I have been going to the Central Coast of California since I was a wee fetus. The trip there in the family station wagon was long for both kids and adults, but as soon as we rose out of the piping hot valley and smelled the cool salty air, we all perked up.
While living in NYC, visits to the sleepy beach towns that dot the central coast were few and far between. Now that Monkey and I live in Los Angeles, we plan on taking every opportunity to enjoy long weekends by the seaside. We have, in fact, spent the last two weekends there!
My favorite towns are Morro Bay and Cayucos. Morro Bay has a touristy strip of shops and seafood joints along the bay, but still maintains its fishing village charm. Cayucos is a quiet surfer town, with beach cottages (most available for vacation rental) that have yet to be torn down and mega-sized. The main street is about 1,000 feet long with no street lights, only one bar, and one gas station. I know a lot of people like Pismo Beach but to me it always seems a little rundown and weary.
Here are some pics from my last two visits – with more to come in the future.
P.S. I am leaving out the pictures of the dead fish head and the gross potato bug that was sunning itself on the rocks. You’re welcome.
Monkey in Manhattan 