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The Central Coast area is fortunate to have some of the most diverse activities and attractions in California. San Luis Obispo was also recently named the #2 happiest place to live in the world (and the only place in the United States to make the top 4!) in Dave Buettner's book Thrive where he traveled the world looking for the world looking for areas where people were proud to live. Click HERE to see Dave's ABC News segment where he showcases San Luis Obispo.
CAMPING
With dozen of places for camping anywhere from the beach to the mountains, the area offers some of the most beautiful sights in the world.
Private Campgrounds
AVILA VALLEY HOT SPRINGS
http://www.avilahotsprings.com/
PHONE: 805.595.2359
LOCATION: 250 Avila Beach Drive, Avila Beach
AMMENITIES: 9 RV sites, 22 tent sites, 30 cabins, heated swimming pool, and hot mineral pool.
PISMO COAST VILLAGE RV PARK
http://www.pismocoastvillage.com/
PHONE: 805.773.1811
LOCATION: 165 S. Dolliver Rd., Pismo Beach
AMMENITIES: 400 full hook-up sites each with WiFi access and cable TV, restrooms with hot showers, general store, arcade, restraint, Laundromat, heated pool, bike rentals, and miniature golf.
County Campgrounds
RESERVATION LINE: 805.781.5930
http://www.slocountyparks.com/
EL CHORRO REGIONAL PARK
www.slocountyparks.com/activities/el_chorro.htm
LOCATION: Off Highway 1, 5 miles N. of San Luis Obispo
AMMENITIES: Primitive and group camping, full hook-ups, picnic areas, restrooms, softball fields, volleyball, horse shoes, playground, golf course, dog park, and botanical garden.
OCEANO PARK AND CAMPGROUND
www.slocountyparks.com/activities/oceano.htm
LOCATION: Mendel and Norswing St, Oceano
AMMENITIES: Picnic areas, playground, basketball, restrooms and hot showers.
LOPEZ LAKE AND RECREATION AREA
www.slocountyparks.com/activities/lopez.htm
INFORMATION & RESERVATIONS: 805.788.2381
LOCATION: 10 miles NW of Arroyo Grande on Lopez Drive
AMMENITIES: 143 full hook-ups, 75 electrical and 146 primitive campsites, 28 overflow, restrooms, hot showers, swimming, water slide, marina, boating, and fishing.
SANTA MARGARITA LAKE
www.slocountyparks.com/activities/santa_margarita.htm
INFORMATION & RESERVATIONS: 805.788.2397
LOCATION: 4695 Santa Margarita Lake Road
AMMENITIES: Primitive camping, picnic areas, boat launching, marina, swimming pool, fishing, and hiking.
State Campgrounds
RESERVATION LINE: 1.800.444.7275
www.cal-parks.ca.gov
MORRO STRAND STATE BEACH
www.slostateparks.com/morro_strand
INFORMATION: 805.722.7434
LOCATION: North of Morro Bay on Yerba Buena Ave. off Highway 1
AMMENITIES: 104 sites, vehicles to 24?, restrooms, fishing, ocean bathing, self-registration. Reservations are Memorial Day through Labor Day.
MONTANA DE ORO STATE PARK
www.slostateparks.com/montana_de_oro
INFORMATION: 805.722.7434
LOCATION: Off Los Osos Valley Road, Los Osos
AMMENITIES: 50 primitive sites, vehicles to 27?, pit toilets, fishing, ocean bathing, and self-registration. Reservations are Memorial Day through Labor Day.
MORRO BAY STATE PARK
www.slostateparks.com/morro_bay
INFORMATION: 805.722.7434
LOCATION: ¼ miles E of Morro Bay
AMMENITIES: 135 developed sites, vehicles to 35?, 30 sites with electricity and water, restrooms, showers, boating, golfing, and Museum of Natural History on the bay. Reservations are available all year.
NORTH BEACH CAMPGROUND AT PISMO STATE BEACH
www.slostateparks.com/northbeach_campground
LOCATION: off Dolliver in Pismo Beach
AMMENITIES: 103 sites, flush toilets, pay showers, beach access by foot, dump station, hiking trails. Reservations Memorial Day through Labor Day.
