Let’s be honest: part of the fun of any trip is capturing the perfect photos along the way! A trip to San Simeon provides no lack of photo opportunities, whether they’re long-arm selfies of you and your besties or sweeping landscapes snapped with more serious equipment. Here are some of the best spots for finding photo ops around San Simeon.
Highway 1 is one of the most famous routes in the world because of the breathtaking views along the cliffside road snaking along the Pacific Coast. Ragged Point, roughly 20 minutes north of San Simeon, is instantly recognizable because it’s one of the most stunning spots in California. Take some time around Ragged Point Inn to walk the grounds and, if you dare, amble down the steep steps to the beach where you can snap pics of a natural waterfall spouting out of the rocky coast.
The famed Big Sur is further north a stretch but is absolutely worth some white-knuckle driving to get there. Pfeiffer Beach at Big Sur is an azure haven nestled in the dramatic craggy cliffside and it’s a site that never fails to awe. Be sure to take some photos of Mother Nature’s masterpiece here! Please note that Highway 1 to Big Sur is subject to closure so please be sure to check the status before attempting the drive up.
All of that said, there’s no need to venture any farther than San Simeon to capture the most Insta-worthy shots! Cavalier Oceanfront Resort is located on a seaside bluff and offers sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. Onsite firepits and heated pools provide additional ambiance for the most enviable snaps.
The nearby Piedras Blancas Light Station is both historic and picturesque. Once the warning for seafarers venturing dangerously close to the rocky shores, it now is open to the public via scheduled tours. There is ample opportunity for stunning photos here, from sealife bobbing in the surf to blankets of blossoms along the heathered bluffs. Piedras Blancas gives every image otherworldly vibes!
Elephant seals are among the biggest draws to the Central Coast, and the Elephant Seal Rookery along Highway 1 offers glimpses of these mammoth creatures. Professionals will love working with their zoom lenses to capture up-close interactions between the seals. Even from a respectful distance, there are fabulous action shots to be had: giant males claiming their territory, pups scooting off into the surf, random loners hauling their enormous bodies out of the ocean for a sunny nap. Elephant seals are endlessly fascinating and visiting a rookery can help capture their antics for all to admire.
On the other end of the sealife spectrum are the many tidepools that dot the Central Coast. Tidepools are usually only visible during low tide and provide a very up-close and personal experience. Grab your favorite camera to explore the shores and be ready to study the swirling amount of life found in tidepools. The variation of size, color, and shape of sealife found in tidepools create artistic tableaux to share with your ocean-loving followers.
And finally, the one location that promises photo ops around every corner: Hearst Castle. Located high above San Simeon itself, William Randolph Hearst’s Enchanted Hill is a stunning architectural jewel filled with art and antiquities. From the views that stretch for miles in every direction to the enchanting indigos of the indoor Roman pool, Hearst Castle is a feast for the senses that deserves to be shared again and again.
