Route 1 - San Luis Obispo North Coast Byway
Places to Visit
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Cambria is home to gourmet restaurants, art galleries, wine tasting, and gorgeous coastal scenery.
Location: Located along the coast in San Luis Obispo County
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The 90-acre elfin forest represents a complex and rich assortment of natural communities. These include coastal brackish marsh, riparian woodland fringe, pygmy oak woodland, grassland, coastal due scrub, and oak manzanita association.
Distance from byway: On the byway Directions: The Elfin Fores is located on the southeastern shore of Morro Bay
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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 reflects the dairy culture that was prevalent at the time.
Distance from byway: On the byway Directions: Approximately 25 miles north of the City of San Luis Obispo.
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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.
Distance from byway: On the byway Directions: Just north of Cambria.
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Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail (CA)
The national trail commemorates the route followed by a Spanish commander, Juan Bautista de Anza, in 1775-76 when he led a contingent of 30 soldiers and their families to found a presidio and mission near the San Francisco Bay.
Distance from byway: On the byway Directions: The trail travels through San Luis Obispo County.
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Los Padres National Forest (CA)
Distinctive geologic, geomorphic, and botanic features make this forest one of the most traveled forests in west California.
Location: About two hours north of Los Angeles.
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The Mail Pouch Barn is one of a number of historic barns in the San Luis Obispo area. There were once approximately 10,000 of these barns across the midwest, and a small number in the west.
Distance from byway: On the byway Directions: San Luis Obispo's mail pouch barn is located west of Highway 1 next to Bishop's Peak.
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Mission de San Luis Obispo (CA)
One of California's oldest communities, San Luis Obispo, began with the founding of the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. Today, the mission serves as the cultural and literal center of the City of San Luis Obispo.
Distance from byway: On the byway Directions: Downtown in the City of San Luis Obispo.
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Montaña de Oro State Park (CA)
Montaña 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.
Distance from byway: On the byway Directions: This unit of the park system faces the ocean just south of Morro Bay.
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Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (CA)
The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) is a Federally protected marine area offshore of California's central coast.
Distance from byway: On the byway Directions: 32 miles north of the city of San Luis Obispo.
