Smartphone Driving Tour between Santa Maria & Monterey 'Big Sur'

Santa Maria

The city we’re just to the north of now, Santa Maria, was actually called ‘Central City’ originally. In 1885, it adopted the name Santa Maria.

Oceano Dunes Natural Preserve

Oceano Dunes, one of the most expansive coastal dunes remaining in California offers visitors countless activities, from camping right on the sand and horse-back riding, to more hair raising adventurous options.

Santa Barbara Wine Region

This region has a rich wine-making history dating back to 1782 when Father Junipero Serra, a Spanish Roman Catholic missionary, brought grape vines from Mexico to California and planted them here.

Arroyo Grande

We'll tell you about the Spanish settlers who were determined to make Arroyo Grande a prosperous ranch and farm community as the land features a rich environmental ecosystem.

Grover Beach

The name was not always Grover Beach. D.W. Grover first gave the town the name ‘The Town of Grover.’ The rather peculiar name lasted until 1959, when the town residents finally voted to change it… to something even more peculiar....

Pismo Beach

The name ‘Pismo’ comes from the Chumash language and translates to tar.. And guess what, there are tar-springs nearby!

Monarch Butterfly Grove

Now if you’re into Monarch butterflies, Pismo Beach is the place to be!

Montana de Oro State Park

The oceanside park, Montana De Oro, a State Park that features seven miles of shoreline, streams, canyons and hills, providing nature-lovers with plenty of activities in a pristine setting.

San Luis Obispo

If you like bubblegum... this is the perfect place for you.. ok, well it’s actually uhh.. previously chewed bubblegum, but still. We'll give you the story.

San Luis Obispo botanical garden

If you are looking to visit some beautiful Mediterranean gardens or just take a relaxing stroll, this is the perfect spot.

Morro Bay

Visitors can drive right up to the base of Morro Rock, thanks to a causeway that connects it to the shore. It’s quite close to the highway and a wonderful place to stop and stretch your legs… and snap some great pictures.

Cayucos Pier

So if you've always wanted to walk on one of those long piers you see in the movies, here is your chance.

The Whale Trail

There are over 100 Whale trail sites, which mark the best locations for spotting whales, on the west coast. California has 19 of them.

In this habitat, you can find over two dozen mammal species, including mountain lions and badgers, over 100 bird species and hundreds of terrestrial plant-life.

Cambria

So we're coming up to a small town that, if you are a history buff, may be a place you want to check out! Cambria’s history has been painstakingly preserved by a dedicated band of volunteers at the Historical Society.

Hearst San Simeon State Park

As with most areas set aside for conservation, this park includes many different habitats including conserving things that date back thousands of years. Inside Hearst San Simeon State Park’s 3,400 acres sits the Pa-nu cultural reserve.

Friends of the Elephant Seal Visitor Center

We’ve got a pretty awesome point of interest you may be interested in.... but only if you like watching incredibly huge and adorable sea creatures in their natural habitat of course.

Hearst Castle

If you are looking for a museum unlike any other, you're in luck! The San Simeon area is home to the famous hilltop mansion known as Hearst Castle. If you have the time, we highly recommend you check it out

Piedras Blancas Light Station

This lighthouse was built in the 1800s and originally stood over 100 feet tall.

Los Padres National Forest

As you drive this amazing coastline, keep an eye out for the critically endangered California Condor. You never know, you might just get lucky and spot one of these majestic, and incredibly-rare birds.

Fort Hunter Ligget

Fort Hunter Liggett is the largest reserve command-post in the country with over 165,000 acres of land. It's about 15 miles to the northeast of us, on the other side of those mountains.

Jade Cove

Monterey Jade is an extremely hard stone that ranges in colors from deep greens, to turquoise, silvered greens, to black. The most common color is a grayish green.

Lucia

We'll tell you about a super small hamlet.. And well… as the old saying goes "don't blink or you'll miss it". The most identifiable feature is the Lucia Lodge, which you'll soon see on the oceanside.

Big Creek State Marine Reserve

One of the 29 Marine Life Protection Areas you can find and explore in this region is the 22 square mile region you'll be driving through.

Esalen Institute

Founded in the early 60’s by two Stanford grads, the Esalen Institute is a non-profit retreat meant to help people explore alternative forms of consciousness.

Slates Hot Springs

The settlement became known as Slates Hot Springs due to a set of hot springs that the owner proclaimed cured his arthritis and other ailments.

McWay Falls

If you're looking for a spot to take a break and stretch those legs, look for the Julia Pfeiffer-Burns State Park. You’ll find one of Big Sur’s shortest trails leading to the incredibly picturesque McWay Falls waterfall.

Santa Lucia Range

Never straying more than 11 miles from the coast, the mountain range forms the steepest coastal slope in the contiguous United States.

Big Sur

Big Sur is a rugged and mountainous section of the central coast of California, between Carmel and San Simeon. It is frequently, and deservedly, praised for its dramatic scenery.

Bixby Bridge

Get ready to drive across one of the most photographed bridges in all of California, the Bixby Creek Bridge! If you want to take pictures, or just take in the incredible views, you're in luck as there are many pullovers that you can stop at.

Garrapata State Park

This is a great spot to take in the wonderful vistas and take a walk along the beach. You can explore some caves, nooks and coves along the shore.

Point Lobos

Known as “the greatest meeting of land and water in the world” by famed landscape architect Francis McComas, the Point Lobos State Natural Reserve covers over 8 square miles of land and sea.

Whalers Cove

Here you'll find the Whaler's Cabin, constructed in the 1850's, which is now a cultural history museum, where visitors can learn more about the cultural history of Point Lobos.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

A small European style village known as Carmel-By-The Sea, this village has been consistently rated as a top 10 must see destination in the United States and we highly recommend a visit!

Monterey

The city was founded in 1770 and it's history can be spotted throughout the 8.5 square mile city, from the famed Fisherman’s Wharf to Cannery Row.