Today I want to bring you my itinerary for spending a long weekend on the Central Coast in California. This part of the Golden State is a great place to go to the beach, explore local towns like Cambria, do some wine tasting, and see famous sights like Hearst Castle. If you want to spend 3 days in this region of California, you’ll be able to experience everything from the vineyards to the shore. I’m here now and I’m excited to show you around. I’ve included a map, too.
Long Weekend on the Central Coast in California
California’s Central Coast is the stuff of dreams. From stunning beaches to local towns, famous landmarks, and world-class vineyards, this place has something for every visitor.
I was born and raised in the Bay Area, and I’ve been traveling to this part of the Golden State my whole life. In doing so I’ve gotten to know the Central Coast from beach to barrel and beyond.
On each trip I discover more to love about it. Whether I visit Avila Beach, go to one of the most unique hotels in California, or stop through on a road trip, this part of my home state always delights.
On this visit I’m spending a long weekend on the Central Coast in California with my other half, his sister, and his brother-in-law. They’re driving up from Los Angeles, and we’re heading down from San Francisco. We’ve chosen this part of the Golden State as a good place to meet in the middle.
We did a fun trip to Big Sur a while back, and we’re excited to meet up again and see more of this part of the coast. We can’t wait to visit some of our favorite spots in the region and see what’s new since our last trips. Given how much we love all traveling here, we know we’re going to have a good time.
Friday Night: Cambria
We arrive on Friday at 5:30pm and check into El Colibri Hotel & Spa. This Tuscan-inspired escape is nestled between the coast and the hills. We love how spacious our rooms are, not to mention the fact that they have fireplaces and views of the wooded area behind the property.
We also love that the lobby lounge has a wine and beer dispenser that we can activate using a card we get at the front desk. We settle in for happy hour, sipping local reds and discussing our plans for the long weekend ahead.
Dinner in Cambria
After happy hour we drive a few minutes away to get to the heart of town. We’ve booked a dinner reservation at Robin’s, a local restaurant with an eclectic menu.
As soon as we arrive, I know I’m going to love it. The lush garden feels like something straight out of a fairy tale, and our table is surrounded by colorful flowers and twinkling lights.
The food and service are as impressive as the atmosphere. Not only is our waiter friendly and knowledgeable, but everything from the famous salmon bisque to Robin’s Chow with prawns is delicious. As an added bonus, the wine list even has a Pinot Noir from Paul Lato, one of our favorite wineries.
After dinner we walk over to a local watering hole called Mozzi’s Saloon. This authentic cowboy bar has been around since 1866, and the wagon wheel chandelier and saws on the walls are a testament to its history. We get drinks and play pool as music from the jukebox flows in the background.
Saturday: Cambria & Paso Robles
The next morning our long weekend on the Central Coast in California continues with a big day of exploring the region. Leaving El Colibri, we start with breakfast at a local place called Hidden Kitchen in Cambria. This restaurant (and its counterpart in Cayucos) has come highly recommended, and we’re excited to try it.
But first we have to find it. True to the name, Hidden Kitchen is tucked away on a side street behind a cute boutique called Slabtown Mercantile. Only open on the weekends and only serving smoothies, waffles, and drinks, this outdoor restaurant is as unique as they come.
Once we find the door, we enter into a courtyard filled with tables bathed in sunshine. We order food and coffees at the counter, then snag a table next to an ivy-clad wall to enjoy our breakfast. The blue corn waffles come topped with everything from avocado to eggs, and they’re as delicious as they look.
Wine Tasting in Paso Robles
After breakfast we browse the boutique before hopping in the car for our first activity of the day: wine tasting in Paso Robles. We drive for 30 minutes up Highway 46, enjoying increasingly good views of rolling hills and Morro Rock as we make our way inland.
