Fiscalini Ranch Preserve Bluff Trail - Cambria

Location: One trailhead: 4600 Windsor Boulevard: pass Moonstone Beach Drive, make sharp left turn next to Shamel Community Park, 1.1 miles to the end of Windsor Boulevard. Park along the street or in one of the few spots by the entrance to Fiscalini Ranch Preserve.
Why Go There? Nice leg-stretcher hike with wonderful hand crafted unique benches along the trails; clear day ocean views along the open bluff (be prepared for wind); wildflowers dot the expansive open bluff areas. There are a number of trail options
More Information: Fiscalini Ranch + Cambria Trails and Parks + Friends of Fiscalini Ranch Preserve

Santa Rosa Creek Trail - Cambria

Location: From water treatment plant by the Windsor bridge, find a wide trail along and above the west side of Santa Rosa Creek. Wet in winter with two steep portions. Trail goes up the hill to Huntington Road (between 678 and 682). Distance: approximately 3/4 miles each way; also see websites for options.
Why Go There? A nice walking trail from flat part of Cambria; options to connect to Fiscalini Ranch Preserve bluff trails, and/or to Moonstone Beach; great wildlife viewing (especially birds)
More Information: Santa Rosa Creek Trail + Cambria Trails and Parks

Carmel River Beach Trail - Carmel

Location: Highway 1 southbound, right on Rio Road, left on Santa Lucia, left on Carmelo, or walk along Scenic Drive
Why Go There? Pleasant stroll along Scenic Drive overlooking the beach offers glimpses of unique houses, (including the Walker house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright) and ends at Carmel River Beach, where the river empties into the sea. From there, mile-long beach features a bird sanctuary in a lagoon (just before the Carmel River empties into the sea); wide variety of waterfowl and song birds; parking lot (if driving), restrooms.
More Information: Carmel River

Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail - Monterey

Location: Accessible from North or South, and running for 18 miles, a scenic part of the trail starts in Pacific Grove. The trailhead is near the corner of Ocean View Boulevard/Jewell Avenue. Park in the (fee) trailhead lot or look for nearby street parking. Or start in the busy, popular harder-to-find-parking area near the Monterey Aquarium.
Why Go There? With scenic views along the Monterey Bay, this popular shared use trail (bicyclists, runners, dog walkers, hikers) offers people watching as well as plentiful birds, sea life, coastal views. A few colorful murals can be found close to the Aquarium wharf area. Leave the coast trail to head inland near Lovers Point Park, to wander through a few blocks of historic homes and cottages (also a popular draw), and a few ornate historic inns, such as Green Gables and  Seven Gables Inns.
More Information: Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail

Monarch Butterfly Grove Sanctuary - Pacific Grove

October-Spring Sunrise to Sunset
Location: 250 Ridge Road, park along the road, or walk from Monterey along the Ocean view trail
Why Go There? Monarch butterflies cluster on pine, cypress and eucalyptus trees. Their fall migration to Pacific Grove is so unique that Pacific Grove is nicknamed "Butterfly Town, USA." The sanctuary is a Pacific Grove municipal park, open from sunrise to sunset, no admission fee. From November to February, noon-3:00pm (weather permitting) docents are on hand to help visitors have optimum viewing experiences. Donations to support the Museum monarch education and docent programs are welcome.
More Information: Monarch Viewing

SFB Morse Botanical Reserve - Pebble Beach

Location: Trailhead off Congress Road between Bird Rock/Chaparral Roads. Room for a few cars side of road at trailhead (sign states “Samuel F.B. Morse Botanical Reserve”). If going through fee gate tell guard you are going to the nature reserve.
Why Go There? 86-acre woodland reserve, hills of  Del Monte Forest, includes a three mile loop trail. Reserve was created in 1972 to protect endangered Gowen cypress.
More Information: SFB Morse Botanical Reserve

Architectural Graveyard/Design Village, Poly Canyon Trails -  San Luis Obispo

Location: Grand Avenue to Poly Canyon, follow signs to trailhead (fee lot parking year-round; alternatively can take local buses to campus, or park on side streets not directly  adjacent to campus as they are permit only. Parking outside permit only zone and walking to the trailhead adds approximately half a mile of walking.
Why Go There? Low elevation gain easy walk to structures built by Cal Poly architecture students. If interested in longer, more strenuous hikes, can head up fire roads adjacent to the Architectural Graveyard, especially pretty in Spring.
More Information: Poly Canyon Design Village + Poly Canyon Road Hiking Trail

San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden - San Luis Obispo

Daily 8:00am-6:30pm
Location: 3450 Dairy Creek Road (within El Chorro Regional Park)
Why Go There? A work in progress, the hillside 150 acre site currently offers 3/4 mile walking trail, Preview Garden, hosts events, including first Wednesday monthly luncheons, workshops, tours, a fundraiser Spring and Fall plant sale, and Art in the Garden Show (November). When completed the garden will fully showcase and preserve unique drought-tolerant plants from the five mediterranean climate areas of the world.
More Information: SLO Botanical Garden

History Center of San Luis Obispo County,  Downtown Walking Tour - San Luis Obispo

History Center Museum Wednesday-Monday (closed Tuesday) 10:00am-4:00pm
Location: 696 Monterey Street
Why Go There? The SLO Historic Society self-guided tour of several historic buildings, including Dallidet Adobe and Garden (1185 Pacific Street; starts, ends at the History Center's Carnegie Library Museum, takes approximately 1.5 hours and provides an introduction to local history. The museum has changing exhibits, a gift shop, special fundraiser events at the Dallidet Garden.
More Information: History Center + Walking Tours

Additional Resources

Theodore Payne Foundation - Central/Southern California
Offers weekly update on wildflower blooms

Historic Walking Tour - Pacific Grove
Self-guided historic walking tour map

Point Lobos Foundation - Point Lobos
Trail map

Hikespeak - San Luis Obispo
Many hiking trails

Diablo Canyon Hiking - San Luis Obispo
Two spectacular coastal trails, Pecho Coast Trail with optional lighthouse tour, Point Buchon Trail require guides/reservations

Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve - San Luis Obispo
Offers 24+ miles of trails