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Central Coast, California for School-Age Kids
3 day trip
Day 1
-
- American
- Greek
- Italian
- Pizza
- Café
- Take-Out
- Outdoor
Big Sur Bakery & Restaurant
Big Sur, CA
Originally founded as a bakery, this Big Sur staple is now much more. Yes, they have wonderful coffee cake, morning buns, and other baked goods, but they also serve savory soups, salads, and sandwiches for lunch....
-
- Beach
- Campground
- Swimming
- Surfing
Pfeiffer Beach
Big Sur, CA
The most popular beach access in Big Sur and long a local best-kept secret, Pfeiffer Beach is world famous for its sunsets....
-
- Park
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Waterfall
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Big Sur, CA
Beaches, mountains, and an 80-foot granite waterfall are the atractions in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. The lure of 80-foot McWay Falls, which you can see from above as it plunges into the ocean, might tempt your kids to hike....
-
- Craft & Hobby Store
- Souvenir & Gift Store
- Roadside Landmark
- Café
- Restaurant
Nepenthe Restaurant, Café Kevah and The Phoenix Gift Shop
Big Sur, CA
What Nepenthe's famous for, above all else, is the spectacular not-to-be-missed view. Order some appetizers and a drink at Café Kevah and sit out on the terrace. Then spend time in the Phoenix which is part gift shop, part local craft display....
-
- Burgers
- Mexican
- Seafood
- Vegetarian
- Family Dining
- Outdoor
Big Sur Roadhouse
Big Sur, CA
Under new ownership, this cheerful, relaxed roadside diner is the perfect blend of old and new. The food is hearty Latin-inspired "comfort food" with a healthy California twist....
-
- Hotel / Motel
- Resort
Treebones Resort
Big Sur, CA
This unique family-friendly eco-resort will make your kids feel like the Swiss Family Robinson for a night or two at least. There's a pool, plenty of room to run and shout, and even a "nest" made of sticks with a comfy mattress inside....
Day 2
-
- Historical Landmark
- History Museum
- Special Collection
- Walking Tour
- Archaeological Tour
- Art Or Design Tour
- Scenic Landmark
- Roadside Landmark
Hearst Castle
San Simeon, CA
The highlight of any Central Coast trip is likely to be a tour of Hearst Castle, the extravagant art-bedecked mansion of media magnate William Randolph Hearst. But for kids it's more than a mansion, it's a window into a bygone era of Hollywood glamour....
-
- American
- Burgers
- Café
- Outdoor
- Deli
Sebastian's General Store and Cafe
San Simeon, CA
This colorful local institution is one of the oldest continually operating businesses on the central coast; it's been open as a general store since 1852. But starting last year it became much more than that when new owners reopened the café....
-
- Roadside Landmark
- Aquarium
Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery
San Simeon, CA
There's nothing quite so funny as the antics of elephant seals, and few places you can get as close a view as at the Rookery....
-
- Petting Zoo
- Garden
- Specialty Food Store
- Restaurant
- Bakery
- Café
Linn's Fruit Bin Farmstore
Cambria, CA
The highlight of any Central Coast trip is likely to be a tour of Hearst Castle, the extravagant art-bedecked mansion of media magnate William Randolph Hearst. But for kids it's more than a mansion, it's a window into a bygone era of Hollywood glamour....
-
- American
- Family Dining
Linn's Restaurant and Pie Shop
Cambria, CA
What's an olallieberry? Your kids will ask as soon as you arrive, but by the time you leave, they'll never forget. Like super-size blackberries crossed with raspberries, olallieberries make superb pies. ...
-
- Hotel / Motel
- Resort
Treebones Resort
Big Sur, CA
This unique family-friendly eco-resort will make your kids feel like the Swiss Family Robinson for a night or two at least. There's a pool, plenty of room to run and shout, and even a "nest" made of sticks with a comfy mattress inside....
Day 3
-
- Bakery
- Take-Out
Old West Cinnamon Rolls
Pismo Beach, CA
Can you imagine how wide your kids' eyes would be at the sight of 15 different kinds of cinnamon rolls, each more decadent-looking than the last? ...
-
- Water Park
- Swimming
Avila Hot Springs Resort
San Luis Obispo, CA
This old-fashioned hot springs and family water park is loads of affordable fun. When we stumbled on Avila a few years ago, we felt like we'd gone back to the old lakeside amusement park that's long gone from our area....
-
- Horseback Riding
Horseback Riding on the Beach at The Livery Stable
Oceano, CA
Guide-led horseback rides on the beach are offered by the Livery Stable at Pacific Dunes Ranch, part of the larger Pacific Dunes park that occupies much of the land southeast of Pismo Beach....
-
- Theater
- Comedy
The Great American Melodrama & Vaudeville
Oceano, CA
Designed to imitate and old-fashioned vaudeville theater with sawdust on the floor and a honky-tonk piano tinkling away, the Great American Melodrama is a riotous way to introduce kids to the joys of slapstick comedy....
-
- Roadside Landmark
- Historical Landmark
- History Museum
- Special Collection
Old Mission Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
Built in 1786, the Santa Barbara Mission was the 10th of the 21 missions established by the Spanish.The current church is s one of the fanciest in the chain, hence the term "Queen of the Missions." ...
-
- Hotel / Motel
- Resort
Treebones Resort
Big Sur, CA
This unique family-friendly eco-resort will make your kids feel like the Swiss Family Robinson for a night or two at least. There's a pool, plenty of room to run and shout, and even a "nest" made of sticks with a comfy mattress inside....
