Cambria

Cambria stretches along California's Central Coast between Monterey pine forests and ocean cliffs. Walk the 1.5-mile Moonstone Beach Boardwalk to see sea otters floating in kelp beds or search tide pools for anemones and crabs. In the East Village, 19th-century buildings hold art galleries, and the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve has trails crossing grassy hillsides and bluffs overlooking the sea. Six miles north, Hearst Castle stands above the Pacific, and bakeries fill the air with the scent of olallieberry pie. Watch elephant seals nap on San Simeon’s beaches or try Central Coast wines at casual tasting rooms—these moments shape a visit here.

Moonstone Beach and Coastal Activities

Begin at Moonstone Beach, where a wooden boardwalk follows bluffs above coves dotted with smooth stones. At low tide, explore pools filled with purple sea urchins, orange starfish, and hermit crabs. Look for gray whales passing offshore from December to April, or spot harbor seals resting on rocks near the shore. Spread a blanket on the sand for a picnic, or test your balance on a skimboard in the shallow waves. Head north to San Simeon Cove for kayaking in protected waters, where dolphins sometimes surface near the pier.

Hiking and Biking Routes

The Fiscalini Ranch Preserve covers 437 acres with trails like the 1.5-mile Marine Terrace Loop, which winds past cypress trees and cliffs facing the ocean. Fern Canyon’s narrow paths cut through moss-covered ravines, while the Santa Rosa Creek Natural Reserve connects pine forests to rocky shorelines. Cyclists can ride backroads bordered by poppies and lupines in spring. Keep an eye out for red-tailed hawks circling overhead, wild turkeys crossing meadows, and monarch butterflies gathering in eucalyptus groves from November to February.

Art Galleries and Historical Spots

Cambria’s East Village centers on Main Street, home to galleries such as The Vault Gallery, which exhibits landscapes and modern sculptures. The Cambria Historical Museum displays tools, clothing, and photos from the 1870s onward. Visit Nitt Witt Ridge, a hillside house built from bottle caps, tiles, and car parts by a local artist. On weekends, browse pottery studios like Ephraim Pottery or sift through vintage items in shops housed in original 1800s buildings. Evenings often include live music at the Cambria Pines Lodge restaurant, where bands play rock or folk sets.

Restaurants and Wineries

Grab a slice of olallieberry pie at Linn’s Restaurant, which grows the berries on its farm nearby. The Sea Chest Restaurant, set in a weathered cottage, prepares oysters and grilled squid steaks daily. Taste syrah or pinot noir at Moonstone Cellars’ tasting room, or try flights at Black Hand Cellars’ lounge downtown. Many kitchens use produce from local farms—order duck breast at Black Cat Bistro or vegetable curry at Robin’s Restaurant, served on a patio surrounded by flowers.

Accommodation Options

Book a room at Cambria Beach Lodge for floor-to-ceiling windows facing the ocean, decorated with mid-century furniture. White Water, a small hotel near Moonstone Beach, has suites with fireplaces and private balconies. Moonstone Cottages provide three standalone units just 200 feet from the sand. For a quieter stay, El Colibri Hotel & Spa sits among oak trees and offers massages or morning yoga sessions.

Day Trips from Cambria

Drive six miles north to Hearst Castle for guided tours of its marble pools, gold-leaf ceilings, and European art collections. Continue 15 minutes to the Piedras Blancas elephant seal rookery, where up to 10,000 seals gather on the beach from January through July. Head south to Harmony Headlands State Park and walk the 1.5-mile trail to a quiet cove frequented by pelicans and ospreys.

Getting to Cambria

Fly into Los Angeles or San Francisco and rent a car for the 4-hour drive along Highway 1. You’ll pass Morro Bay’s volcanic rock formation and the steep arches of Bixby Creek Bridge. Another route follows U.S. Highway 101 to Templeton, then turns west through vineyards and ranchland on Santa Rosa Creek Road. Parking in Cambria is free, and downtown has multiple electric vehicle charging stations.