40 Best Stops Between Mendocino and Santa Barbara (2025)

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We loved our experience at the Oakland Zoo! We had no intentions of visiting but had some time and decided to visit. We happened to go on trading card Wednesday and had so much fun finding cards and trading with others along with visiting the Habitarium. The gondola ride was so fun and the workers were very accommodating as I have to use a cane while walking due to a leg injury. We ate at the cafe as well and the food was reasonably priced and was hot and tasty. We got the chicken Caesar salad and the impossible burger with fries. Since the zoo is located at the top of a mountain, there are a lot of hills to walk up and down to the exhibits so be sure to have good shoes on!

My wife and I came here for our Valentine's Day outing. It was delightful. We were gifted a membership for Christmas and decided it was time to use it! It was such a lovely day after all the rain we had. The exhibits are well kept, and the staff and stewards are helpful and friendly. We look forward to more time at the zoo and are eager to bring friends and their kids.

We had an amazing time at Glowfari event that happens during winter every year! We were pleasantly surprised to find a gondola ride and a train ride too. The views were amazing from up top. We're definitely making this an annual tradition. The lights were stunning, and their garlic fries were so delicious.

Visited the Oakland zoo for the first time and really enjoyed it! The staff were super friendly and the zoo itself was kept super clean and well. All the animals were so cute and looked to be taken well cared of. I would recommend visiting! The sky ride was so cool but you do have to pay $5 extra to use it (the gondola is free though with admission)

Loved this Zoo, have not been here since I was a kid, the terrain was amazing and made it feel like an adventure and the views are incredible (especially if you take the gondola!). The animals look well taken care of and the exhibits are nice. A few of the enclosure could use some updating but it does look like they are in the midst of that, the new areas (to me) up the hill taking the gondola, the wolves and bears, all look to be newer designs for habitat and are beautiful.

The best part of the zoo was watching Giraffes.we loved the elephant and zebras too.The Gondola ride which is included in ticket price is really fun . After reaching the other side , you can view the entire San Francisco city and some wild animals like grey wolf, Bear.In addition to animals , there are many fun things for kids like rides and some playground stuffs . And they have children’s zoo separately where alligators and turtles are kept.Overall it was a nice family outing day.

Wonderful place to spend a day. Take the gondola and enjoy the view.Get your tickets ahead of time because most of the times they are sold out.

4.6

(12999)

4.5

(715)

9777 Golf Links Rd, Oakland, CA 94605, USA

+14 other lists

Mid Dec2024 Upscale and local shopping complex in the Palo Alto area with a number of well known US and international brands.We often visit this place in conjunction with visits to the Stanford campus as well as Town and Country. The SSC is definitely the place for shopping and is conveniently located closest to the vicinity of the university.It is also constantly growing and innovating with new wings and new stores.

A bit underwhelming… there is not many stores here compared to other malls such as the Roseville Galleria which also carries most luxury brands. I do enjoy shopping at Loro Piana and Tiffany but this particular Hermes isn’t my preferred location. Overall I would not go out of my way to visit here.

Was here an evening after last Christmas to do some returns and the center was still beautiful + calm. I love this place.

The ultimate Bay Area shopping experience comes with a beautiful wander through flowers and foliage. Planters and bedding can be found throughout the open-air experience with plenty of food options to dine in the presence of petals 🌺

Stanford Shopping Center is one of the best malls in the Bay Area, offering a fantastic mix of luxury, high-end brands, and everyday shopping options. The open-air design, beautifully landscaped walkways, and well-maintained facilities make for an enjoyable shopping experience.The variety of stores is impressive, everything from Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Tiffany & Co. to Apple. Dining options are also excellent, with a mix of casual and upscale restaurants like True Food Kitchen, P.F. Chang’s, and Pacific Catch.Parking is usually easy to find, though weekends can get busy. Staff in most stores are friendly and helpful, and the mall is always clean and well-kept.Overall, a great place to shop, dine, and walk around. Definitely worth a visit whether you’re shopping or just looking for a nice place to spend time!

Great high-end shopping mall located next to Stanford University. Has the usual collection of high end retailers, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Rolex, Loro Piana and many others.Great to visit on a sunny day!

Stanford Shopping Center is an outside mall located in Palo Alto. This is a very vibrant shopping mall since the place looks natural and that there are a lot of plants, trees, waterfalls, and gardens. There are a lot of good places to sit to view outside. Also a lot of good stores to go to as well as restaurants to eat at.I don’t really go to this mall because I don’t really shop for clothes since I have plenty of them at home. It’s good for people who want to shop for clothes. They also have electronic stores like Apple. I saw that there is a construction site, but I think they are building a Macy’s store for men’s and another clothing store that looks like an estate building.If you are the type of person who loves nature and shopping or eating out, then you’d probably like going to this mall. It is as clean and fresh as it gets!

4.5

(10624)

4.4

(880)

660 Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA

23 lists

Stanford University – A Timeless and Elegant Backdrop for PortraitsStanford University is hands down one of the most stunning locations for engagement sessions and portraits in the Bay Area. With its breathtaking blend of historic architecture, lush gardens, and wide-open spaces, every corner offers a unique and elegant backdrop.The grand archways and sandstone buildings of the Main Quad provide a sophisticated and timeless aesthetic, while Palm Drive and the Oval offer a classic California vibe with towering palm trees and vibrant greenery. If you're looking for something more intimate, the Arizona Garden and hidden courtyards create a romantic and peaceful setting, perfect for capturing genuine, heartfelt moments.Whether you’re after a refined and architectural look or a natural and relaxed feel, Stanford University has it all. The way the light filters through the arches at golden hour makes for a truly magical experience, elevating every photo with a cinematic glow. If you want a location that combines history, beauty, and versatility, this is the perfect spot for your session. Let’s create something unforgettable together!

As an international PhD student in the US, I always wanted to visit Stanford. I had the chance recently and it was an amazing time that I spent on the campus! This is a humongous and lush green campus which spans over thousands of acres. There is also a bus service from the metro line that drops you directly to the oval.

Mid Dec2024 During break the students are mostly gone but the campus is still beautifully represented by its large green spaces and beautiful architecture.A walk along Palm drive and a visit to the Hoover Tower are much recommended activities even on a chilly winter's day.

What a campus! Incredible architecture and gives you an Italian historic tour.Definitely spend 2-3 hours walking around to give justice to the building designs.

I haven't been accepted to Stanford, but keep coming here for dates in a beautiful scenery.Once I ate in their cafe: the food was "edible. "Definitely going to recommend this uni to my kiddo, it's close to home, and, as I shared above, the food in the cafeterias are fine.

We stopped to take personal tour since my goddaughter will attend college soon. I guess they hype these universities up so you expect to see golden streets! 😃The most beautiful part of school is hits historical church. It’s amazing and the architecture and mosaics are breathtaking taking! The stain glass, there are no words!They have sculptures all around campus which are mostly in museum. The campus itself is not very impressive so thank goodness it has the academics which is most important.The Bookstore is very large and has 3 floors. It’s seems like a small department store.

Nice place for a walk but it's quite busy on campus with students everywhere. The campus is open so visitors can park offsite and wander in to walk around the outdoor open public spaces. The university has a gladiator training school vibe that feels like it's out of a movie or we've traveled back in time to somewhere in Italy. For visitors most if not all of the buildings are access controlled, even the library, so if you don't hve a badge or if you're not a student or faculty then you are not welcome in. Otherwise it's a fairly short and scenic walk through the main campus.

4.7

(4078)

4.8

(1742)

450 Jane Stanford Way, Stanford, CA 94305, USA

8 lists

A large outlet malls in San Francisco, you can find the luxury Brandname, and the all famous Street brands also, some has a deep discount and the winter sale prices. There are some restaurants and the spot you can wait and relax after shopping.

This outlet mall is a shopper’s paradise! San Francisco Premium Outlets offers a great mix of designer and mid-range stores, and the savings are real. I found incredible deals at brands like Coach, Michael Kors, and Kate Spade. The outdoor setup is beautiful and well-maintained, making it a pleasure to walk around. The staff at most stores are friendly and helpful, making the entire shopping experience even better. Definitely worth the trip if you’re in the Bay Area!

There is not so much an outlet above it, but more of a shopping mall with good offers. There are many stores where you don't save very much. We saw stores where you could save a maximum of 15%. It's a nice place, but you can save the same money elsewhere.

