Ten Day Trips from the Santa Ynez Valley

I love living in the Santa Ynez Valley and hardly ever tire of our bucolic landscape. But sometimes it's good to get out of town on a day trip and and have some other Central Coast adventures. So pile your kids into the car, and head out for a memorable day trip with the family. Google the activities I list to get directions, hours, costs, etc.

San Luis Obispo
Downtown Creek Walk
Madonna Inn for lunch or dinner
Thursday Night Farmers Market
Sunset Drive-In Movie Theater
Bubble gum alley

Los Osos
Donut's at Carlock's Bakery
Bird watch at the Sweet Springs Nature Preserve
Hike the Elfin Forest
Tidepools at Montana de Oro State Park
Lunch at Sylvester's Burgers

Cambria
Art gallery walk through town
Oliallieberry pie at Linn's restaurant
Walk Moonstone Beach
Piedras Blancas Lighthouse

Avila Beach
Old San Luis Pier
Avila Beach for boogie boarding
Hot tub rental at Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort
Avila Valley Barn for snacks/treats
Apple picking in Sea Canyon (in the Fall)
Bob Jones City to Sea bike trail (paved)

Lompoc
Driving tour of the flower fields (June is the best month)
Visit "Mural Alley"
Beach walk and burger at Jalama
La Purismia Mission State Park
Lunch at Floriano's Mexican restaurant

Arroyo Grande
Swinging bridge
Doc Burnstein's for ice cream making demo
1895 Victorian Heritage House tour
Mustang Waterpark waterslides (summer only)
Rent a boat on Lopez Lake
Zipline at Vista Lago Adventure Park

Santa Barbara
Lotusland Tour
Climb the Courthouse Tower
Eat seafood on Stearn's Wharf
Ride bikes and ride along the oceanfront path
Land Shark tour on the amphibious vehicle

Santa Maria
Mini golf at Boomers
Walk Oso Flaco Lake Natural Refuge 
Dine at historic Santa Maria Inn
Wander among the Guadalupe dunes
Santa Maria Raceway
Feed the ducks at Waller County Park

Pismo Beach
Clam Chowder at Splash Cafe
Monarch Butterfly Preserve (October thru March)
Drive on the beach in Oceano Dunes State Park
Old West Cinnamon Rolls 
Dinner at Giuseppe's Cucina Italiana
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Morro Bay
Museum of Natural History in Morro Bay State Park
Shell Shop for largest selection of shells on the West Coast
French dip sandwich at The Hoffbrau
Fly a kite on Morro Beach in front of The Rock
Kayak the bay

Happy Adventuring!