Discover the best star host ranch campgrounds near San Luis Obispo, California

United States
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California
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San Luis Obispo

99% (2154 reviews)

Popular camping styles for San Luis Obispo

Star Hosts in San Luis Obispo

4 top ranch campgrounds near San Luis Obispo

99%

(140)

Kindred Acre Wood

1 site · Lodging10 acres · San Luis Obispo, CA

We are living our dream after recently finding and purchasing this beautiful 10 acre parcel, one of the sunniest in the canyon with a bucolic creek that flows all year. See Canyon itself is a special place. Home to a multitude of birds and wildlife, a beautiful scenic winding road, lush landscaping and a host of apple orchards. Thanks to the micro climate we have here, we grow some of the best fruit in the country. The coastal canyon is just a short distance to the beach and 15 minutes into town but feels like a world away when you are here. The star gazing is incredible as the canyon walls block the light pollution and the milky way shines! Welcome to our little slice of 10 acre heaven in the Canyon! Just bring yourself and we have everything else!! Nestle up in the Cozy Gnome Home, a 1967 vintage trailer and listen to the symphony of frogs in the creek just outside your window. With love and labor... we gutted, redesigned and restored this little trailer for the ultimate functioning space for two. Nice little kitchen with copper counters and everything you need for cooking and dining. A Berkey filter for clean water, hardwood floors and a comfy bed complete with organic mattress, down comforter and cotton sheets. Fold out dining table if you care to (or need to) eat indoors. There is also an outdoor kitchen space with a sink (no hot water), gas grill, propane burner (bring your own small canister) and a patio table and chairs. We have a charcoal grill available too. The creek runs mostly year round so feel free to get your feet wet on a hot sunny day. We also have an outdoor warm shower and sink as well as a hot water kitchen sink that you can share with other campers. You are welcome to cruise the property and check out the chickens, ducks and horses. We have three dogs on the ranch, a deaf and incredibly sweet pitbull ( he is a food thief so store food and garbage as though raccoons were a problem), a curious and playful ranch dog Pluto (who will be your tour guide) and a Boston Bulldogge, Astrid. We are surrounded by orchards which have some of the best apples and pears in the country. Seasonally you can stop by many apple markets and do a tasting. We also have a lively wine tasting venue less than a mile away. Avila Beach is a short 4 miles away and we are happy to share bikes if we have them available but can't guarantee any. Our location is a bikers' dream as the 13 mile scenic road takes you all the way into SLO. NOTE: If you want to bring others to camp, please note that they need to bring their own tents and supplies, we only have room for two but welcome self sufficient campers to join you :) also, we have a camp stove you can use to cook on but bring your own little green propane canister.

StonehillRanch

3 sites · RVs40 acres · San Miguel, CA

Stonehill Ranch located about 15 minutes from San Miguel. Stonehill Ranch is a quiet and peaceful ranch that offers horse boarding, is home to a small family of goats and cows.