Nice premium outlet, all expected major American brands were represented. Not the best in the USA as far as I concerned but still a decent, nice outdoor mall,

There are 180+ stores which include luxury brands. My friend told me that she read reviews and people who shop luxury brands often get robbed when leaving this outlet. When she and her daughter went in these stores they would lock does behind them. So they obviously need more security on premises. I’ve been too many outlets and this was never an issue.The lady who was robbed was followed from outlet and when she stopped to eat in restaurant, the thieves broke in her car and stole merchandise.This would cause me to really give a lot of thought to making certain purchases at this outlet. Otherwise, it’s very nice except I would have thought the food court would have been bigger and had larger selection of restaurants.

The San Francisco premium outlets gets better every year. Across the street from the main location or several restaurants a new restaurant I went to is a unique combination of micro brewery and a food truck. The barbecue was exceptional. The service was great. Got plenty of outdoor seating and indoor seating along with a long bar like area where you could sit on stools or you can sit on the couch area. The people worked there are pleasant and have a lot of insight to the beers. Keep in mind getting beer is one bill getting food is a separate they use iPad point of sale devices for you to charge your beverages and then you have a separate QR code to charge for food.

San Francisco Premium Outlets in Livermore, CA is an absolute dream for those who love big brands at outlet prices.This place is a shopper's paradise! The selection of stores is incredible, with all the major brands you could ever desire. From high-end luxury labels to popular household names, you'll find it all here.The quality of the merchandise is top-notch, and you can trust that you're getting authentic products. The layout of the outlets is well-organized, making it easy to navigate from one store to another. The parking facilities are ample, and I never had trouble finding a spot, even during peak hours.San Francisco Premium Outlets has an impressive range of stores to choose from. Whether you're looking for fashion, accessories, footwear, or home goods, you'll find plenty of options to suit your taste. In summary, if you're a bargain hunter or simply enjoy shopping for big brands, San Francisco Premium Outlets is a must-visit destination.

4.4

(15565)

4.1

(621)

2774 Livermore Outlets Dr, Livermore, CA 94551, USA

+89 other lists

First off.... Gorgeous! But that is sort of general unspoken knowledge. Our tour guide Will was astounding. He really made you laugh and you knew he loved what he was doing. He was very knowledgeable, patient and super friendly. He not just your boring guide. He made everything better than it would have already been. Definitely do the basement tour.

What a Beautiful and unique home!!!We’re so happy we were able to see this gem in person instead of always vicariously through YouTube (which I do enjoy).The tour was Great and informative.I didn’t know Widow Winchester was so small in frame. Most of the house was made to accommodate her petite stature.The staff were all kind and our tour guide Yasmin was sweet and funny.This house is spectacular!!! I especially liked all the exposure of windows throughout the home.Many areas of the house are sun filled, luminous, bright and cheerful which I prefer especially in my own home.I guess I saw a lot of my own personal taste displayed throughout the Winchester home and that’s why I enjoyed this tour so much.This home is a haven of sunshine in a congested city.Definitely a stop if you’re in Northern Cali!!!

I've visited the Winchester Mystery House five times over the last twenty years, and each time, I love hearing the story behind the home and seeing the architecture and design. Yes, the area around the property has drastically changed. I can only imagine how it used to be when Sarah Winchester lived there.Only once did we take the basement tour, which is only a $13 upgrade add-on. This last time, we took the regular mansion tour, and once again, it did not disappoint. The tour is one hour and includes a lot of information and walking, including up and down several steps. The tour guide said the walk was a little under a mile.I highly recommend visiting this historical home. If you like scary movies, I recommend watching the movie after, not before your visit, since this is a Hollywood production and not a documentary. Although, you will recognize many parts of the house in the movie.

I've been wanting to see this house in person for a long time. It's history is interesting and I enjoy spooky/supernatural type places, events and things so of course this house was on my list of spots to visit. We recently had the chance to visit on a family vacation & were able to visit just a few days before Christmas so the house was decorated for the holiday season. Our tour lasted about an hour, we were able to see probably a dozen rooms that they allowed visitors in. Quite a bit of the rest of the house is closed off & isn't able to be seen while on the tour. I thought it was interesting that they allowed you to take photographs, but we were told we weren't allowed to film anything.Our tour guide was friendly & seemed to know quite a bit about the house and Sara Winchester herself. We enjoyed the tour & had fun looking around the gift shop. We also bought a photo package where they provide you with some period clothing to wear over your clothing & a photographer takes photos of you inside of the house. They unfortunately didn't have a large selection of men's choices, the photographer let us know that a lot of their clothing was out being dry cleaned. This part was fantastic because we were able to be on the other side of the ropes in the actual rooms to snap some photos. We wish we could have stayed longer to check out more of the grounds, but we were on a schedule and had to get going.

The Winchester Mystery House is an unforgettable experience—full of history, mystery, and mind-blowing architecture. Our tour guide, Milo, was amazing! Super knowledgeable, engaging, and funny. No video recording is allowed inside, but photos (no flash) are totally fine. Highly recommend!

We had an amazing experience, were lucky it was a very small group of 6 people and Emma was fantastic the way she narrated the story was outstanding. My daughter was fascinated by the place. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour. She was very patient and was answering all the questions we were asking.What can I say about the house, it’s a historic monument by itself. The facts were mind blowing 🤯. Definitely recommend it!

Was a little expensive, but it was super interesting and cool to see weird architecture. Doors leading nowhere, windows looking at walls, and doors going to 8 foot drops! The old design is also interesting. It isn't scary but instead interesting!

4.5

(14869)

4.0

(3201)

525 S Winchester Blvd, San Jose, CA 95128, USA

+48 other lists

We had great time here. The whole experience was very enjoyable and fun for both kids and adults. There are many cool exhibitions. My personal favorite was the new exhibit, Dream Garden, where we got to play with the animation with our whole body.The IMAX dome theater is also a must-visit even though you already get a free one-time admission when purchasing the tickets to the museum. We love the Blue Whale documentary. Very educational and entertaining!

There was so much to see and experience. Our tour was cut short. We hope to be back to see it all includong the IMAX! Please continue to let our children learn and explore. The space station area was amazing!!

Pretty awesome spot designed for kids but still kind of interesting for adults. There is a lot of interactive exhibits as the museum name suggests which teach a lot of real world physics and understanding of the world. The giant IMAX Dome theater is awesome for watching any of the educational films. Free street parking was easy to come by on a Sunday.

Great for kiddos 5 and older! Exhibits feel a little dated but there are a few cool hands-on experiments and science demos. The majority of the museum uses digital displays that are more appropriate for older kiddos (exhibits that my 5-yo loved: roller coaster simulator, giant wall-to-wall projection on the effects of human decisions on the environment). There are some large blue blocks to keep younger siblings entertained. Tickets come with a free IMAX screening And there is parking validation available.

My partner bought me tickets to a music laser showing here as a gift. I have not been here since 2014 and do not intend on ever coming back and would not recommend this place to anyone else.We got to the door which was locked and had a sign that said "use other door" taped to it. Then we go around the building to the other set of doors, locked. See a janitor inside who motions us to go back to the original doors. Going back to the first set of doors, we try all the doors to confirm that they are all locked. Go back to see the janitor again and try to wave them down, they are nice enough to pantomime that they'll go meet us at the first set of doors.Arrive at the first set of doors again. Janitor takes some effort to flag someone else down inside. A person flagged down from the janitor appears, who seems annoyed from the janitor. This person then answers the door, which is upsetting since it means that this person didn't do anything when I was originally having issues trying to get in the door to redeem my ticket.I am then told that they don't let anyone into the theater late, which is unfortunate. The website, tickets, and payment confirmation email does not communicate this.I was about 10 minutes late by the time I got to the first set of doors. However, both doors being locked even though there was a later showing that day resulting us in not being able to talk to anyone until 15-20 minutes after the showing started.I ask if I can have the tickets refunded and am told "we don't do refunds". The website, tickets, and payment confirmation email does not communicate that the tickets are non refundable.I ask if there are any other options and was told that I can get tickets to a different show, but when I communicated that this was the only show I wanted to see, the person just shrugged.I asked if I can at least have my parking validated since I still have tickets. Person begrudgingly says sure, takes my parking ticket, walks around the corner and comes back. I get to the parking garage and **I still have to pay parking**. All I did was go from the parking garage to the tech interactive and back. Clearly the worker did not validate my parkingConsidering that my parking was not validated, it is most likely that the person simply did not want to bother trying to refund my tickets. Especially since there's no information on that on their website. On top of that, she was rude both to us and the janitor, who was the only person actually trying to help.

