California’s Central Coast
If you’re looking for the real California—unspoiled coastline, rolling vineyards, and golden hills— then the Central Coast is the place for you.
Each of the four regions has busy and thriving wine industries and gorgeous towns notable for their classic architecture, history, and contemporary dining and shopping scenes. Anyone who loves the outdoors will find all sorts of things to do on the Central Coast including surfing, kayaking, biking, and fishing. For that matter, the Central Coast’s food scene is as diverse as its outdoor recreation, with fresh seafood restaurants in harbor towns, sophisticated bistros, and even the region’s own home-grown tradition: Santa Maria-style barbecue. And farmers’ markets, including the celebrated Thursday night market in San Luis Obispo, serve up the bounty of the season, whether its delectable strawberries or heirloom tomatoes.
The Central Coast is divided into four distinct regions and has visitor services within each of these areas available to assist you in planning your trip.
Starting from the south, the regions are Channel Islands, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Monterey Bay. These four areas encompass everything you expect from the California coast, with miles of rocky shoreline, dreamy beaches for swimming and surfing, and panoramic views out over the Pacific. But these regions also extend far inland and take in both towering mountains and rolling hills. Some areas are even desert-like too.
This post is about the Channel Islands Region which is home to the coastal cities of Ventura and Oxnard but is about more than the beach too. Backed by rugged mountain terrain, the arty Ojai Valley looks like a vintage orange-crate label come to life while the region’s Heritage Valley is a fertile agricultural area of farms and small towns.
Come to exciting Ventura, California! Learn more at:
http://www.ventura-usa.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDnScYPt4DY&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGiSneZ7kXA
Experience the Rich Biodiversity and Adventure of the Channel Islands National Park! Learn more at:
http://www.islandpackers.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RI0qj5rVCjY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7azr8fEYwrE
Plan your vacation now to fabulous Oxnard, California! Learn more at:
http://www.visitoxnard.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UWhcxKlwks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDgy4-ggh6Y
Come Visit the Ojai Valley! Learn more at:
http://www.ojaivisitors.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ux5ZuNoLIg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhAehJFIDk4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nZtke73kLM
Check back and learn more about the Central Coast with future posts looking at other regions. Or go now to http://centralcoast-tourism.com/ and plan your vacation today!

In parternship with California Travel & Tourism Commission and the Central Coast Tourism Council