BIG VALLEY OPEN SKY - Central Coast

8 sites · RVs, Tents450 acres · San Miguel, CA

Amazing sunrises and sunsets. Sheer cliffs attest to area being underwater, long ago. Galaxies overhead at night are awesome and free from light pollution. Thus, great stargazing! Cattle and forage hay ranch, but cattle could be anywhere on the property. Absolutely no open fires. We are part of an Agricultural Conservancy. We do offer ranch tours at various times of the year. You may request a tour for an additional charge, when available. You'll have a 360 degree view overlooking the Santa Lucia Mountain Range as far as you can see to the West and the Sierra Nevada Range, as far as you can see to the East. We are conveniently located about 15 minutes off Hwy 101, to the North of San Miguel, and offer a private place to relax and rest overnight on your way to or from your other destinations. It is quiet! Occasionally, coyotes howl at night or our two handsome Angus bulls bellow, or a wild boar family grunts as they head from one location to another, usually with an entourage of piglets... just passing through. They are all part of the local country in California and add to the beauty, if you're fortunate enough to hear them from afar. The boar migrate and may not be around for weeks, as they have traveled elsewhere. You may miss all night sounds except the breeze, as most nights are completely silent. It's a rejuvenating experience! Please ask if interested in local day trips or points of interest, and we will try to accommodate you. We will suggest local activities. Lakes Nacimiento, San Antonio and Santa Margarita are an easy distance. All three are quite different from one another. Wine and Beer get a lot of press and rightly so, but there are other relaxing and inspiring activities for all, available when you are here! Each community has a city or town park, so you can enjoy relaxing or playing with your children on hot days, under tall, well-established trees. Everyone needs time to exercise, especially children! Camp Roberts, just North of Paso Robles, has two military museums to visit and the West Garrison is just over the 101 to the West of us! Please check their schedule for current open hours. Out near the Paso Robles Airport there is the Warbird Museum, a must for military aircraft and history buffs. It's outside area has original full-size restored aircraft with the amazing stories behind each one. Inside is more aircraft history and the story behind the Warbird Museum and it's importance in history. For car lovers, there is a great collection of restored automobiles inside, too, and the numbers of cars grow as new autos are restored and displayed. It's and awesome place to visit. Breweries, numerous wineries, and distilleries abound! Beautiful country roads and Parkfield, the earthquake capital of the world, are about a 40 min. drive. Not far away... is the magnificent Pacific Ocean! We have Farmer's Markets, private farm stands, and live music at numerous locations. It is wise to confirm days and hours of opening. Jack Creek Farms is a 5th generation Barlogio family farm on the North side of Hwy 46W, has fun things for all ages. Honey tasting, is awesome and enjoy a refreshing apple cider based slushy (Granita) fresh and natural... no added color or sugar... as good as it can get!!! There are fruits and veggies already picked as well as seasonal u-pick items. Tim, Joy, Becky and Mandy are there to greet you had share their love of the hard work and sharing the bounty they produce every year! The art installation, "Field of Lights" is not far away, just East of Paso Robles. Reservations are suggested. Golfing is excellent with 3 main courses to choose from, and each having a different ambiance. Restaurant options are available at all prices. Yes, Franklin Hot Springs is a real outdoor hot springs pool, owned by the multi-generation local Franklin family. It's casual and brings you back to days when it was simply a health resort, with numerous hot springs in Paso Robles which brought tourists and locals here, to " ... to take the waters!" Really, there is quite a variety of things to choose from, or not! (Sometimes just sitting and taking in the fresh air and a cool beer, glass of iced tea, or whatever libation you choose, is what refreshes!) If you love or want to love, Zip-lining, then go to Santa Margarita, just South of Atascadero and to the East a couple miles. Santa Margarita Zipline Adventures, or tours. Remember... always verify their hours and days of operation and if you need a reservation, so you won't be disappointed.

The Rock Loft

1 site · Lodging16 acres · Paso Robles, CA

This house is now 1 of 2 vacation rentals on the property. You will definitely notice the home's unique architecture as soon as you walk in. You will not find another home like this nor the massive 50 ft+ rock wall that provides cover to back side of the house.In 2016, after more than 50+ years operating as a working cattle ranch (Brookins Ranch) and a viewing attraction for Adelaida Wine Trail travelers, the property was unfortunately shut down and put up for sale.As a born and raised local, I had to purchase the property with the hopes of restoring it to its greatest and to allow others to enjoy what it has to offer. Since March 2017, my family and I have been working hard on the restoration - attempting to keep a lot of it's uniqueness while integrating modern technologies that will help expand the property's life. As such, we welcome you to come enjoy the experience as we continue to bring this property back to life!

Dog-friendly getaways

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Historical Almond Springs!

