Cheap Dates on California’s Central Coast
Stuck for ideas about where to go for fun? Short on money? There’s more to do on the Central Coast than just wine tours. Here’s a whole list of ways for sweethearts to celebrate Spring! Or for old timers to celebrate the fact that they’re not dead yet. Don’t live in CA? Substitute your own fave’s.
Hike the trail and watch the whales at Montana de Oro State Park
Picnic along the Nacimiento River
Catch the wildflowers at Shell Creek Road off Hwy 58 near Santa Margarita
Take in the National Geographic Theater at Hearst Castle and visit the sea lions further up Hwy 1
Visit the gardens at the Cambria Pines Lodge then walk Moonstone Beach
Take a weekend drive to the Pozo Saloon for lunch or dinner.
Visit the Museum of Natural History at Morro Bay State Park
Drive to the end of the Lopez Canyon rainforest.
Walk around Atascadero Lake. Bring bread crumbs for the ducks
Dance barefoot on smooth concrete in the dark
Make fudge
Visit an animal shelter or a pet store
Wash and wax your cars together
Catch a movie at the Sunset Drive-In. Arrive early for a tailgate BBQ
Go treasure hunting at the Nipomo Swap Meet
Attend services at different churches and synagogues
Pick up coupons in any hotel lobby
Visit all the local beaches: Avila, Cayucos, San Simeon, Pismo
Hunt for sand dollars at low tide near Morro Rock
Go roller skating or bowling
Go paintballing at Central Coast Paint Ball Park or Franklin’s Pond
Serenade each other on guitar/harmonica/kazoo
Climb Bishop’s Peak
Go swimming at Franklin’s Pond in Paso Robles, Sycamore Mineral Springs or Paso Robles Hot Springs
Play tag after dark in a park with Glo Sticks or flashlights
Read poetry on the steps of City Hall after business hours
Catch the moonrise over the hills of Shandon and have dinner at the Parkfield Inn
Fly kites on the summit of Hwy 46 West, on the way to Cambria
Hike the trail to the Indian relics at San Simeon State Campground
Take a Sierra Club hike on Saturday mornings
Ride bicycles to the beach
Fish off of a pier
Visit the Missions at S.L.O., San Miguel, San Antonio
Drive the Nacimiento-Ferguson Road from Fort Hunter Liggett to Hwy 1
Visit the PG&E Community Center.
Take a tour of art museums and art shops
Listen to old records on a vintage phonograph
Visit the Dalidet Adobe and the Jack House in SLO, the Rios Caledonia in San Miguel
Visit the Charles Paddock Zoo in Atascadero
Take your town’s historical walking tour
Take free golf lessons at your local golf course on Saturday
Pick your own fruit at Cal Poly or local berry farms
Hike the boardwalk at the Guadelupe Dunes
Give each other a foot massage
I’ve had these and a million other adventures in my own back yard. What can you add about your own back yard?