|
|
|
|
THINGS
TO DO IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA |
|
|
|
Santa Maria Central
Coast
|
|
|
|
|
Santa Maria
was, for many years, a quiet little town. There was not
much to do and it was little known around the world. In
recent years the population has exploded because of the
affordability of housing in comparison to its neighbors.
Santa Maria is located within easy driving distance of
many central coast attractions.
Santa Barbara is about an hour drive south with Buellton,
Solvang, and the Santa Ynez Valley about a 30 minute drive
away. The Five Cities area (Pismo Beach, Oceano, Arroyo
Grande, Grover Beach, and Shell Beach) is just to the
north, Avila Beach just beyond that, and San Luis Obispo
just north of Avila.
The climate is some of the best weather in the United
States with a steady temperature of 60’s and 70’s
year-round. With the expanding population has come more
things to do in the area. People commonly drive from the
Central Valley to escape the heat and enjoy wine tasting,
authentic Mexican restaurants, and relax watching sporting
events.
Some of the best food in the valley can be found in Santa
Maria’s famous style barbeque. The tender and juicy
meat of tri-tip beef and a hefty helping of sides is a
trademark that can be found on Broadway on most days.
If a barbeque stand cannot be found, head to the BBQ Land
at the corner of Broadway and Carmen Ln and you will be
treated with the best. Santa Maria Style barbeque is black-on-the-outside,
pink-on-the-inside, grilled beef tri-tip steak.
|
|
|
Hills near Santa Maria |
A trip to
Santa Maria on a weekend can give you the thrill of watching
a go-kart race or stock car racing. The Santa Maria Karting
Association hosts races almost all year each Sunday with
gates opening at 7am and best yet, it’s free!
People come from all over California to compete in these
races. Even kids can get involved with a racing class for
kids as young as 5 years old. The SMKA is also now racing
at the Santa Maria Speedway on Monday evenings. Saturdays
at the Speedway consist of stock cars, demolition derbies,
and many other forms of auto racing.
Many weekday and Saturday afternoon and evenings you can
find ball games at Hagerman Field which hosts softball,
baseball, and soccer games and tournaments. They have a
great snack bar with indoor seating, outdoor bleachers accommodating
up to 500 people and 4 lighted fields. Just behind the fields
is the wonderful Waller Park. This is one of the most beautiful
parks in Santa Maria.
People travel to get married here, go play a round of Frisbee
golf, go on the pony rides, go jogging, hiking, even fishing.
Kids love to feed the ducks by the large pond and play on
the numerous playgrounds. There is a dog park behind the
park to let your dog stretch his legs. Many times during
the year the parks department hosts Free Kids Day in the
Park.
For the children there is the Santa Maria Valley Discovery
Museum filled with activities for your children to find
their inner artist or just let themselves have a blast while
learning something at the same time. Kids will enjoy many
hands on activities that will give them memories for a lifetime.
Not far from the museum is the brand new public library
which has new state of the art technology for any age imaginable.
Stop in here for some quiet time to relax your busy day
then head over to the mall across the street. The Santa
Maria Town Center Mall is expanding with additional stores
that giving the mall a whole new look. |
Santa Maria Valley |
Santa Maria Vineyard |
About 15 minutes south on Hwy 1 is
Vandenberg Air Force Base. The base is one of the most beautiful
bases in the country and hosts tours open to the public.
This is the main western site for NASA and frequent launches
light up the skies. Check their site for launch information.
North on Hwy 1 or west on Hwy 166
can take you to the little quiet and historic town of Guadalupe.
This is home to some of the best Mexican cuisine you will
find anywhere. The Far Western Tavern is known for its wonderful
steak plates as is the Jocko’s Restaurant in Nipomo,
about 5 minutes north of Santa Maria on Hwy 101.
A short drive to the south brings you to
Santa Ynez, home of
many famous people including the Backstreet Boys and President
Reagan’s estate. Neverland
Ranch is one of the most visited of these magnificent
homes in the Santa Ynez valley.
The little towns of Ballard and Los Olivos are mixed in
with wineries, ranches, and open landscapes popular for
road biking, jogging, and shopping. Close by is also the
Chumash Indian Reservation with the famous Chumash Casino
Resort and Solvang and Buellton just to the west.
Santa Maria is located along U.S. Highway 101 in the Santa
Maria Valley, in northern Santa Barbara County. Los Angeles
is about three hours' drive (190 miles) south of Santa Maria
and San Francisco is about four and half hours' drive (260
miles) north. |
Candlewood
Suites Santa Maria - Discover Santa Maria's
newest extended stay hotel, Candlewood Suites. Featuring
Candlewood Cupboard, Gazebo Grill, free guest laundry .Fully
equipped kitchen, 32 flat panel TV, over 70 channels of
cable.
View hotel on map.
Radisson
Hotel Santa Maria - Located 1 hour North of
Santa Barbara and only minutes from Vandenberg Air Force
Base, golf, wineries, and Santa Maria's Professional Parks.
2003 and 2006 President's Award Winner. View
hotel on map. |
Campgrounds
near San Maria |
Pismo
Beach State Beach - Pismo State Beach offers
all kinds of attractions: hiking, swimming and surf fishing
and the annual winter migration of millions of monarch butterflies.
Tree-lined beach is also popular with bird watchers. |
Oceano
Dunes SVRA - Ocean Dune State Vehicular Recreation
Area has 1,500 acres, featuring beach and sand dune riding.
Thousands of off-highway vehicle enthusiasts enjoy the beach
dunes of this SVRA most weekends during the summer. |
Pacifci
Dunes Ranch RV Resort - Bring your family to
the Pismo Beach area's most unique RV resort, nestled among
the dunes of the beautiful Oceano Preserve. You'll enjoy
breathtaking vistas and trails to the beach. Pismo Beach
5 miles |
|
|
|
|
|
Avila
Beach central coast beach town. Pier,
restaurants and hotels. 7 miles. |
|
|
Morro
Bay Fishing trips, dinning, kayaks
and harbor tours. 25 miles from Pismo Beach. |
|
| Pismo
Beach a true classic California beach
town. Perfect for a vacation or getaway. |
|
Hearst
Castle A must see for any trip to the
central coast. 50 miles from Pismo beach. |
|
|
