California Official Visitor's Guide 2022 - 121

Los Padres National Forest. These 1.75 million
protected acres along the rugged coastal mountains
of Central California are home to redwood forests,
grasslands, chaparral biome, and conifer forests. 805/
448-6487; fs.usda.gov
GUADALUPE
Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge.
Sweeping sand dunes serve as protected breeding
grounds for the endangered California least tern and the
Western snowy plover. 805/644-5185; fws.gov
Point Sal State Beach. Accessible only by a 9.8-mile
hike, this remote beach includes 1.5 miles of coastline,
surrounded by a rugged mountain ridgeline. Look for
seals sunning offshore on Lion Rock. 805/585-1869;
parks.ca.gov
HOLLISTER
Pacheco State Park. Once a portion of the Mexican
land grant, this land has served as a horse and cattle
ranch since 1843. Explore 28 miles of trails, grasslands,
and wildflower fields via foot or horseback. 209/8261197;
parks.ca.gov
JOLON
Mission San Antonio de Padua. Nestled in grasslands
and oak trees, this carefully restored mission, dedicated
in 1771 and topped by archway bells, has an especially
beautiful setting. 831/385-4478; missionsanantonio.net
LOMPOC
La Purísima Mission State Historic Park. Take a
self-guided tour of this restored mission, founded
in 1787. Watch demonstrations of 1820s-era trades,
including blacksmithing, candle making, and more.
805/733-3713; lapurisimamission.org
Space to Explore in Lompoc. Located on scenic
Highway 1 along the Central Coast, Lompoc is the best
vantage point for rocket launches on the West Coast.
La Purisima Mission, dozens of boutique wineries
and outdoor murals, Jalama Beach, skydiving, and
championship golf. explorelompoc.com See ad, p. 121
LOS OSOS
Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve. Explore groves
of dwarfed oaks dripping with lichen and hanging moss
atop ancient sand dunes. Although hundreds of years
old, these ancient trees reach heights of only 6 to 8 feet.
805/772-6101; parks.ca.gov
Montaña de Oro State Park. Walk or mountain bike on
trails that lead to wildflowers, coastal plains, and the
1,347-foot Valencia Peak. Visit in spring to see fields of
golden flowers in full bloom. 805/772-6101; parks.ca.gov
MARINA
Marina State Beach. Winding through Marina Dunes
Natural Preserves, this is a popular spot for hang gliding,
paragliding, and kite flying. Hike along a sandy boardwalk
on the Dune Nature Trail. 831/649-2836; parks.ca.gov
MONTEREY
Cannery Row. The Central Coast's premier visitor
destination, with ocean-view hotels, award-winning
restaurants, boutiques, wine tasting, attractions, and
exciting nightlife. Plan your visit at canneryrow.com. See
ad, p. 43
Monterey County. Offers iconic moments. Wind along
the breathtaking Big Sur coastline on Highway One,
sip wines at tucked-away tasting rooms, or watch aweinspiring
sunsets on Carmel Beach. Visit SeeMonterey
.com and start planning your trip. See ad, pgs. 69 and
119
Monterey Museum of Art. Dedicated to the preservation
of California art. Gain a deeper understanding of
Monterey's legacy as an arts colony through the works of
notable residents. 831/372-5477; montereyart.org
MORGAN HILL
Henry W. Coe State Park. Discover 87,000 acres of wild
open spaces. With lofty ridges and steep canyons, the
park's rugged terrain is ideal for hiking, mountain biking,
and horseback riding. 408/779-2728; parks.ca.gov
MORRO BAY
Morro Bay State Park. Camp, hike, and explore the
lagoon and natural bay habitat. Enjoy views of Morro
Rock, a registered historical landmark and bird sanctuary
for the peregrine falcon. 805/772-6101; parks.ca.gov
Morro Strand State Beach. Three miles of sand stretch
between the north and south entrance of this coastal
frontage park on Estero Bay. Spend the night at one of 85
campsites. 805/772-6101; parks.ca.gov
MOSS LANDING
Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve.
Watch sea otters frolic in tidal creeks, black-tailed deer
graze in oak woodlands, and cliff swallows gather mud
for their nests in the state's second-largest estuary.
831/728-2822; elkhornslough.org
Moss Landing State Beach. This long sandy beach,
protected by dunes and popular with surfers, is known
for its world-class waves. View western snowy plovers
nesting right on the sand. 831/649-2836; parks.ca.gov
OCEANO
Pismo State Beach. Camp, fish, surf, swim, and
bird-watch at this state beach, which features a coastal
sand dune habitat and a freshwater lagoon. Visit the
VISITCALIFORNIA.COM | 121

http://www.explorelompoc.com http://www.montereyart.org http://fs.usda.gov http://www.explorelompoc.com http://parks.ca.gov http://www.fws.gov http://parks.ca.gov http://parks.ca.gov http://parks.ca.gov http://parks.ca.gov http://parks.ca.gov http://parks.ca.gov http://parks.ca.gov http://www.elkhornslough.org http://www.canneryrow.com http://www.missionsanantonio.net http://parks.ca.gov http://www.lapurisimamission.org http://www.VISITCALIFORNIA.COM

California Official Visitor's Guide 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of California Official Visitor's Guide 2022