Heritage Tourism on California’s Central Coast (with some Northern California Spots as well) by Ruth Paget
Some of the places my family has visited over the years on California’s Central Coast and in Northern California might interest other travelers as well.
This list is not exhaustive, but includes blogs I have written about these places:
Paso Robles:
Lunch at Firestone Walker, a California Brew Pub, is always a treat!
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2025/11/pretzels-burgers-and-rock-music-at.html?m=1
San Miguel Arcangel Mission:
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2025/07/san-miguel-arcangel-mission-near-san.html?m=1
Morro Bay:
Two Fantastic Seafood Meals at Tognazzini’s Dockside Restaurant -
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2026/01/morro-bay-oysters-and-dungeness-crab.html?m=1
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2025/11/calamari-appetizers-and-seafood-pasta.html?m=1
San Luis Obispo:
Lure Fish House Meals, Novo Restaurant Meals, Hotel Cerro Breakfast, and Madonna Inn
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2025/08/italian-linguine-with-clams-at-lure.html?m=1
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2025/08/fusion-seafood-feast-at-lure-fish-house.html?m=1
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2025/11/franco-italian-meal-at-novo-restaurant.html?m=1
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2026/01/primo-pumpkin-risotto-at-novo.html?m=1
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2026/01/cowboy-eggs-benedict-at-hotel-cerro-in.html?m=1
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2025/08/madonna-frittata-and-apffels-coffee-at.html?m=1
San Simeon
Hearst Castle and Southern Big Sur Road Trip on Highway 1 -
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2018/12/visiting-hearst-castle-with-juilliard.html?m=1
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2025/11/southern-big-sur-california-day-trip-by.html?m=1
Carmel:
La Perouse the Explorer Game and La Perouse the Explorer Cruise Idea-
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2018/04/la-perouse-explorer-historical-fashion.html?m=1
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2018/09/la-perouse-explorer-cruise-idea.html?m=1
Carmel Valley:
Carmel Valley History Center even has dinosaur bones -
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2025/09/dinosaur-bones-ohlone-reed-boats-wagon.html?m=1
Earthbound Farms for lunch, pumpkins, and tulips -
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2024/10/grown-up-kid-at-earthbound-farm-in.html?m=1
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2026/03/tulip-tourism-outside-salinas-at.html?m=1
Monterey:
Steinbeck’s Cannery Row, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Whale Watching, the Dali Museum, and the Crown, Anchor Pub, and Old Fisherman’s Grotto (subject of an Anthony Bourdain video) -
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2024/01/cannery-row-for-new-years-by-ruth-paget.html?m=1
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2015/03/monterey-bay-aquarium-monterey.html?m=1
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2016/11/whale-watching-field-trip_44.html?m=1
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2016/03/figueres-spain-dali-land.html?m=
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2017/12/producer-mom-dinners-at-crown-and.html?m=1
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2023/10/fishermans-grotto-in-monterey.html?m=1
Pebble Beach:
Trap’s Lounge, Roy’s, Peppoli, Stillwater Cafe, Gallery Cafe, Market Reuben Sandwich Combo Deal, and Hay’s Place for great tasting meals -
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2026/01/pulled-pork-sandwich-with-coleslaw-at.html?m=1
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2025/11/deluxe-bar-nibbles-at-traps-lounge-in.html?m=
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2025/04/hibachi-salmon-and-mango-cheesecake-at.html?m=1
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2025/06/spicy-crab-salad-at-roys-in-pebble.html?m=1
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2025/12/sardis-like-birthday-party-at-peppoli.html?m=1
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2025/11/organic-spinach-and-blue-cheese-salad.html?m=1
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2025/11/tonic-fall-deli-meal-at-gallery-cafe-in.html?m=1
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2025/07/sticky-buns-and-vegetable-frittatas-at.html?m=1
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2025/07/mexican-seafood-enchiladas-at-hays.html?m=1
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2025/06/enchiladas-de-mole-al-fogon-at-hays.html?m=1
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2025/04/reuben-sandwich-deal-at-pebble-beach.html?m=1
San Francisco, Napa Valley, and Marin County -
Celebrating Chinese New Year’s (two weeks in February), Napa Valley, Parisian Brunches at Cafe de la Presse, Skyline Dining at the Intercontinental, Sliders and Kopi Liwak Coffee at the Mark, and the Asian Art Museum
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2015/03/chinese-new-year-parade-san-francisco.html?m=1
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2017/06/visiting-napa-valley-napa-california.html?m=1
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2017/06/lunch-at-cafe-de-la-presse-san.html?m=1
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2025/06/skyline-dining-at-intercontinental-san.html?m=1
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2025/06/sliders-and-kopi-luwak-coffee-at.html?m=1m
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2017/06/visiting-asian-art-museum-san-francisco.html?m=1
Minnesingers and Mayfair in Carmel Valley and Medieval Games in Marin County -
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2015/04/minnesingers-and-mayfair-for-children.html?m=1
Millbrae:
Sampling seafood dim sum in Millbrae -
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2015/03/dim-sum-primer-millbrae-california.html?m=1
Los Gatos:
Memorable Meals at Chez Philippe!
