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Ideas for a Central California Near-cation ➡️
California, United States
Travel close-to-home with these great ideas for a near-cation in Central California.
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1. Solvang, the Danish Town in the Santa Ynez Valley
Solvang, California, United States
Drive time from San Francisco: 4.5 hours / Drive time from Los Angeles: 2.25 hours With its colorful windmills, thatched-roofed buildings, and wooden storks dotting the downtown, Solvang charms even the hippest travelers.
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Stroll through the olive groves of Mission Santa Ines
1760 Mission Dr
Solvang, CA
Stroll through the olive groves of Mission Santa Ines.
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Grab dinner at First & Oak, a foodie favorite in Solvang
409 1st St
Solvang, CA
Monday:
Closed
Tuesday:
Closed
Wednesday:
5:00 – 8:45 PM
Thursday:
5:00 – 8:45 PM
Friday:
5:00 – 8:45 PM
Saturday:
5:00 – 8:45 PM
Sunday:
5:00 – 8:45 PM
First & Oak is a premier restaurant serving delicious food. The restaurant is located in the charming Mirabelle Inn in Solvang.
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For dessert, stock up on Danish pastries from local bakeries
1529 Mission Dr
Solvang, CA
Monday:
7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday:
7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday:
7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday:
7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday:
7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday:
7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday:
7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Solvang is filled with bakeries and authentic Danish pastries! Choose from many of the decadent desserts at Olsen's Danish Village Bakery.
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2. Cambria, the scenic getaway in San Luis Obispo County
Cambria, California, United States
Drive time from San Francisco: 3.5 hours / Drive time from Los Angeles: 3.5 hours Experience Cambria's rugged coastline, great views, and scenic hiking trails.
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Take in the dramatic coastline of Moonstone Beach in Cambria
Cambria, CA
Monday:
Closed
Tuesday:
Closed
Wednesday:
Closed
Thursday:
Closed
Friday:
Closed
Saturday:
Open 24 hours
Sunday:
Closed
Head for Moonstone Beach's south end to hunt for smoothly polished jadite and moonstones.
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Take a tour of the world-famous Hearst Castle
750 Hearst Castle Rd
San Simeon, CA
Tour this breathtaking estate built for William Randolph Hearst and discover its abundant history. Explore his personal collection of rare and ancient works of art on a guided tour.
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See an elephant seal colony perched out on the beach at Point Piedras Blancas
250 San Simeon Ave
San Simeon, CA
Monday:
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Tuesday:
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Wednesday:
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Thursday:
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Friday:
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Saturday:
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Sunday:
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
See bulbous, blubbery elephant seals hauled out on the beaches at Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery.
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3. Explore Sequoia National Park, the land of giants
Tulare County, CA
Drive time from Sacramento: 4.5 hours / Drive time from Los Angeles: 4.25 hours Fall and winter are the quietest seasons at Sequoia National Park, so it's the perfect time for a soul-stirring visit to the magnificent giant sequoias.
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Be awed and humbled by the giant sequoia groves
Tulare County, CA
Be awed and humbled by the gargantuan trees in Sequoia National Park's Giant Forest.
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Enjoy a breathtaking view from the top of Moro Rock
Tulare County, CA
This large granite dome is a stunning geological feature. Enjoy it from the ground, or take the concrete and stone stairway up to the top for a sweeping vista of the sawtoothed Great Western Divide.
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Drive through Sequoia Park's fallen "Tunnel Log"
Crescent Meadow Rd
Sequoia National Park, CA
Drive through Sequoia National Park's fallen "Tunnel Log," located along the Crescent Meadow Road in Giant Forest.
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4. Explore Death Valley National Park
DEATH VALLEY, CA
Monday:
Open 24 hours
Tuesday:
Open 24 hours
Wednesday:
Open 24 hours
Thursday:
Open 24 hours
Friday:
Open 24 hours
Saturday:
Open 24 hours
Sunday:
Open 24 hours
Drive time from Sacramento: 7.5 hours / Drive time from Los Angeles: 4.5 hours Death Valley National Park is a lot bigger than most visitors realize, so plan on a multi-day trip to check off all the highlights. Start with a climb up the silky sand dunes at Mesquite Flat.
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Cruise through the color-splashed hills of Artists Drive
Inyo County, CA
Enjoy the most popular scenic drive in the park, on Artist's Drive, where 9 miles of paved roads wind though multicolored sedimentary hills formed by volcanic deposits. Fun fact: parts of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope were filmed here.
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Walk among vast salt flats at Badwater Basin
Death Valley, CA
Monday:
Open 24 hours
Tuesday:
Open 24 hours
Wednesday:
Open 24 hours
Thursday:
Open 24 hours
Friday:
Open 24 hours
Saturday:
Open 24 hours
Sunday:
Open 24 hours
Walk along the crunchy salt crystals at below-sea-level Badwater Basin. It is the lowest point in North America, with an elevation of 282 ft below sea level.
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Catch a multi-hued sunset at Zabriskie Point
Inyo County, CA
Zabriskie Point is one of the most famous viewpoints at Death Valley National Park, which overlooks Furnace Creek and is particularly popular as sunrise and sunset. Click "More Details" for other California near-cations.