of souvenir shops and restaurants here. If you visit the Visitor Center, they’ll have information on a DIY walking tour of the town to visit historical sites.

The best part about visiting Julian is eating a slice of warm apple pie and drinking apple cider. Try the pies from Julian Pie Company or Mom’s Pie House. You can also bring back a whole pie with you to enjoy at home. 

If you have the chance, consider taking a mining tour. We went to Eagle Mining Company and enjoyed learning about the history, panned for gold, and went inside an actual mine. 

Learn more about what to do in Julian in one day here. 

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Where to Stay in San Diego

San Diego has many places to stay depending on your preference and budget. As a heads up, 

Click here to see the availability and reviews of accommodations in San Diego. 

We stayed over at our friends’ house, but here are some recommended places to stay based on the reviews. 

• TownPlace Suites by Marriott San Diego Downtown – Visitors enjoy the location in Downtown San Diego. Breakfast is also included in the price. Price is around $220/night for 2 person occupancy. Click here to reserve a room. 

• The Lafayette Hotel – This place is about a 5-minute drive from Balboa Park/San Diego Zoo. Visitors love the location and access to the pool. The cost is $140/night for 2 person occupancy. Book your room here. 

• California Dreams Hostel – If you need the beach view, check out the California Dreams Hostel. It’s next to Pacific Beach. Since San Diego has some expensive accommodation options, this place is a cheaper option with individual rooms or a shared dormitory. Breakfast is included in the cost. Dormitory cost $40/night while a room cost $125/night for 2 person occupancy. Click here to book a room.

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Where to Eat in San Diego

We mentioned some places above for Mexican food. Here are some other places that we tried and would recommend if you’re in the area. 

• Aladdin Cafe – This restaurant serves delicious Mediterranean food. The menu has salads, wraps, pizzas, grilled meats such as shawarmas, Turkish tajine, and more. There are plenty of vegetarian items too. As a heads up, the portions are HUGE so you will need to share with another person or take the leftovers home. 

This place is located in an unassuming spot along Clairement Mesa Boulevard. There is indoor and outdoor seating.

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• Broken Yolk Cafe – San Diego has some yummy brunch places and Broken Yolk Cafe needs to be on the list. There are traditional all-American breakfast meals or go lighter with healthier options. The menu has vegetarian-friendly and lunch options. 

This place is a chain and has locations in Southern California, Nevada, Florida, Idaho, and Texas. 

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• Somi Somi – If you love taiyaki, a fish-shaped waffle, and soft service ice cream, then you need to try Somi Somi. The taiyaki is a sweet crispy waffle and has a choice of filling such as custard, Nutella, and red bean. The ice cream flavors vary depending on availability such as matcha (green tea), ube (purple yam), and black sesame. 

Our friends introduced us to Somi Somi and we’ve been hooked. This place has expanded to other locations across California, Washington, Texas, and Nevada. We even found one at Westfield Mall in Santa Clara which is close to our house!

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Final Thoughts

Who wants to go to San Diego now? You’ll love the opportunity to explore the best of San Diego on a weekend or when you have 2-3 days. Enjoy your time here. 

If you have any questions, please ask one in the comment section below.

Featured photo credit: sepavone via Depositphotos.com

Mount Madonna Hiking Overview

This Mount Madonna day hike is doable to complete in a few hours depending on the trail that you choose. 

• Challenging level: Easy to Moderate 
• Distance: 2 to 6+ miles round trip
• Elevation: 1,270 feet (387 meters)
• Time to complete: 1 to 2+ hours round trip depending on the trail
• Helpful tips: 
  • Use the bathroom before you arrive at the trail. We didn’t see any bathrooms at the beginning of the hiking trail. 
  • At the beginning of the trail, there is a map. Take a photo of the map so you can see where to go. 
  • Dogs are allowed here. We saw a dog on a leash on this trail.

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How to Get There

There are two places to start the hiking trails – Charles A and Mary R Maino Open Space or Laguna Lake Park Open Space.

From Downtown to Charles A and Mary R Maino Open Space 

To find the trailhead from Charles A and Mary R Maino Open Space, type “Marsh Street Parking Lot” in Google Maps. 

