Central Coast California Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park which includes landscape views and rocky coastline
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park which includes landscape views and rocky coastline
Yosemite Valley which includes mist or fog
Central Coast California
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park showing mountains, landscape views and a beach

Where to stay in Central Coast California

Panorama of Montecito with Pacific Ocean in the Background

Montecito

5/5(4 area reviews)

The pristine beaches and ample dining options are top of the list for many visitors to Montecito. A stop by Miramar Beach or Butterfly Beach might round out your trip.

Montecito
Santa Barbara Aerial Panorama. Scenic shot of Pier and beach

Santa Barbara Beach

4.5/5(67 area reviews)

Santa Barbara Beach is known for its stunning beaches, and you can see some sights area like Stearns Wharf and MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation.

Santa Barbara Beach
urban landscape of the city of Santa Barbara, California ; Shutterstock ID 398939668

Downtown Santa Barbara

The pristine beaches and ample dining options are top of the list for many visitors to Downtown Santa Barbara. A stop by Lobero Theater or Presidio Santa Barbara might round out your trip.

Downtown Santa Barbara
This is a small state park at the northern end of Santa Cruz' scenic West Cliff Drive and a little over a mile from the Boardwalk, wharf and Main Beach.  A couple of times a year you can see Monarch butterflies during their migration. They are not in the numbers of years past, but you'll still see some.

If you walk north towards the rocks during low tide you will find some amazing tidepools full of sea anenomes, sea urchins, starfish, crabs, hermit crabs, and all sorts of marine life. The tidepools are on a ledge, so the tide needs to be quite high

Westside Santa Cruz

4/5(31 area reviews)

Travellers to Westside Santa Cruz praise its stunning beaches. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to stop by Monterey Bay and Pacific Avenue.

Westside Santa Cruz
Following highway 1 south out of Monterey you get views like this

Downtown Monterey

4/5(31 area reviews)

The pristine beaches and popular aquarium are top of the list for many visitors to Downtown Monterey. A stop by Monterey State Beach or Dennis the Menace Playground might round out your trip.

Downtown Monterey
View of Carmel Beach from Scenic Rd.

Golden Rectangle

5/5(11 area reviews)

While visiting Golden Rectangle, you might make a stop by sights like Carmel Plaza and Carmel Beach.

Golden Rectangle
Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay

Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay

4 out of 5
Two Portola Plaza Monterey CA
The price is 5.190.754 ₫ per night from 15 Mar to 16 Mar
5.190.754 ₫
6.172.078 ₫ total
15 Mar - 16 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa resort in Monterey. Enjoy a full-service spa, 2 restaurants and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,981 reviews)
Staff was great! everything is close by

Reviewed on 27 Feb 2026

Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay
The Monterey Hotel

The Monterey Hotel

3 out of 5
407 Calle Principal Monterey CA
Stay at this hotel in Monterey. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,536 reviews)
Great place, clean, comfortable room with a great staff.

Reviewed on 27 Feb 2026

The Monterey Hotel
Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa

Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa

4.5 out of 5
1 Old Golf Course Rd Monterey CA
The price is 5.524.296 ₫ per night from 15 Mar to 16 Mar
5.524.296 ₫
7.455.335 ₫ total
15 Mar - 16 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury resort in Monterey. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,538 reviews)
Room was fine. Staff very friendly

Reviewed on 24 Feb 2026

Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Casa Riviera

Casa Riviera

4 out of 5
800 Garden St Santa Barbara CA
Stay at this aparthotel in Santa Barbara. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and Netflix. Popular attractions Santa Barbara Harbor and Rafael Gonzalez House are ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (128 reviews)
clean room, quiet, good location.

Reviewed on 26 Feb 2026

Casa Riviera
Flying Flags Avila Beach

Flying Flags Avila Beach

3 out of 5
6450 Babe Ln Avila Beach CA
Stay at this beach cottage in Avila Beach. Enjoy free parking, laundry facilities and a gift shop. Popular attractions Fisherman's Beach and Old Port Beach are ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (116 reviews)
Excellent and great staffs

Reviewed on 23 Feb 2026

Flying Flags Avila Beach
Tide Pool Villas

Tide Pool Villas

4.5 out of 5
26 Chapala St Santa Barbara CA
Stay at this luxury aparthotel in Santa Barbara. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions Santa Barbara Harbor and MOXI, The Wolf ...
6/10 (77 reviews)
The staff was great. Took a little while to find the exact receptionist area, though and when it was found, there was only one person helping out so it was a bit slow. Almost 30 minutes

Reviewed on 26 Feb 2026

Tide Pool Villas
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Cities near Central Coast California