If history and literature are interests of yours you might like to visit the beautifully restored Victorian home of John Steinbeck’s family in Oldtown Salinas. You can enjoy a gourmet luncheon and some leisurely shopping at their “Best Cellar Gift Shop”. In the gift shop you will be able to find a treasure-trove of Steinbeck books, including some first editions. I would suggest you bring a credit card with lots of room for charging.

The Central Coast is the most historic region of California, with each community enjoying it’s own unique story.

You will find some of the finest restaurants and best shopping experiences in Monterey.

An afternoon spent at Fisherman’s Wharf and at the Monterey Marina watching the sailboats and yachts coming and going can be very relaxing.

A drive along cannery row, one of the haunts that John Steinbeck wrote so much about, and a visit to the nation’s finest aquarium is another plus for Monterey. There is so much to do in Monterey alone that I highly recommend you stop by the Visitors Center and pick up their tour book. It is well worth the price of $5.00.

If you have time after leaving Monterey be sure and take the 17-mile drive along the ocean. The view is spectacular and there are plenty of photo opportunities.

Just outside of Monterey we stopped at the Point Lobos State Reserve. You can drive through or take footpaths to observe the sea life there, including the adorable Sea Otter and the Gray Whale, when in season.

In Carmel we were told about a new restaurant off the beaten path and frequented by mostly locals. Bahama Billy’s has the ambiance of a Polynesian paradise. The food was some of the most original and delicious we have experienced to date, and the service was wonderful.

Along the highway just past the turnoff to Hearst Castle, there is an area where hundreds of Sea Lions come up on shore to sleep in the warmth of the sun. You can park and walk to observe and take photos of these wonderful creatures.

Cambria is another town interesting enough to stop and wander around. Catering primarily to tourists they do have some cute little shops and restaurants along the main street in town.

Just past Cambria you will need to watch carefully for the small town of Harmony, population 18, which is currently for sale.

We finally spotted Morro Rock and knew we were close to Morro Bay and looked forward to spending a few days there. If you are traveling with your RV you will find plenty of really nice RV parks in and around Morro Bay. There is a lot to see and do there and has been a favorite place of ours for many years.

If it is big fish you are after, there are a number of half day or full day fishing boats available there. There are also whale watching tours and sea life studies. One of the businesses there offer rides on a semi-submersible vessel with an underwater view.

If you have been reading my column you know that my husband and I love to eat out. There are a lot of really good restaurants in and around Morrow Bay but our all time favorite is Dorn’s. The best time to go there is just before sunset because of the ocean view, and the best thing to eat there is their world famous award winning clam chowder. I am in hog heaven when they serve me their french bread dripping with real butter and a large bowl of the chowder.

If I may use a metaphor, the Central Coast of California is the Queen of the Pacific Ocean as Las Vegas is the King of the Dessert.

Bill and I love traveling in our RV. It gives us the freedom to see the sites when we want to, stay home and relax when we want to, eat out or eat in, and we can always sleep in the comfort of our own bed at night.