While it is not as talked about as Big Sur, it is just as beautiful. It doesn't have the waterfalls of Big Sur, but it has beach and forest hikes. It has rock formations as well. There are numerous beaches and tidal pools. My favorite trail is the Bluff Trail which is an extremely easy and flat trail. Sometimes, you can see a collection of otters off the trail. I have also seen migrating whales, but you have to be sure to go during migration season. I would recommend this to anyone passing through San Luis Obispo or Morro Bay.
I find Cal Poly's Architecture Graveyard an amazing, unique place that doesn't exist at any other university. The Architecture Graveyard has past senior projects of Cal Poly students. Each project has a plaque indicating the students, year it was created, and other info. Leave at least 2 hours to explore all of the projects. Although there are bathrooms at the site, they are all closed and have been closed for a while. Some of the projects have been been worn down with time and exploration, especially the concrete structures. Some of the newer installations show no wear. If you are a family visiting, I would come during the day. At night, it is a popular hang out for Cal Poly students that is not exactly family friendly. It is about a 20 minute walk from the start of Poly Canyon Rd. You cannot drive up this private road. The closes parking is on campus in a general parking spot. Like most hiking placed on campus, there is always a risk of encountering a mountain lion. Overall, one of my favorite hikes in SLO.
As most things along the Pacific Coast Highway, it is a stunning view. It can become extremely crowded around March through the summer. Although it is a state park that requires paying for parking, most people park along the highway to view the falls. There are plenty of paths from the road to the trail that you don't have to go through the official entrance. It is a quick trail that eventually ends in the ruins of Julia Pfieffer Burns' home. It is a shame that California tore it down. It is one of my favorite places along the PCH. If you're wondering, you cannot go down to the beach at the bottom of the falls. It is extremely dangerous to go down there, so California as determined it off limits.
Really cool place. I really appreciate seeing a place that my grandmother and my father saw at different points in the installation. Parking is right along the fence line on the frontage road. Despite the fact that there are many signs stating there is no painting past the fence line, people still do it. I don't find that as rude as the people just leaving the spray paint cans there. Feel free to break the no painting rule, but please throw away or take your paint with you.