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents4500 acres · Paso Robles, CA

The Miller Moth Ranch, home of Historic Almond Springs Historic Agri tourism center &farm stays, is a 5 generation working ranch. The ranch has been in the family since the early nineteen hundreds. The first generation started with dryland Almonds and was part of the Paso Robles Associated Almond Growers. The cabins are located on the land that once was a fully operational almond camp. Through the generations the ranch evolved from producing dryland almonds to livestock, hay and grain production. Currently the ranch raises Angus cross cattle, African Boer market goats and farms dryland barley and forage hay. The ranch is now diversifying into Agritourism and we now offer a rustic venue, Historic Almond Springs, and a butcher shop, Ranchita Meat Company. Almond Springs one room cabin experience is designed to ensure your comfort and cleanliness expectations are met while enjoying the historic property and nature’s beauty. The rustic surroundings are described as vintage country chic and authentic country charm. You will find historic pieces of machinery, wagons, pictures, etc.. While staying at the ranch you will enjoy an ultimate remote country experience in comfort. The cabins are located 2 miles within the property on a maintained dirt road. We are located within the Pleasant Valley Wine Trail. · High Camp Winery- 7.2 Miles Away (10 minutes) · Villa San Juliette Winery- 7.2 Miles Away (10 minutes) · Four Sisters Winery- 8 Miles Away (12 minutes) · Graveyard Vineyards- 8.8 Miles Away (13 minutes) · Riverstar Vineyard-9 Miles Away (13 minutes) · Tackitt Family Vineyards- 7.6 Miles Away (11 minutes) · Arndt Cellars- 9.6 Miles Away (14 minutes) · Locatelli Vineyards & Winery- 10 Miles Away (16 minutes) Location: · 25 minutes from downtown Paso Robles. The drive is a beautiful country drive! · 18 minutes from San Miguel · 1 hour from the coast (Cambria, Cayucos, Morro Bay) Cabin: Each cabin has 1 queen size bed, dresser, sink, mirrors, chair, mini fridge, and Keurig coffee maker. Bathrooms: We have 2 full and 2 half shared bathrooms. Both full bathrooms have showers. These are cleaned daily. Each cabin is assigned a full bathroom so it will be private and not shared. Tent and RV stayers have bathrooms but No showers. Kitchen: The communal kitchen has a refrigerator, sink, microwave, BBQ, coffee maker, dishwasher, stove, oven, and ice maker. The kitchen has A/C and heat. Other Shared Structures: The Lounge Barn, Legends Saloon, Loading Dock Stage, Antique Barns and the Game Room. Evenings: Evening time at Almond Springs is spectacular. There is no light pollution, and the stars are amazing! The space is also well lit with intimate café lighting. Weather: This is a remote country space. The Cabins and Kitchen both have Heat and A/C. Please come prepared for what the weather predicts for San Miguel, CA. Dogs: We allow up to two dogs. They must remain on leash at all times. There is a $50 pet fee per pet. Campfires: Allowed Cellular Service: Cell Service is spotty but we have Wi-Fi for you to connect to! Check in: 3PM-8PM Checkout: 11AM (Late checkout inquiries are welcome! We cannot guarantee late checkout.) Working Ranch: We are a working ranch. The family may be around during your stay or operating around the ranch. Feel free to stop and ask them questions! Interested in Ranch activities? Please Ask!! Activities: · Horseback Riding: (5 miles away) The Work Family Guest Ranch: https://www.workranch.com/trail-rides-horseback-riding/ · Hot Air Balloon Ride: https://www.balloonsoverpaso.com/our-story · E Bike Rentals: https://www.pasoroblestour.co/ · Wineries! Paso Robles now has over 250 + Wineries for you to enjoy! · Ravine Water Park (13.9 miles away) https://ravinewaterpark.com/ · Estrella Warbirds Museum (13 miles away) https://www.ewarbirds.org/index.html

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Enney's Ranch

4 sites · Lodging850 acres · San Miguel, CA

Enney's Ranch is one of the few remaining grain and cattle operations on the Central Coast. We dry farm and malt barley, wheat and rye for local breweries and distilleries. We have a small herd of cattle and rotate them between the fallow fields. Our goal is to maintain the natural beauty of the ranch and share it with you.

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Oak Heart Estate

4 sites · RVs, Tents60 acres · Paso Robles, CA

Does a night under the stars on a mountain top in the middle of Paso Robles Wine Country sound appealing? Incredible sunsets, picturesque views, peace and quiet abound at Oak Heart Estate! We'd love to share our piece of heaven with you! Escape the bustle of the city find your way to a little spot out of town. You'll find plenty of wineries in every direction you turn!

