This Scenic California Town Is A Coastal Gem With Pristine Beaches

There is a unique vibe along the coast of California, whether you're just hitting a beach or two or taking the awe-inspiring road trip up or down Highway 1. It's a laid-back and casual feeling, as though, no matter what happens with your day, you can just hit the beach and it will all go away. That's particularly true in towns right on the water, like the coastal gem of Carpinteria. There are lovely beaches for surfing and swimming, so you're never far from relaxation. The town's main street, Linden Avenue, is full of adorable shops and dining spots and runs straight down to the water. You'll find the Carpinteria Harbor Seal Rookery where you can see the adorable babies during pup season, and in October, you can celebrate the base for guacamole with the town's California Avocado Festival. 

To get to Carpinteria, which the locals call "Carp," you can drive around 90 miles northwest if you're coming from Los Angeles International Airport. However, you might want to fly into the smaller Santa Barbara Municipal Airport, which has short wait times, modern travel comforts, and is only 20 miles west of Carpinteria. You can also take Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner that goes along the coast if you're traveling from other beachy destinations. The Carpinteria station is a few blocks from downtown, so you can walk right in from there. If you're exploring the shores of Southern California, make sure you stop at this vibrant town.

One stop you have to make in Carpinteria is Island Brewing Company. This award-winning microbrewery has been making craft beer for over two decades. It has a tasting room that boasts sunny views of the ocean and the Channel Islands National Park. You can visit on 6th Street every day, though hours vary. The brewery also rents out its VIP room for events. If you're feeling snacky, don't miss The Spot on Linden Avenue, a casual and tasty burger stand that's been there since 1955. It serves burgers (including chili cheeseburgers), fries, corn dogs, burritos, and other Mexican favorites. Don't leave without trying the milkshakes. For more upscale fare, head over to Corktree Cellars Wine Bar & Bistro for dishes like grilled jumbo shrimp polenta, cioppino, soy glazed salmon, and créme brûlée. 

A couple blocks from Linden Avenue, you can see the Wardholme Torrey Pine, the largest of its kind in the world, which was planted in 1888 and is now 126 feet tall. If you're visiting in October, you should plan your trip around the California Avocado Festival, which has been going on for decades. It celebrates the avocados growing in the area during one of SoCal's sunniest months of the year. There is live music, food, and crafts, and the proceeds go to the Carpinteria Education Foundation and the Future Farmers of America. When strolling aroud, you'll also pass a mural for the "World's Safest Beach," referring to the local coastline.

Carpinteria State Beach is exactly what you picture when you think of Southern California, with white sand and rocks, and tide pools to explore. You can fish in the surf, swim, and even camp here; the entry fee is $10 per vehicle. There are four campground loops on the beach with different sites for tents, RVs, and trailers, and you can camp there all year. It's also close to Rincon Point, which is famous as a surfing spot — if surfing in SoCal is one of your bucket-list items, this is the perfect beach for it. In fact, the Rincon Classic surf competition takes place here in the early part of the year. However, if you want to simply do some sunbathing, across the street is Rincon Park County Beach. This shoreline spot looks like it came right off of a postcard. You can swim here, but do note that there are no lifeguards. You'll have to walk down a staircase from the parking lot, and you may see some nude bathers, but there are restrooms, showers, picnic tables, and free parking.

You can't leave without visiting the Carpinteria Harbor Seal Rookery overlook. Park on Linden Avenue and walk down the pretty Carpinteria Coastal Vista Trail to get there. (You can find a map of the walk here.) The beach itself is closed during pupping season (December through May), but you can still see the seals from the viewing platform. Bring binoculars for the best view. 

Finally, while you're in the area, you may want to drive northwest past Santa Barbara to Solvang, the Danish fairy tale town around an hour away from Carpinteria. This is wine-tasting central, with a charming downtown. Make sure you try æbleskivers, delicious Danish round pancakes with powdered sugar and fruit syrup.