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AVILA BEACH. 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 playgrounds, hotdog stands and pretzel carts, cement sidewalks, restrooms and changing facilities, and an occasional picnic table. A handful of restaurants, bars, and shops dots the waterfront business district, providing a respite for those needing to get out of the sun. It's best to arrive early in the morning during peak season because beach space tends to be at a premium.
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SANTA MARIA. 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 mountain bike trails that traverse wildflower-covered slopes and run past old homesteads and mineshafts; designated primitive and modern campsites; toilet facilities; and designated hunting areas. Those wanting to visit the area from Santa Maria may do so by taking Highway 101 South toward Los Olivos, exiting on Highway 154 South, then turning left on Figueroa Mountain Road.
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OCEANO. 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 California least terns to prickly phlox and giant coreopsis. The area's dramatic scenery has inspired artists for centuries, including Hollywood film director Cecil B. DeMille, who selected the dunes as the setting for his "Ten Commandments."
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PISMO BEACH. 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 itself on being the "Clam Capital of the World," and the official clam zone south of Grand Avenue has been known to yield specimens well over 4.5 inches in diameter – have care, though, clamming requires a salt-water fishing license.
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PISMO BEACH. 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 is broken up into a series of coves, some sandy and ideal for swimming and sunbathing, others rocky and marked by harsh sounds of crashing waves. None of the beaches have on-duty lifeguards, so caution and common sense are musts.
You want only quality attractions and activities to occupy your leisure hours. To that end, we've researched a diverse list of options, ruled out the wastes of time, and delivered only the 10Best. We provide detailed information about historical sites, theme parks, sporting events, and city sights that you won't want to miss. Peruse our lists, see what grabs your fancy, and then head out for some personal time!
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