| The beautiful shores of the Central Coast still delight visitors from around the world. Popular tourist destinations include Cannery Row and the Aquarium in Monterey, Morro Rock and the Embarcadero in the scenic fishing village of Morro Bay, the Big Sur Coastline, and Hearst Castle in San Simeon. Located midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, it is an area of awesome natural beauty. From the sheer ocean cliffs of Big Sur to the Oceano dunes, the scenery is spectacular. Sparsely populated with abundant wildlife, the Central Coast offers unparalled hiking opportunities, beautiful beaches, mountains, rivers and lakes. The Central Coast offers a wonderful variety of views and sounds. One hears the deep bellowing of the male Northern elephant seal long before one sees him at Point Piedras Blancas. The sand dunes change shape daily as sand verbena, silver lupine, sea rocket and other wildflowers struggle to hold steady against the constant flow of sand between sea and shore. Challenging waves lure surfers from all over the world. Photo Gallery. |
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The Central Coast is the area of California extending from Santa
Cruz in the north to Santa Barbara in the south. It primarily refers
to San Luis Obispo and Monterey counties.
Cruz in the north to Santa Barbara in the south. It primarily refers
to San Luis Obispo and Monterey counties.
But this is no intellectual backwater, a look at our events page
will show that the Central Coast has a rich and varied cultural
life.
will show that the Central Coast has a rich and varied cultural
life.
The Central Coast abounds with rare and unique plants and
wildlife. The Coastal Redwood, Monterey Cypress, Santa Lucia
Fir and Torrey Pine can be seen here.
Condors, Golden Eagles, and Brown Pelicans grace our skies.
We are home to the endangered California Sea Otter and the
monarch butterfly migration arrives each year in a brilliant
display.
wildlife. The Coastal Redwood, Monterey Cypress, Santa Lucia
Fir and Torrey Pine can be seen here.
Condors, Golden Eagles, and Brown Pelicans grace our skies.
We are home to the endangered California Sea Otter and the
monarch butterfly migration arrives each year in a brilliant
display.
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California State Parks Foundation is the only statewide non-profit organization dedicated to
protecting, enhancing and advocating for California's magnificent State Parks. If you are planning to spend time on
the Central Coast, it makes great sense to become a member. New memberships start at $25, and all members
receive seven day-use passes for California state parks, a one-year subscription to Sunset Magazine, plus maps
and a newsletter. (Day use at Big Sur parks are $5 or $6, alone worth the membership.)
protecting, enhancing and advocating for California's magnificent State Parks. If you are planning to spend time on
the Central Coast, it makes great sense to become a member. New memberships start at $25, and all members
receive seven day-use passes for California state parks, a one-year subscription to Sunset Magazine, plus maps
and a newsletter. (Day use at Big Sur parks are $5 or $6, alone worth the membership.)
Marine reserves go into effect. The state’s first network of marine protected areas went into effect
Sept. 21, restricting or outright banning fishing in 18 percent of the near-shore waters of the Central Coast. Half of
the areas are no-fishing zones. The other half ban commercial fishing but allow recreational fishing or the taking of
certain types of marine life. Along the North Coast, areas around Morro Bay, Cambria, San Simeon and Ragged
Point will be included in the new protected areas.
Sept. 21, restricting or outright banning fishing in 18 percent of the near-shore waters of the Central Coast. Half of
the areas are no-fishing zones. The other half ban commercial fishing but allow recreational fishing or the taking of
certain types of marine life. Along the North Coast, areas around Morro Bay, Cambria, San Simeon and Ragged
Point will be included in the new protected areas.
The Central Coast is the first region in the state to have 85 square miles of “no take” state marine reserves,
according to the Department of Fish and Game. Eventually, reserves will span the state’s 1,100- mile coastline,
making California the first state to embrace the widespread use of underwater parks. PDF Map.
For more information and a list of Marine Protected Areas.
according to the Department of Fish and Game. Eventually, reserves will span the state’s 1,100- mile coastline,
making California the first state to embrace the widespread use of underwater parks. PDF Map.
For more information and a list of Marine Protected Areas.
"the best port that could be desired, for In 1602, Spanish explorer Sebastian Vizcaino described Monterey Bay
besides being sheltered from all winds, it has many pines for masts and yards, and live oaks and white oaks, and
water in great quantity, all near the shore."
besides being sheltered from all winds, it has many pines for masts and yards, and live oaks and white oaks, and
water in great quantity, all near the shore."
Tiny Harmony Post Office Closes
When the tiny Harmony post office closed on April 4, 2008, it interrupted more than 90
years of continuous postal service. Since 1914, the post office — little more than a bank-
style window and 102 antique postal boxes in the Harmony Creamery building — has
offered customers more than mail, stamps and package shipping. We hate to see it go.
It’s been a makeshift town hall and impromptu meeting place for the 98 boxholders and
anyone else wanting to buy a stamp, mail a letter or ask directions in the hamlet where
the official population is 18. The community of Harmony began in 1869 as a cheese
factory serving local dairymen.
In addition to Harmony’s official population of 18, many more people live on ranches in
surrounding areas. The 2.5-acre “downtown” commercial district has been privately
owned for decades. The town’s primary attractions are a winery, pottery shop, rustic
history and rural landscape.
When the tiny Harmony post office closed on April 4, 2008, it interrupted more than 90
years of continuous postal service. Since 1914, the post office — little more than a bank-
style window and 102 antique postal boxes in the Harmony Creamery building — has
offered customers more than mail, stamps and package shipping. We hate to see it go.
It’s been a makeshift town hall and impromptu meeting place for the 98 boxholders and
anyone else wanting to buy a stamp, mail a letter or ask directions in the hamlet where
the official population is 18. The community of Harmony began in 1869 as a cheese
factory serving local dairymen.
In addition to Harmony’s official population of 18, many more people live on ranches in
surrounding areas. The 2.5-acre “downtown” commercial district has been privately
owned for decades. The town’s primary attractions are a winery, pottery shop, rustic
history and rural landscape.