Tech Interactive is an excellent science museum for kids and adults. My 9-year-old son loved it. We only had three hours at the museum and wish we could have spent the whole day. We’ve been to a lot of science museums and this one was the best - so many engaging, hands on activities with staff assigned to each to help and answer questions. Highly recommend.

There is a lot of interactive experiments as the name suggests. Not as magnificent as SF tech museum

4.4

(4051)

4.0

(970)

201 S Market St, San Jose, CA 95113, USA

+51 other lists

4.5

(1344)

Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA

+105 other lists

Well maintained, family friendly and safe- a great place for fun.A landmark for almost a century this venue offers fun for the whole family. It is operated very well, including maintenance, security, staff training, variety of rides and activities and food offerings. It offers discount evenings, passes and group purchase options which can help reduce the cost of a visit. While not cheap, it offers so much more than a visiting carnival. The location is beautiful and on an iconic beach. I am very impressed by the training that seems to go into staffing, the uniforms and visible security. I highly recommend visiting this coastal gem.

Visited here for the first time today with my family and it was fairly busy due to spring break. Parking is located conveniently across the street for $25. The place busy but there was no wait for any of the rides and they offer a large variety of rides for kids young and old. The shops are really cute and offer a large variety for every person visiting. They have spacious restrooms throughout the boardwalk that have several stalls and changing stations for babies in the men's and women's restrooms. The chocolate dipped ice cream cones were delicious. We will definitely be coming back as our kids get older to go on more rides and eat delicious food!

A California staple and overall WILD place to explore. I've done the rides, bowling, mini-golf, pier walk, resturaunts, arcade, you name it. Every single one of these atreactions was unique and had VERY fair prices. The staff are accommodating, kind, and always create a welcoming vibe in my experience.The arcade games are a blast and can be an easy money sink so beware, they're addictive fr (but also I won a few plushies and the prize area is pretty legit). You can also get unlimited rides for a fair rate, but they only run on the weekends.The food is a bit expensive, but the local resturaunts down the pier are where you'd wanna go for unique experiences like rotating tiki bars and glass floors you can look through while you eat.I recommend this location as a must-go if you're planning on any kind of California adventure trip. You want the original beach boardwalk experience? Literally I'll be here, Santa Monica, Venice, and Pier 39. I recommend Santa Cruz as your first or last stop to make it extra memorable ♡

Best place ever! My grown son has special needs and he loves the boardwalk! They are one of the last places in this world that has a great special needs pass! It is so easy and makes for a wonderful outing when some places are so stressful! They treat people with special needs with such dignity which is hard to find! They never once questioned our need (which is very apparent with my son, but at many places we are faced with much negativity). The staff was polite and helpful!

Best place to visit going Northern Cali! So Much fun stuff to do and see. The sea lions are amazing off the pier, the arcades and rides at the boardwalk are super fun and alot of great food spots to eat at. Highly recommended.

It's been years since I've visited the Boardwalk. My oldest kid was like 6 and now he's a teenager. But I have lots of memories from my childhood spent on the boardwalk. I'm happy to say it's like I remember even back to my childhood. It was my youngest child's first time and he was a fan. He was excited to get on rides. It was a beautiful Spring day, we did not go on the beach but it would have been nice. We only spent a couple hours here so we didn't get the unlimited ride wristband. But if we were there for 3 or more hours it would have been a better deal. If you buy the wristband online at least the day before you can get it for $60 each ($120 for both kids). I spent $100 for about 16 rides. The wristband is unlimited rides for the day. Can't wait to get back.

It's late March and the weather was perfect. Not too hot and not too cold. The place was clean. Security was there so you felt safe. Lines weren't horrible and the price for a bracelet was affordable. Part of the rides were closed though & not all the stores were open. But the majority were. It is pricey to eat there. But it is good if you do. The arcade is open late. So it's a nice end to the day.

4.6

(46184)

4.0

(3682)

400 Beach St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA

+7 other lists

The place is big but not really that busy. There're not many good items in store and the prices are not that cheap. Some store are closed.

We were coming from freeway 5 and thought to take a break and do some shopping. It's a amazing place with a lot of parking and open space. The shops are in one line and the parking is in the center. You can walk and go into any shop you wantI like the atmosphere and crowds. Very peaceful and at the same time a lot of people.

The Gilroy outlets is a great shopping center to visit. They have just about everything you'd ever need to do for at a bit of a discount. This is a very busy outlet center, especially on the weekend. Go during the week if you are a loca.l

Overall a pretty decent outlet mall. Our highlight was the Nike store. The deals are very good with friendly and knowledgeable staff. Call out to Yvonne, she has good product knowledge on the shoes.

Definitely a place to visit when around. It easily takes a day to Rome around.There are 145 Brand outlets spread across this area.Lookout for a deal over there portal so you can avoid so much walking but then miss the deal in the next brand.They have huge parking space spread across the premises so just look for around if you even don't find instantly.They have public toilet, look for the Guide board for one nearest to you.

All the outlets in one place offering a wide array of discounts. Arranged as three sections with huge parking lot, eateries, restrooms etc makes this a family outing. There are benches and sofas for those who do not want to enter the stores while the family members shop.

Great place to go shopping I've been going there my half my life there's a great variety of stores to check out. The atmosphere is great I enjoy walking around with family talking and browsing through the stores I recommend buying a cup of fruit there I don't remember where the stand is but you'll find it, it's always fresh and a great refresher on a hot day of shopping.

4.3

(10161)

4.0

(465)

681 Leavesley Rd, Gilroy, CA 95020, USA

3 lists

The ship is well maintained and the ride very smooth. They have a really enthusiastic crew which was super helpful and answered every question I had. The reduced passenger capacity allows a great view during the trip, I would definitely come back!

Brilliant 3 hours Whale, Dolphin and sea lion watching. Weather was perfect and great cruise around Monterey Bay. Crew were very engaging and worked hard to make sure we saw multiple whales.Would recommend

Wow!! I think I lucked out incredibly with the crew and party. There weren't even 20 of us boarding the ship so it was a very intimate trip.My first time whale watching and it was fabulous. We hadn't even pulled out of the harbor yet and already 1 whale spotted!☺️ we found multiple more whales, including a pod of orcas (and baby orcas!😍) chasing a sea lion. We were even lucky enough to witness a whale breach! What a wonder it was to witness! I'm only sad that I didn't get to catch it on my phone but the memory will be with me forever!Captain Kate and her crew are so fabulous and kind and knowledgeable! It was great fun learning about sealife. I took dramamine both last night and this morning as recommended but I still happened to get sick enough to throw up in the back of the boat, but the whole party (crew and other whale watchers) was so kind about it. The 3 hours breezed by. What an experience 🥰*be sure to have cash with you if you would like to tip the crew after the trip😊 i wasn't aware so i didn't have any cash on me!

Team was incredible. Lots of fun and saw TONS of dolphins and a huge feeding with hundreds of seals and what looked like a dozen whales. Manageable amount of people on the boat and well worth the difference in cost. Would highly recommend!!!

We’ve been on quite a few whale watching tours and BOWW’s is one of the best. Their boat is well-maintained and just spacious enough, with a nice variety of inside and outside spaces to see wildlife. You can pay a bit extra to be on the upper deck, but the views are great regardless of where you are. The crew was friendly and the guide/narrator was an actual marine biologist with some great insights into whale, dolphin and seal behavior. We got a very close view of humpbacks feeding and cruised along with a huge pod of Common Dolphins! Highly recommend this tour.

Great couple of days whale watching with Captain Kate and Eric, marine biologist and her great crew. We had lots of whales to choose from! Captain Kate took us out to see a different variety of wildlife and different behaviors, ie. whale tail slapping, spy-hopping. The smaller boat experience was great from both the top deck and below! I look forward to going whale watching with her again!

Captain Kate was excellent. Crew was extremely friendly and knowledgeable.Whales weren't very cooperative, unfortunately. We saw 3 humpbacks, loads of sea lions, and some otters. Will definitely be back.

