Point Lobos  Close to Carmel, this park has great hikes along the coastline and is good for tidepooling.

 

Garrapata State Park Calla Lilly Valley  Accessed by pulling over at gate 19 on Highway 1, this location is best photographed when the flowers are blooming in the late winter and spring.

 

Keyhole Arch In late December during the winter solstice when the sun is at the ideal angle and the horizon is clear a light beam shines through the arch while dozens of photographers line up to catch the effect. It is located on Pfeiffer Beach near Big Sur.

 

McWay Falls One of the few spots in California where a waterfall goes right into the ocean. Take the walkway to the end for a great view of it.

 

A couple of places for a meal with a view are the Post Ranch Inn and Nepenthe 

 

 

Near the town of Lucia is the New Camaldoli Hermitage, stop by and pick up one of their homemade fruitcakes or date nut cakes.   

 

 

Piedras Biancas beach is home to a large colony of Elephant Seals.