#17 Ventura Pier
Ventura Pier is one of my happy places. You can feel the history as you walk the wooden planks with signs depicting the natural history of the area. Originally built in 1872, the pier has had many lives from agricultural and oil trade to modern day Central Coast tourism. The pier has always been and will always be a pier for the people. Everyone is welcome in Ventura and the sunsets are a bit of heaven.
#13 Santa Barbara Orchid Estate
Orchids Orchids Orchids. The Santa Barbara Orchid Estate has been one of the world's foremost growers and collections for more than five decades. Being right near the ocean has proved to be the perfect environment for growing orchids. Whether you are an expert or admirer, the estate has something to delight everyone.
#11 La Piedra State Beach
La Piedra State Beach is a beautiful secret beach in Malibu in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. It is overshadowed by the popular El Matador State beach next door. La Piedra in Spanish means rock, a fitting name for this rocky shore. It is one of my favorite beaches ever because of its solitude as well as it was the first beach I explored when moving to California.
#6 Dinosaur Caves Park
Dinosaur Caves Park is a bluff-top park in Pismo Beach. Along Highway One on California's Central Coast, this charming park offers stunning Ocean Vistas as well as a dinosaur themed playground. The rocky cliffs are a joy to the eye as the waves splash against the coast.
#2 Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is a gem on the Central Coast of California. Nestled in the foothills of Los Padres National Forest, the 78-acre garden showcases over 1000 native California flora and vegetation. Beautiful Mission Creek flows through and provides the perfect landscape along its many trails. Wildflowers also cover the ground in the springtime.