From Downtown to the parking lot, take Marsh or Higuera Street and head towards 101-South. You’ll cross the freeway underpass and then see a sharp right opening before going on 101-South. This is where you’ll turn on Fernandez and park in the parking lot. (If you miss the opening, you can get off of the next exit and turn around.) Click here to see the driving directions. 

*Note: You can walk here from the Downtown SLO area and there is a sidewalk that leads to the parking lot. 

**There are a few bike racks to park your bike here.

From the parking lot, you can connect to the following trails:

• Lemon Grove Loop – It’s estimated to be 2.1 miles round trip with total climbing of 420 feet (128 meters) – Easiest route and great for beginners!
• M Trail – This trail is 2.6 miles round trip with total climbing of 640 feet (195 meters)
• M Trail to the Madonna Peak – This trail is over 5 miles round trip. (We took this trail after going partially on Lemon Grove Loop.)

From Downtown to Laguna Lake Park Open Space

There is a trail that connects to the peak of Mount Madonna with the starting location at the Laguna Lake Park Open Space. Input “Laguna Lake Park” or 504 Madonna Rd into Google Maps. 

From Downtown to this parking lot, take Higuera Street and then continue on Madonna Road. The parking lot will be off of Madonna Road. Click to see the driving directions. 

From here, you can take a trail that connects to the peak of Mount Madonna. Mountain bikers take this trail. 

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When To Hike Mount Madonna

Mount Madonna is open one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset. If it’s still dark outside, don’t forget to bring headlamps for safety. 

You can do the hike at any time of the day. It does get warm in the afternoon so you may consider hiking in the early morning or late afternoon. We did the hike in November and after 2:00pm so the weather was still warm for us. The average temperatures can reach 65-80℉ throughout the year. 

The hiking trail is open and wide so it’s a great spot for social distancing. 

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What to Wear for the Mount Madonna Hike

• Technical t-shirt – Wear a moisture-wicking t-shirt to absorb the sweat.
• Comfortable hiking pants or shorts 
• Comfortable walking shoes or trail running shoes – Hiking boots are not needed. Just a comfortable pair of walking or trail running shoes. We wore Altra trail running shoes. Buy Altra Superior Men Shoes or Altra Superior Women Shoes here. 
• Comfortable walking socks or moisture-wicking socks 

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What to Bring for the Mount Madonna Hiking

• Daypack (optional) – While it’s not necessary to have a backpack with you, it’ll be easier to hold snacks, water bottles, and other necessities that you need on hand. Check out our favorite daypacks here: men’s day pack option / women’s day pack option.  
• Reusable Water Bottle – You must have water with you as there isn’t any water fountain at the start of the trail. Stay hydrated during your hike and use a reusable water bottle. These are our favorite reusable water bottles to bring with us everywhere.
• Snacks 
• Hat – There is shade along the trail but you will need a hat for the open areas. Buy this hat.
• Sunscreen – Protect your skin from the sun. Check out this sunscreen.
• Sunglasses – Here are our favorite sunglasses.
• Trash bag – Do not litter. Let’s keep the trail clean. 

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Our Experience Hiking Mount Madonna

We were ambitious and decided to hike Madonna Mountain right after completing the Bishop Peak hike. 

We started from the Charles A and Mary R Maino Open Space parking lot. The starting location is located within walking distance to the Downtown SLO area and can be visited after exploring the Downtown area. 

We followed the path that lead to the Lemon Grove Loop. It was pretty flat with some gorgeous views of the city and the mountains. When we were about to go down the loop, we decided to change course and travel along the “M” Trail. 

The M Trail is more challenging than the Lemon Grove Loop as the trail has some uphills. There are some walkways to make the hike easier. Most of the trail has shade so it’s a good area to cool off from the heat. 

We eventually reached a landmark along the trail –  a giant “M” in white paint. It’s visible when driving along 101 freeway. It’s thought to represent Madonna Mountain, but in reality, it’s for Mission College Prep High School. This high school isn’t far from the trail. 

We continued the trail and noticed that the trail went back down to the parking lot.