Soon we arrive at Jada Vineyard & Winery, an organically-farmed producer of Rhone and Bordeaux-style wines. We’ve pre-booked a tasting, and we’re sat at a beautiful outdoor table by a long bar and a fire feature. Surrounded by oak trees and vineyard-studded hills, we’re in a wine country paradise.
We spend the next hour and a half sipping everything from Viognier to Merlot, Tannat, and red blends as our host tells us about the vineyards, terroir, and flavor profile of each wine. The wines get better as they get bolder, and we buy a few bottles of the big reds before we leave.
Lunch in Downtown Paso Robles
From Jada it’s a 15-minute drive to the next stop on our itinerary for a long weekend on the Central Coast in California: lunch at Fish Gaucho in Paso Robles. This modern Mexican restaurant has come highly recommended, and we love both the outdoor tables and the decor in the huge dining room.
After enjoying a big spread of salsas and guacamole, we tuck into plates of tacos. From mango cod to carnitas, they’re so good we can’t stop talking about them for the rest of the trip. It’s truly a stand-out meal.
Wine Tasting in Paso Robles
After lunch we get back in the car and drive 10 minutes to the next stop on our Central Coast itinerary: McPrice Myers. Nestled in vineyard-studded hills in the Adelaida District, this winery aims to articulate the diversity of the Paso Robles appellation and showcase the multiple terroirs and climates of the Central Coast.
We’re greeted by a host, who pours us samples of everything from white blends and red blends to 100% Zinfandels. As with Jada, we like the bolder ones best. Our favorite is the Beautiful Earth Red, which contains everything from Syrah to Grenache, Petite Sirah, Mourvedre, Zinfandel, and Cinsault.
Lucky for us, McPrice Myers himself is on site. He comes by our table and spends time talking with us about his background, approach to winemaking, and growing techniques. Meeting him is a nice bonus to a great experience.
Equally fun is an olive oil tasting we do at the end. We sample a range of single-varietal oils, blends, and flavored ones before picking out a few to take home along with the wine we’ve purchased.
Shopping in Paso Robles
When we’re done with the tasting, we drive back into downtown Paso Robles to do some shopping. There are lots of great places dotted among the restaurants and tasting rooms here. We pop into clothing stores, home goods shops, boutiques like General Store Paso Robles, and olive oil purveyors as we make our way around town.
Drinks in Paso Robles
Soon it’s drinks o’clock. We’ve booked a reservation at a place called Cane Tiki Room in downtown Paso Robles. Right next door to Fish Gaucho (and owned by the same owner), it serves exotic cocktails and Polynesian small bites in a tropical atmosphere.
As soon as we walk in, we notice the water feature, toucans, and plenty of details that add to the ambiance. Woven walls and bamboo accents add extra authenticity.
We tuck into a round of drinks, each of which comes in a unique glass. From coconuts to classic tiki mugs, they’re as fun as the cocktails are tasty. Mine even comes with fire on top.
Dinner in Paso Robles
After tiki drinks, our long weekend on the Central Coast in California continues with dinner down the street at Thomas Hill Organics.
This farm-to-table restaurant in downtown Paso Robles features a beautiful garden courtyard and a menu full of creative dishes made from seasonal local produce.
We tuck into wine flights with whites and reds from Paso Robles wineries like Copia, then enjoy starters of wild mushrooms on sourdough. Cooked to perfection, they’re some of the culinary highlights of the trip. They’re followed by our mains, which range from salmon to filet mignon.
Sensorio
After dinner we continue our trip to the Central Coast with a 10-minute drive to Sensorio, one of California’s largest immersive art exhibitions. Nestled in the hills of Paso Robles, this outdoor experience is known for the thousands of colorful lights that brighten up the night.
We arrive at sunset and walk along a path to get to an area with food trucks, a local maker’s market, and a stage with a live band. It’s a great introduction to the fun, and a good place to get into the spirit of Sensorio.
After exploring for a bit, we head over to Field of Light, the main event. The broad dirt paths lead us through an illuminated valley of over 100,000 glowing bulbs as the sky turns golden with the setting sun.
