Route 1 - San Luis Obispo North Coast Byway
Coastal wonders along San Luis Obispo North Coast Byway

Departure:	Mission de San Luis Obispo, California
Destination:	Ragged Point Vista, California
Time to allow:	1 day

In addition to unparalleled coastal scenic views and ocean vistas, you'll find a multitude of historical and cultural sites along the Byway on this journey.

Day 1

• Start: Mission de San Luis Obispo

  One of California's oldest communities, San Luis Obispo has its beginnings in the founding of the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa in 1772. Today Mission de San Luis Obispo serves as the cultural and literal center of the City.

  Mission San Luis Obispo was founded on September 1, 1772 by Father Junipero Serra, Presidente of the California Missions Chain. It was the 5th mission in the 21 mission chain in Alta California. It was named for Saint Louis, Bishop of Toulouse. It is the only mission with an L-shaped church. The mission site was selected as it is midway between San Diego and Monterey. Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa has always been the center of the community. The entire city of San Luis Obispo and even the county was built up around the mission. The mission has been the center and focal point of the city since the very beginning.

• Stop 2: San Luis Obispo

  From previous stop:	same location
  Directions:	Located at beginning of Byway.

  San Luis Obispo offers two points of interest for byway travelers. The San Luis Obispo Mission and the City's adjoining downtown, and the Historic Railroad District. One of the activities that is most enjoyed by visitors to the Byway is spending a leisurely couple of hours in the downtown and mission plaza, enjoying the creekside walk and bustle of town. The downtown's character makes it one of the more entertaining points of interest in the corridor.

• Stop 3: Montaña de Oro State Park

  From previous stop:	same location
  Directions:	From San Luis Obispo take Route 1 to Los Osos, from there head south on Pecho Valley Road.

  Montana de Oro State Park is a wave swept, seven-mile long shoreline. It is made up of sandy beaches which split to the north, and rugged cliffs and headlands to the south. Mountain bike, backpack, or hike around the area to get a closer look.

• Stop 4: Morro Bay

  

  From previous stop:	same location
  Directions:	Take Pecho Valley Road back to Los Osos. From there, take South Bay Boulevard to Morro Bay.

  Morro Bay allows visitors to enjoy the City's Embarcadero along the water's edge of Morro Bay Harbor. The area's shops, restaurants, and views allow visitors to experience the City's past and present with its thriving fishing culture.

  In Morro Bay you'll find the Natural History Museum, the Morro Bay National Estuary, Morro Rock State Forest, Morro Strand State Beach, and the Elfin Forest.

• Stop 5: Harmony

  From previous stop:	same location
  Directions:	From Morro Bay get on Route 1 and follow the Byway to Harmony.

  Harmony, a tiny community located in the rolling hills of Harmony Valley, is a cultural landmark that resembles much of the area in the late 1800s and the dairy culture that was prevalent at the time. The town is now home to artisans including glassblowers, potters, quilters and other art crafts who sell the products of their talents. The town also offers eateries and wine and cheese tasting. The town draws travelers off of the highway for short stopovers to enjoy what it has to offer.

  Representative of "Old California", this small town orginally operated as a creamery from 1869 until mid-1955. Although many milk processing plants operated in the area, none operated as long or as successfully as did the Harmony Valley Creamery Association. This cooperative was an integral part of the area for almost 90 years. The Swiss dairy farmers were the backbone and steadying influence of the community because they dominated the dairy industry.

• Stop 6: San Simeon State Park

  From previous stop:	same location
  Directions:	Continue along byway to just past Cambria.

  Consisting of wildlife, riparian and cultural preserves, San Simeon State Park is one of the oldest parks in the state system. Camp out, hike, or enter the kids in the Junior Ranger station.

• Stop 7: William R. Hearst Memorial State Beach

  From previous stop:	same location
  Directions:	Continue along the Byway to the State Beach.

  The beach is located near the historic town of San Simeon along Highway One and gives visitors the opportunity to hike, swim, fish and beachcomb. A popular beach spot, this protected cove also offers visitors pier fishing and deep-sea fishing from chartered boats. Ocean kayaking is also popular. Picnic tables, barbecue grills and restrooms are available. This day use area offers 24 picnic sites, 150 parking spaces, restrooms, water faucets, barbecue grill stands and easy beach access. Recreational activities include picnicking, swimming, fishing, boating, kayaking and sunbathing. There is a kayak and boogie board concession in operation with equipment for rent.

  A festival commemorating the nineteenth-century history of the local area, "A Day in Old San Simeon", is held at the State Beach each year in May.

• Stop 8: Hearst Castle

  

  From previous stop:	same location
  Directions:	Continue along the Byway to San Simeon.

  In the Santa Lucia Coastal Range overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Hearst Castle is a magnificent estate of 165 rooms and 127 acres of gardens, terraces, pools and walkways. The castle was once the home of newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst.

• Stop 9: Piedras Blancas Lighthouse

  

  From previous stop:	same location
  Directions:	Continue along the Byway.

  The Piedras Blancas Lighthouse was built in 1874 and first operated in 1875. It remains today as a captivating image of its time.

• End: Ragged Point Vista

  

  From previous stop:	same location
  Directions:	Follow the Byway to the end.

  A popular destination for large tour bus groups to stop and stretch their legs, have lunch, and take in the experience of the California Big Sur Coast.

  Towering high above the Pacific on a promontory with 400 foot sheer cliffs, Ragged Point offers one of the finest ocean vistas in the world, often called the "Million Dollar View". One of the few places on this coast with a trail down the face of a cliff, it also boasts the largest waterfall on the Big Sur coast.

Totals for Day 1

Total Distance Traveled:	0 miles / 0.0 km
Total Travel Time:	0 minutes
Total Stopping Time:	0 minutes