4.8

(392)

5.0

(1019)

7881 Sandholdt Rd, Moss Landing, CA 95039, USA

4 lists

Chase and the captain are great. The boat is clean and nice and even though their boat can hold 40 people they only take around twenty people. If you don’t want to be on one of the big crowded tourist boats fifty feet up from the water then these are the guys you are looking for. We saw seals, sea lions, humpback whales and orcas. We watched a pod of orcas chase down a group of seals, and that was in late March which isn’t even “whale season”. I would definitely go with these guys again. I absolutely hate tours where you are headed like tourist cattle.

This was a one and a lifetime experience that me and my partner were able to go on. The captain and the marine biologist were extremely knowledgeable about the animals and the area.We were able to get really close to the animals because of the size of the boat were as you could see some of the bigger boats having to keep there distance.My photos and videos will never do this experience justice as I'm shocking at that kinda stuff but being out in the water was amazing.

I had high expectations and they were exceeded, by far! This was the best wildlife experience I’ve ever had. It all started while waiting at the dock before departure. About 6 sea lions were honking at each other and competing for a spot on a small floating dock. Once we got out to the bay, which is incredibly beautiful in its own right, we saw about a dozen humpback whales. They all came to the surface frequently. We saw their tails come out of the water a lot. We saw whales roll over and wave their fins around. We even saw a whale jump all the way out of the water and splash a ton of water into the air. On our way back to the dock we saw sea otters and a couple dozen more sea lions. Captain Chase is a biologist in addition to being a boat captain. He provided a lot of great information about the area and life. I highly recommend a Sanctuary tour.

Incredible experience with Sanctuary Cruises. We were lucky to see so many active Humpback whales during the cruise. Chase is super knowledgeable, providing educational info on the Monterey Bay ecosystem and answering questions from the group. This tour exceeded our expectations by far and we will be back for a shark tour! Thank you!

Amazing whale watching tour, we saw lots of whales, dolphins and sea lions! This is one of the smaller boats in Monterey Bay but it's better because you get closer to the animals and cover a greater area as it's faster than the bigger boats. I recommend going early in the morning!

I had an amazing journey with Sanctuary Cruise! Just minutes after leaving the harbor, we were close to the canyon where we got to see numerous whales. It was a breathtaking sight to watch them jump out of the water and show off their magnificent tails. We even witnessed one whale slapping the water with its tail for a few minutes, which was a spectacular display of their natural behavior. The proximity of the canyon meant we didn’t have to travel far to see these incredible creatures. Highly recommend for anyone looking to experience the majesty of whales up close!

I'm a local (live in Santa Cruz) and if I'm interested in going whale watching in the Monterey Bay area, Sanctuary cruises is the only company I use. Chase is amazing at what he does. Very informative on the wildlife that you encounter, and gives really good photo tips on how to best capture the wonderful moments that you WILL encounter(they don't call it the Marine Serengeti for no reason, I've never gone whale watching and not seen whales). Also, note that the trench really is located in Moss landing so if you go whale watching from Monterrey or Santa Cruz, they are going to sail to Moss landing, so why not use a company based on Moss landing.

4.8

(304)

5.0

(745)

A Dock, 7881 Sandholdt Rd, Moss Landing, CA 95039, USA

7 lists

4.5

(12743)

California, USA

+160 other lists

The aquarium was nice, seemed to be very well maintained. It was a little smaller than I anticipated/ from what I read online. There was no dolphins or whales. My kids like the touch displays. Jellyfish area was cool. View from the aquarium was very nice. I thought the ticket prices were a little pricey. $65 for adults and $50 for my kids (age 10).All in all, we had a good time tho.

I absolutely love the monterey bay aquarium. They have a couple of huge tanks. And house thousands upone thousands of fishes. The whole walk through usually only takes us close to about 2 hours. I recommend buying tickets online and purchasing in advance to cut down on admittance time. Even then, the line moved quickly. Theres plenty of souvenirs available for purchase. Make sure you take a pretty penny since the prices are pretty pricey. I have yet to try the cafe located inside. The restrooms and always nice and clean. Tbere are breastfeeding chairs too. Fyi the jellies will always be my favorite 😍

Love love love the aquarium!! Highly recommend getting a membership. It’s counted as a donation, helps the animals and you can even use it as a deduction on taxes. While everyone is waiting in the long lines to get in you just sail right in the much shorter members line. Recommend going on the tours. Super informative and I even got to pet a jellyfish! During the week is less busy. I recommend planning a couple days in the aquarium so you can take your time and not feel rushed. We took our time and got to see 3 of the 15 minute shows, went on the behind the scenes tour and saw all the animals. It was amazing experience. We will definitely return.

I appreciated & enjoyed the history exhibits at the front of the aquarium about how the aquarium came about. It was interesting to learn about the canning that took place many years ago. The price wasn't an issue to me, specifically because of the museum's mission statement and obvious attention to detail when it comes to the exhibits. The open waters and the deep sea exhibits are a MUST while you're visiting. We loved the sea otters too! Great for friends and family. We came on a Monday morning and had no problem seeing everything we wanted. It does get more crowded later into the afternoon.

We absolutely loved our visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium! So fun and educational, we arrived about 10:30 not long after they opened, and it was very busy. My husband and I were both very overwhelmed for the first couple of hours due to the crowds, but after lunchtime things started to die down and we were able to actually go up to the exhibits and see the animals. I highly recommend going later in the day to avoid the beginning rush of tourists. I'm also not sure what day of the week/time of year would be best. We went on a Thursday during the third week of March so other times of the year may be better. We also appreciated the feedings with commentary from the naturalists and the free educational movies that provided a quick reprieve from walking. The guided tours were sold out, and it looks like you may need to book these months in advance to secure a spot. The food we had was priced as expected for a tourist attraction and was well made. We got the salmon poke bowl and bison burger and both had great flavor.

I really enjoyed this aquarium. The only things that I want to give a heads up to first time visitors to the aquarium are these: There tends to be a bit of a wait to get inside and purchase your tickets. The lines do move at a steady pace and many exhibits have large crowds that can make viewing and moving through some areas can get a little challenging. Be prepared for fairly limited parking anywhere near the aquarium. You will probably have a quarter to almost half mile walk from where you park to the aquarium entrance. If you arrive before they open their doors in the morning will give you the best chance for a close parking spot. Parking is on the streets I don't think they have a parking lot. The city streets all have parking meters also.

Always an amazing place to visit, although on the expensive side. I recommend purchasing your tickets beforehand so you don't have to wait long in line, especially on busy days. The exhibits were great, lots to see and learn about. The cafe is quite expensive, and eat in only. Plan on packing a water bottle with you if you'll be there a while.

4.6

(41561)

4.5

(14531)

886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940, USA

+129 other lists

It's a nice place to shop and dine. I just wish the weather was a lot warmer. It's very chilly by the ocean, like 64 degrees, but 30 minutes out, it's 80 degrees.

Great place to walk around enjoy shopping, restaurants, and the lovely scenery

This is always a nice place to stop but parking is killer. Right next to the aquarium. There are a bunch of shops and a bit of shore area. Downside is they have more sweets shops than anything else for me.

So much fun walking around with friends exploring this unique place!

Incredible history. Great smells and sights around.

Nice little town! Lots of random shops to see. Easy to walk around. Parking isn’t too bad to find. You will have to pay but super cheap!

Cannery Row is a super fun place to visit and walk around. Driving and parking, however, can be challenging. I would suggest street parking a little farther away and taking the walking trail. There are so many shops and things to see it makes for a fabulous day out all while getting great exercise. There is everything from sightseeing to dining to buying momento’s to remember your trip. Too many restaurants and shopping places to even mention. There is something for everyone’s taste.

4.6

(268)

4.0

(4425)

Monterey, CA 93940, USA

+131 other lists

Beautiful views while hiking along a picturesque beach. The trail are well maintained. Recommend going on a weekday as you may have to park far away on the weekend.At this time of year there were some otters playing in the water and I also got to see some seals so I enjoyed watching the wildlife too on the hike.

AMAZING state park. I must say it's better than the Pinnacles National Park. Visited mis march. Must visit early in the morning to secure parking or you'll be walking over an hour for parking. Must visit, do not forget binoculars, great birding!!

I took my granddaughters on a delightful nature hike, embracing the perfect weather that made for an enjoyable outing. The sun shone brightly in a clear blue sky, casting warm rays upon us as we ventured along the winding trails. The breathtaking cliffs revealed stunning panoramic views of the Pacific Coast, where the turquoise waves crashed rhythmically against the rocky shore below. The salty breeze carried the scent of the ocean, enhancing the vibrant colors of the wildflowers blooming along our path, making the experience truly unforgettable.

