Know Before You Go, Pacific Coast Highway: San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara

Start Planning! 

You’re about to go on an epic adventure with the Pacific Coast Highway Tour in Central Vines & Valleys! Here’s what you need to know before you go. 

• The tour takes about 3 hours driving, but plan a full day with stops.
• Covers 15 stops with 87 audio points along the route.
• Starts from San Luis Obispo or Santa Barbara—works both northbound and southbound.
• The route includes a detour into Santa Barbara wine country.
• No reservations required for the tour itself.
• The weather is good year-round, but summer fog may reduce visibility.
• Monarch butterfly season runs from November to February along parts of the route.
• Ocean water is cold with strong waves—most beaches are unsafe for swimming.
• Bring sunscreen, water, proper footwear, and a phone mount/charger.
• Avoid leaving valuables in your car—break-ins can happen in parking areas.
• Wine country stops require responsible drinking and a designated driver.
• State park beaches charge parking fees—one pass can cover multiple parks.
• Many stops operate from sunrise to sunset; hours vary by location.

Budgeting and Hours of Operation 

Shutterstock Image

Budget

How much you spend truly depends on what you do along the tour route:

• The $10 day-use fee (or $3/hour) applies to El Capitan State Beach, Refugio State Beach, and Gaviota State Park, and is valid for all three parks on the same day, per vehicle.
• Ostrichland USA: 
  • $7 general, 
  • $5 seniors 65+, 
  • $3 children 12 years and under. 
  • $1 to feed ostriches. 
  • Rates may increase for holidays and long weekends.
• Mission Santa Inés
  • Self-guided tour $8 ages 13 and up, 
  • $7 seniors 64+, 
  • $5 ages 6-12
  •  free for children 5 and under
• La Purisima Mission State Historic Park
  • $6 parking fee ($5 for seniors 62+)
• Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center
  • $7 adults, 
  • $6 seniors, 
  • Children 12 and under are free
• Oso Flaco Lake: $5 parking 
• Pismo Beach: Free to visit, street parking fees may apply

Hours of Operation 

Pro Tip: To make the most of your day, we recommend aiming for the 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM window to ensure everything is open!

• Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve 
  • Noon to sunset on Mon, 7 am to sunset Tues-Sun
• Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center
  • Tues-Sat 10 am to 3 pm

Get Packing!

Shutterstock Image

​​Here’s our packing list for this tour. It may seem a little long, but remember, what you bring depends on the activities you choose to do for the day. 

• Swimsuit
• Water shoes or flip flops
• Canteen/refillable water bottle
• Hiking shoes and clothes
• Sunscreen
• Hat
• First Aid Kit
• Phone charger/mount

Best Time to Visit     

Shutterstock Image

• Southern California has great weather all year round. Fog may be a factor during the summer.
• If you want to catch the monarch butterfly migration, then November to February is when they are wintering in stops along the tour route.

Safety Information 

• The Pacific Ocean is surprisingly cold and has dangerous waves. Most of the beaches we visit are not safe to swim in. Carpinteria is an exception. 
• Avoid keeping valuables in the car. Break-ins may occur in parking lots.
• A large portion of this tour travels through Santa Barbara Wine Country. Please drink responsibly and have a designated driver.

Additional Need to Know Information

Shutterstock Image

The state park beaches on this tour all charge a parking fee. However, you can pay at only one location and display your parking pass on your dashboard for the rest.

Leave No Trace

While exploring Salem, we encourage you to follow leave-no-trace principles. Embrace the city responsibly with our commitment to preserving its historic charm.

Respect public spaces, minimize your footprint, and create memories, not waste. By following Leave No Trace principles, you help protect Salem’s streets, parks, and landmarks for generations to come.

About the Writer: Matt Caracciolo

Matt Caracciolo is a travel writer based in Ohio and author of the Shaka Guide tour for Yosemite. Born and raised in Columbus, Matt fell into travel writing while teaching English abroad in South Korea.

He has written two travel books, including the Moon Ohio guidebook, and enjoys writing and editing tours for Shaka Guide. Matt follows Mark Twain’s belief that “travel is fatal,” embracing travel as a way to learn more about the world and ourselves.

Like this article? Share it on Pinterest!