Located just a few east of the southern California coast, the city of Santa Maria, CA, is conveniently located within less than an hour’s drive from some of the most beautiful beaches and nature reserves in the state. If you are looking for new places to visit in your shiny 2022 Chevrolet Equinox, these are three fantastic day trips you can go on from the city. Pack your things, grab some snacks, and hit the road!

1. Avila Beach

A small and picturesque town nestled between a lush oak valley and sandy beaches, Avila Beach is one of the best places for Santa Maria locals to visit with friends and family. Whether you are into water sports or simply want to spend some time sunbathing, Avila Beach is a great destination. Located just 25 miles northwest of downtown Santa Maria, this place can be reached in about half an hour by car along route US-101.

Once you make your way to the city, some of the places you should check out include Pirates Cove Beach, the Avila Beach Pier, Bob Jones Trail, and the Central Coast Aquarium. Just a few miles west of the downtown area, you can find some of the most beautiful and pristine beaches in the region, including Olde Port Beach and Fisherman’s Beach, from where you can hike to the nearby Point Saint Louis Lighthouse.

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2. Montaña de Oro State Park

A sprawling oceanside nature reserve featuring breathtaking cliffs, sandy beaches, and a large network of hiking and biking trails, Montaña de Oro State Park is another top-rated day trip destination for Santa Maria locals wanting to get away from the city. Located just 45 miles northwest of the downtown area, this state park can be reached in a little under an hour by car along route US-101 and Los Osos Valley Road.

Covering an area of about 8,000 acres, Montaña de Oro State Park offers excellent opportunities for hiking, swimming, boating, horseback riding, and camping. Managed by the California Department of Parks and Recreation, this state park was established in 1965 and has since been a well-known getaway among visitors from all over the region.

3. Point Sal State Beach

Located about 35 miles west of downtown Santa Maria, Point Sal State Beach is an 80-acre nature reserve featuring beautiful beaches that attract picnickers and sunbathers from all around the area. Offering excellent opportunities for fishing, hiking, and wildlife photography, this place is largely undeveloped and a perfect spot to get away from the urban routine without driving too far.

If you are planning to buy a new or pre-owned vehicle to explore the wonders that California has to offer, visit us today at Home Motors Chevrolet! Our friendly agents will tell you all about our latest models and our convenient financing plans.

The 2022 Chevy Colorado is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a midsize pickup that can seamlessly transition from rough off-roading to picking up the kids from school and taking them out to dinner. Thanks to the awesome variety in trim levels, add-on packages, and engines for the new Chevrolet Colorado, you can customize your vehicle to suit all your needs and budgetary requirements. Read on to learn more about the 2022 Chevy.

What to Know About the Base Trim Level

The base trim level for the new Chevy Colorado is known as the WT (Work Truck). You have two cab options: crew or extended. Both options can seat six passengers, but the crew cab offers more leg room. The front bucket seats have a center console, and the back row can have dual seats with storage or a foldable bench seat. The standard infotainment system is a 7-inch color touchscreen with a backup camera, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay.

In terms of engines, you can choose between the base four-cylinder with a six-speed automatic transmission or the 3.6L V6, paired with an eight-speed automatic. If you’re looking for the best mileage, the 2.8L Duramax turbo diesel I4 is your man. Other standard features include two USB ports, power door locks, Teen Driver Mode, and a locking tailgate.

What’s New?

The most exciting feature to be introduced to the 2022 model is the Trail Boss Package available for LT and Z71 models with 4WD. The Trail Boss has everything you need to go offroading, including a lifted suspension, skid plates, Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac Mud-Terrain tires, and driver assist features geared towards conquering the most demanding terrains. 
All new models now have red tow hooks, and Chevy has eliminated the front air dam. There have also been some exterior styling updates that give the 2022 Chevrolet Colorado a more rugged look.

Ride, Handling, and Performance

The Chevy Colorado handles turns like a pro and doesn’t lean too much on bends, leaving you feeling balanced and in control. Even with an empty truck bed, the suspension absorbs bumps in the road, so you don’t have to. Suppose you’re planning on doing a lot of off-roading. In that case, the Z71 and ZR2 models have an array of special features, including an even more monstrous suspension system, locking front and rear differentials, and hill descent control.

Head on down to Home Motors Chevrolet, where we’d be happy to walk you through the options you have available to you. If you’d like to experience the 2022 Chevrolet Colorado firsthand, come in and give it a test drive! We have a great variety of new and used vehicles, and we strive to find you your perfect match.