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Best Beaches for Families on the Central Coast Along Highway 1
San Luis Obispo, California, United States
Of the 101 miles of coastline in San Luis Obispo County, half are protected shoreline. In other words, the odds are good that surf, sand and sun are always within reach here.
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Avila Beach
Avila Beach, California, United States
Pick your perfect paradise on one of the best family beaches in California! This spacious beach features soft, fine sand and gentle waves, ideal for little ones and water play.
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Cayucos State Beach
Cayucos, CA
Cayucos State Beach blends sand, surf and sun for a classic California vibe. Kids will love the sizeable beach playground, tidepools and fishing off historic Cayucos Pier.
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W.R. Hearst Memorial State Beach, San Simeon
750 Hearst Castle Rd
San Simeon, CA
Monday:
8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tuesday:
8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday:
8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday:
8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday:
8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday:
8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday:
8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
A local favorite, this beach stands adjacent to the town of Old San Simeon, across Highway 1 from Hearst Castle. In addition to calm waters and a long coastline, this protected cove also offers picnic sites, parking, restrooms, and grill stands.
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Moonstone Beach, Cambria
San Luis Obispo County, CA
One of the best beaches in Central California for beachcombing, Moonstone Beach encourages exploration for visitors of all ages. This beach is known for its smooth “moonstones” as well as sea glass and driftwood.
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Morro Bay Strand State Beach Day Use Area, Cayucos
San Luis Obispo County, CA
The 6 miles of white sand beach between Morro Rock and the Cayucos Pier make for a scenic and challenging walk in Highway 1 Discovery country. The Morro Bay Strand Day Use Area covers a section of that beach boasting ideal conditions for fishing, windsurfing and kite-flying.
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Morro Bay Dog Beach, Cayucos
Cayucos, CA
Monday:
5:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Tuesday:
5:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Wednesday:
5:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Thursday:
5:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Friday:
5:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Saturday:
5:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday:
5:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Let your four-legged friend play in the surf at this charming off-leash dog beach on Cayucos’s southern end. This stretch of coastline has something for the whole family, including beachcombing (sand dollars!), wildflowers, tidepools, surfing, fishing and birding.
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Estero Bluffs Beach
750 Hearst Castle Road
San Simeon, 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
Part of a scenic state park, this beach can be reached by hiking through grasslands along the bluffs. While several beaches skirt the trail below, the most accessible sits in a sandy cove where Villa Creek meets the sea.