OCEANO CAMPGROUNS AT PISMO STATE BEACH
www.slostateparks.com/oceano_campground
LOCATION: Highway 1 to Pier Ave., West to entrance in Oceano
AMMENITIES: 42 hook-ups, 40 campsites, showers, beach access by foot. Reservations available all year.
OCEANO DUNES STATE VEHICULAR RECREATION AREA
http://www.ohv.parks.ca.gov/
INFORMATION: 805.473.7220
LOCATION: 3 miles South of Pismo Beach
AMMENITIES: 1000 primitive campsites, chemical toilets, boating, fishing, hiking, surfing, swimming, and qualified off-highway vehicle access to the beach.
SAN SIMEON STATE PARK
www.slostateparks.com/san_simeon
LOCATION: 5 miles South of San Simeon on Highway 1
AMMENITIES: Includes San Simeon Creek and Washburn Campgrounds. 258 sites, vehicles to 35, restrooms, pay showers, dump station, fishing, ocean bathing. Reservations are March 15 through September 30.
National Forest Campgrounds
Los Padres National Forest Information: 805.925.9538
Adventure Pass required at most facilities (available at the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce)
AMERICAN CANYON
LOCATION: 10 Miles South East of Pozo on Avendales Road
AMMENITIES: 14 primitive sites, no water available, pit toilets. Open during deer season, August-September only.
CERRO ALTO
LOCATION: 1 mile off of Highway 41, North of Morro Bay
AMMENITIES: 22 sites, drinking water available, pit toilets, hiking. Camping and parking fee required. No Adventure Pass required.
FRIIS CAMP
LOCATION: North East of Pozo, about 8 miles North of Parkhill Road, off Navajo Road
AMMENITIES: Off-highway vehicles, 3 primitive sites, pit toilets, hunting.
HI MOUNTAIN
LOCATION: South of Pozo on Hi Mountain Road
AMMENITIES: 11 primitive sites, pit toilets, hunting.
LA PANZA
LOCATION: 15 miles East of Pozo on Navajo Road
AMMENITIES: Off-highway vehicles, 15 primitive sites, pit toilets, hunting.
NAVAJO
LOCATION: 8 miles North East of Pozo on Navajo Road
AMMENITIES: Off-highway vehicles, 3 primitive sites, pit toilets, hunting.
HIKING
Everywhere you turn on the central coast there is an opportunity for a day of fun hiking. While most trails are blazed by locals, these trails are the most popular in the area.
TERRACE HILL OPEN SPACE
WHAT YOU WILL SEE/EXPERIENCE: A 360 degree view of the city.
TRAILHEAD LOCATION: 1300 Bishop Street
ROUND TRIP DISTANCE: 0.5 mile
APPROX. TIME: 30 min.
LVL OF DIFFICULTY: Easy
RAILROAD RECREATION TRAIL
WHAT YOU WILL SEE/EXPERIENCE: Class 1 multi-use trail.
TRAILHEAD LOCATION: Parallel to Railroad from Orcutt to George, trail is paved
ROUND TRIP DISTANCE: 1 mile
APPROX. TIME: 30 min.
LVL OF DIFFICULTY: Easy
LAGUNA LAKE OPEN SPACE
WHAT YOU WILL SEE/EXPERIENCE: Lake, paragliding, mountain biking.
TRAILHEAD LOCATION: 504 Madonna Road
ROUND TRIP DISTANCE: 2 miles
APPROX. TIME: 1 hour
LVL OF DIFFICULTY: Easy
SOUTH HILLS OPEN SPACE
WHAT YOU WILL SEE/EXPERIENCE: Geology and a city view.
TRAILHEAD LOCATION: 350 Woodbridge Dr. or 500 Stoneridge Drive
ROUND TRIP DISTANCE: 1 mile
APPROX. TIME: 1 hour
LVL OF DIFFICULTY: Moderate
CERRO SAN LUIS NATURAL RESERVE
WHAT YOU WILL SEE/EXPERIENCE: Mountain biking and a historic lemon grove.
TRAILHEAD LOCATION: 1000 Fernandez Road
ROUND TRIP DISTANCE: 2 miles
APPROX. TIME: 1 hour
LVL OF DIFFICULTY: Moderate
RESERVOIR CANYON NATURAL RESERVE
WHAT YOU WILL SEE/EXPERIENCE: Waterfall and wildlife.
