15 days in California's Central Coast Itinerary

Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara is a solid vacation destination with its wide beaches, renowned wineries, and some of California's finest shopping and dining options.

Get in touch with nature at State Street Underpass and Oxnard Beach Park. Do some cultural sightseeing at Old Mission Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center. Go for a jaunt from Santa Barbara to Oxnard to see Silver Strand Beach about 1 hour away. The adventure continues: admire the masterpieces at Santa Barbara Museum of Art, get engrossed in the history at Santa Barbara Historical Museum, brush up on your military savvy at Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, and stroll through East Beach.

To see photos, other places to visit, reviews, and more tourist information, you can read our Santa Barbara journey planner.

Nottingham, UK to Santa Barbara is an approximately 18-hour combination of train and flight. You'll gain 8 hours traveling from Nottingham to Santa Barbara due to the time zone difference. Expect a daytime high around 28°C in July, and nighttime lows around 18°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 13th (Thu) early enough to go by car to San Luis Obispo.

San Luis Obispo, or SLO for short, is a city in the U.S. state of California, located roughly midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco on the Central Coast. Visiting Friends of the Elephant Seal Visitor Center and Piedras Blancas will get you outdoors. Hearst Castle and Morro Bay Skateboard Museum are good opportunities to explore the local culture. Change things up with these side-trips from San Luis Obispo: Cambria (Stepladder Ranch & Creamery, Ephraim Pottery West Gallery, &more) and San Simeon (William Randolph Hearst Memorial Beach & San Simeon Pier). The adventure continues: explore the landscape on two wheels at Bob Jones City to Sea Bike Trail, kick back and relax at Morro Strand State Beach, stroll through Avila Main Beach, and take in the exciting artwork at Fiona Bleu Gallery.

To see photos, other places to visit, ratings, and more tourist information, read our San Luis Obispo online road trip planner.

Traveling by car from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. In July, daily temperatures in San Luis Obispo can reach 31°C, while at night they dip to 15°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 17th (Mon) to allow time to drive to Monterey.

Monterey is a city in the U.S. state of California, on the southern edge of Monterey Bay on California's Central Coast. Escape the urban bustle at Dolphin & Whale Watching and Breakwater. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Cannery Row and Selfieville. Get out of town with these interesting Monterey side-trips: Aptos (Seacliff State Beach, California, Rio Del Mar State Beach, &more) and Santa Cruz (Seabright State Beach, Natural Bridges State Beach, &more). There's lots more to do: cruise along 17-Mile Drive, get up close and personal with brilliant marine life at Monterey Bay Aquarium, enjoy the sand and surf at Moss Landing State Beach, and stop by Monterey's Tasty Olive Bar.

To see where to stay, other places to visit, maps, and other tourist information, read our Monterey tour planner.

You can drive from San Luis Obispo to Monterey in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or fly. When traveling from San Luis Obispo in July, plan for slightly colder days in Monterey, with highs around 24°C, while nights are about the same with lows around 15°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Sun) to allow time to travel back home.