How are we supposed to reach the peak? When heading down the M Trail, there is a fork in the road that leads to an unmarked path. If you continue along this path, then you’ll end reaching the hiking trail that goes to the peak. 

At first, we were a bit lost since there wasn’t any signage. Yet, This part of the trail connects with the trail starting at Laguna Lake Park Open Space. We saw mountain bikers and a few hikers. 

The hiking trail is much wider and goes uphill. It seems like the trail goes on forever since the trail is mostly gravel and not that exciting. Plus, there isn’t any shade here so a hat will go a long way. 

After making our way around the mountain and seeing Bishop Peak, we eventually made it to the top of Madonna Mountain! WooHoo!

There is a platform to take a break and rest. 

Or, climb up some boulders for undisturbed views of Cal Poly and the surrounding areas. The boulders are not as sketchy as the ones in Bishop Peak so it’s doable to climb up. There was only a handful of people at the peak.

Don’t forget to take photos from here. SLO is so pretty and green! There is a pole where you can step up and take a photo with. It’s similar to Mission Peak’s post in Fremont, California. 

Going back down the path is the same way as coming up. Or you can continue your way back to Lemon Grove Loop to do more mileage. 

Since we were tired from walking around the mountain, we just went down the M Trail to reach the parking lot and called it a day. We were pleased with hiking this trail and would love to come back to do this again.   

Bishop Peak Hiking Overview

This Bishop Peak day hike isn’t too difficult, yet can be challenging with the heat and some steep hills. 

• Challenging level: Moderate 
• Distance: 3.5-4.4 miles round trip (Our Garmin watch listed 4.37 miles)
• Elevation: 1,492 feet (455 meters)
• Time to complete: 2+ hours round trip
• Helpful tips: 
  • Use the bathroom before you arrive at the trail. We didn’t see any bathrooms at the beginning of the hiking trail. 
  • Take a photo of Bishop Peak’s trail map at the main entrance so you know where to go.
  • The beginning of the hiking path has markers on where to go. Once you’re on the trail, it’s easy to follow the path as the dirt is packed and well-traveled.
  • To make your hike longer, add the Felsman Loop which is another 1.7 miles round trip. This can be connected from the Patricia Drive trailhead. 
  • We saw some dogs on the trail, and they were well-behaved. 
  • If you don’t want to hike, there are climbing routes. 

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How to Get There

There are two places to start the hike – Highland Drive and Patricia Drive. It’s about a 10 minutes drive from Downtown SLO. 

How to Get to Bishop Peak from Highland Drive

We’ll start the directions from Downtown SLO. There are two ways to get there:

1. Head to Santa Rosa Street (Highway 1) and stay for a mile. Turn left onto Highland Drive and drive a mile to the trailhead. From the trailhead, follow the path until you reach the top. Click here for the directions.
2. Head to Chorro Street and stay for .90 miles. Then turn left on Foothill Blvd for .70 miles, and turn right onto Patricia Drive. Turn left onto Highland Drive. Check out the directions here.

Note: There isn’t a parking lot, visitors must find parking in the residential area. Highlands Drive is a narrow road and is on a hill so parallel parking is needed. Please be respectful of the people living in the area and do not make loud noises, block the driveway, or leave trash. 

**Bicycle Parking: We saw two bike racks for any cyclists who decide to cycle to the trailhead and park the bikes there. 

How to Get to Bishop Peak from Patricia Drive

Follow the instructions above and then turn right on Patricia Drive from Highland Drive. The sign is easy to find along Highland Drive. Click here for the driving directions. 

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When To Hike Bishop Peak

Bishop Peak is open one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset. If you plan to hike up to see the sunrise or after sunset, don’t forget to bring headlamps for safety. 

It’s recommended to start this hike as early as possible. The weather in San Luis Obispo can be really hot in the mid-morning and afternoon. The average temperatures can reach 65-80℉ throughout the year. 

We started the hike at 11:00am and finished in over 2 hours. While the hiking was fun, the weather was a bit warm for us and we needed to drink lots of water. You do not want to be dehydrated on this trail as there isn’t any water. 

