Highway1DiscoveryRoute co-op with BrandUSA and VisitCA: Visit the USA Outdoors
(in partnership with Pismo Beach)
Timing:
Investment:
Assets:
September - November 2016
$25,000 (CBID) with over $83,000 in media value including:
Digital article (below) and custom video (need link when final is available)
NationalGeographic.com: 1million online impressions, 1.6million newsletters, and 11million Social
Media followers
Expedia: 720k impressions
CA Takeover Month (September 2016) on VisitCA.com
100,000 guaranteed engagements throughout social media channels
Link: http://outdoors.visittheusa.com/californias-highway-1-discovery-route-160-kilometers-enriching-coastal-adventures
California’s Highway 1 Discovery Route: 160 Kilometers of Enriching Coastal Adventures
By Idoia Gkikas
California’s Highway 1 Discovery Route offers a bounty of exciting experiences in coastal San Luis Obispo
County: 160 kilometers of coastline, 10 picturesque towns, fantastic farm-to-table restaurants, a thriving wine
region and opportunities to engage in Stewardship Travel activities.
All 10 destinations along the route offer quality hotels, motels, bed & breakfast inns and vacation rentals
among beaches, shops and activities that are unique to this portion of California Highway 1. Take your time to
explore these must-see stops on your road trip through this stretch of iconic highway.
Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Natural History Center
This non-profit organization works to protect the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes, a 30-kilometer stretch of the
largest intact coastal dune ecosystem on Earth. Take a free, naturalist-led Stewardship Travel tour to learn
about this fragile landscape.
Hummer Tours near Pismo Beach
Take a wild ride over the Oceano dunes with Pacific Adventure Tours and Extreme Hummer Adventures.
Pacific Adventure Tours and Extreme Hummer Adventures offer thrilling driving tours in military-style Humvees
on the only vehicular beach in California. An expert driver will take you speeding over, around, backward and
even through the wild terrain of the Oceano dunes. Hang on tight!
Lopez Lake Recreational Area, Arroyo Grande Valley
Swimming, boating, hiking, horseback riding, fishing, mountain biking – it’s all here at Lopez Lake. Don’t miss
the zip-line course at Vista Lago Adventure Park and the family-friendly thrills at Mustang Waterpark.
Edna Valley and Arroyo Grande Valley Wine Regions
Try a wine tasting or take a romantic stroll through the vineyards in Edna Valley.
Take a bike ride to discover San Luis Obispo’s award-winning wine regions of Edna and Arroyo Grande Valleys.
The Tiffany Ranch Road loop is 32 kilometers with some hill cycling, or cross the valley on Biddle Ranch Road
to shorten the ride and avoid the hills.
Bob Jones Trail, Avila Beach
Dubbed the “City to Sea” trail, the Bob Jones Trail is paved, mostly flat and just 5 kilometers long – perfect for
all ages and energy levels. Meander through the forested valley all the way out to Avila Beach and enjoy a
picnic on the shore.
Montaña de Oro State Park, Los Osos
Rugged cliffs, secluded beaches and rolling hills are just some of the incredible natural features that make Montaña de Oro State Park
special.
Hike the Bluff Trail at Montaña de Oro State Park and watch from the top of the bluff as the ocean waves
crash against cliffs and rocks. Keep an eye for whales from one of six viewing spots, or observe the tide pools,
which are full of marine life. Go kite surfing or paddle boarding, or stay on dry land to bike, ride horses and
keep an eye out for black-tailed deer and peregrine falcons.
Cayucos Wildlife Kayak Tour
Keep your eyes on the water – otters, dolphins and whales are just some of the wildlife you might spot on a kayak tour at Cayucos.
Cayucos is a historic, laid-back beach that’s outstanding for surfing, swimming, paddle-boarding and kayaking.
Enjoy kayaking tours for all experience levels to secluded beaches and hidden coves.
Moonstone Beach, Cambria
Catch a sunset or sunrise at Moonstone Beach for stunning ocean and sky views.
This uncrowded beach in the town of Cambria is named for the moonstones (pearly white semiprecious
stones) that you might find hidden in the sand. Stroll along the historic wooden boardwalk for a chance to see
elephant seals, sea lions, dolphins and even whales migrating offshore.
Fiscalini Ranch Preserve, Cambria
The unmatched coastal beauty at Fiscalini Ranch Preserve is within walking distance of visitor accommodations.
Once the domain of the Chumash and Salinian Native American tribes, this breathtaking stretch of seaside
bluff is home to many endangered species. A local favorite 1.6-kilometer trail along the Pacific Ocean
welcomes hikers, horseback riders and bicyclists; keep an eye out for red-legged frogs and Monterey pines.
Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery, San Simeon
Access to Piedras Blancas Light Station is only by guided tour, led by a dedicated all-volunteer staff.
For a free, easy-to-access and totally captivating side trip, pull off the Highway 1 Discovery Route to see
hundreds of wild elephant seals and sea lions up close from the boardwalk or viewing areas. Docents provide
insight through tours and exploratory programs. Nearby, you can also see the historic Piedras Blancas Light
Station. Cycle Central Coast offers a variety of cycling routes, including a ride up Highway 1 to see the
elephant seals.
Getting There: The San Luis Obispo Airport is located minutes from the coast and offers flights to and from
Phoenix, Arizona, and Los Angeles and San Francisco, California. Direct flights to and from Seattle will begin
April 2017.
By CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY 1 DISCOVERY ROUTE
Located between San Francisco and Los Angeles, the California Highway 1 Discovery
Route is rich in breathtaking natural beauty, preeminent wine regions and amazing
outdoor adventures with Stewardship Travels. With 10 scenic destinations along its 162kilometer span, the California Highway 1 Discovery Route offers an unforgettable vacation
anytime of the year. To learn more, visit Highway1DiscoveryRoute.com.