Things to Do in Central Coast California in 2024

Explore thousands of activities with free cancellation and no added fees.

Design your experience with airport transfers, excursions, day tours & more.

Get an insider's look in what to book before you travel.

Most popular activities in Central Coast California

Tours & day trips

See all 307 activities

Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour

Free cancellation available

Private & custom tours

See all 97 activities

Tour of California Self-Guided Driving Bundle

Free cancellation available

Food, drink & nightlife

See all 91 activities

Carmel Small Group Walking Food & Cultural Tour

Water activities

See all 32 activities

Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour

Free cancellation available

Classes & workshops

See all 21 activities

2- Hour Pottery Workshop and Studio Tour in Ojai

Free cancellation available

Discover the most popular places to visit in Central Coast California

Six Flags Magic Mountain

4.5/5(631 reviews)

Have a fun-filled day at Six Flags Magic Mountain and see why people love this theme park in Stevenson Ranch. Attend a sporting event or discover the mountain views in this family-friendly area.

Monterey Bay Aquarium

4.5/5(1,731 reviews)

Perched on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, you’ll find a spectacular window into life both above and below the waves.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

4.5/5(2,013 reviews)

Enjoy the thrills at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and find out why people love this theme park in Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area, or seek out the biking trails.

Hearst Castle

4.5/5(907 reviews)

You can learn about the local history of San Simeon when you make a stop at a top site like Hearst Castle. Wander the area's seaside or simply enjoy one of its top-notch restaurants.

Santana Row Shopping Center

4.5/5(119 reviews)

You can browse for souvenirs with a trip to Santana Row Shopping Center, a favorite shopping spot in San Jose. Attend a sporting event or discover the mountain views in this family-friendly area.

17-Mile Drive

4.5/5(1,184 reviews)

Discover palatial mansions, lush golf courses and a wild stretch of coastline inhabited by sea lions on a road often dubbed one of the world’s most scenic drives.

Carmel Beach

4.5/5(1,826 reviews)

Spot birds or catch waves, then spread out a picnic by a campfire and enjoy the views at this picturesque beach.

San Jose Convention Center

4/5(561 reviews)

Learn about the events happening at San Jose Convention Center during your trip to San Jose. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.

Pismo Beach Pier

4.5/5(1,360 reviews)

Watch whales from the benches that flank this long pier offering unobstructed vistas of the ocean and the hilly environs.

Discover the most popular landmarks and neighborhoods in Central Coast California

Santa Barbara Beach

4.5/5(1,188 area reviews)

Santa Barbara Beach is known for its stunning beaches, and you can see some sights in the area like Stearns Wharf and MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation.

Montecito

4.5/5(179 area reviews)

The pristine beaches and ample dining options are top of the list for many visitors to Montecito. A stop by Miramar Beach or Butterfly Beach might round out your trip.

Westside Santa Cruz

4/5(2,586 area reviews)

Westside Santa Cruz is known for its stunning beaches, and with sights like Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Monterey Bay, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Santa Cruz.

Carmel featuring signage, a city and street scenes

Downtown Monterey

4.5/5(251 area reviews)

The beaches and seaside views are top of the list for many visitors to Downtown Monterey. A stop by Golden State Theatre or Munras Avenue might round out your trip.

Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

The beaches and abundant dining options are top of the list for many visitors to Historic Downtown Santa Barbara. A stop by Lobero Theater or Paseo Nuevo Mall might round out your trip.