Weekends will have more crowds so parking may be harder. Otherwise, it’s a good spot for exercising. 

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What to Wear for the Bishop Peak Hike

• Technical t-shirt – Wear a moisture-wicking t-shirt to absorb the sweat.
• Comfortable hiking pants or shorts – Wear long hiking pants or comfortable shorts.
• Comfortable walking shoes or trail running shoes – The course isn’t too technical so you don’t need hiking boots. As long as the shoes have traction, then you’ll be fine to wear them on the trail. We wore Altra trail running shoes and they held up well for the hike. Buy Altra Superior Men Shoes or Altra Superior Women Shoes here. 
• Comfortable walking socks or moisture-wicking socks

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What to Bring for the Bishop Peak Hiking

• Daypack (optional) – While it’s not necessary to have a backpack with you, it’ll be easier to hold snacks, water bottles, and other necessities that you need on hand. Check out our favorite daypacks here: men day pack option / women day pack option.  
• Water Bottle – There isn’t any water along the trail so you’ll need to bring a large water bottle to stay hydrated. These are our favorite reusable water bottles to bring with us everywhere.
• Snacks 
• Hat – Most of the trail isn’t covered so you’ll need a hat to block the sun. Buy this hat.
• Sunscreen – Protect your skin from the sun as it can be brutal. Check out this sunscreen.
• Sunglasses – Here are our favorite sunglasses.
• Trash bag – Do not litter. Let’s keep the trail clean. 

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What to Expect on the Bishop Peak Day Hike From Highland Drive

We started the trail from Highland Drive, so we’ll share our experience from there. 

As we said earlier, parking may be a challenge as we went on a Saturday morning. Luckily, we drove to the end of Highland Drive at the start of the trailhead and found a parking spot. 

The hiking path was easy to find and we just followed it. There is some signage along the way to point you to the peak, especially at the fork where Felsman Loop (from Patricia Drive) meets up. 

The first part of the hike is shaded, while the rest of the trail is out in the sun. We saw a couple of people climbing up the rocks in the climbing areas. 

While hiking up, there are some windy spots so hold onto any hats and sunglasses. We felt the wind on the side where you can see Mount Madonna (Mount Cerro San Luis). 

What we enjoyed about this hiking path is that it’s very clean and not technical. There are some narrow and steep paths, but hikers are cordial and stay to the side to allow people to pass through.  

Once you reach the top of Bishop Peak, relax on the bench to refuel and rehydrate. It’s a challenging hike so you deserve to take a rest. 

You can decide whether you want to scramble up boulders to see unobstructed views of the San Luis Obispo County area. We tried to go up the boulder but couldn’t figure out how to get to the top without any ropes or anything to hold onto. Going down also seemed tricky as two women needed help on where to step and slide down the boulder. With these barriers, we decided to not skip it and say that we reached the top of Bishop Peak. 

It’s the same route going back down so it’s easy to navigate. You could extend the hike to do the Felman Loop for extra mileage. We decided to just return to the car and go to the next hike at Mount Madonna. 

How to Get to San Luis Obispo for the Weekend

San Luis Obispo is in a central location of California so it’s a few hours away from the major cities closest to it. 

From San Francisco to San Luis Obispo

San Francisco is 230 miles away from San Luis Obispo. By car, it’ll take 3 hours 40 minutes.

The best way to get there is to take 101 South down to SLO. You don’t need to transfer to other freeways. Click here for driving directions. 

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From Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo 

Santa Barbara is 95-110 miles away from San Luis Obispo. It’ll take around 1 hour 40 minutes to get there. 

There are two ways to get there:

• Take 101 North to CA-154 West/San Marcos Road to connect back to 101 North. Click here to see the driving directions. 

Note: This is a shorter route, but it goes through a mountainous and windy route of CA-154. If you get car sick, do not take this route and stick to 101 North. 

• Take 101 North to SLO. It’s a bit longer but doesn’t require going through the mountains. Click here to see directions on Google Maps. 

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From Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo

Los Angeles is between 190-215 miles away from San Luis Obispo. The drive will take between 3 to 3 hours 45 minutes. 

There are a few routes to take depending on your starting point, so please add the proper starting points when looking at the driving directions below. 