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Camp Tule Elk

3 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents42 acres · Santa Margarita, CA

The property is located in the historic area of Carrizo Plains National Monument. We are in between Los Angeles and San Francisco 60 miles from the coast. You can fish in the small bass pond located on the property or drink your morning coffee while floating on the Kayak. There is also a resident herd of Tule elk nearby. *PLEASE NOTE PROPERTY IS ABOUT ONE HOUR FROM THE NEARST TOWN.

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Twisselman Ranch

15 sites · Lodging, Tents200 acres · Santa Margarita , CA

Twisselman ranch is a 6 generation working cattle ranch that has been in the family since the 1800’s. We all enjoy this wonderful place and hope to share our experiences with others. Voted BEST HIPCAMP Glamping in the United States to visit in 2021 & 2022!! Come Glamping & experience our Rual Retreat here at Twisselman Ranch. We are located about 1 hour east of Paso Robles California a short drive off highway 58 and about 1.5 hours west of Bakersfield. Carrisa Plains is known for its beautiful display of wild flowers in the spring time, incredible sunny days, and spectacular wildlife viewing. The ranch is also located a short 29 min drive from the Carrizo Plain National Monument and Las Padres National Forest. Tule elk, prog horn antelope, and valley quail are just some of the animals you may encounter on our ranch. The pond is full of fish (bass, blue gill & sun perch) so don’t forget your fishing poles (catch & release). -We have beautiful 2 stall hot water showers, and three stall restroom including handicap stall. **Cleaned & Sanitized DAILY Our communal kitchen has : a large gas bbq grill, 3 smaller gas grills as well as gas burners & sink. **Cleaned & Sanitized DAILY. There are several counter high prepping tables around the kitchen (please clean up your cooking essentials & food after each meal as everyone shares this space). Campfires - We are an ember free site year round due to wildfire risks & insurance purposes. We do however have propane fire pit rentals for $20 per night. - great for roasting s’mores & the ambience of camping. Please do not cook any meals on them. All cooking is to be done in the communal kitchen area. The summer days can get pretty toasty and the winter nights can get very chilly so check the weather before your stay and plan accordingly. Don’t forget your swim suits as we have soaking troughs for you to cool off in. -Also please note we are located an hour from the nearest town, no stores or gas stations. Please come fully equipped with your own utensils, cooking essentials, food and beverages. We sell ICE!! $5 per 5lb bag. We are off grid, there is no electricity, all lights are battery or solar powered. You may want a flashlight or headlamp for walking around at night. We have wildflower honey available for sale straight off the ranch. If your interested in purchasing during your stay please visit Twisselman Ranch . Com be sure to specify in comment at check out that your a guest. Cellular Service - Verizon is the only dependable steady service out here as we have a Verizon tower on the ranch. All other service is spotty if existent at all. We are a self check-in site. Upon arrival show yourself to the site following welcome note directions. Check in is anytime after 3pm, but no later than 9pm unless arranged with us (a $20 late fee will apply after 9pm). Check out is 11am on the day of departure. Instagram @temblormountainpacktrain #temblormountainpacktrain #camptheranch #twisselmanranch