TRAILHEAD LOCATION: End of Reservoir Road
ROUND TRIP DISTANCE: 2-4 miles
APPROX. TIME: 2-4 hours
LVL OF DIFFICULTY: Moderate/Strenuous
ISLAY HILL OPEN SPACE
WHAT YOU WILL SEE/EXPERIENCE: Wildlife and a view of the Morros.
TRAILHEAD LOCATION: End of Sweetbay Lane or Huckleberry Lane
ROUND TRIP DISTANCE: 5-7 miles
APPROX. TIME: 2-4 hours
LVL OF DIFFICULTY: Moderate/Strenuous
BISHOP PEAK NATURAL RESERVE
WHAT YOU WILL SEE/EXPERIENCE: Rock climbing and city views.
TRAILHEAD LOCATION: 0 Highland Drive or Patricia Drive (just past Patricia Ct.)
ROUND TRIP DISTANCE: 4-6 miles
APPROX. TIME: 2-4 hours
LVL OF DIFFICULTY: Strenuous
IRISH HILLS NATURAL RESERVE
WHAT YOU WILL SEE/EXPERIENCE: Mountain biking, wildlife, abandoned manganese mine.
TRAILHEAD LOCATION: End of Madonna Road or Prefumo Canyon Road
ROUND TRIP DISTANCE: 5-7 miles
APPROX. TIME: 2-4 hours
LVL OF DIFFICULTY: Strenuous
BOWDEN RANCH
WHAT YOU WILL SEE/EXPERIENCE: Geology, wildlife, city view.
TRAILHEAD LOCATION: End of Lizzie Ct.
ROUND TRIP DISTANCE: 2 miles
APPROX. TIME: 1-1.5 hours
LVL OF DIFFICULTY: Strenuous
GOLFING
AVILA BEACH GOLF RESORT HUNTER RANCH GOLF COURSE
Avila Beach Paso Robles
http://www.avilabeachresort.com/ http://www.hunterranchgolf.com/
805.595.4000 x 502 805.237.7444
BLACKLAKE GOLF RESORT THE LINKS COURSE OF PASO ROBLES
Nipomo Paso Robles
http://www.blacklake.com/ http://www.linkscourseatpasorobles.com/ 805.343.1214 805.227.4567
MONARCH DUNES PASO ROBLES GOLF COURSE
Nipomo Paso Robles
http://www.monarchdunesgolf.com/ www.centralcoast.com/pasoroblesgolfclub
805.343.9459 805.238.4722
CHALK MOUNTAIN GOLF COURSE RIVER OAKS GOLF COURSE
Atascadero Paso Robles
http://www.chalkmountaingolf.com/ http://www.riveroaksgolfcourse.com/ 805.466.8848 805.226.2096
CYPRESS RIDGE GOLF COURSE PISMO STATE BEACH GOLF COURSE
Arroyo Grande Pismo Beach
http://www.cypressridge.com/ http://www.pismogolf.com/
805.474.7979 805.481.5215
DAIRY CREEK GOLF COURSE MORRO BAY GOLF COURSE
San Luis Obispo Morro Bay
www.slocountyparks/facilities/dairycreek www.slocountyparks.com/faciliti/morrobay 805.782.8060 805.782.8060
LAGUNA LAKES MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE SEA PINES GOLF RESORT
San Luis Obispo Morro Bay
www.slocity.org/parksandrecreaction/golf http://www.seapinesgolfresort.com/ 805.781.7309 805.528.5252
COASTAL ACTIVITIES
With miles of renowned scenic coastline having fun in the California sun is within minutes no matter where you are in the county.
ATV
With the only beach you can drive on in California, the Oceano Dunes is a popular spot with its ATV highway and historic dunes. You can drive onto the beach for a fee at either the end of Pier Ave. in Oceano or the end of Grand Ave. in Grover Beach.
RENTAL LOCATIONS:
BJ's ATV Rentals, Grover Beach
805.481.5411
Steve's ATV Services, Grover Beach
805.474.6431
HORSEBACK RIDING
Have a once in a lifetime encounter and experience riding horseback along the coast and through the dunes.
http://www.pacificdunesridingstables.com/
805.489.8100
WATER SPORTS
With several places to experience water sports, the central spot to go is Morro Bay. Morro Bay offers everything from boating and kayaking to whale watching and bird watching.
