Ocean Photos from the California Central Coast

Coast from Leffingwell Landing, Cambria,
 © B. Radisavljevic

One can approach the ocean from Paso Robles in many ways. Probably the closest beaches to Paso Robles are Cambria, San Simeon State Beach, and Cayucos. Continue south on Highway 1 or take 101 to Highway 41 to reach Morro Bay. Just a bit farther south and you will be at Avila Beach and Pismo Beach. Each beach and coastal city has its own unique character, and most locals have a preferred beach where they like to access the ocean. My personal favorite is Moonstone Beach, and next would be Avila Beach. The photo essays I just linked to will show you an extensive look at each beach in photos and videos as I experienced them. I will introduce some different and more recent photos here. I'm glad the ocean is only a short distance from Paso Robles, and I can get to any of my favorite beaches quickly. 

One of my favorite places to access the ocean in Cambria is Leffingwell Landing. Below are some of the reasons why.

Leffingwell Landing is one place where I can go with Hubby, who has difficulty walking very far, where he can sit and watch the ocean while I walk the boardwalk and we are both happy.  There are also restrooms easily accessible. I think the sun is in his eyes in this photo.

Hubby Watching Ocean from Leffingwell Landing, Cambria, © B. Radisavljevic

Leffingwell Landing is a place where children can be active while getting their own personal taste of nature. I remember how my own children loved to climb on the rocks when we went to a beach that had them. They would  have loved the Cambria coastline.

Children Climbing Rocks at Leffingwell Landing, Cambria, © B. Radisavljevic

Here's one more  shot of the ocean from Cambria before we move on. I love the way the sun reflects on the ocean.

Sun Reflecting on Ocean at Leffingwell Landing, Cambria, © B. Radisavljevic

Before we leave the North Coast, here's one shot taken at San Simeon State Beach.

Cove at San Simeon State Beach, © B. Radisavljevic

If you watch my video, you can  hear the ocean at San Simeon, as well as see it.

Now we will move south to Cayucos. When I think of Cayucos I think of not only the ocean and the beach, but also the seaweed and the patterns formed by the waves on the sand.

Wave-formed Patterns on the Sand at Cayucos, © B. Radisavljevic

Shadow of Pier on Kelp in Water Beside Cayucos Pier, © B. Radisavljevic

We can't leave Cayucos without a shot of a sea gull, since the gulls own the place.

Gull on Shore at Cayucos Beach, © B. Radisavljevic

Time to move south to Morro Bay now.  Morro Bay's most famous landmarks are its smokestacks and Morro Rock. Since I'm focused on the ocean, I'll show you the rock. Since Morro Bay is a fishing village, it is usually surrounded by boats.

Morro Rock and Fishing Boats, © B. Radisavljevic

The gulls own Morro Bay as they do every other Central Coast beach or pier I've been to. This one just  took off from the pier.

Morro Bay Sea Gull in Flight, © B. Radisavljevic

It's time to move on to Avila Beach, which actually is two beaches. There's the one near town with a more typical sandy beach, and there is also Port San Luis. These photos were taken at Port San Luis because there is more wildlife to look at. Below is a gull on the rocks deciding whether to go fishing.

Port San Luis in Avila Beach Sea Gull on Rock, © B. Radisavljevic

Below are more sights and sounds from Avila Beach, Port San Luis.

As usual, the sea gulls have staked their claim on the Harford Pier.

Port San Luis,  Avila Beach Sea Gulls on Pier, © B. Radisavljevic

Our last stop will be Pismo Beach. It's a popular beach with people and seagulls. Don't leave your picnic food unattended. It will soon be surrounded. This is what happened to one ice chest left by itself on the beach. It's like an airport restaurant for seagulls.

Here's a glimpse of people enjoying Pismo Beach near the pier.

People Enjoying Pismo Beach Near Pier, © B. Radisavljevic

Below is the view many people visualize when they think of Pismo Beach.

 Pismo Beach, California, © B. Radisavljevic

Here are some of my more popular Zazzle products made from photos taken at Pismo Beach, in case you missed picking up a souvenir last time you were there.

 Woman Walking Dog Along Pismo Beach, CA Puzzle Cliffs Along Pismo Beach Shoreline Poster Cliffs Along Pismo Beach Shoreline Puzzle Pismo Beach Shoreline Postcard Pier at Pismo Beach, Postcard

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This is my fifteenth post for the 2016 AtoZchallenge, a Blogging Challenge for the month of April, 2016. My theme is Things You Can See or Experience in North San Luis Obispo County. Here are links to the other posts if you missed them.

A is for Acorn
B is for Barney Schwartz Park
C is for Cattle in Wine Country
D is for Dark Star Cellars
E is for Electric Wires
F is for Family Farms
G is for Graveyard Vineyards
H is for Horses
Insects in My Neighborhood in April
J's Burgers in Paso Robles: A Review
Kosta is God's Gift to Me from Across the Ocean
Laguna Lake is Full Again
Mission San Miguel Photos

Niner Estates Decorated Heart Hill with Vineyards

Related articles

• This is a Great Day to Take Your Family to Leffingwell Landing
• M is for Moonstone Beach
• Clamming at Pismo Beach after 40 years