10 Simple Things I Do That Help Me Enjoy the Central Coast Even More

When people think about enjoying the Central Coast, they usually think about the big things.

A weekend getaway.

A wine tasting.

A beach day.

Those are all wonderful.

But over the years, I've realized it's the little habits that make me appreciate living here even more.

None of these cost much.

Some don't cost anything at all.

They're simply small choices that remind me to slow down and enjoy where I live.

Here are a few of the habits I've picked up that have made life on the Central Coast even better.

I Start One Morning Every Week at a Local Coffee Shop

There are plenty of mornings when making coffee at home would be easier.

But at least once a week, I make it a point to visit a local coffee shop.

Not because I need caffeine.

Because I enjoy the atmosphere.

There's something about watching a town wake up that makes the whole day feel different.

Sometimes it's downtown Paso Robles.

Sometimes San Luis Obispo.

Occasionally it's Morro Bay before heading toward the water.

It reminds me that slowing down is rarely a bad idea.

I Take the Scenic Route Whenever I Can

If I have an extra fifteen minutes, I'll almost always choose the prettier road.

Highway 46 West.

Adelaida Road.

Highway 1 between Cayucos and Cambria.

I've learned that the drive is often just as enjoyable as the destination.

If you enjoyed reading about my favorite drives, you might also like "The Roads I Never Get Tired of Driving in San Luis Obispo County," where I share the routes I find myself taking again and again.

I Buy What's in Season

I've stopped trying to buy the same fruits and vegetables all year long.

Instead, I look forward to whatever is in season.

Spring berries.

Summer peaches.

Fall apples.

Fresh tomatoes that actually taste like tomatoes.

Shopping this way makes every season feel a little more special.

And it gives me another excuse to visit our local farmers markets.

I Watch More Sunsets Than I Used To

There was a time when I rarely stopped for a sunset.

Now I'll gladly rearrange my evening if I know it's going to be a beautiful one.

It doesn't have to be elaborate.

A quick stop in Morro Bay.

A walk in Cayucos.

A quiet evening overlooking the vineyards.

The sunset is free.

The memories usually aren't.

I Leave Room for Detours

This has become one of my favorite habits.

If I plan every minute of the day, I miss the unexpected.

A roadside fruit stand.

A bookstore I've never noticed.

A bakery that smells too good to drive past.

Those little detours often become the highlight of the day.

I Walk More Than I Drive

Whenever I'm downtown, I try not to move the car unless I have to.

Paso Robles.

Cambria.

San Luis Obispo.

Morro Bay.

They're all places that reward you for slowing down.

You'll notice murals.

Historic buildings.

Flower boxes.

Little shops tucked into corners.

Things you'd never see through a windshield.

I Visit Places I've Already Been

People sometimes ask if I ever run out of things to do.

Honestly...

No.

Because I don't always need somewhere new.

Some places are worth revisiting.

Moonstone Beach.

City Park.

The Embarcadero.

Every visit feels a little different.

Different season.

Different weather.

Different company.

That's enough to make it feel new again.

I Put My Phone Away More Often

This one isn't always easy.

But I'm getting better.

If I'm walking along the coast or sitting in a park, I don't always need to take a picture.

Sometimes it's enough to simply be there.

I've discovered I remember those moments more clearly than the ones I spent trying to photograph.

I Say "Yes" More Often

When someone suggests grabbing coffee...

Going for a drive...

Watching the sunset...

I try to say yes.

Some of my favorite memories on the Central Coast happened because someone casually asked,

"Want to go?"

I'm glad I did.

I Remember That I Already Live Somewhere People Vacation

This might be the habit that changed my perspective the most.

It's easy to get caught up in everyday routines.

Work.

Errands.

Appointments.

Then I'll be driving through wine country or walking along the coast and remember...

People travel from all over the world to experience this place.

I don't want to take that for granted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the easiest way to enjoy the Central Coast more?

Slow down.

Give yourself permission to spend a little extra time wherever you are.

Do these habits cost a lot?

Not at all.

Many of them are completely free.

What's the one habit that made the biggest difference?

Taking the scenic route whenever I can.

I've never regretted arriving somewhere a few minutes later because the drive was more enjoyable.

Why revisit places you've already seen?

Because they're never exactly the same twice.

The weather changes.

The seasons change.

You change.

It's Amazing What a Few Small Habits Can Do

I don't think enjoying the Central Coast is about finding one incredible destination.

It's about paying attention.

Stopping a little longer.

Taking the scenic route.

Buying peaches when they're in season.

Watching another sunset.

Walking instead of rushing.

Those habits have changed the way I experience San Luis Obispo County.

Not because they made life more exciting.

Because they helped me notice how special this place already is.

Sometimes the biggest difference comes from the smallest changes.

Amber Johnson, Founder
Pillar Real Estate
805.835.3425
[email protected]
1345 Park St. Paso Robles, CA 93446
DRE# 01925434