Central California Tourist Attractions

Local Cuisine Tourist Attractions Hearst Castle State Beaches Golf Courses

Explore Santa Barbara County's extraordinary number of acclaimed artistic and cultural attractions. With numerous museums, galleries, missions and a year-round selection of internationally recognized performing arts, dance, music, visual arts and theater, Santa Barbara County is a coastal cultural empire. Santa Maria is a fun-filled playground for the entire family at the foothills of the Sierra Madres, just minutes from pristine beaches, parks, mountains, golf courses and hiking trails. Santa Barbara is home to 58 wineries along 50 miles of scenic countryside that produce premiere award-winning wines.

California Attractions - Local Cuisine

Santa Maria Style Barbeque. Visiting the Santa Maria Valley is a feast for the senses. Cruise down Broadway on any weekend, and it's the mouth-watering smell of barbecue that will greet you. Barbecue is truly the authentic taste experience of Santa Maria and a major California attraction. This sumptuous feast of barbecued sirloin, salsa, pinquito beans, toasted french bread, and green salad has been called by Sunset Magazine the "best barbecue in the world" In fact, Santa Maria is known nation-wide as the "Barbecue Capital of the World." For more information, go to http://www.santamaria.com/section_visitor/barbecue.html.  [Top]   

Family California Tourist Attractions

• YMCA Skateboard Park. Located adjacent to the YMCA facility, this 15,000 square foot park contains numerous ramps including quarter pipes, half pipes, boxes, rails, jumps, hills and a vertical ramp. A special area for beginners is also available. Visit this exciting tourist attraction in California at 3400 Skyway Drive, Santa Maria, (805) 937-8521. For more information, go to http://www.skateboardparks.com/california/ymcaair/index.html.
• Boomer's. Miniature golf, raceway go-karts, bumper boats, video games, and deluxe batting range offer total family fun. With so many California attractions in one place, you’re bound to enjoy yourself. Located at 2250 Preisker Lane. Open daily. For more information call (805) 928-4942.
• Preisker Park. Feed the ducks and geese in the peaceful surroundings of the city's largest park. 2301 Preisker Lane, Santa Maria. (805) 925-0951 ext. 410.
• Nojoqui Park. A great place for a family picnic and hike. A short 10 minute walk leads to a meandering stream which delivers a cascading 100-foot waterfall. This park is 10 minutes from Solvang on Alisal Road. For more information call (805) 688-4217.
• Nelson Aquatic Center. Enjoy year-round swimming for children of all ages at this tourist attraction in California. Special children's wading pool with frog slide and mushroom shower. 516 McClelland Street. (805) 925-0951 ext. 352.
• Rancho Bowl. Enjoy 20 bumper lanes for striking fun for the whole family at this local California attraction. The Rancho Bowl is located at 128 East Donovan Road, Santa Maria. For more information, call (805) 925-2405.
• Santa Maria Speedway. Take to the track for stock car races each Saturday night in Nipomo, April through October. Enjoy this exciting tourist attraction in California. For more information call (805) 922-2233 or go to http://www.santamariaspeedway.com/.
• Central Coast Sports Arena. Kids of all ages will enjoy roller skating and roller hockey at the Central Coast Sports Arena. Public skating sessions and birthday parties are available on weekends and holidays. Call (805) 739-0920 for skate session dates and times. This California attraction is located at 937 S. Thornburg, Gate 7, Santa Maria.
• Farmers Market. You'll find fresh picked seasonal produce and colorful blossoms! Come out to the Central City Farmer's Market Tuesdays at Oak Knoll South on the corner of Bradley Road and Clark Ave. from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Wednesdays at the Town Center West at Broadway and Main St. from 12:15 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Info: (805) 343-2135.
• Waller Park. This is one of the loveliest parks you will ever encounter, boasting two beautiful lakes with fountains, and 153 acres of grassy lawn, shady picnic areas, playgrounds, ball fields, basketball and volleyball courts. There is even a frisbee disc golf course. Shaded by towering pines surrounding a tranquil lake, Waller Park is a children's paradise with a playground, pony rides, barbecue and picnic areas, disk golf, a gazebo and plenty of room to roam and play. The park also offers hiking trails and horseshoes. Waller County Park is located at the south end of Santa Maria just north of Skyway Drive at 300 Goodwin Road, Santa Maria. For more information, call (805) 934-6211 or visit http://www.sbparks.com/scripts/parksdetail.asp?ParkID=25.  [Top]

More California Attractions

• Hearst Castle. The enchanting hilltop retreat of William Randolf Hearst is one of California's top tourist attractions. Don't miss the large format films playing daily at the new National Geographic Theater. Hearst Castle is located off Highway 1 in San Simeon. For more information, call (800) 444-4445 or visit http://www.hearstcastle.org/.
• Solvang Danish Village. Visit Solvang and enter the Danish Capital of America. Quaint Old World architectural styles blend with flower-lined streets to create a village that is a delight to wander through. Storks peek down from thatch, copper and tile roofs; while delightful shops offer imported European wares - porcelain, collectibles, wrought iron and every form of handicraft. The aroma of chocolate, bakeries, coffee and beer garden fare flavor the quaint streets. Solvang offers unusual, quality imports and collectibles from 200+ merchants. Solvang was voted one of Sunset Magazine's 10 Most Beautiful Small Towns in the Western United States. Enjoy the sunny fields and beautiful vineyard filled, oak-studded Santa Ynez Valley -- one of Santa Barbara County's best destinations. For more information, visit http://www.solvangusa.com/.

