With dining plans, housing arrangements, class schedules, tuition fee and classes, it’s no mystery why college students are so stressed out all the time. But before you reach the burn-out zone, there are many ways to relieve the stress right around town.
Instead of lying out on Pismo Beach, try an afternoon at Pirate’s Cove. This hangout features many attractions, like the tunnel inside the mountain, the rocky cove and the nude beach. These places are all on different trails and accessible from the main parking lot. Pirate’s Cove is located at 100 Cave Landing Rd. in Avila Beach.
If golf is your game, you’re lucky to live in San Luis Obispo County. There are many courses to choose from, including Avila Beach Resort, Black Lake Resort in Nipomo, Best Western Sea Pines Resort in Los Osos, Chalk Mountain Golf Course in Atascadero, Dairy Creek Golf Course in San Luis Obispo, Hunter Ranch Golf Course in Paso Robles, Laguna Lake Municipal Los Osos, The Links Course at Paso Robles, the Morro Bay Golf Course and the Sea Pines Golf Resort in Los Osos.
For a more low-key day, you’re practically guaranteed relaxation at Sycamore Mineral Springs, where the beautiful gardens, therapeutic massages, and the historic mineral hot springs can help wash your cares away. For those of you who enjoy a more active style of relaxation, there is also a yoga institute, hiking trails and a labyrinth. Sycamore Springs is located at 1215 Avila Beach Dr. in Avila Beach. Call 595-3702 for more information.
Relaxation can also come from awe-inspiring adventures, like the Sub Sea Tours and Virg’s Landing of Morro Bay, which offer a peek at marine life. Virg’s has whale watching, sportfishing, scuba diving and kayaking equipment for your day in the ocean. Sub-Sea Tours, also in Morro Bay, offers a chance to see the underwater habitat as well at the above-water views in a semi-submersible vessel. Call 772-1222 for Virg’s Landing and 772-9463 for Sub-Sea Tours.
The Central Coast offers some of the state’s finest recreational areas. Cayucos State Beach is known for its fishing pier, beautiful waterfront and nearby historical buildings.
The Los Osos Oaks State Reserve is famous for its oak trees, some of which date back 700 years.
Monta¤a de Oro State Park boasts over six miles of coastline, trails overlooking the beach, campsites and bike trails.
Morro Bay State Park offers boating, fishing, bird watching and golfing. Morro Strand State Beach is home to many kite-flyers and windsurfers because of its reliable winds.
Oceano Dunes has 1,500 acres of open sand dunes for vehicular recreation, and it’s the only state park in California where vehicles may drive and camp on the beach.
Pismo State Beach has six miles of sandy beaches, popular with joggers and surfers.
San Simeon State Park has two miles of coastline and is as close as you can camp to Hearst Castle.