29 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.

Visit East Beach and Thousand Steps Beach for some beach relaxation. Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Wine Tours & Tastings and Reagan Ranch Center. Change things up with these side-trips from Santa Barbara: Bethania Lutheran Church (in Solvang), Sunstone Winery (in Santa Ynez) and Los Olivos (Labyrinth at St. Mark's-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church, Stolpman Vineyards, &more). There's lots more to do: steep yourself in history at Old Mission Santa Barbara, admire the landmark architecture of Santa Barbara County Courthouse, enjoy the sand and surf at Arroyo Burro County Beach Park, and learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Santa Barbara Zoo.

Make your Santa Barbara itinerary with Inspirock to find out what to see and where to go.

London, UK to Santa Barbara is an approximately 16.5-hour flight. The time zone difference when traveling from London to Santa Barbara is minus 8 hours. When traveling from London in December, plan for a bit warmer days and about the same nights in Santa Barbara: temperatures range from 22°C by day to 5°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 4th (Wed) early enough to go by car to Santa Maria.

Santa Maria is a city near the Southern California coast in Santa Barbara County. Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Rancho Sisquoc Winery and 246 Wine & Brew Tours. Change things up with these side-trips from Santa Maria: Lompoc (Dierberg Star Lane Vineyards, Sanford Winery & Vineyards, &more), Rusack Vineyards (in Solvang) and Point San Luis Lighthouse (in Avila Beach). The adventure continues: learn about winemaking at Foxen Vineyard & Winery, kick back and relax at Pismo State Beach, and explore the landscape on two wheels at Bob Jones City to Sea Bike Trail.

For reviews, where to stay, maps, and tourist information, you can read our Santa Maria attractions planner.

Getting from Santa Barbara to Santa Maria by car takes about 1.5 hours. In January, daytime highs in Santa Maria are 22°C, while nighttime lows are 6°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 8th (Sun) to allow time to drive to Paso Robles.

A town of hot springs and wine, Paso Robles (or "Pass of the Oaks") feels like a desert paradise to those who travel here.

Relax by the water at Moonstone Beach and Piedras Blancas. Get some cultural insight at Hearst Castle and Tablas Creek Vineyard. Explore Paso Robles' surroundings by going to Elephant Seal Vista Point (in San Simeon), San Luis Obispo (Central Coast Veterans Memorial Museum, Central Coast Food and Wine Tours, &more) and Cambria (Rich Man Poor Man Antiques & Moonstone Beach Dr). And it doesn't end there: browse the exhibits of Studios on the Park, learn about winemaking at Caliza Winery, and admire the landmark architecture of Brecon Estate.

To find other places to visit, where to stay, ratings, and more tourist information, read our Paso Robles travel itinerary planner.

Traveling by car from Santa Maria to Paso Robles takes 1.5 hours. Traveling from Santa Maria in January, expect a bit cooler with lows of 3°C in Paso Robles. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 16th (Mon) so you can go by car to Carmel Valley.

Carmel Valley Village is a census-designated place in Monterey County, California, United States. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Moto Talbott and Joullian Vineyards & Winery. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Carmel Valley: Hahn Estate Winery (in Soledad) and Mission San Antonio de Padua (in Jolon). There's still lots to do: stroll around Garland Ranch Regional Park and learn about winemaking at Joyce Vineyards.

To find photos, where to stay, and other tourist information, go to the Carmel Valley tour website.

You can drive from Paso Robles to Carmel Valley in 2 hours. Traveling from Paso Robles in January, Carmel Valley is a bit warmer at night with lows of 7°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Thu) early enough to drive to Santa Cruz.

Santa Cruz remains synonymous with surfing, but this counterculture bastion offers plenty even if you don't plan to catch any waves.

Visit Pleasure Point Beach and Waddell Beach for some beach relaxation. Get a sense of the local culture at Monterey Bay Food Tours and Casa Serrano, Historic Adobe. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Santa Cruz: Monterey (Breakwater, Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail, &more). There's lots more to do: enjoy the sand and surf at Natural Bridges State Beach, tour the pleasant surroundings at Santa Cruz Harbor Beach, get up close and personal with brilliant marine life at Seymour Marine Discovery Center, and take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports.

To find maps, reviews, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read Santa Cruz planner.

Getting from Carmel Valley to Santa Cruz by car takes about 1.5 hours. In January in Santa Cruz, expect temperatures between 20°C during the day and 5°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Thu) so you can fly back home.