Santa Maria Attractions & Activities

Parks & Beaches

Address: Front St, Avila Beach, CA 93424

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One of the Central Coast's most popular beaches, Avila is known for calm, warm waters and beautiful scenery (especially in the summer months, when surrounding hills are in full bloom and hordes of sunbathers flock to the area). Recent development has upgraded public facilities along the beach, and it now features...

Address: 1616 N Carlotti Dr, Santa Lucia District Office, Santa Maria, CA 93454

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This popular recreation area is part of the scenic Los Padres National Forest, which stretches from the Santa Barbara coast north to Big Sur. Figueroa Mountain, noteworthy for its brilliant seasonal beauty, features a wide range of facilities and activities suitable for the entire family: over 30 miles of hiking and...

Address: Oso Flaco Rd, Oceano Dunes Recreation Area, Oceano, CA 93444

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Set in nearly 20 miles of coastal dunes, Oso Flaco is a rare freshwater lake that boasts a baffling wealth of natural diversity. Prime grounds for birdwatchers and other nature enthusiasts, Oso Flaco features a boardwalk leading to the beach that allows visitors to catch brief glimpses of everything from bobcats and...

Address: Grand Ave, Pismo Beach, CA 93420

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Boasting one of the more active waterfronts along the Central Coast, this 23-mile stretch of beach is a family-friendly destination for visitors from all over the state, thanks to calm, warm waters that are ideal for swimming, scuba diving, surfing, body-boarding, sea kayaking, and fishing. The beach town prides...

Address: Shell Beach Rd, Pismo Beach, CA 93449

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Noteworthy for its dramatic landscape, Shell Beach is a small waterfront community located just north of Pismo Beach's main drag. The beaches, cut out of jagged crags and steep cliffs, are small, sheltered, and offer varying degrees of privacy depending on the time of year and distance from the road. The beach proper...