It’s true that the West Coast is the best coast. It is also true that we may be a bit biased. However you feel, we can agree that the California beaches have a reputation for being just what you need, when you need it 365 days a year. The almost always sunny and warm Central Coast makes it a desirable destination for people near and far.

Thankfully, being born and raised in Central Cali and only about 2 hours from the central coast, its easy to see why we escape there quite often. Whether we need a weekend getaway or a little day escape. It’s even a great place for a girls weekend! I mean, if you have time for those things. Or have girlfriends. Or friends period… In my case, it would be my mom. HAHA! (no joke)

There is a MILLION different things to do in the cities/towns that make up the central coast, Thousand Oaks, Oxnard, Ventura, Simi Valley, Newbury Park, Moor Park, and more.

Art galleries, breweries, wine tasting, zoos, white sandy beaches, music in all corners, food for every palate and so much more. On top of all of these, the central coast offers endless photography opportunities with views that will blow your mind. From the beach side cliffs to the Channel Islands National Park, I could go on for days about some of the amazing things there is to experience.

For now, I’m going to tell you and show you a little bit about how we do the Central Coast with a few of our faves!

When it comes to a weekend or weekday stay, we have our number 1 spot, a resort that stands out among the rest and that is Embassy Suites by Hilton Mandalay Beach Resort. It’s situated on the beach. Their pool is heated and used year-round with multiple Jacuzzi’s around the courtyard of the resort. The property is sprinkled with trees, and rock waterfalls and cute little bridges. The breakfast they serve in the morning is to die for with a made-to-order omelette bar and you can’t beat the Happy Hour reception every evening with snacks and complimentary beverages. The spacious rooms with these killer views and perfect location make this an easy decision every time and gets our vote.

We especially love to get out in the fresh air and get moving and more so when we are on a getaway. That being said, walking up and down Main Street, going in and out of all of the eclectic beach shops, thrift stores, and photographic art shops is something we dive right into. Main Street in Ventura is one of the best when it comes to downtowns.

There are more than one option for ice cream on Main, which is always a hit with the kids, and me too! Ben & Jerry’s Ventura Ice Cream Shop and Sub Zero Ice Cream & Yogurt to name a few. The nitrogen ice cream and the smoke really does it for little boys!

After traipsing through the shops and picking up some car stickers we always end up on the beach near the pier and the Crowne Plaza. While here, we sometimes rent bikes or those fun ‘family bikes’ or surreys and ride up and down the boardwalk. This ALWAYS ensures that we are laughing until we cry while trying to look cool pedaling our hearts out up the slightest incline.

Of course, during the summer when it’s hot enough to play in the ocean, there is no stopping my little men from splashing, sand-castling, boogie boarding, and body surfing the days away. All day long. And why wouldn’t we let them? We are usually by their side, having the time of our lives in and out of the waves, spotting dolphins in the distance, and wondering what creepy crawlies are below our feet on the ocean floor. Summer days end with surfer tans and winter days end with sandy toes. Just how we like it!

No matter what time of year it is, the Ventura Harbor and South Jetty Beach are on our list. Boys and rocks and dirt and crabs. Enough said. They love crawling and climbing and playing in the tiny pools of water that the waves bring in.

Ventura Harbor Village is always a great place to stroll. The boats in the marina and options for a meal make it another stop on our trips. Catching a sunset here is stunning with its amazing view.

Dinner finds us at the harbor and we MUST hit Margarita Villa for the best carne asada street tacos around and they make a killer strawberry daquiri, if I do say so myself. Not to mention the guacamole is second to only the great and friendly staff at this restaurant. Delight your taste buds with a meal at the villa. Second story restaurant means you can choose to dine inside or on one of their patios.

And if someone could please tell me why we feel the need to consume more ice cream in even just 24 hours at the beach than we do all month or even year at home I’d love to know because if we are at the harbor for dinner you can bet your ass we are hopping over to the Coastal Cone for some more frozen concoctions. Corbin likes the Dole whips here, while I go for the trusty chocolate ice cream. They have some new and even not so usual toppings here for your frosty choices.

The Central Coast has some of the most beautiful, least crowded beaches. We often take the short drive up the 101 to Santa Barbara and hang out on the stretches of sand where my crazy babes like to use the metal detector to see what treasures they can dig up.

Though there is no wrong way to do the Central Coast, obviously ice cream is always a part of it. Enjoy California’s Central Coastal Cities and beaches and come with some sand in your toes and little more vitamin sea in your soul.

Raisin’ hell and gentlemen,
xoxo Salty Beach Mama

p.s. for more on our travels and adventures, please check us out on Instagram at Instagram.com/fivehesandashe