Point Lobos state national reserve is amongst the most beautiful of the state parks of California. The views and vistas around every turn are as spectacular, one after another, as any stretch of coastline in California; including Big Sur, Mendocino Coast, and Humboldt Coast. (all extremely beautiful in their own rights). The beauty of point Lobos is you can access these amazing views just steps from the parking lot. For those more adventurous, the trails, wind through the coastline through coves and cliffs and hidden beaches. At the end of March, you can see the newborn pups lying with their mothers on the beach. Ask Docent for details.

Wonderful hikes, ocean life and a loop of calming crashing waves. I love point lobos and it is a must see for nature lovers and beach goers alike. This place is the epitome of what I think serene would look like in the dictionary. Stay on the paths because honestly it is to your best interest. This is the location I was with my boyfriend when I realized he was my match just a couple of weirdos enjoying gods gifts of nature. Simply breathtaking must visit when in the Monterey bay. 831!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The spectacular fusion of ocean vistas and kaleidoscopic blooms on the rocky cliffs is a sight to behold.It's utterly enthralling. This incredible destination is a must-visit for all, especially those with a passion for the ocean.A different world altogether, the views evoke a sense of awe, making one's worries seem insignificant.May 6, 2024 💜🌊

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is a coastal paradise! The rugged cliffs, turquoise coves, and winding trails like Cypress Grove and Bird Island offer stunning ocean views that take your breath away. Watching seals bask on rocks and spotting otters in the kelp forests was unforgettable. The blend of dramatic scenery and vibrant wildlife makes this a must-visit gem on the California coast!

4.8

(9706)

5.0

(4905)

Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923, USA

+149 other lists

4.5

(1464)

CA-1, Monterey, CA 93940, USA

+170 other lists

Definitely worth $15 entry fee. The views are so amazing and holes are unique.They do have limited parking spots but over weekend if you don’t get entry then wait for a few mins and you ll get spot for sure . Usually people spend avg 30-40 mins

A magical place. Surreal. Seeing the keyhole during the winter soltice was something that I had always wanted to do. I was stoked to get there when there was parking and to have such an experience. Shortly after warm sunset, the sky turned to pink. It was phenomenal.

Imagine a peaceful beach with purple sand, where the sky is covered in soft, gray clouds. The ocean waves gently roll in, their deep blue waters blending with the misty air. Monterey cypress trees stand along the shore, their twisted branches swaying in the cool breeze. The scent of salt and pine fills the air as the purple sand glows faintly under the cloudy sky, creating a calm and dreamy escape.

Best scenic beach I seen, so different then other beaches in California. $15 entry fee.

It’s a quiet beach with intricate rock formations and lush greenery on the hills. Hiking up the hills is the must because the trail leads you to the vista point with breathtaking views of the coastline.NB! They have public restrooms there!

Dramatic Coastline: Rugged cliffs, crashing waves, and the iconic Keyhole Rock formation make for stunning scenery. I could not see the land to be Purple.* Secluded Vibe: A bit off the beaten path, offering a more peaceful experience than some Big Sur beaches.Things to Know:* Limited Parking: The lot fills up quickly, especially on weekends and holidays. Arrive early or consider visiting during the off-season.* Not for Swimming: Strong currents and sneaker waves make swimming dangerous.* Windy: Big Sur is known for its strong winds – bring layers and be prepared.Overall: A must-visit for anyone exploring Big Sur. The scenery is unforgettable! noticeable in certain lighting.* Secluded Vibe: A bit off the beaten path, offering a more peaceful experience than some

It is very stunning. The rock formations are very awesome. One seems to be like a door opening into the ocean. The road to enter the parking is very narrow, needs to be driven slowly and careful to cede way to cars since it's like only one way road and it has curves. There is an entrance fee of $15 dollars but worth every cent. The sand is indeed purple yet not entirely. Sunset was so worth it.

4.6

(1096)

4.5

(1392)

California 93920, USA

+186 other lists

McWay Falls might be the most beautiful place in America.

Recently visited during a rainy day, the waves were significantly higher than usual, but the sea otters didn’t seem to mind. Beautiful hike, fairly steep and wet so be sure to wear good shoes and wear a rain jacket as rain is inevitable and so is the moisture from the waves.

The beautiful blue waters of the sea💦 that you cannot get enough of. A sight to behold!

State of California is filled with many beautiful state parks located on Hwy 1 coast. Julia Pfeiffer Burns would sit on the top of the list. First and foremost, the drive along the coast is filled with coastal beauty and breathtaking views! Visitors wanting to stop every few yards to immerse in the nature and explore picture perfect spots.Parking is available with self pay and they renovated restrooms, picnic area beautifully. Only disappointment is trails are not opened after recent years of natural disasters. Short trail takes one through a tunnell under highway, opens up to watch the stunning views of the cove and McWay falls. Amazing shades of blue pleasing the eyes. There is a hidden campsite on the cliff above the falls accomodating only two tents. Very private! Cliff area is blocked so there is no beach access.Visited so many times, never get tired, it's pure delight. It's located pretty close to Lucia after Big Sur on Hwy1 south.

Located on California 1 highway this is one of the Must Go destinations is west coast. The view on the way to this park is something you will always remember. August is usually foggy here but if you are lucky you will have a sunny day when you can get the best view of McWay falls. Park entrance fee for vehicle is $10 and the same pass should work for any of the state parks in Cali.

Beautiful views! We loved our visit, but were disappointed that the trail was closed partially. The area is well maintained aside from this though. Definitely worth a trip.

Very cool spot! Right off Highway 1. Unfortunately, when we went most of the trail was closed off due to land slide and unstable earth. The trail to the waterfall was closed as well. However, the view from whatever we could access via trail was breath taking! The scenery was gorgeous. I would highly recommend it just to get a scenic picture and of the beautiful landscape. Entry fee was $10 and they included entry to other state parks nearby and along the route for the same $10 fee due to the trails being closed. We definitely took up that offer and visited other nearby parks. I would highly recommend this park. There is parking on site for the $10 fee, or you can park for free on highway 1 and walk in and enjoy. I would recommend and suggest the $10 fee because then atleast the money you pay will go right back to maintaining the parks and keeping then beautiful!

4.7

(2796)

4.5

(1467)

52801 CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920, USA

9 lists

Pinnacles is honestly so underrated. It is one of the leases national parks in all of US and it literally is so beautiful. It is extremely quiet and not crowded at all. The trails are easy to moderate to difficult accommodating, all kind of Park goers. We did the cave route and it was so amazing. We just had a couple of hours, but still, we were able to cover a lot of ground. Definitely recommend coming here.

Pinnacles Natl Park was beautiful when we visited in Match of 2025. The vegitation was green and the scenery was beautiful. This is a great place to hike, there a many trails to enjoy. We went to the Bear Gulch caves which was a great experience. There are a couple narrow sections. I am 6' / 220lbs and had to shimmy through a couple spots. But worth the effort for sure. We recommend this park and we will return.

Pinnacles National Park has unique rock formations and great hiking, especially the caves and high peaks. The views are nice, and you might spot condors! But the trails can be steep and exposed, making it tough in the heat. Limited shade and water access mean you need to come prepared. Worth a visit, but plan wisely!

Must hike Balconies Cliffs Trail and Balconies Cave! Visited mid-March and had very small crowds. Visit early in the day if you can! We decided to visit the west entrance and we were very happy. This is a very small park, so only account for 1-2 days max to see everything.

A hidden treasure in Northern California, where there are impressive pinnacle rock formations and caves, as well as beautiful nature trails especially along the creeks if you visit during spring when the water is running and wild flowers are blooming. The caves are a lot of fun to go through, by it is pitch black in some parts and flash lights are required.

Hello! Bear Gulch Cave Trail in Pinnacles National Park is the Route you want to take if you want to go through the Caves Get there early Parking get Full quickly. Take Snacks and Water. Hiking shoes Enjoy the views on the way. April 19, 2025

Had been wanting to go for some time…Not like I imagined! More lush, trees, beautiful campgrounds! The hikes were really cool & even my 4 yr old grandson could manage them & found it thrilling to use his flashlight in the caves!

4.7

(4480)

4.5

(623)

California 95043, USA

14 lists

It was my first time here and definitely want to come back to do more tours. We did one full tour of the bottom floors on Saturday afternoon. Then a second tour of the upstairs on Sunday morning in the rain. We ended up with a private tour since nobody else showed and it was quite great. So, if you want to have a small group tour go when the weather is harsh.The "castle" is so stunning and you never run out of stuff to look at.