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-G Ranch

3 sites · RVs, Tents116 acres · New Cuyama, CA

The Cuyama Valley separates the Caliente Mountain Range from the Sierra Madre Mountain Range. Tucked away in the northern foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range of the Los Padres National Forest is Cottonwood Canyon of the Cuyama Valley, located in northern Santa Barbara County. Cottonwood Canyon is known for its spectacular high desert landscapes offering open ranges, rolling hills, chaparral with oak woodlands, riparian and juniper-sage terrain, and seasonal wildflowers. Cottonwood Canyon is also home to our secluded 116-acre ranch. The flora and fauna are plentiful, the mountainous views are indescribable, and the night skies are unforgettable! Perfect for unplugging, wildlife watching, photography, meditation, and much more! Our ranch has miles of hiking, mountain biking and horseback trails and is just two short miles from the Los Padres National Forest. This is the true essence of wilderness meets country, and we can’t wait to share it with you! Even though we are in the middle of nowhere, we are conveniently located near many recreational sites. Just to name a few, about 20 miles east is Alison Canyon Park; About 30 miles east off highway 33 is OHV recreation area, Ballinger Canyon; About 35 miles east off Hudson Ranch Road is the Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge; About 60 miles north off Soda Lake Road is the Carrizo Plain National Monument; About 12 miles west is the Chimineas Ranch Ecological Reserve; and, about 60 miles east off highway 166 is Wind Wolves Preserve. Get a peaceful night’s sleep with full bellies! Here at -G Ranch, it’s important to us that you get the most pleasant stay that you deserve. Bring your own food to grill on our communal BBQ or possibly let us cook for you! Contact us before your stay and we can discuss food details.Learn more about this land:Come spend the night under the stars at our Grant Line camp site and event center. The Grant Line campsite is situated right next to an original 1840’s Spanish Land Grant boundary line, which is intersected by Forest Route 11N01. The grant has since been divided, but large pieces of land still remain, mostly inhabited by mountainous wildlife, ground squirrels, rabbits, coyotes and cattle. This area is also rich in Chumash history. Million-dollar views of the Caliente Mountain Range await you for evening sunsets and the Sierra Madre Mountain Range await you for your morning coffee enjoyment. Don't miss the brilliance of the famous Cottonwood Canyon Wildflowers with your front row seat. For your comfort, there is a 16x20 rustic-style shade structure (which has also been used for a dance floor!), water spigot, fire pit, small BBQ, and an outhouse. We have oak firewood available for purchase and a larger BBQ capable of cooking for 200+ guests available for rent, if needed. This site also provides plenty of parking for multiple RV’s and can accommodate larger groups.

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Mt Rancho (FKA La Montaña Ranch)

5 sites · RVs, Tents142 acres · Santa Margarita, CA

Our property is 142 acres located on the top of east Cuesta grade, elevation approximately 2100. We are secluded enough to feel like you're far away from city life but in reality only 20 minute drive to downtown San Luis Obispo. The main road up continues past our property and turns into the Los Padres National Forest and is very popular for hiking and biking with locals. We also have private trails within our property. We have a farm consisting of 10 sheep, 10 goats, 30 chickens, 2 pigs, 4 dogs, a cat. Interaction with farm animals may be possible upon request. Most campsites are close to our animal pastures. Guests have enjoyed having a morning coffee in the company of sheep and a couple of pigs on the other side of the fence. Bee hives are located on the property as well. Honey, eggs and firewood are available for purchase. :)

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Twisted Branch

1 site · RV, Tent30 acres · Paso Robles, CA

We named our property the Twisted Branch after one of the big oak trees that sits on the site where you will camp with us! It's on a hilltop with amazing views in nearly all directions. The campsite faces South/West so sunsets are fantastic. We use no chemicals on the soil or annual grasses. It is very quiet and the night sky is always stunning. Owls hoot at night and Redtail Hawks hunt for ground squirrels during the day. We have alot of Acorn woodpeckers living in the oak trees, the ones with the bright red head feathers. April through June we see bright yellow Orioles. At night you will hear hundreds of little frogs in the nearby ponds, depending on the season. We are located in the heart of Wine Country and there are plenty of activities around us and in town.

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Rancho Rio Del Sol: Paso Robles, CA

