Spring Into Action

Spring is a time of renewal, when nature wakes ready to play. And for folks who enjoy the outdoors, there’s no better weekend getaway than California’s Central Coast.

“In the spring, the Central Coast turns into a wonderful outdoor playground,” said John Flaherty, owner of Central Coast Outdoors (www.centralcoastoutdoors.com), a Los Osos tour company. “It’s the perfect season to get out and enjoy nature.”

Ventura

Ventura offers great surf at famous Surfers’ Point, which runs from San Buenaventura State Beach to Seaside Wilderness Park with, of course, Surfers’ Point Park in the center. Surfing beginners can take group or private lessons with Surfclass (www.surfclass.com), which also features surf camps for kids.

Jim Luttjohann of the Ventura Visitors & Convention Bureau, recommended a guided hike across one of the five Channel Islands or kayaking in the sea caves at Channel Islands National Park. Both are offered on day and overnight trips by Island Packers, the official concessionaire to the Channel Islands.

Santa Barbara

The natural landscape is diverse in Santa Barbara, making it a great spot for outdoor adventures either on land or water.

Standup paddle surfing has become quite popular, said Shannon Brooks, communications director for the Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau and Film Commission. “We have many outfitters that rent the equipment and give lessons,” she said.

On shore, visitors can play volleyball on East Beach or hop on a beach cruiser and hit the Urban Wine Trail. The trail also is accessible by bicycle. The Presidio Motel (www.thepresidiomotel.com) and Canary Hotel (www.canarysantabarbara.com) offer guests beach cruisers.

Santa Ynez Valley

“Spring has sprung here in the Santa Ynez Valley — it’s the perfect time to get away and enjoy Mother Nature at its finest,” said Kady Fleckenstein, executive director of the Santa Ynez Valley Visitors Assn. “The wildflower viewing is vibrant, vintners are tending the budding vines and farm stands have fantastic produce and treats. Come enjoy the stunning landscape — plan your getaway today.”

A great way to see the colorful wildflowers is to bike or hike along Figueroa Mountain Road, Fleckenstein said. As it winds into the Los Padres National Forest, trails branch off into acres of wildflowers including chocolate lilies, buttercups, golden yarrow, orange California poppies and purple lupine.

For nighttime fun, the Chumash Casino Resort (www.chumashcasino.com), located on East Highway 246, offers 48 table games, 24-hour poker rooms, bingo, a smoke-free casino, a spa and entertainment acts such as Michael Bolton, Yanni, Goo Goo Dolls and the Monkees.

Lompoc

Lompoc is known as the flower seed capital of the world, and there’s no better time than spring to see why. The fields around the city are full of sweet peas, larkspur, stock, marigolds, sunflowers, Queen Anne’s lace, bachelor buttons and delphinium. The flowers begin to bloom from mid-May until August, and peak in mid- to late June.

With Vandenberg Air Force Base just outside Lompoc, many visitors can’t escape thoughts of the wild blue yonder. For the brave, there’s Skydive Santa Barbara (www.skydivesantabarbara.com), which offers tandem and static line jumps for first-timers.

Santa Maria Valley

Fine wine meets world-famous barbecue in the Santa Maria Valley, where chardonnay, pinot noir and other varietals offer a perfect match for the region’s rich culinary traditions.

Special events abound in spring as well. Upcoming attractions include “Pride and Prejudice,” performed April 14 to May 8 by PCPA Theaterfest (www.pcpa.org), which is renowned throughout the state for its wondrous productions.

Accommodations in Santa Maria range from the Historic Santa Maria Inn (www.santamariainn.com), to the airport-adjacent Radisson Hotel Santa Maria (www.radisson.com/santa-maria-hotel-ca-93455/camaria).

Pismo Beach

Pismo Beach is a top destination for extreme kite boarding, a combination of surfing, wakeboarding and flying. Lessons and equipment are available at California Kiteboarding (www.californiakiteboarding.com) and XtremeBigAir (www.xtremebigair.com).

For a more leisurely pace, guided horseback rides along the beach and the scenic Oceano Dunes can be arranged with Pacific Dunes Ranch (www.pacificdunesranch.com).

Jennifer Salisbury Rucks, co-owner of Salisbury Vineyards, recommends cycling along the Bob Jones City to Bike Trail (www.lcslo.org/bob_joneshtml). “It’s gorgeous,” she said.

– Barbara Beckley, Custom Publishing Writer