We walk through the installation, then head into another area with exhibitions like Light Towers, Gone Fishing, and Fireflies. Like Field of Light, they’re creative ways to brighten up the night with colors and sounds.
After exploring Sensorio for an hour, we head back into downtown Paso Robles to check out the nightlife scene. We want to go to Eleven Twenty-Two, a cocktail lounge that’s been named one of the top 50 hidden speakeasies, but the line is 60 minutes long by the time we arrive.
Undeterred, we settle in at Pappy McGregor’s, an award-winning pub with a series of rooms and bars. It’s busy and the drinks are good, and we all agree it’s a fun place to spend a night out in Paso.
Sunday: Cambria, Hearst Castle, Pismo Beach & San Luis Obispo
The next morning we check out of El Colibri and continue our long weekend on the Central Coast in California with breakfast in Cambria. At the recommendation of our hotel, we stop for coffee and pastries at Cambria Coffee Roasting Company.
There’s a line out the door when we arrive, but it moves quickly. Soon we’re enjoying lattes and croissants on big white Adirondack chairs outside. It’s a great way to start our day.
Hearst Castle
When we’ve finished breakfast, we hop in the car for the 15-minute drive to Hearst Castle in San Simeon. Along with the resident elephant seals, the historic mansion is one of the main attractions on this part of the Central Coast.
Hearst Castle was the hilltop home of publishing tycoon William Randolph Hearst. In 1919 he hired architect Julia Morgan to build a fanciful Spanish-style house overlooking the Pacific Ocean. For the next 28 years, they added room after room, cottage after cottage, swimming pool after swimming pool.
The result is an over-the-top estate packed with European art, decorative objects, and furnishings. From bedrooms fit for royalty (and Prime Ministers…Winston Churchill stayed here) to a library that could make any book lover swoon, and gardens fragrant with roses, this place is a feast for the senses.
We take two tours while we’re here. The first is of the cottages and kitchens, and the second is of the upstairs suites. Throughout the guided experiences, we learn about both the decorative elements of Hearst Castle and the social history of the place.
The tours are whistle-stop, but they allow us to see a lot of the castle and surrounding grounds while we’re visiting. It’s amazing to learn about the art and architecture of the estate, not to mention the Hollywood stars who frequently visited.
Shopping in Cambria
From Hearst Castle we drive back to Cambria to explore the town and do some shopping. There’s everything from home goods shops to New Age boutiques here. We particularly like Sea + Green, a beautiful store selling vintage and handmade goods inspired by the water and rooted in nature.
We spend time shopping at Sea + Green, then pop into a few antiques shops and places selling crystals and gifts. It’s a fun way to spend an hour in Cambria.
Morro Bay
When we’re done shopping, it’s a 20-minute drive to Morro Bay. This famous spot along Highway 1 on the Central Coast is known for the ancient volcanic mound at the end of its beach.
We park in the small lot at North Point Natural Area and head down a short flight of stairs to take in the views of Morro Rock. It’s stunning to see, and we marvel at how big it is.
We walk around the area for a bit, taking in the whitecaps on the ocean and the yellow wildflowers on the shore. It’s a beautiful day, and we can’t wait for what comes next.
Pismo Beach
Back in the car, it’s a 30-minute drive through San Luis Obispo and past the famous Madonna Inn to get to Pismo Beach. We check into our ocean-view rooms at the Inn at the Cove, which are decorated in beautiful sea tones and feature terraces overlooking the waves.
After getting settled in, we walk past the pool and hot tub, beside the clifftop Adirondack chairs, and down to the beach below the hotel. The small, sandy cove is surrounded by cliffs, and there’s a stunning keyhole arch in the rocks. It’s the perfect place to soak up the sun.
When said sun starts to sink, we head up to the clifftop gazebo at the Inn at the Cove to enjoy front-row seats for the sunset.
