Best Stops for Families Along Central CA Coast

Is an end-of-summer family road trip on your list? Head to the Central California Coast for a fun-packed family adventure. Check out these must-stop destinations along the Coast for an unforgettable trip the whole family will enjoy, all while being cost-effective. 

 

  1. Watch the Elephant Seals. Get the family together for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity while road tripping along the Coast! Watching the Elephant Seals in their natural habitat at the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery is such a fun experience. The Rookery hosts up to 24,000 elephant seals every year - you may even spot males as large as 5,000 pounds! From a safe distance, you’ll be able to watch the males challenge each other and, depending on the time of year, you could witness the birth of a baby elephant seal! So cool! The best part of it all? It’s free to watch them so parents, you can put the wallet away for the day.

 

  1. Picnic at Moonstone Beach. It’s lunchtime and the perfect place to enjoy a picnic is Moonstone Beach in Cambria. Pack up a picnic and enjoy stunning ocean views at one of the best beaches on the Central Coast. After lunch, the kids will have a blast beachcombing for smooth stones, crabs, sea anemones and more in the tidepools. Don’t forget to look up though! You may spot some ocean wildlife such as sea lions, gray whales or sea otters. The boardwalk also offers plenty of gorgeous views of the beach and can help relieve some of the building energy the kids have after sitting in the car!

 

  1. Enjoy a Slice of Pie or Two at Linn’s Farm Store. A road trip along the coast isn’t complete without trying some of the famous pies from Linn’s! Make a special stop at the Linn’s Farm Store - the original stand that started it all. You’ll have to try their Olallieberry pie, it’s popular for a reason! Olallieberries are the primary fruit grown at Linn’s. Read more about Ollalieberries here. Along with delicious, fresh-baked pies, there’s farm-fresh produce, baking mixes, jams and more available for purchase. You will definitely want to bring something back home to remember your fun family vacation. Don’t forget to let the kids enjoy a swing or two on the tree swing! Before heading to this gem, check their Facebook page for current hours. 

 

  1. Book your stay at Cambria Pines Lodge. After a fun day on the road, head on over to our family-friendly hotel, Cambria Pines Lodge to unwind. Our relaxing hotel is a peaceful place for your family to stay the night and be near all the best spots on the Central California Coast. Don’t forget to pack a swimsuit and enjoy a pool day at the Lodge! The kids will have a blast splashing around in the outdoor pool. For the best rates, sign up for our email offers here. 

 

Start planning your end-of-summer family adventure along the Central California Coast now and experience a trip the whole family will enjoy!