• Travel via 101 North. This is the usual route to take. Click here to see the directions. 

• Travel via 101 North to I-5 North to CA-126 West to 101 North. Click for driving directions. 

• Travel via 101 North to I-5 North to CA-166 to 101 North. This may be the longer route. Click for directions. 

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How to Get Around San Luis Obispo

• By Car: The easiest way to travel around SLO is by car. Parking can be tricky in the Downtown area as many are paid parking spots. 
• By Walking: If staying around the main Downtown area or close to it, you can walk around the main attractions. It’s a pedestrian-friendly area. 
• By Bus: SLO has a city bus available. The fare is $1.50 for adults, $.75 for Seniors (age 65-79), disabled, and Medicare riders, and free for children under 5 years. Click here for more information on the routes. 
• By Old Trolley: For visitors staying at the hotels along Monterey Street, take the trolley to go Downtown. The trolley is available from Thursdays to Saturdays from 5:00pm-9:00pm. 

Note: As of March 19, 2021, the trolley route has been suspended due to the COVID situation. Click here for updates on the trolley schedule. 

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San Luis Obispo Itinerary: Day 1 – Travel & Explore Downtown

If you’re able to depart for your weekend trip on Thursday, do it! You can beat the heavy traffic that occurs on a Friday and get a head start on your weekend in SLO. 

After driving and checking into your accommodations, it’s time to explore Downtown SLO or at least the evening of SLO. 

1. Visit the Farmers Market (Only on Thursday). 

SLO Downtown area is bustling on Thursday nights due to the Farmers Market. It’s open all year round and a fantastic way to support local farmers and local shops. 

Over five blocks of the main area are closed for the Farmers Market. Take the time to browse the stalls selling fresh fruits, vegetables, food and drinks (the lines for BBQ are long!), and specialty gifts. 

During special events, there are bands and music. We went during the Veteran’s Day holiday weekend so there was a group of musicians playing music and bringing awareness to Veteran programs. 

As a heads up, it’s crowded here. Almost like we’re in Disneyland with the crowds. If you bring small children or pets, just be careful with the surroundings. 

The Farmers Market is open from 6:00pm-9:00pm (March to October), and 6:00pm-8:30pm (November to February). Check out more information here. 

Address: Along Higuera Street

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2. Go Shopping. 

If you’re visiting the Farmers Market, you can also go shopping in the Downtown area at the same time. There are lots of name-branded and boutique shops to explore such as clothes, Christmas stuff, and more. If you’re eyeing any specific Cal Poly SLO gifts or sweatshirts, there is a store on Higuera Street. 

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San Luis Obispo Itinerary: Day 2 – Explore Downtown & Hiking

It’s your second day in SLO! Yesterday, you may not have had enough time to explore Downtown so feel free to go back and explore. There are a lot of things that you can do, so don’t feel obligated to do everything listed below. 

1. Visit the Bubblegum Alley. 

This alley is just like what you imagine. Hundreds of thousands of chewing gum were placed on the wall. It’s a bit gross and can be smelly (heads up if you’re sensitive to smells). 

While Seattle’s Bubblegum Alley takes the #1 spot with the amount of bubble gum, and SLO is the runner-up. Feel free to add your contribution to the wall. 

Note: It’s recommended to visit this place in the daytime. Otherwise, you may walk past and miss the alley at night. 

Address: 733 Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA 

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2. Visit the SLO Museum of Art. 

If you’re an art lover, check out SLO’s Museum of Art. Admission is free (closed on Tuesday and Wednesday). Check out paintings and outdoor sculptures and artwork. For more in-depth knowledge, join the ART Talks and meet the local artists. Every Saturday, there is a tour of the current exhibits. 

Address: 1010 Broad St, San Luis Obispo, CA 

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3. Visit Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. 

As the fifth mission founded by Junipero Serra in 1772, this is a gorgeous place to walk around. There is a Museum (free admission), garden, and daily tours. Daily masses are also available. Read more about the mission here.  

Address: 751 Palm St, San Luis Obispo, CA

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4. Walk around Chinatown. 