Highly recommend! Maurice, our tour guide was incredibly insightful, being sure to share the history of the property while also cracking some good jokes. The architecture is incredible and the views are amazing. Grand Room tours felt perfect for a first time visit. We watched the movie that comes with the tour at the visitors center after, interesting if you have 45 minutes to spare and are interested in more of the history.

Donelle was an amazing tour guide! Her deep knowledge of Hearst Castle’s history, art, and architecture made the experience both fun and informative. I’ve taken several tours, but this one was by far the best. I left feeling entertained, enlightened, and excited to return — hopefully with Donelle as our guide again!

We stopped by on a recent trip to California & took the Grand Rooms Tour. I didn't know a lot about this state park prior to visiting so I wasn't sure what to expect. I was blown away by the beauty & pieces in the collection that Mr. Hearst accumulated on this property, I saw more centuries old art work and antiques on this tour than I have in some art museums I've visited. It was lovely seeing it decorated for the holidays. My family enjoyed this trip, even the kids (ages 11 & 15) had a wonderful time on the tour. We'd love to go back and take some of the other tours as well to see different areas of the estate. This is definitely a great stop for anyone wanting to see old pieces of artwork & history from around the world, it is amazing what he was able to buy & have transported here to his home from Germany, Italy, Egypt, Spain and more. I can see how some people might not be the biggest fan of this state park especially if art isn't really your thing, but my family loved this. I also love seeing old architecture in buildings so I enjoyed that aspect of it as well. The weather was perfect and the views of the ocean from the top of the hill is breathtaking.

Some major highlights of the tour are the incredibly helpful staff. We went with our baby 9mo old and had to step off the tour as he was fussy for a moment. The staff worker was so kind and walked us to an indoor quiet room with bathroom. The tour was very informative as well which we enjoyed. It wasn’t too crowded which was nice. The bus driver from the visitor center to the castle was a great driver and helpful too. The ride up they have a nice history about the castle overhead on the intercom as well.Note: if you need accommodations they are happy to assist. We were considering doing the ADA tour as our son has a syndrome and hard to carry. Even though the ADA tour is typically for wheelchairs, they were willing to accommodate us with his stroller. (Ultimately we just wore him in a baby carrier for simplicity).4 stars because I think it’s a little unfair to make people book separate tours to see all of the grounds. It’s already expensive, might as well expand the tour to also include the kitchen, bed rooms, etc, instead of making you book different tours.Note: free parking which was great! They have some picnic tables too if desired for use. Free EV parking/charging but is limited. We got there at 9:20 (park opens at 9) and already the spots were taken!

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Hearst Castle. I first took the Grand Rooms Tour, which was introductory. Later the same day, I took the Upstairs Suites Tour. Both were excellent. The Grand Rooms Tour included the Casa Grande main building, including the Morning Room, Refectory, Assembly Room, Theater, and Billiards Room. The Upstairs Suites Tour included both William Randolph Hearst’s Gothic and Celestial Suites, the latter being at the bell towers’ level. His library is sensational.

Waited many years to see the Hearst Castle. The hype is stronger than the experience. We only did one tour and might run for the other tours but as we were told the tour we did get to see was the most interesting and nicest. The part that stood out was the bibs ride to the castle because of the land surrounding the castle is peaceful. The rest was in our opinion not as great as the pictures. To each their own.

4.6

(11797)

4.5

(7024)

750 Hearst Castle Rd, San Simeon, CA 93452, USA

1 list

We received a very good and informative background information from the visitor center about the elephant seal about their habits and migration pattern, how they hunt and their predators. Good to know and understand them before you seeing them on the beach. Be prepared for cold and windy weather.

Went there a decade ago and have wanted to go back again. Beautiful spot to see these gorgeous mammals. Well worth a visit. The entire area is full of wonder.

A must for anyone, I wish I had our grandchildren with us! They are massive and a male can grow to 5,000 pounds. They blended in with the sand and unless they move you hardly know they are there. We were here in July and the temperature was 58 degrees. An absolute wondrous sight and so happy to know they are growing in population.

07/2023Great spot to view Elephant Seals (males, females, and occasionally pups) year-round. June/July-August is shedding season, so expect to see more at that time. Tip: Bring a sweater and/or jacket!

Always stop here and speak to staff about the latest with the Elephant Seals before hitting the observation area. They are so helpful and easy to talk to. And, all your puchases go towards funding the preservation, protection, and public education for the elephant Seals. I always leave a little donation as well as purchasing gifts for the grandkids. They also have coastal sightseeing maps for great stopping points on your way up the coast. Love the Elephant Seals and the brigade of volunteers at the gift shop and the observation area. Ask them anything about the seals. They are very informative and love public interaction.

FYI - these photos were taken at the beginning of September. It just took me a while to get around to reviewing this wonderful place. It was pretty amazing to see these wonderful animals so up close. There was an awesome volunteer by the name of Mike who answered all of our questions with enthusiasm. I would definitely recommend stopping here!

PLEASE NOTE: THE ADDRESS SHOWN IS NOT THE LOCATION OF THE ELEPHANT SEALS. You will find the bulls, cows and pups about six miles North on Highway 1, about four miles past Hearst Castle.The experience of birth fascinates children and adults. New life emerges during the winter months, just a few feet below the boardwalk, and the deliveries are easily visible. Sea birds clean the placenta as the aproxmately four thousand pound (2,000 kg) bull guards his harem of about fifty, petite, fifteen hundred pound (600 kg) cows.Elephant seals use their flippers to toss sand. Covering their body, it cools them down and acts as a sunblock.The cold Pacific ocean, hugs the rookery. The cows neither eat nor drink while on the beach, they just nurse and protect their pups.Be sure to bring a camera The shoreline is serpentine, so good lighting is available throughout the day.My granddaughter loved the experience. The audience, on the block long, observation boardwalk seems to have no effect on the renewal of a species, happening below their feet.While viewing elephant seals in their natural habitat, remember they are unpredictable and potentially dangerous. For your and their safety, stay on the walkway and boardwalk.Easy, free parking in a unpaved lot. Wheelchair accessible with some difficulty. A knowledgeable docent, recognizable in a blue jacket, is present. There is no change, however donations are appreciated.

4.6

(667)

5.0

(3118)

Shops Plaza Del Cavalier, 250 San Simeon Ave Suite 5A, San Simeon, CA 93452, USA

+35 other lists

Very peaceful place!

Wonderful beach! Tjis is one of our favorite travel stop. There is parking along the hill of the beach. No dogs are allowed on the beach. Beautiful views and sunsets. There are several lookouts along the boardwalk. All of the lodgings face the beach. We walk our doggies on the boardwalk which is about a little over a mile each way. They love the walk. Lots to sniff around and greet squirrels. Its a relaxed calming atmosphere. Not crowded at all. It's very quiet. All you hear is the ocean. People are very friendly and polite.

Beautiful beach with lots of beautiful pebbles

My experience at Moonstone Beach did not live up to the expectations set by my prior research. I embarked on a hike along the city-established path, but unfortunately, portions of it were under construction, forcing me to start halfway. The overall condition of the trail was disappointing, as it seemed to lack proper maintenance. It appeared that the city was facing financial constraints, preventing them from allocating sufficient funds for the upkeep of the trail. There was a notable absence of landscaping efforts and the development of areas to enhance the experience for travelers. If I were a local resident, I would consider filing complaints with the city personnel regarding these issues.

Gorgeous beach! Nice place to walk with family and take in the beautiful coastal views.

What’s nice about the moonstone Beaches there is a long stretch that is wheelchair accessible or scooter accessible and that’s nice. If you just don’t want to get your feet in the sand yet. We had a good Long walk and were able to find quite a few few minutes moonstones.

Excellent beach. Had a great time. We even found a few moonstones.