At The Helm Boat Rentals
http://www.at-the-helm-boats.com/
805.771.9337
Rock Kayak
http://www.rockkayak.com/
805.772.2906
Virg's Landing
Offering sport fishing, whale watching, and a tackle shop.
http://www.virgs.com/
805.772.1222
FARMER'S MARKET
With a wide array of locally grown produce, it is no surprise that a majority of the Central Coast communities hold weekly farmer's markets. In addition to produce, many of the larger farmer's markets also offer handmade goods, good food, and live entertainment.
SAN LUIS OBISPO
Downtown Higuera street is the location for the largest and most well known farmer?s market in the area.
LOCATION: downtown on Higuera Street
WHEN: Thursday 6-9p.m.
Missed Thursday night? San Luis has another for the outer edge of the city on the weekend.
LOCATION: SLO Promenade shopping center parking lot in front of the Embassy Suites Hotel
WHEN: Saturday 8-10:30 a.m.
ARROYO GRANDE
LOCATION: Spencer's market on Courtland and East Grand Ave.
WHEN: Wednesday 8:30-11 a.m.
LOCATION: by the City Hall parking lot next to the swinging bridge
WHEN: Saturday noon-2:30 p.m.
ATASCADERO
LOCATION: the Sunken Gardens at El Camino Real and The East Mall
WHEN: Wednesday 3-6p.m.
AVILA BEACH
LOCATION: Avila Promenade at the pier
WHEN: Friday 4-8p.m. Runs from April to October only.
BAYWOOD PARK
LOCATION: on Santa Maria Street between Second and Third Streets
WHEN: Monday 2-4:30 p.m.
CAMBRIA
LOCATION: at the Veterans Memorial Building parking lot on Main Street
WHEN: Friday 2:30-5:30 p.m.
MORRO BAY
LOCATION: Spencer's Market, 2650 Main Street
WHEN: Thursday 3-5p.m.
LOCATION: the 800 block of Main Street
WHEN: Saturday 3-6 p.m.
NIPOMO
LOCATION: in front of the Mission Community Bank, 671 Tefft Street
WHEN: Sunday 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
SANTA MARGARITA
LOCATION: Santa Margarita Park
WHEN: Tuesday 3-6p.m.
PASO ROBLES
LOCATION: the City Park
WHEN: Tuesday 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
LOCATION: the Wal-Mart parking lot, at South River and Niblick roads
WHEN: Friday 9-12:30 p.m.
SAN MIGUEL
LOCATION: Misson and 10th streets
WHEN: Sunday 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
SANTA MARGARITA
LOCATION: Santa Margarita Park
WHEN: Tuesday 3-6p.m.
CYCLING
Cycling is one of the most popular ways to get around the area. With dozens of bike trails for a variety of skill levels, California has designated scenic Highway 1 as an official state bicycle route. The central coast is also fortunate to have major bike such as the Tour of California to the Amgen tour pass through the area.
WINETASTING
The climate and the earth make the central coast an ideal spot for vineyards. Wineries dot the countryside up and down the central coast, but none are more concentrated than in Paso Robles who host the Harvest Wine Weekend in October that showcases over 140 local wineries.
SHOPPING
Shopping on the central coast is a unique experience. While downtown San Luis features some higher end shops, locally owned businesses is what makes this area special. Looking for a little more variety? The central coast is halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco making a diverse assortment of shopping within a few hours? drive.
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
The central coast is fortunate to have some of California's most famous natural and man-made attractions.
HEARST CASTLE: this 165 room estate in San Simeon was once the home of media mogul
William Randolph Hearst.
ELEPHANT SEALS: the coastline between Cambria and San Simeon are home to the breeding
grounds of these large animals.
BIG SUR: massive California redwoods line the coast and the area is home to the top rated inn
and restaurant in California.
MORRO ROCK: This massive rock is part of the Nine Sisters and is now a sanctuary for the Peregrine Falcons.
WHALE WATCHING: the central coast shoreline is a popular feeding spot for blue whales along their migration route each spring and fall.
MADONNA INN: one of the most unique places to stay in the US, each room has a different
Theme.
MISSION SAN LUIS DE TOLOSA: the 5th mission in the California mission chain, it is located in the center of San Luis Obispo.
 Information ©2010 copyright THE REAL ESTATE COMPANY. Any other links or photos © copyright appropriate organizations.
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