Central Coast, California for School-Age Kids
3 day trip
Day 1
-
- American
- Greek
- Italian
- Pizza
- Café
- Take-Out
- Outdoor
Big Sur Bakery & Restaurant
Big Sur, CA
Originally founded as a bakery, this Big Sur staple is now much more. Yes, they have wonderful coffee cake, morning buns, and other baked goods, but they also serve savory soups, salads, and sandwiches for lunch....
-
- Beach
- Campground
- Swimming
- Surfing
Pfeiffer Beach
Big Sur, CA
The most popular beach access in Big Sur and long a local best-kept secret, Pfeiffer Beach is world famous for its sunsets....
-
- Park
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Waterfall
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Big Sur, CA
Beaches, mountains, and an 80-foot granite waterfall are the atractions in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. The lure of 80-foot McWay Falls, which you can see from above as it plunges into the ocean, might tempt your kids to hike....
-
- Craft & Hobby Store
- Souvenir & Gift Store
- Roadside Landmark
- Café
- Restaurant
Nepenthe Restaurant, Café Kevah and The Phoenix Gift Shop
Big Sur, CA
What Nepenthe's famous for, above all else, is the spectacular not-to-be-missed view. Order some appetizers and a drink at Café Kevah and sit out on the terrace. Then spend time in the Phoenix which is part gift shop, part local craft display....
-
- Burgers
- Mexican
- Seafood
- Vegetarian
- Family Dining
- Outdoor
Big Sur Roadhouse
Big Sur, CA
Under new ownership, this cheerful, relaxed roadside diner is the perfect blend of old and new. The food is hearty Latin-inspired "comfort food" with a healthy California twist....
-
- Hotel / Motel
- Resort
Treebones Resort
Big Sur, CA
This unique family-friendly eco-resort will make your kids feel like the Swiss Family Robinson for a night or two at least. There's a pool, plenty of room to run and shout, and even a "nest" made of sticks with a comfy mattress inside....
Day 2
-
- Historical Landmark
- History Museum
- Special Collection
- Walking Tour
- Archaeological Tour
- Art Or Design Tour
- Scenic Landmark
- Roadside Landmark
Hearst Castle
San Simeon, CA
The highlight of any Central Coast trip is likely to be a tour of Hearst Castle, the extravagant art-bedecked mansion of media magnate William Randolph Hearst. But for kids it's more than a mansion, it's a window into a bygone era of Hollywood glamour....
-
- American
- Burgers
- Café
- Outdoor
- Deli
Sebastian's General Store and Cafe
San Simeon, CA
This colorful local institution is one of the oldest continually operating businesses on the central coast; it's been open as a general store since 1852. But starting last year it became much more than that when new owners reopened the café....
-
- Roadside Landmark
- Aquarium
Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery
San Simeon, CA
There's nothing quite so funny as the antics of elephant seals, and few places you can get as close a view as at the Rookery....
-
- Petting Zoo
- Garden
- Specialty Food Store
- Restaurant
- Bakery
- Café
Linn's Fruit Bin Farmstore
Cambria, CA
The highlight of any Central Coast trip is likely to be a tour of Hearst Castle, the extravagant art-bedecked mansion of media magnate William Randolph Hearst. But for kids it's more than a mansion, it's a window into a bygone era of Hollywood glamour....
-
- American
- Family Dining
Linn's Restaurant and Pie Shop
Cambria, CA
What's an olallieberry? Your kids will ask as soon as you arrive, but by the time you leave, they'll never forget. Like super-size blackberries crossed with raspberries, olallieberries make superb pies. ...
-
- Hotel / Motel
- Resort
Treebones Resort
Big Sur, CA
This unique family-friendly eco-resort will make your kids feel like the Swiss Family Robinson for a night or two at least. There's a pool, plenty of room to run and shout, and even a "nest" made of sticks with a comfy mattress inside....
Day 3
-
- Bakery
- Take-Out
Old West Cinnamon Rolls
Pismo Beach, CA
Can you imagine how wide your kids' eyes would be at the sight of 15 different kinds of cinnamon rolls, each more decadent-looking than the last? ...
-
- Water Park
- Swimming
Avila Hot Springs Resort
San Luis Obispo, CA
This old-fashioned hot springs and family water park is loads of affordable fun. When we stumbled on Avila a few years ago, we felt like we'd gone back to the old lakeside amusement park that's long gone from our area....
-
- Horseback Riding
Horseback Riding on the Beach at The Livery Stable
Oceano, CA
Guide-led horseback rides on the beach are offered by the Livery Stable at Pacific Dunes Ranch, part of the larger Pacific Dunes park that occupies much of the land southeast of Pismo Beach....
-
- Theater
- Comedy
The Great American Melodrama & Vaudeville
Oceano, CA
Designed to imitate and old-fashioned vaudeville theater with sawdust on the floor and a honky-tonk piano tinkling away, the Great American Melodrama is a riotous way to introduce kids to the joys of slapstick comedy....
-
- Roadside Landmark
- Historical Landmark
- History Museum
- Special Collection
Old Mission Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
Built in 1786, the Santa Barbara Mission was the 10th of the 21 missions established by the Spanish.The current church is s one of the fanciest in the chain, hence the term "Queen of the Missions." ...
-
- Hotel / Motel
- Resort
Treebones Resort
Big Sur, CA
This unique family-friendly eco-resort will make your kids feel like the Swiss Family Robinson for a night or two at least. There's a pool, plenty of room to run and shout, and even a "nest" made of sticks with a comfy mattress inside....