Dinner in San Luis Obispo
Later we continue our long weekend on the Central Coast in California with a 15-minute drive to San Luis Obispo for dinner. We’ve booked a table at Bear & The Wren, an artisanal restaurant and pizzeria in the buzzing Creamery Marketplace.
We sit at an outdoor table in the courtyard and tuck into everything from wood-fired asparagus to Caesar salad and thin-crust Neapolitan pizzas. It’s a fun environment, and a great place to start a night out in SLO.
After dinner we walk over to BA Start, a retro arcade and bar with over 40 classic games, pinball machines, pool tables, air hockey, and other entertainment. We get a round of drinks and spend the night playing everything from Ms. Pac-Man to Galaga and pool.
Monday: Pismo Beach, Carmel Valley & Capitola
The next morning our itinerary for a long weekend on the Central Coast in California continues as we enjoy the continental breakfast and waffle bar at the Inn at the Cove. Afterwards we check out of our rooms and make the 5-minute drive to the heart of Pismo Beach.
We spend time walking around and checking out surf shops like Esteem before heading down to the pier. We walk out along the wooden boards, taking in views of the Pacific Ocean and the shoreline as we go.
When we get hungry, we stroll over to Old West Cinnamon Rolls for a sweet treat. This famous place is known for the spiral pastries made from the recipe Betty Clemens created at her family home in Shell Beach decades ago.
Handmade and baked fresh daily, these mouth-watering delicacies come in varieties as wide-ranging as walnut, mudslide, and maple bacon. We order rolls topped with cream cheese frosting to eat at the tables on the sidewalk, plus several more to take home.
Carmel Valley
From Pismo Beach we say our good-byes and hop in our cars for the trip home. The drive north toward San Francisco takes me and my other half to another fun place on the Central Coast: Carmel.
Carmel Valley is known for its vineyards, so it’s a good thing we’re stopping here to go wine tasting. We have an appointment at 3pm, and we arrive right on time after the 2.5-hour journey from Pismo.
The tasting is at Folktale Winery, and I’ve been invited to enjoy a complimentary experience. The property features 15 acres of sustainably-farmed vineyards and gardens along the Carmel River, and I like it as soon as I see it.
The tasting room is straight out of a fairy-tale, as is the series of enchanted courtyards around it. From sofas to a stage for live music and cornhole boards, there’s a lot going on here.
We settle in at an outdoor table and look at the wine and food menus. Soon our host brings us the Reserve Red flight. We sample everything from the Whole Cluster Pinot Noir to red blends with names inspired by Game of Thrones. It all goes down a treat as we take in the colorful flowers and wine barrels around us.
Dinner in Capitola
After picking out a bottle to take home, we walk around the paths through the vineyards then hop in the car for the final stop on our Central Coast itinerary: Capitola. It’s just under an hour’s drive from the winery to Margaritaville, a waterfront restaurant in the heart of Capitola Village.
This place is known for its Mexican food and views of the colorful Capitola Venetian. We meet local friends here, and we all sit outside at a table on the deck.
Soon we’re tucking into everything from crispy fried calamari to beer-battered fish tacos. It’s a delicious end to our day, not to mention our trip.
Long Weekend on the Central Coast in California
After dinner we drive up and over Highway 17. We reach San Francisco at 9:30pm. We’ve had an amazing long weekend on the Central Coast, and we’re already planning our next trip to the region. I hope this blog post has inspired you to visit this part of California, too.
If you want more inspiration, you can take a look at my other blog posts with Central Coast itineraries. They include my guides to spending 1 day in Santa Cruz, 1 day in Santa Barbara, 36 hours in Santa Cruz, 2 days in Santa Barbara, a weekend in Capitola and Santa Cruz, and 4 days in Big Sur, Carmel, and Monterey.
Central Coast Itinerary Map
As promised, I’ve created an interactive Google map of all the places I visited on my long weekend getaway on the Central Coast in California. You can find it here. I hope it helps you plan your trip to the region!
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