• Chumash Casino, Santa Ynez Valley. Chumash Casino offers Las Vegas style thrills, including a card room, video game lounge or high stakes bingo tables. It's located 35 miles south of the hotel on Highway 101 to Highway 246 east, Buellton.
  
  For more information, call (800) 728-9997 or visit http://chumashcasino.com/.
• Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes. The Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Complex comprises 18 miles of the largest, most bio-diverse, coastal dune-lagoon ecosystem on earth. Preservation of the land began in 1987 and approximately half of the complex is permanently protected for habitat and passive recreation. With 1,400 known species of birds, plants and animals and with the highest dunes on the west coast, it is a place of rare beauty and significance. For more information, visit http://www.dunescenter.org/.
• Figueroa Mountain. February through April, the slopes of Figueroa Mountain begin to turn into colorful fields of California poppies, owl's clover, fiddlenecks and lupines. Enjoy over 15 unique hiking trails where you'll explore historic mines and pioneer homesteads. Fishing is also available. From Santa Maria head south to Highway 154 and turn left onto Figueroa Mountain Road. For further information, contact the U.S. Forest Service at (805) 925-9538.  [Top]

California Attractions - State Beaches

• Avila Beach. Avila Beach is a quaint seaside town located just south of San Luis Obispo. Avila has three piers, a small fishing harbor, and a beautiful beach often packed with sunbathers. The waterfront is lined with small restaurants, cafes and bars. For more information, call (805) 781-2777.
• Shell Beach. Shell Beach is one of the most scenic spots you'll ever find. Rugged cliffs, rocks jutting out of the water, crevices filled with sand crabs and a sandy beach nestled between rock formations make for an afternoon or day adventure. For more information, call (805) 781-2777.
• Pismo Beach. Pismo Beach is a charming coastal town with an active downtown that includes shops, restaurants, hotels and a beautiful 1200 foot pier. Visitors enjoy a myriad of activities including golfing, bicycling, walking through the Monarch Butterfly Grove, tennis, horseback riding, scuba diving, fishing, bowling, hiking and miles of beautiful beaches. For more information, call (805) 781-2777.  [Top]

California Attractions - Golf Courses

• Blacklake Golf Resort. Enjoy the blue skies, sunshine, and natural beauty of Blacklake, with 421 acres of California Oaks, flowers and 18 challenging holes. Sparkling water pools and scenic coastal hills are all part of the natural beauty of this unique golf course. Conveniently located between Santa Maria and San Luis Obispo, visitors to Blacklake Resort will find a wide range of interesting day trips. For more information, go to http://www.blacklake.com/.
• Cypress Ridge. Experience the new Peter Jacobsen Signature Course at Cypress Ridge. The natural surroundings of the area make this course as challenging as it is beautiful. Mature cypress trees, lush green fairways and cool fresh ocean air make Cypress Ridge a golfers' paradise. For more information visit http://www.cypressridge.com/.
• Rancho Maria Golf Club. Nestled in the foothills on State Highway 1, just 5 miles southwest of Santa Maria, Rancho Maria Golf Club is an 18-hole championship public course that has no parallel fairways. To find out more about this California tourist attraction, visit http://www.ranchomariagolf.com/.
• Avila Beach Golf Resort. Avila Beach Golf Course at San Luis Bay is centrally located 3 miles off Highway 101 between San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach, California. Nestled in the surrounding hills and on the Bay, the resort includes a par 71, 6500-yard championship course. The front nine is situated within oak-lined valleys the back nine transverses a tidal estuary. Golfers of all abilities will enjoy the sporty challenge of this scenic course. To find out more visit http://www.avilabeachresort.com/index.html?main=golf.html.
• River Course at the Alisal. The striking panorama of the Santa Ynez Mountains provides the backdrop for the River Course, where golfers can experience the majestic beauty and rustic elegance of California's Central Coast. The course maintains an atmosphere of quiet escape by immersing the player in a serene riverside. For more information, visit http://www.rivercourse.com/.
• Monarch Dunes Golf Club. Surrounded by windswept dunes and eucalyptus trees, coastal vistas and amber-colored hillsides, Monarch Dunes Golf Club is reminiscent of the true links-style courses found in Scotland and a “must play” for those who seek a challenging,, yet amiable, unspoiled golf adventure. For more information, visit http://www.monarchdunes.com.  [Top]