This upscale beach town on California’s central coast is full of famous residents—but it's also one of the world’s best places for wildlife watching.California
With its 300-plus sunny days a year, and with coastal breezes scented with eucalyptus and sage, this “American Riviera” is firmly oriented to the outdoors and nature. Patio dining is a year-round affair. Offices accommodate surfboards, bikes, and dogs, and offer flexible hours and four-day weeks.Within the region’s coastal groves, migrating butterflies are once again stopping to rest and feed, signaling a hopeful return from the brink of extinction.
While the new designation doesn’t confer additional protection, it recognizes a model in which conservation proponents, community residents, and commercial interests are allies rather than antagonists. Responsible whale-watching tour operators, for example, convert visitors into advocates and generate revenue to support continued conservation. In addition, boats scoop up plastic, help conduct research, and monitor the health of the ocean.Like whales in general, butterflies are in decline.
A new initiative links travelers with Indigenous and rural guides, opening access to regions that have been largely untouched by tourism.