If you haven't been to Hearst Castle in San Simeon, a few hours drive north on the 101 Freeway, it is highly recommended. Not only is it one of the most smoothly operated state parks in California, its history and the ties to Los Angeles' 1920s and 30s lifestyle are eye opening and fascinating. more ›

One weekend, the Pacific Coast Highway and two California must-sees. more ›

Though it may not have the scenic majesty of Morro Bay or the woodsy seclusion of Big Sur, San Simeon State Park is one of the quiet wonders of the California seaside. Located just a few miles south of fabled Hearst Castle, San Simeon offers two campground sites (San Simeon or Washburn) where you can set up home base for a long weekend. It's a short walk to cool, lightly populated beaches where you might stumble across an entire pack of elephant seals stretching out in the sun. You can also hike several miles of trails, some of which descend into seasonal wetlands, and others that plateau on top of vast seaside vistas. more ›