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2024/06/apple-duck-confit-at-chez-philippe-in.html?m=1
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2024/12/salade-nicoise-with-salmon-at-chez.html?m=1
San Jose:
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-tech-museum-san-jose-california.html?m=1
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2015/03/egyptian-museum-san-jose-california.html?m=1
Seaside
Manga and anime rallyes at Harumi Restaurant -
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2018/12/manga-and-anime-rallyes-in-seaside.html?m=1
Stammtisch for authentic German fare -
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2018/01/oktoberfest-at-stammtisch-restaurant-in.html?m=1
Hispanic Day of the Dead -
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2015/04/day-of-dead-monterey-california.html?m=1
Lake Tahoe:
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2015/03/anniversary-town-lake-tahoe-california.html?m=1
Mount Lassen and Shasta Caverns:
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2015/03/lassen-peak-and-lake-shasta-caverns_4.html?m=1
Yosemite National Park Hiking:
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2017/05/hiking-in-yosemite-national-park-sierra.html?m=1
Salinas:
Lunching at John Steinbeck’s Home near the Steinbeck Center with a bookshop downstairs -
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2018/02/lunching-at-steinbecks-childhood-home.html?m=1
Market Town Salinas has a Wednesday Night Farmers Market at Northridge Market with 100+ Food Trucks and Stalls and a Saturday Morning Market that closes Dow Main Street by the Steinbeck Center.
Alvarado Street Brewery is a California Brewpub Pub -
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2026/02/german-style-kolsch-beer-and-loaded-blt.html?m=1
Growers Pub - Pub’s - is the oldest bar in Dalinas established in 1901. It preserves many American bar traditions -
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2024/10/prime-pork-chop-dinner-at-pubs-prime.html?m=1
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2025/08/chicago-meal-at-pubs-growers-pub-in.html?m=1
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2026/03/salinas-surf-and-turf-dinner-at-pubs-in.html?m=1
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2025/08/lobster-ravioli-at-pubs-growers-pub-in.html?m=1
Villa Azteca is aiming for a Michelin Star -
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2024/05/mole-amarillo-shrimp-enchiladas-at.html?m=1
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2024/05/mole-rossa-at-villa-azteca-in-salinas.html?m=1
Neapolitan Pizza at Gino’s and Italian Bar Dining:
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2025/07/always-great-pizza-at-ginos-in-salinas.html?m=
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2022/09/venice-film-festival-at-ginos-in.html?m=1
Tourism at the Farm in Summer:
Goats, Kiddy Tractors, and Organic Produce -
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2025/09/goats-kiddy-tractors-and-organic.html?m=1
Pumpkins -
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2025/09/pumpkin-harvest-2025-in-monterey-county.html?m=1
Squash -
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2025/10/squash-harvest-is-in-at-farm-in-salinas.html?m=1
Art at the Farm -
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2025/10/art-at-farm-in-salinas-california-by.html?m=1
Salinas reminds me of the English market town of Epping, which is now a London suburb:
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2018/08/touring-epping-london-suburb-uk-with.html?m=1
Salinas with its Hartnell College and tree canopy around campus and city hall also reminds me of Cambridge in England as well:
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2018/08/visiting-cambridge-uk-with-savvy-mom.html?m=1
Market towns with adventurous and skilled cooks need food games like the ones I created below:
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2026/03/food-games-created-by-ruth-paget.html?m=1
Food Games Background Reading List to enjoy country outings before and after visits -
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2026/03/food-games-background-information-by.html?m=1
Soledad:
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2015/03/condor-country-monterey-county.html?m=1
San Juan Bautista:
Parading Roosters, Ohlone Native Americans, Everyday Alchemy, Images of the Virgin Conference by Artist Jennifer Colby
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2017/12/enjoying-tex-mex-food-with-juilliard.html?m=1
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2017/11/learning-about-ohlone-on-californias.html?m=1
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2016/12/alchemy-for-kids-san-juan-bautista.html?m=1
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2015/03/living-history-day-san-juan-bautista.html?m=1
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2025/07/images-of-virgin-exhibit-review-by-ruth.html?m=1
Big Sur -
Eggs Benedict by the Pacific at Nepenthe with a little shopping is pretty terrific for views and flavor -
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2017/12/brunch-on-grand-terrace-big-sur.html?m=1
Wildflower Drawing
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2016/11/wildflower-drawing-in-big-sur.html?m=1
Eating English Breakfast at River Inn -
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2017/12/english-breakfast-at-big-sur-river-inn.html?m=1
Monterey - Salinas Airport:
Woody’s Restaurant and Bar at the airport and in Carmel Valley offers many dining options that also draws local diners:
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2025/12/authentic-monterey-county-lunch-at.html?m=1
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2026/02/miyagi-raw-oysters-and-jumbo-shrimp.html?m=1
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2024/09/calamari-steak-and-sand-dabs-at-woodys.html?m=1
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2024/05/seared-ahi-salade-nicoise-at-woodys-in.html?m=1
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2024/02/beet-salad-at-woodys-in-monterey.html?m=1
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2024/01/woodys-at-monterey-ca-airport-by-ruth.html?m=1
Culture of the American West Reading Game Created by Ruth Paget for topics to consider when thinking of your own travels in California’s Central Coast:
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2021/08/culture-of-american-west-game-created.html?m=1
That is the blog round-up so far on Central Coast California tourism. There is definitely more to explore, but all these places provide intellectual stimulation, delicious food, and relaxation to create what I consider a sense of well-being for Salinas, California residents.
By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Ancient Western Civilization Game Series (https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2026/03/ancient-western-civilization-games.html?m=1)
