{photo by Charles Jackson via flickr / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0}
Did you know there are many interesting and historical places to visit, all within a day’s ride from (or even located on) the Central Coast?
If you find yourself wanting to take a day trip, or traveling to see family for the weekend or over the holidays, and you’re in search of some E&E hours while you’re out, we’ve got a few ideas! We will look beyond the usual Santa Barbara Zoo or Monterey Bay Aquarium (both excellent destinations!), and suggest a few other possibilities. Some of these are just a quick stop, others might require more time, but all are options to check out with the family to enjoy some E&E hours while on the road!
Have you tried any of the following?:
Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum & Parks-Laneway Carriage House – explore the history and memorabilia of the area, and see their collection of carriages including a variety of wagons, carts, stagecoaches, and other historical modes of horse-drawn transportation
Carpinteria Valley Museum of History – Admission is free to this little museum that offers a variety of exhibits about the three major cultures that have lived in that valley.
Cold Springs Tavern in Santa Barbara – This restaurant has a lot of history! It was built in the 1860s during the time of the stagecoach, as a way station to serve travelers. There are a few historical buildings to explore on the property.
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History – Here you don’t just look at the exhibits, you can “climb, jump, create, and play.” Here’s the promo video from their website:
Ronald Regan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley – Step aboard Air Force One, see a piece of the Berlin Wall, and view the other exhibits here. Plus, stroll through the grounds and see the library’s replicas of the White House’s Rose Garden and the White House South Lawn.
Monterey Zoo – We’ve heard this is a fun place to visit, and if you want to spring for an overnight stay, the “Vision Quest Safari Bed and Breakfast” experience sounds like a special adventure!
Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton, CA (near Santa Cruz) – Step back in time and take a steam train through the forest, or down to the beach. Here’s a video:
Bravo Farms in Kettleman City – Yes, this is basically a pit stop on your way to somewhere else, but there are some fun things to explore here. The Mill House features a water wheel and other mechanisms that move water through the house. Inside the gift shop be sure to look at the slice of a giant sequoia tree that is thousands of years old. It is marked with historical events that show how big the tree was when each event happened – kind of cool for SLOCA kids who will know about many of these events!
Civil War Revisited – If you’re heading over to Fresno this weekend, maybe you’ll want to check this out. There’s a big event happening which will feature battle reenactments, living history tours, and lots more!
Riley’s Farm – A living history farm in Oak Glen, CA (east of Riverside). If you find yourself traveling down that way, it might be fun to spend a day here with the kids and experience American history. See their website for hours and information. Here’s a cute video of one family’s visit:
The Pony Express National Historic Trail – This came all the way out to California, so if you’re up in the Sacramento area, check out the B.F. Hastings Building, which was the western terminus for the Pony Express. Or if you’re planning a road trip across the country, you can follow the Pony Express trail and see many historic sites along the way.
Speaking of Sacramento… there so much California history to experience up there! Here are just a few options if you’re planning a visit:
- Sacramento History Museum
- California State Railroad Museum
- Sutter's Fort
- Leland Stanford Mansion (free tour)
- California State Capitol Museum (free tour)
- Columbia, CA – Pan for gold, explore history exhibits, and more in this Gold Rush town.
- Railtown 1897 State Historic Park – Take a train ride through scenic gold country in Jamestown, CA.
Visit the California Missions – This website offers helpful info about all of the CA missions. You could make a fun road trip out of visiting several of these, or (like my mom always wanted to do when I was growing up), plan a visit to any mission you happen to be traveling near. Here’s the website for our own mission in SLO.
And if you want more, here’s a lengthy list of Field Trips in CA, organized by city, compiled by The Homeschool Mom.
There are also plenty of historical sites and field trip ideas right here in SLO County. Here are just a few to get you started:
History Center of SLO County – there’s even a link to Take a Google panoramic tour inside the History Center Museum.
SLO’s World Trade Center Memorial at the Fire Station on Broad Street. Here's a video that was taken right before it was dedicated in 2015:
Lazy Arrow Outdoor Adventures in Santa Margarita
Hi Mountain Lookout – The best place to see a condor! Call if you want to schedule a visit.
Central Coast Aquarium in Avila Beach
Museum of Natural History in Morro Bay – here’s their video:
The town of Harmony – You might miss this tiny town but it’s got a lot of history to learn about! Stop in to look at the old post office, visit Harmony Glassworks and Harmony Pottery, and then if you’re up for a scenic hike, try the beautiful Harmony Headlands trail.
The Coastal Discovery Center – at San Simeon Bay
This is really just the tip of the iceberg! We’d love to hear your suggestions as well – what local or not-too-far-away places have you discovered that would make a great field trip or E&E visit? Please leave a comment and share your discoveries.
