On the central coast: edge along the beautiful coastline from Monterey to Oxnard. Return via the fertile Santa Ynez and Salinas valleys

Sunset, June, 2004

* DRIVING DISTANCE: 641 mi/1,054km round trip

* DURATION: 3-4 days

* DON'T MISS: Carmel Beach, Hearst Castle[R], National Steinbeck Center

* DID YOU KNOW: Winemaking in the Paso Robles area dates to 1797.

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MONTEREY. Visit Cannery Row, immortalized by author John Steinbeck, with its array of shops and restaurants. The spectacular Monterey Bay Aquarium allows visitors to view intriguing exhibits about Monterey Bay, one of the richest marine environments in the world. Proceed west on Ocean View Blvd. to ...

PACIFIC GROVE (3mi/5km). The 107-acre Asilomar State Beach and Conference Center offers overnight lodging and views of the forest, surf, and sand. Then head into the Del Monte Forest to Pebble Beach along the famed 17-Mile Drive. This route leads to ...

CARMEL (17mi/27km). Stop at the many galleries, restaurants, boutiques, and specialty shops in this quaint village. At the edge of Carmel is Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo, a restored piece of California's Spanish history. After a visit to the mission, walk on the white sands of Carmel Beach. A side trip up into Carmel Valley to 100-acre Saddle Mountain Recreation Park is a must. Return to Hwy. 1, then drive south to ...

POINT LOBOS SR (4mi/6km). The 1,325-acre reserve features tall stands of cypress sheltering hidden coves. Continue on Hwy. 1, California's first designated scenic highway, across the Bixby Creek Bridge, to ...

BIG SUR (20mi/32km). Nepenthe Restaurant provides diners with unforgettable food and unparalleled views of the California coast. At Julia Pfeiffer Burns SP, McWay Falls tumbles over rocky cliffs to the Pacific Ocean below. Continue south to ...

HEARST SAN SIMEON SHM (64mi/102km). Tours of 165-room Hearst Castle[R] and grounds are ranger-led. For reservations, call (800) 444-4445. Drive south on Hwy. 1 to ...

CAMBRIA (9mi/14km). This artists' colony in a pine valley is filled with inns, restaurants, and shops. Continue south on Hwy. 1 past tiny Harmony (pop. 18) to ...

CAYUCOS (16mi/26km). The old Portuguese fishing community is noted for its long fishing wharf and the gentle waters of Estero Bay. Continue south on Hwy. 1 to ...

MORRO BAY (6mi/10km). Recognizable by the enormous volcanic peak of Morro Rock, the westernmost of nine extinct volcanoes named "the sisters." Follow South Bay Blvd. south toward Baywood Park and ...

LOS OSOS (4mi/6km). The serene "Valley of the Bears" is the entrance to the 8,400-acre Montana de Oro SP. Drive Los Osos Valley Rd. west until it turns into Pecho Rd., which winds through the heart of the park. Follow Los Osos Valley Rd. east; then Foothill Blvd. east, past the famous Madonna Inn, a landmark hotel with 109 unique rooms, to ...

SAN LUIS OBISPO (11mi/18km). Historical walking tours offer visitors a chance to stretch their legs. Nearby wineries add to this coastal community's bountiful attractions. Continue south on Hwy. 101 to ...

AVILA BEACH (11mi/18km). After a long day of driving, enjoy a refreshing walk along Avila Pier or visit the mineral springs nestled in the wooded hillside. Travel on to Shell Beach and ...

PISMO BEACH (7mi/11km). With more than 19 miles of shoreline and beach, this city is noted for its oceanside restaurants and a mild year-round climate. Follow Hwy. I south through Grover City and Guadalupe to Orcutt and ...

LOMPOC (51mi/82km). From May through August, Lompoc Rainbow Farms displays thousands of acres of brilliant petunias, poppies, marigolds, and other blossoms. This "Flower City" is also the site of La Purisima Mission SHP. Continue east on Hwy. 246 to Hwy. 101. At Buellton, you should turn south on Hwy. 101 to reach ...

SANTA BARBARA (54mi/88km). Worth seeing are the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, which contains 65 acres of native plants, Mission Santa Barbara, and Stearns Wharf, a restored 2,300-foot ocean pier. The city's Red Tile Walking Tour takes you past some of the most spectacular and historic architecture in California. Continue on Hwy. 101 to ...

CARPINTERIA (11mi/18km). Stretch you legs (or stay for a week) in this low-key seaside town, then take Hwy. 150 east to ...

OJAI (30mi/48km). Situated beneath the stunning Topa Topa Mountains, Ojai is a Mecca for artists, spa enthusiasts, spiritualists, and citrus growers alike. From here you can drive north on scenic Hwy. 33 to Carrizo Plain NM (59mi/94km), return to Hwy. 101 via Hwy. 33 south, or continue east on Hwy. 150 through orange groves to ...

SANTA PAULA (16mi/26km). Explore the shops, the California Oil Museum, and the Aviation Museum in this classic Southern California small town, then catch Hwy. 126 west to Hwy. 101 and ...

VENTURA (16mi/26km). Channel Islands NP can be easily visited from Ventura and Oxnard, which is a few miles south. Visitor centers at Ventura Harbor and Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard tell the story of the five islands that make up the park. Chartered boat trips are available year-round. Continue north on Hwy. 101 to Santa Barbara, where you exit onto Hwy. 154 north. You'll cross the Cold Spring Canyon Arch Bridge before dropping down into the vineyard-filled Santa Ynez Valley to reach ...