3 sites · Lodging10 acres · Paso Robles, CA

With over 1500 Four star + reviews, our property has hosted thousands of happy guests. Situated on 10 acres overlooking the Salinas River and beautiful Paso Robles estate vineyards, the epic views are spectacular. Comprised of three separate and all private sites, we host guests in our micro trailer, affectionately called The Dream Catcher, our Tiny House, which is a cottage style wooden fairy tale cottage, and our main Bungalow that sits atop one of the best look out points in SLO county. The Places: The Dream Catcher is two micro trailers with a large outdoor deck space and cast iron tub in between them. One trailer is sleeping quarters with a mini kitchenette and the other trailer is a full bathroom with shower. The spaces are small and cozy. The views are epic. Overlooking the majestic Paso Robles valley with vineyards with world class views, the spacious deck is the place to be for sunset. The Tiny House: A Fairy tale cottage style wooden tiny home built in the 1980's with a bottle wall, full bath, and reading nook. This three story wonder will leave you inspired to step into your own story. Fully equipped with a small kitchen, queen bed, reading nook and two beautiful outdoor decks, you'll feel like you stepped into another world. The Main Bungalow is a 1970's GEM, built by a movie industry icon with views of the valley through the stunning and huge five windows overlooking the Salinas River. Two bedrooms downstairs and two full baths, accompany a well appointed kitchen. The upstairs loft accommodates two additional semi private queen beds, and additional seating area. Sunrises from the bedrooms are rivaled by few. Guest access Most all of the property except the barn. Access to the riverbed. Other things to note We have a cell tower on our property. Horseshoes are available by the tiny house.

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Vinyl Vineyards

20 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents120 acres · Paso Robles, CA

Vinyl Vineyards is a 120 acre ranch, working vineyard, wine label, and 10 site private glampground on the Union Rd wine trail in Paso Robles, CA. The magnificient property includes hiking trails through vineyards, ancient oak forests, canyons, and flower filled fields, creeks, two seasonal ponds, 26 acres of vineyards, alpacas, vegtable gardens, sunset vistas, bbq grills, outdoor tables, frisebee golf, and more... We also raise alpacas, chickens, and honey bees which you can experience on the ranch. Just 15 minutes from downtown Paso Robles, we are walking distance to several wineries, a 5 minute drive to golf, Sensorio, Vina Robles, and boast enough natural beauty and amenities to never leave your site. Check our website for FAQ's, how to plan your trip, and liability waiver downloads.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Star host ranch camping near San Luis Obispo guide

Overview

Set between the ocean and Santa Lucia Mountains, San Luis Obispo is a fantastic base for exploring the beaches and natural attractions of California's Central Coast. This inland town is known for its abundance of wine tasting rooms and its Spanish-style architecture downtown, including the 1772 Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. From the rugged mountains to whales breaching in the bay, SLO also within 15 miles of three public beaches (Pismo State Beach, Morro Strand State Beach, and Avila Beach) and just a short drive from some of the region's other most popular parks, including Santa Margarita Lake Recreation Area and Montaña de Oro State Park, both of which offer camping.

Where to go

San Luis Obispo County

San Luis Obispo County is full of spots to visit, from the hot springs and wineries of Paso Robles to the ornate Hearst Castle near Cambria. The closest beach to SLO, Avila Beach, is small and secluded, making it popular among families and sunbathers. A short drive further up Highway 1 is Morro Bay State Park, which offers not only tent and trailer camping sites with showers, but also an 18-hole golf course, its own Museum of Natural History, and wildlife like sea otters, birds, and whales. Nearby Morro Strand State Beach is another sandy, 3-mile stretch popular for surfing and long walks. Its campground is right on the beach—a rarity in California. Lastly, Pismo Beach is a classic California beach town with a historic pier and a protected monarch butterfly habitat.

Santa Barbara County

While the city of Santa Barbara, celebrated for its historic mission, is the best-known destination in Santa Barbara County, there are plenty of other spots worth visiting. Head to the Santa Ynez Valley to taste award-winning wines, or check out the historic homes in the beach community of Goleta.

Ventura County

On the opposite side of Santa Barbara County, Ventura County is great for camping and exploring, with a mix of forest areas and more arid expanses—not to mention tons of beaches with county-run campgrounds. Head to the Ojai Valley to soak in hot springs or venture into the Simi Hills for a bit of canyon hiking.

When to go

San Luis Obispo is a year-round destination, and while winters get some rain, temperatures generally hover between the mid-40s and mid-60s. If you like warm weather but want to avoid the summer vacation crowds, it's wise to camp in SLO during in late spring or early fall. To see wildlife, winter is the best time, as monarch butterflies overwinter at Pismo Beach from November through February, which is also high season for whale-watching along the coast.