4.9

(46)

4.7

(2140)

Cambria, CA 93428, USA

5 lists

Overall, this was a great but extremely overpriced experience.The ambience is great. You have a view over hills of vineyards, there’s a grassy area for kids/dogs to run around, and the building itself is beautiful.The food was pretty good. The burger was good quality, the fries just standard. We had the focaccia too and it was a good appetizer.I like Justin wine. It’s on the big side and definitely more of a crowd pleasing than serious wine but it’s good for what it is. As a local comparison, I’ll take Justin wine over Daou wine any day.Service was good too, attentive even though it was packed and knowledgeable about the wines. No big complaints here.The one part that was off putting about this place is the pricing. As an example, they are selling Justification for $117 a bottle…my local Costco has Justification for $50!!! They are charging more than double the price!!! That’s just extreme gouging of those customers that don’t know better. And everything is like that. The food, the $150/$80 tasting fees. It’s just all incredibly overpriced.It was good for a one time visit but I don’t think I’m coming back due to the price gouging.

We did the chefs menu for dinner. Quite the experience. Two versions, one is $250 a person, one is roughly $350 a person. Wine is in addition. The service was nice, the food presentation was excellent. Some of the courses were odd combinations.I would not recommend it unless you are looking for the experience, not the meal.

The wine tasting at Justin was amazing! So lovely to just have great reds, and an option for food if you get hungry. Kyle was a very knowledgeable server

We had an amazing experience at Justin - Laurie and Margarito were exceptional and we so enjoyed their attention to detail as well as Laurie’s knowledge and accesible approach to the flavor profiles of the wines and facts about the vineyard. The wines themselves are delicious and so were the brussel sprouts!

Justin Vineyards & Winery is an incredible place. The food was fantastic! The wine was on par with the best wines you'll ever taste. We've been to Bordeaux and Napa, and Justin is special. I can't overstate how great the wines are at Justin.

We went for a tasting in the afternoon and returned for Dinner in the evening. Food, service and wine were all spectacular. The staff made dinner a memorable event. Chef Rachel is very talented, very humble and very approachable. Worth every penny.

Amazing experience. The food was very tasty. The attention was really good. They have their own chocolates that are so good. Best vineyard to visit in paso robles

4.5

(884)

4.5

(588)

11680 Chimney Rock Rd, Paso Robles, CA 93446, USA

16 lists

Wonderful staff, dog friendly patio.Merch inside. Beautiful space.

Lorianne was amazing! This was our first time doing a tasting at a winery. She made it easy and a great time! The wine was so good we decided to get the membership! Any time in Paso Robles will include a stop here!

My recent visit to Tobin James was exceptional, reminding me why I've been a member for a few years now. Having the opportunity to taste with Justin added a personal and authentic touch to the experience. He also pretty knows everyone in town in the industry, kind of a younger OG, of Paso! His passion for winemaking and deep knowledge of the family's vineyard history, made each sip more meaningful.The welcoming atmosphere at Tobin James makes you feel like part of the family. Whether you're a seasoned oenophile, or a casual wine enthusiast, this is a must-visit for its fantastic, approachable wines, warm hospitality, and great storytelling. This place is lots of fun!

First time at Tobin James and our first stop in Paso. We had a wonderful experience and Andrew made it even more enjoyable! The wines are great, the atmosphere is welcoming, and every staff member was awesome! They truly lived up to their great reviews. I would totally recommend going here if you want good wine and a warm and inviting experience! I was having such a great time I forgot to take any photos of the wines. Also, as a side note- the little birdie wine topper is a must! It chirps when you pour 🐦

Tobin James winery is a Gem in Paso Robles. We tried varieties of Reserve and Red wines. All tasted very distinct and loved them all. A big shout out to Donna, she took great care of us. Vibe of the place makes it extraordinary. Specially loved the bar table decor. Would highly recommend this winery in central coast.

A must visit on your wine tasting trip! Great atmosphere, friendly staff and amazing wines across the board. While the trend in Paso seems to be to raise tasting fees, increased bottle prices and higher bottle limits to wave tasting fees, TJ has kept their prices on the ground. If you want a really great atmosphere and wines that are very reasonable, this is the place to visit!

Great atmosphere. Decent wine ( to be fair, I'm not a wine person). Family had a fun time doing the tasting though. Well worth the visit.

4.8

(616)

4.5

(851)

8950 Union Rd, Paso Robles, CA 93446, USA

61 lists

Wow! It’s a lot bigger than expected. We saw Sea Otters AND Sea Lions swimming here! Neat place to stop in this area!🦦🦭

We went on a really foggy day in December. The rock is impressive with fog surrounding it, the giant nature structure just looms before you. The views once you are on the other side of the rock are really neat too- again, mystical vibes on a foggy day.

This place was pretty awesome to visit! The views are amazing and great backdrop for pictures. Me and some friends renter Electric bikes from Cal Coast Adventures which I HIGHLY recommend and rode all around the area. Some of the most fun I’ve had, even as an adult. I 10/10 would recommend visiting and renting bike from Cal Coast Adventures!

What not to love about Morro Rock?! Perfect place to run to and a perfect place for a sunset or to just watch the waves crash against the break wall.Parking can get tight but there’s a boardwalk all the way from downtown and it’s a lovely walk too. Sea otters, seals, tons of seabirds and views for days.

Super pretty, good for photos. Only problem is that they do have lots of beach fleas. Really relaxing tho.

Morro Rock is a must-see! This massive volcanic plug dominating the coastline is simply awe-inspiring. Its sheer size and unique shape are fascinating.But the real magic happens at sunrise. Find a spot on the parking lot (not towards the beach) with the hills opposite Morro Rock in your view. It can be chilly in the morning. You can watch this in your car as the sky turns orange.

Must see in Morro Bay. The rock is even more impressive up close. You can see otters on the bay. They're almost always there.Lots of parking available. Restrooms are okay but need some cleaning.

4.8

(701)

4.5

(2160)

Morro Bay, CA 93442, USA

1 list

Great fun. The staff are very professional. All equipment is in excellent condition. The attachment between your nylon webbing harness and the zipline is redundant (double). The cable itself is steel wire rope and is in perfect condition. A safety helmet and gloves are provided. The heights off the ground are 20-40 feet and are not scary (I say this as someone who has some fear of heights). If you ever have wanted to do this, Margarita Adventures is an awesome choice. You will ride six different cables in various locations and lengths around the ranch. Super fun!

Relaxing and fun experience! The zip lines were fun, our guides and driver was awesome! Super helpful, attentive and friendly! Safety is their primary focus and making sure you had fun! Won’t disappoint! Views were pretty cool too! Saw a family of deer but got too dark to take pics.

We went zip lining here for a birthday in November and it was really awesome! All of the staff were really nice and also very encouraging and supportive to our kiddos who were a little nervous. We think we remember a few names (Jesse, Anthony and Katie), but all the staff were awesome! Such a beautiful place and a very fun adventure for our family! We will definitely be going back!

Great staff and experience. Beautiful views and safe protocols.

It was an amazing experience. Super friendly staff. All security measures properly followed. Great combination of zip lines. Worth money. Would've given 5 stars if some of the equipment were in better condition, specifically gloves and helmets.

I surprised my girl with the zip line experience she'd been wanting for awhile. We both had a great time and look forward to going again. Maybe we'll tour the winery next trip. 5 stars to all of our guides! Highly recommend it. It gets colder than down in Santa Mararita. I recommend thermals and layers. We bought 2 of their hoodies which were toasty warm and looked great on us. Have fun!

Margarita Adventures took us on an amazing zip line tour on the ranch. My family had a great time. We felt safe using their system of zip lines. The staff was very safety minded. We enjoyed learned about the history of the area as well. I highly recommend the zip line tour.

4.9

(447)

5.0

(420)

22719 El Camino Real, Santa Margarita, CA 93453, USA

1 list

This is a beautiful place to go and shop and enjoy your day with family at the beach takes lots of pictures or go to even propose to that special someone it’s all on how each person sees things. I don’t know why the review section talks about a trail but it is not a trail

Lovely beach and pier for a sunset view. Our bad luck as fog covered the mountains. The happening here over weekend is fabulous.

One can't go wrong with the Pismo Beach pier!It's fun for the family, kids,l or couples.Pier has small walk to the end, and if visiting during holiday season, there is a Christmas tree. 🎄Pier also has Santa's sleigh. 🛷Parking is paid and on the pier!

We had a very tranquil and relaxing stay. The pier was nice. It was cool to see so many surfers enjoying the crazy waves.

Many great restaurants around . Parking is crowded but will some meters that will be available on the small streets.

Clean beach. Nice sunset experience place. Lights are cool.

Beautiful place to visit and a lot of things to do. We enjoy this beach because here you do not have just the beach, you have shopping, eating and other activities near by that are all walking distance.

