Winter recreation abounds along California’s Central Coast, from the ocean to the pool

Winter has set in but we who live on the Central Coast of California are fortunate not to have to deal with snow and ice — and it’s sunny most of the time.

(My winters in Oregon and Iowa where I went to school were not much fun. Even though I lived in Bend, next to a big ski resort, I never took up skiing or snowboarding when I was young enough to sustain, and survive, a few falls or collisions. My loss?)

So except for our occasional big rain storms, we don’t have many excuses not to get outdoors here in California.

So here’s a roundup of local organizations that you can contact to pursue some healthful wintertime pursuits.

At Central Coast Outdoors (calcoastoutdoors.com), you can rent a bike, either standard or electric, get a surf lesson and even set up an e-bike tour. They also offer hiking tours.

Morro Bay Paddlesports (paddlemorrobay.com) offers paddle board lessons if you got a new stand up paddleboard (SUP) for Christmas (or yours is still in storage). They also offer kayak tours.

If you just want an intimate harbor boat ride in a covered “cruiser” (it holds over a dozen adventurers), check out Bay Cruisers. (baycruisers.com) in Morro Bay.

Prefer to stay on land? You can tour the coast on a “scooter” from Central Coast Carts. There are two-, three- and four-wheeled carts depending on the size of your group, see centralcoastcarts.com.

You can charter a yacht for an overnight getaway with Toast the Coast. Invite your friends or family! toastthecoast.com.

Do you want to take up golf? Sea Pines Golf Resort in Los Osos has instruction for beginners from head golf pro Brian Hamilton. (I’m thinking about refreshing my one-time interest in golf. That would certainly be a place to start).

We haven’t covered pickleball in this column yet but you can get lessons for this sport at Templeton Tennis Ranch (ttrtennis.com) in Paso. There are group and individual lessons (also, tennis lessons of course).

We also haven’t covered swimming yet but you should know about the SLO Swim Center run by San Luis Obispo Parks and Recreation, (805) 781-7284. They have a 50-meter by 25-yard main pool, maintained at 78 to 82 degrees, which is pretty toasty.

Their therapy pool is even warmer at 88 degrees. The Center is open year round.

Admission if you are 50-54 is $4, or only $3.50 if you are 55 plus. They have aqua and fitness classes. You do not need to swim as they have “walking” lanes within the main pool, or if you plan to swim, lane designations for different swimming “speeds.” The YMCA also uses the pool and its members pay a different rate. (There are no lockers but you can check in valuables at the counter).

This is something my wife and I hadn’t considered before, only because we think of swimming as a summer/spring activity.

But it’s obviously not! Maybe see you there.