California's Central Coast Attractions

You'll enjoy many local attrations during your stay right next to the beautiful Pacific Ocean. In addition to being minutes from Hearst Castle, other local attractions include the Paso Robles wine country, local elephant seal colony, Cambria and nearby Big Sur. While staying at the Sands By the Sea, treat yourself to a relaxing massage at the adjacent Diva Day Spa. Take a kayak tour with Sea for yourself Kayak Tours. For the outdoor enthusiasts, there's Pacific coast sports fishing and whale watching. We also have hundred's of beautiful wineries in the Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo areas. The Sands By the Sea Motel is conveniently located near many other Central California vacation destinations such as Pismo Beach, Avila Beach, Morro Bay, and Cambria.

Hearst Castle

Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument

Cambria

South of San Simeon on Highway 1 is the charming town of Cambria, California, "where the pines meet the sea". This lovely village boasts of its artists' colony and supports an impressive selection of fine restaurants, speciality shops and art galleries. Towering Monterey pines frame the dynamic coastline along its unique Moonstone Beach Drive where semi-precious agate and jasper stones can be found along in the sand.

Big Sur

This visitor's guide to the Big Sur region of California's central coast contains information on driving, lodging, camping, restaurants, scenic vistas, and other activities, facilities, and services available in the area. I have tried to emphasize in these pages information that would be most important and useful for visitors to have in hand well before arrival in the Big Sur region.

Elephant Seals

The elephant seal colony at Piedras Blancas is currently 7,500 strong and is a rich educational opportunity for young and old alike. The vista point has a number of excellent educational and interpretive signs and trained docents are on hand to answer your questions. Look for these docents in their blue jackets when you visit.

Wineries

Welcome to Paso Robles, California’s distinct, different wine country. Set apart by unique climate and geography, Paso Robles Wine Country provides prime growing conditions for more than 40 varietals planted over 26,000 acres of vineyards. More than 170 wineries craft this fruit into premium wines, gaining recognition around the world.

Piedras Blancas

Unlike the Atlantic Seaboard, few tall, classic lighthouse towers were built on the Pacifc Coast, since the high bluffs along much of its extent provide the necessary height for a focal plane. Piedras Blancas, Pigeon Point, and the original tower at Point Arena, were the only tall, seacoast lighthouses built in California.