A block away from the Mission is SLO’s Chinatown. It’s really small and has a few restaurants and shops. Unfortunately, there isn’t a Friendship gate or anything similar to other Chinatowns that we’ve been to. 

There is a historical landmark, the Ah Louis Store. The brick building store was the central location of Chinatown from 1874-1930 and the first Chinese-owned store in SLO county. It also housed the Ah Louis family. Currently, it’s a shop called Karsons Butler Events and sells party supplies. 

Address: 800 Palm St, San Luis Obispo, CA (For Ah Louis Store)

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5. Go hiking. 

SLO has some awesome hiking trails to explore. The two well-known trails are Bishop Peak and Mount Madonna (also known as Cerro San Luis Trail). We were a bit crazy and did both of these in a day. 

Bishop Peak is between 3.5-4 miles round trip if you start from Highland Drive (where we started) or Patricia Drive. The trail is easy to follow as the route is well-maintained. The top of Bishop Peak has some scrambling (albeit very sketchy and dangerous as there aren’t any ropes) to get an undisturbed view of the SLO area. Along the hiking path, there are several areas for rock climbing. Read more about our Bishop Peak hike experience here.

Mount Madonna has a few trails that range from lengths from 2-7+ miles round trip. The starting area varies such as from Laguna Lake Park Open Space or off of Fernandez Lane (where we started). If taking the route from Fernandez Lane, reaching the peak is a bit steep but is doable by taking the “M” route and veering to a left unmarked trail. Otherwise, there is the easy and flat 2 mile Lemon Grove loop. Read more about hiking Mount Madonna here.

 

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6. See a Film at Fremont Theater. 

The Fremont Theater is a fun place to see a movie or a show. It’s a historical site designed by S. Charles Lee that opened in 1942. You can’t miss this place with the bright lights and billboards. Check out the schedule of upcoming shows here. 

Address: 1035 Monterey St, San Luis Obispo, CA

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7. Take a tour of Cal Poly SLO University. 

If you’re interested in exploring the campus or know someone interested in attending the university here, take a tour of the campus. There are self-guided and student-led walking tours. The student-led tours are only available on weekdays. Register for a tour here.

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San Luis Obispo Itinerary: Day 3 – Day Trips from SLO or Free Day

You’re welcome to do whatever you want on your third day in SLO. Since you’ve explored most of the main sights of SLO in the previous days, this can be the perfect time to go on a day trip. 

Here are some day trips that you can do from San Luis Obispo:

• Hang out at Avila Beach. Avila Beach is a small beach town. It’s only 15 minutes away from SLO so it’s easy to get here. Spend the day at the beach, visit the Smugglers Cave (which connects with the Pirates Cove Beach), or take a tour of the Point San Luis Lighthouse. 
• Visit Pismo Beach. It’s a 20-minute drive away from SLO and has tons of fun activities for everyone to spend the day. Hang out on the beach, go surfing, ride an ATV, see the Monarch Butterflies, and more. Check out our Pismo Beach day trip post here. 
• Visit Oceano Sand Dunes. South of Pismo Beach is a small town, Oceano, which has some of the best sand dunes to explore. It’s a quiet place with undisturbed dunes so you enjoy the gorgeous landscape for yourself. Read more on what it’s like to wander through Oceano Dunes here. 
• Check out Morro Bay. Morro Bay has a famous landmark which is the Morro Rock. It’s 581 feet high and is located within the Morro Bay State Park. This place is close to SLO and is a 15-minute drive. 
• Visit Solvang, the Danish town. One of the cutest places to visit in California is Solvang. It looks like you’ve traveled to a Danish town. The highlights include seeing windmills, going shopping, and eating lots of delicious Danish goodies. Solvang is a 1-1.5 hour drive from SLO. Learn more about what to do on your Solvang day trip here.  
• Take a day trip to Santa Barbara. Is there ever enough beach time? Santa Barabara is the next largest city from SLO. You can easily spend the day exploring downtown, relaxing on the beach, eating your way through the city, or visiting wineries. There is also the university, U.C. Santa Barbara if you want to do a campus tour. Santa Barbara is 1.5-2 hours away from SLO.