The Joker: Laugh Lines & Scenic Detours

From farm-fresh fun and ostrich selfies to zipline thrills and garlic-spun rides, this joy-filled itinerary transforms California’s Central Coast into one big playground for the life of the party.

This isn’t your average Central Coast road trip—it’s a laugh-out-loud, roadside-wonder, joy-chasing adventure designed for travelers who see fun as a way of life. Along the way, you’ll uncover the quirky and the unexpected: ghostly ruins with a view, farms where you can literally taste the sunshine and ziplines that send you soaring over flower fields. Between goofy selfies, delicious detours and spontaneous thrills, this five-day romp from Camarillo to Santa Cruz proves that humor and curiosity are the ultimate travel companions.

Day 1: Camarillo

Start your Camarillo morning with a hike to the legendary “Scary Dairy,” the decaying remains of an old dairy farm once part of the Camarillo State Hospital grounds. The graffiti-covered ruins may give off haunted vibes, but they’re surrounded by pastoral beauty—perfect for those who like their morning walk with a side of mystery (and panoramic views). Next, head to McGrath Family Farm, where the air hums with bees and the scent of strawberries. This is no ordinary farm stand—it’s a full sensory experience where you can touch, taste and smell the richness of Ventura County soil.

Break for lunch at Waypoint Cafe at Camarillo Airport. If you’re feeling adventurous, book a flight (age 12+) in a World War II aircraft at the Commemorative Air Force Museum (CAF SoCal), where vintage planes gleam in the California sun.

Back on the ground, embrace your inner child at Zander’s Game House, a low key hangout stocked with hundreds of board and card games. Order a snack, roll the dice and see where the afternoon takes you. When it’s time to shift gears, the Camarillo Premium Outlets offer a different kind of playground—hunting for designer deals!

As dusk falls, hop on the Camarillo Trolley and glide into Old Town, where string lights twinkle above sidewalk cafés. Have dinner at Twisted Oak Tavern, a local favorite in the historic 1916 Lewis & Son’s Building.

Overnight: Camarillo

Day 2: Santa Ynez Valley

After breakfast, hit the open road and cruise north into the rolling hills of the Santa Ynez Valley. Your first thrill of the day: soaring over protea flower fields and oak-dotted hills with Highline Adventures in Buellton. Once your adrenaline’s pumping, slow the pace and make a few fine feathered friends at Ostrichland USA, where curious ostriches and emus happily pose (and peck) for selfies.

By now you’ll have worked up an appetite. Refuel with smoky, Santa Maria-style barbecue at the legendary Hitching Post II, or challenge your taste buds with the fiery flavors at Na Na Thai—both local favorites that promise big flavor and even bigger personality.

Next, roll into Solvang, a quirky Danish village that looks straight out of a storybook with windmills, candy shops and cozy cafés. Zip around town in a colorful EV Go Moke, popping into vintage and vinyl treasure trove Off the Record Vinyl & Vintage and Danish design haven The Copenhagen House—where you can admire handmade goods, shop for Legos and even peek into a tiny amber museum. Check out the Hans Christian Andersen Museum at The Book Loft to celebrate the beloved author behind The Little Mermaid and The Ugly Duckling. As twilight falls, discover Solvang’s spookier side on a Ghost Hunting Tour that reveals eerie tales behind the cheerful façades.

Round out your day at Coast Range, where farm-fresh fare and small-town conviviality shine. Say hi to Gus the resident basset hound before capping off the night in the restaurant’s character-rich Vaquero Bar, spinning vinyl records and toasting to a day well played.

Overnight: Solvang

Day 3: Arroyo Grande

After filling up on delectable authentic Danishes, continue your northbound journey toward Nipomo Beach, where the rolling dunes meet the sea. Just inland, make a stop at The Luffa Farm—a true hidden gem. Here, you’ll learn how these all-natural sponges are grown, harvested and dried on-site (no, they don’t come from the ocean!). A stroll through the greenhouses reveals rows of curling vines and sunny blossoms, and you can even pick up a few homegrown luffas or handmade bath products as souvenirs. Refuel at The Mayor’s Place in Nipomo, a classic local favorite where the motto might as well be “breakfast all day.”

Continue your drive into Arroyo Grande, an inviting town with a vibrant mix of antique shops, local boutiques and small-town nostalgia. Wander through the historic village, where every storefront seems to hide a treasure. As you explore, keep an eye out for the wild roosters—these colorful, free-roaming birds strut along sidewalks and creek beds as if they own the place. Locals say no one quite knows how they got here, but they’ve become the unofficial mascots of Arroyo Grande. For the best view, head to the historic swinging footbridge over Arroyo Grande Creek, a beloved local landmark that gently sways as you walk across.

