For when you visit the Central Coast
A four-day itinerary on 35mm film
Hello! I’m almost one year into living on the Central Coast, and I can confidently say it’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen in the world. It’s pure California but with none of the traffic or crowds of the bigger cities. It still flies very much under the radar and feels wild.
I’ve had friends visit, and I’ve taken photos for clients coming from out of town. I started by writing down my recommendations for them, and after doing it several times I thought I’d put together a full itinerary. So here it is: four days on the Central Coast, stretching from the bottom of Big Sur down to Pismo Beach.
I’ll add that there are people who have been here much longer than me, and I’m certainly not the area expert. All of these are places I genuinely love and have brought my visiting friends to. When I moved, I intentionally chose a place that revolved around the ocean, the mountains, and surf. I’ve spent a lot of time in cities, and while I cherish that time, I wanted to spend mornings surfing and evenings at the beach with friends.
And so, this is four days in my home. I brought my Canon AE-1 with me everywhere this year, and every photo below was shot on film.
Day 1: Pismo Beach & Arroyo Grande
Morning. Surf at Pismo Beach. The waves just north of the pier tend to be the cleanest, but that’s also where it’s most crowded. I go to either the Addie Street sandbar or the Wadsworth Street entrance, as both tend to be a little more mellow. And I’ll add that “crowded” is relative here; this place has so much breathing room compared to other places in California.
After surfing, I like to get a breakfast sandwich from Grover Beach Sourdough and take it out to Pismo Pier, which looks out over the ocean and hills on both sides. If you’re a film photographer, bring your Gold 200.
Afternoon. A couple of options here:
Do a pottery class at Grover Beach Pottery. I’ve taken several classes here - it’s a great neighborhood studio.
Do a yoga class at Harmony House. The inside is like a wooden log cabin.
Take a walk around Arroyo Grande Village. I’d get lunch at Lucca or Branch Street, and Mule Bakery has delicious baked goods
Arroyo Grande is a pretty rural community. When I first moved here and was driving back from the airport, I was surprised by how much farmland and how many ranches there were. I think this use of the land is so beautiful. I’ve taken photos at the Ocean Breeze Equestrian Center and Greener Pastures Farm Sanctuary. The women people who run these places have a deep respect for the land and are kind, gentle people.
Evening. I recommend Taqueria San Miguel on Grand Avenue. This place is fire and I go after work all the time. It’s a stand next to a laundromat. Then go to the Vons on Grand Ave and grab firewood, marshmallows, graham crackers, chocolate, and campfire sticks. Bring your tacos and some games down to Grover Beach, where fires are allowed. Park at Finn’s. I once saw a group of teenagers here playing Uno together over a fire, not a cell phone in sight. Something about that made me deeply happy.
Day 2: San Luis Obispo
This is where I do the majority of my day job.
Morning. Start with breakfast at Scout Coffee. There are several locations, but the one on Foothill is the largest. I get a latte and morning bun.
Then go for a morning hike. Hikes here range from gentle rolling hills to more strenuous climbs. My ankles are a disaster, so I personally like Short Hills. I’ve also hiked with my friend Shanise to Cerro Alto, which has incredible views at the top. Others that have been recommended to me: Bishop Peak, Madonna Mountain, and for something just about flat to run on, Laguna Lake.
After the hike, get ice cream at Splendor. I think I’m actually lactose intolerant, but this ice cream is so good that I’ve stocked up on Lactaid. The inside is a little retro, and I like it so much that next time I think I’m going to buy one of their t-shirts.
Then stroll around downtown. It’s super walkable, with a lot of little shops and restaurants to pop into. My personal favorite restaurants in the area are Condesa and Wren Provisions. For something more low-key, I love Shake Shake Noodle. My parents are both first-generation immigrants, and they approved of these noodles.
Afternoon. Get a drink at one of the wineries. So many options. My friends have recommended Daou, Tolosa, and Biddle Ranch. The photos below is from Wolff Vineyards, when there were sweet dogs up for adoption to walk around the vineyard with.
Evening. Bring a blanket and head up to Montaña de Oro. There are a lot of trails in this area. Spooner’s Cove is my favorite spot in the park, and there is parking nearby. I’d bring some wine (maybe from one of the vineyards you visited in the afternoon) and watch the sunset here. I’ve done a graduation shoot here at sunset, which was just stunning.
Day 3: Morro Bay & North County
Morro Bay isn’t where I live, but it’s my personal favorite place on the Central Coast. In another post, I’ll get into why I love surfing and shooting here so much. But to start off with - it’s a great spot for people at my intermediate level who are progressing, the rock is a beautiful backdrop, and I’ve never had a problem parking.
Morning. Surf at the rock and say hi to me if you see me in the water! I’ve been practicing shooting after work. After surfing, head north to Hidden Kitchen in Cayucos. If you’re there on a weekend, my friend Steph may be teaching yoga at Cayucos Yoga, which has a beautiful outlook of the ocean. Hidden Kitchen is often very busy, but the food is absolutely worth it — the blue corn waffles are 12 out of 10.
Afternoon. In the afternoon, I would continue north to Hearst Castle for an architectural tour. Shanise and I went on one after talking about it in our film class, and it really didn’t disappoint. The bus up goes through hills where zebras are also around (alas, none for our tour but a reason to go back). Afterwards I would head to get food at Sebastian’s. You can bring food next door to Heart winery, which looks out over the ocean. On the way up, stop at the Elephant Seal Vista Point and look out for baby seals.
Evening. You can book a sunset shoot with me. :) I’d end the day at Moonstone Beach in Cambria. I’ve made the drive on several weekdays after work, because this beach in particular feels so rugged and free to me.
Day 4: Land or Sea
Two options for a last day, depending on whether you’d rather be on the water or in the mountains.
Ocean
Start the day at Shell Beach. This is another great spot for surfing, with rock formations in the background. I park at the Beachcomber stairs and take them down. People are friendly here from my experience, and I often chat with people in the water. This beach is also a fantastic spot for photo shoots.
In the late morning or afternoon, I’d recommend paddle boarding and renting from the locals at Avila Beach Paddlesports. The paddle takes you past a number of otters and seals out to a small beach, and from there it’s a short walk to a lighthouse. Quite the opposite of surfing - tranquil and a great way to relax while still being active.
Land
A second option which takes us further north to the end of Big Sur. After breakfast, drive up to Ragged Point. It has a cafe, a restaurant, and bathrooms on site. I’d hang out here for a bit because there’s a gorgeous vista over the mountains — weddings and engagements happen here too. We’ve taken the trail down from this vista to the ocean. One part is a little steep, but overall it’s short and doable, and there’s a small waterfall along the way.
Afterward, continue on to hiking at Salmon Creek Trail. Fun story: this is where I hiked with some of my most athletic coworkers (I’m looking at you, Mimi and Amy!), and one of my toenails turned black. BUT it was so much fun and the views were incredible.
If you do end up coming, shoot me a message! I’ve traveled the world and still think this home is one of the most special places out there.