4.7

(313)

4.2

(1659)

Pismo Beach, CA, USA

+49 other lists

Really nice grove - we came mid February and only 40 monarchs on count, but still more than I’ve ever seen together in my life. Definitely think a trip in December or January may be worth it. They have lots of informational pamphlets on the butterflies. The gift store is cute but didn’t have any toddler or baby shirts! What a missed opportunity cause I would have bought a lot for family and my son!There is lots of seating available which is nice. It’s definitely wheelchair accessible. Also, the parking is free - just be careful crossing the street there isn’t any crosswalk.The Jehovas Witnesses were on site which I really didn’t like - it’s almost like they were disguising themselves as workers to ask questions about the butterflies - very deceptive. Just let people enjoy their time at the butterflies!

A really neat experience! The monarch butterfly population has been declining over the years, but you can still see several clusters at this Grove. Park staff have several binoculars set up. The staff is really helpful and knowledgeable. I suggest getting there around 10 or 11 o’clock so you can see the butterflies before they fly off the branches Just a warning they don’t have the biggest parking lot.

You are traveling through Pismo CA then it worth a visit during the scheduled season b/w September till February.Please don't keep a high expectations that you will see plenty of the 🦋 but keep an eye to high branches and sure you will find few bunches. The first tree after you enter have many such when I visited today (Dec 25, 24). Best of luck 🤞🏻Entry Free.Parking: You can find road side.Public Restroom: Available few portable ones.More details and updates, please follow #0abhishekghosh0

Nice grove of eucalyptus trees with Monarch butterflies. You need to be patient as in the morning they are cold and don't move much. Around 11am in the winter there are more flying around. Sometimes really high in the trees. The little store has some nice butterfly kitsch that is charming or whimsical but I bought my daughter some butterfly socks.There are several places to sit and picnic tables for a nice lunch picnic. Close by is a beach path to walk around or there is a public 9 hole golf course near by those who aren't fond of butterflys.Parking can be difficult but there is plenty of parking if you don't mind to waolk.

12/22/24Visited 0930-1100 slightly cloudy and cooler (59F). Very hard to spot clusters as they were quite still but once spotted I counted over 100 together.Came back at 1400 when sun was out (64F)and there was many more fluttering their wings and flying around.Although not as many as previous years, still remarkable to see so many together. The butterflies are really beautiful.There’s great small gift shop, parking is free and I didn’t have a problem parking on side of the road.Volunteers were great at helping you spot the butterflies and answering questions, thank you 🧡🖤Recommend bringing a good camera or binoculars, they do set up telescopes there.First photo: morning 70-200mm lensSecond photo: afternoon 70-200mm lensVideo: iPhone video

We stopped mid October while on a quick trip to California. We were a little early for the butterfly migration, but I did see 1 monarch which made my day! Nice markers along the path, with more great information and rules. Do not pick up any monarchs. Please leave them where they are, even if outside of the grove. Amazing eucalyptus grove and just a short beautiful walk to the ocean from there. 😊 Highly recommend, great for children too!

We heard about the monarch migration along the California coast. This was our first trip to see them. We used GPS but passed the entrance which was not marked well. Limited unpaved parking is on the street. We were lucky to find a space. There is no entrance fee. It's a beautiful small eucalyptus grove. There were only a few butterflies. We were expecting more as shown in the pictures. Infornation about the monarch butterflies are podted along the trail. There is a gift shop neat the entrance. Tables and benches are located near the gift shop. We were glad we made the trip and enjoyed the walk around the grove.

4.6

(4574)

4.5

(1073)

400 S Dolliver St, Pismo Beach, CA 93449, USA

+34 other lists

This is my 2nd time to visit Solvang and the Mission. This time we had more time to explore it and walk through the stations of the cross. We also found out that there is a rose garden here. I think most of the Missions have rose gardens so you better check it out. They have really interesting rose varieties. The Mission sells souvenir items, rosary beads, postcards and pendants too.We found a quiet place and sat in one of the benches facing the fields. It was a nice place to visit.

Mission Santa Inés was founded by Fr. Estévan Tapis on September 17, 1804.The church is under construction due to the damage from the earthquake, but we are able to attend mass in their chapel.

We are here visiting Solvang and realized there was a Mission here, so we had to visit... Very beautiful Mission church. 🙏⛪️🇩🇰

Absolutely incredible views from the parking lot of the mission. I was so amazed by the sights and sounds. I didn’t want to leave. See photos and videos for proof, if you are in the area it’s recommended that you stop here. You can see beautiful valley views in the morning with crisp morning dew covering the valley. It’s mystifying and beautiful

A beautiful Catholic mission to visiti the area. It's a part museum part historical site. The valley view from the parking lot is stunning. It's a very peaceful place and not very crowded.

Beautiful old church. Glad I stopped by. The surrounding area is beautiful as well, it has great views of the landscape. There are many rooms that have artifacts and information, so plan to spend some time here appreciating everything if you are interested in this kind of stuff.

One of the beautiful and peaceful spot nearby the busiest town. You can walk here from the town. They do have tours but unfortunately I couldn’t register for it as there were private events going on both times.The view from the park next to the church is beautiful. They have benches over there. Just sit and experience the beauty.

4.7

(867)

4.3

(544)

1760 Mission Dr, Solvang, CA 93463, USA

1 list

The place is legendary, and you can feel it. The sooner you come the better because it gets busy. You will also learn about this place's history. Very nice people with attentive attitude to serve you. The portions are big and delicious. I got the grilled veggie salad without the butter as a vegan option. It was delicious! Very nice way how to spend a free day and enjoy a good food.

Made a pit stop here for a quick bite to eat, and this place is just the cutest mini mountain town. It feels like you're on a western set. My husband and I couldn't believe how good the tri tip sandwich was and honestly the best I've had, and that's hard to say since I've been to Texas many times. The lunch special was also fantastic, my steak was cooked to perfection. This place is definitely booked marked if I'm ever forced to go up north again. Tho I would pass on the apple crumble, it was OK.

My friend and I went to this place on a hunch we saw on Reels. Love the tidbit of history and the atmosphere. There was a live band and hostess was very efficient. We ordered the nachos, onion rings and tri tip sandwich. Generous portions that we had some left to take home. I wish I counted how many times staff walked by our table to check. Service was anticipated very well. Parking is on the road side, found a spot right away. It’s a nice stop over on the way to Lake Cachuma or passing by on the way to Solvang. I will come back and also recommend to friends about this place.

My wife and I visited this place on a Saturday, the first time there, we loved it!The food was good (you have to try the tri-tip sandwich), the people who I think are in charge are super friendly and welcoming, but the surroundings is what makes the visit so enjoyable!We were there the 2nd weekend of November, and it was great weather to visit. There was a guy playing music outside one of the buildings, which was a great mood setting.We'll definitely be back.P.S. they are only open part of the day, so make sure to check their hours before you make plans to go. And parking is limited, you have to park curbside either uphill or downhill.

The place is much fun! We explored the jailhouse that fit 11 people (small space). Checked for seating & wait for about 20min while waiting we went to a bar, ordered drinks while enjoying live band. We ordered the famous beer batter onion rings, brisket sandwich & French onion soup. Really enjoyed the place. I’d advice take the first parking spot on the side of street when you get there (if driving a car) as the place is packed quickly. There’s motorcycles parking if you’re riding motorcycle. Enjoy & have fun!

Such a cute escape! Their tri tip sandwich is great (can’t go wrong with either variety). It’s nestled in a perfectly wooded canyon spot and cannot recommend enough. Felt like I was back home in upstate New York! Some people park on the street but they have a lot which seems to turnover pretty quick. Would recommend that for safety. Outside is nice to sit in nature, but the inside is super cute (just might be a longer wait)

No wait for inside seating, arrived at 1145 on a Saturday. We had a tri tip sandwich w fries and a wedge salad. Both were fantastic. Tri tip was cut thick on a yummy roll. Delicious Bbq sauce and horseradish sauce were on the side. Wedge salad (2 wedges) loaded with blue cheese crumbles and bacon. It comes with creamy italian, but I asked for ranch.We love their chili, brought a cooler with ice, and took a chili sampler and apple cobbler to go back to LA. Had it for dinner. ALL, excellent! Atmosphere is a gorgeous, secluded forest. They have a separate bar area where live music was starting to set up. The service was great and attentive. Highly recommend this place.

4.7

(2701)

4.5

(609)

5995 Stagecoach Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, USA