Music lovers shouldn’t miss Lightning Joe’s Guitar Heaven—a legendary shop packed with more than 1,600 new, used and vintage instruments. Test your skills in the electric room with Fenders, Gibsons and Hamers, or mellow out in the acoustic space, surrounded by gleaming Martins and Taylors.

If more adventures call, climb up to Hoosegow Park, home to a one-room jailhouse built around 1910. Known as the Hoosegow Jail, this pint-sized cell once held rowdy locals overnight when the constable needed to keep the peace. Today, it’s a quirky historic site and an irresistible selfie stop with sweeping views over the village below.

As evening falls, make your way to nearby Oceano for a night of laughter and local flair at The Great American Melodrama & Vaudeville. This cozy, family-run theater serves up campy, high-energy performances complete with live music, old-fashioned humor and plenty of audience participation. Grab a seat, order a snack from the saloon and cheer, boo and laugh along—it’s the perfect curtain call for a day steeped in small-town charm.

Overnight: Arroyo Grande

Day 4: The Road to Gilroy

Wave goodbye to Arroyo Grande’s roosters and hit the open road toward Monterey County. This leg of the journey winds through classic Central Coast countryside—rolling vineyards, farm stands and old-school, roadside Americana. Don’t rush it; this stretch is made for meandering.

As you make your way north, take the slow lane through Salinas Valley, dubbed “America’s Salad Bowl,” where lettuce fields and artichoke farms stretch as far as the eye can see. Stop in old town Salinas, where Victorian storefronts and neon signs recall the city’s 20th-century heyday. Step inside the National Steinbeck Center to explore exhibits dedicated to the Nobel Prize–winning author whose novels (The Grapes of Wrath, Of Mice and Men and East of Eden) captured the soul of this region. Then swing by the Steinbeck House for lunch; the literary legend’s childhood home now serves homestyle fare and fresh-baked pie in a beautifully restored Queen Anne-style setting.

Back on Highway 101, keep an eye out for vintage fruit stands stacked with dried apricots and garlic pistachios and the occasional barn mural celebrating the valley’s farming heritage. By mid-afternoon, you’ll roll into Gilroy, where the air itself seems seasoned—it’s the Garlic Capital of the World. Embrace the pungent charm with a visit to Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park, a whimsical world where garlic bulbs spin, strawberries dip and artichokes swing. Take a turn on the Garlic Twirl, the park’s most iconic ride, before chugging through a miniature redwood forest aboard the model steam train.

Cap off your day in Gilroy’s historic downtown. Indulge in all things garlic at Garlic City Cafe—whether it’s garlic fries, garlic ice cream or garlicky wine—because in Gilroy, resistance is futile!

Overnight: Gilroy

Day 5: Santa Cruz

Roll down the windows and breathe in that unmistakable ocean air as your final leg takes you to Santa Cruz. The drive north from Gilroy is short but sweet, winding through redwood groves and coastal farmlands until the Pacific comes into view.

Kick things off with a classic: the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, California’s oldest seaside amusement park and an enduring icon of coastal fun. Ride the Giant Dipper, a rickety wooden roller coaster that’s been thrilling riders since 1924, or catch a spin on the ornate Looff Carousel, both designated National Historic Landmarks. Win a stuffed shark at the ring toss, snack on saltwater taffy and soak in the nostalgic buzz of carnival music and crashing waves.

When you’re ready for something truly mind-bending, head inland to The Mystery Spot, Santa Cruz’s most famous oddity. Discovered in 1939, this so-called “gravity hill” warps reality with a series of optical illusions inside a tilted wooden cabin. Balls roll uphill, people appear to lean at impossible angles—it’s equal parts science experiment and sideshow magic.

As the afternoon softens, make your way to Natural Bridges State Beach, where a dramatic rock arch rises from the surf like nature’s own sculpture. If you’re visiting between October and February, wander into the nearby eucalyptus grove to witness one of California’s quirkiest natural spectacles—thousands of Monarch butterflies clustering in the trees, their wings flickering orange and black in the filtered light.

End your trip in Downtown Santa Cruz, where vintage record shops, surf boutiques and independent bookstores line Pacific Avenue. Grab dinner at a cozy bistro, then let the night unfold with a dose of local entertainment—check out comedy night (Mondays) at Abbott Square, see who’s taking the stage at Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium or catch a live act at Blue Lagoon.

It’s the perfect finale to your California road trip: a mix of wonder, weirdness and West Coast magic that lingers long after you’ve shaken the sand from your shoes!

Overnight: Santa Cruz