There was a time when the "Taft-Maricopa turnoff" (now 166) was the best route to the Central Coast. Times have changed, but it is still an interesting alternative to the highway 101. At Maricopa, the option to go north around the north end of the California Valley presents itself. This is not the fastest, but may be new country to explore. Taft is home to the West Kern Oil Museum and Taft Fort. From Santa Barbara, one may take San Marcos Pass road (164) - even Stagecoach Road to Cold Spring Tavern - to the Santa Ynez Valley, or go west to Gaviota Pass where the option of Highway 1 is available. Highway 1 passes through Lompoc with Mission La Purisima (photographically gifted), through hill country to Casmalia and on to Guadalupe, Oceano, and Pismo Beach where you can rejoin the freeway to SLO.