Cambria, CA is a charming and scenic spot along the Central California Coast. There are numerous enjoyable activities to experience while exploring Cambria. Your amazing vacation can consist of a combination of thrilling adventures and peaceful leisurely excursions.
By road, Cambria, California is around a four-hour drive from Los Angeles or San Francisco. There is also a scenic coastal route to Cambria along California Highway 1.
The beauty of Cambria is clearly illustrated by a bluff trail or two, and the gorgeous beachfront at Moonstone Beach. There are great food options and the main street of the charming village is unbeatable. You can visit Hearst Castle and the elephant seal rookery as well. Cambria, California is also a nice base from which to branch out your exploration of the greater San Luis Obispo county.
The Best Time to Visit Cambria
Due to the mild weather, Cambria and the greater San Luis Obispo county are year-round vacation destinations. During the winter months daytime temperatures are still quite warm for the most part, but evenings and early mornings can be cooler, so we recommend layers. Sunny days are the norm, but there might be foggy days when the ocean view is obscured.
In the spring there are oceans of wildflowers and grasses on almost every trail. Between March and April you can see California gray whales along the coastal area due to their migrations. In San Simeon you can see elephant seals at the Rookery. Their breeding time is January and February which is a great place to see. Between March and April there are plenty of pups where even smaller babies are on show earlier in the year.
There is a Scarecrow Festival in Cambria in October that is great for the whole family. Decembers in Cambria also sees a fairly impressive Christmas market.
Where to eat in Cambria: Best Restaurants in Cambria, CA
We can highly recommend all the beers on offer at the family-owned and operated nanobrewery 927 Beer Company. Unlike most other such establishments, they also sell bottles to go.
If you are looking for fabulous food and wine then Madeline’s is for you. It can be found on Main Street and is open for dinner or lunch, where reservations are required for dinner. Speaking of wine and good food, the Black Cat Bistro serves a selection of great Central Coast wines and amazing food options, including crispy Brussels sprouts and baked polenta.
There are several establishments in Cambria that bare the name of Linn’s, including Linn’s Restaurant and Linn’s Easy as Pie Cafe, both of which we can recommend for good food in Cambria. Another all-time favorite eatery in Cambria is Robin’s. The menu features a number of internationally inspired dishes.
Delicious baked goods and coffee are plentiful at Mojo’s Village Bean where you can also enjoy amazing ice cream in the form of Doc Bernstein’s Ice Cream Lab which is an icon on the Central Coast. For breakfast, pastries, and coffee options that are to die for we recommend The French Corner Bakery. In addition to individual meals you can also purchase loaves of freshly baked bread here.
Where to stay in Cambria, CA
Cambria, California Hotels
There are quite a few hotels in the area of Cambria, California including The Squibb House which is inside the Cambria village. The bed and breakfast opened back in 1887 and only have five rooms, each with a fireplace and private bath. This cozy hotel in Cambria, California is a pretty fantastic accommodation option.
On the list of accommodation that Cambria offers the Hotel Moonstone Landing can be found right on the water with fantastic ocean views. Steps leading down to the beach are within walking distance of the hotel and rooms include a fireplace.
Right on Moonstone Beach is the Blue Dolphin Inn. Their rooms have water views, fireplaces, and are decorated in bright colors. You can fall asleep to the sound of waves crashing on the beach below.
Additionally, there are some vacation rentals available through private and public listings throughout San Luis Obispo County, so featuring a hot tub or tide pools as well. Keep an eye open for photography-related prizes and exclusive monthly giveaways during your stay in Cambria, California. The local atmosphere offers fun travel opportunities and many locals to California choose to spend their three-day weekend in Cambria.
Getting to Cambria, CA
The regional San Luis Obispo county airport is closest to Cambria and involves only a further 45-minute drive. Flights from San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco are readily available into San Luis Obispo Regional Airport.
Although there is an airport nearby, most people will choose to drive to Cambria. This is probably because of the scenic quality of the route leading to Cambria between either San Francisco and Los Angeles. It makes for a truly amazing roadtrip to Cambria. When you visit Cambria from San Francisco you can also catch Big Sur attractions along the way to Cambria.
Best Things to Do in Cambria, California
Go vineyard touring on California Highway 46
There is a particular part of the California Highway 46 between Paso Robles and Cambria that is both a beautiful drive and a great destination for wine tasting. You can also catch breathtaking views of wildflowers along this highway to Cambria during spring. There are several outlooks on this highway just outside of Cambria, even one where you can see Morro Rock.
The numerous vineyards on this highway serve local wines and allow for picnics on the premises. Cambria vineyards are great for meanderers who are looking for a bit of fresh air or a short walk along the grounds. Usually, this does not carry extra cost in addition to the tasting.
Visit the tiny hamlet of Harmony
In the valley on California Highway 1 is a small hamlet village of only 18 people. This is the previous home of Harmony Valley Creamery which has not been operational since 1955. Today visitors are drawn to the quietness and charm of the artist’s enclave. The buildings and chapel are great for photos and you can also catch Harmony Pottery Works and Harmony Glassworks where art can be purchased. There are also glassblowing demonstrations on occasion.
Enjoy Birdwatching in Cambria
San Simeon and Cambria along the Central Coast are great for birdwatching. The Monterey pines attract many bird species and traveling closer to Moonstone Beach also offers views of sea birds.
We recommend Santa Rosa Creek for birdwatching in Cambria. You can also walk the hiking trails here and in the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve to see warblers and other colorful birds. In Hearst San Simeon State Park in northern Cambria there is a loop hiking trail where you can see land and sea birds. The endangered Western Snowy Plovers can be seen on the beach. Morro Bay, which is quite close to Cambria, is also great for birdwatching. Morro Bay is on the birdwatching list of the Audobon Society.
Tour the historic Piedras Blancas Light Station
Piedras Blancas Light Station is just north of the Elephant Seal Rookery and has been in operation since 1875. Although the lighthouse is still active, the top parts, including the lantern, was removed after an earthquake in 1948. In addition to the lighthouse there are several fauna and flora species including sea lions, otters, seals, sea birds, and a great many plant species. In season you can also see whales from the shoreline. The only way to access the Light Station is through a two-hour guided tour. There is also a gift shop on site.
Visit the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery
We cannot make this list without talking about the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery in San Simeon. It is completely free to visit and is one of the natural wonders of San Simeon and the surrounding county. Seals are on display year-round, but the highest concentration of seals can be seen in January, April, and October. Adult elephant seals are massive and can weigh up to 3,300 pounds. There are boardwalks along the beaches from which the animals can be viewed safely. There are docents available on-site if you have questions.
Tour Hearst Castle
Hearst Castle can be found on top of a hill in San Simeon only a few miles north of Cambria. We strongly recommend including this stop on your visit to Cambria. Locally it is referred to as the Enchanted Hill. The gorgeous Hearst Castle was built by William Randolph Hearst. The architect of the project was Julia Morgan. There is the main house as well as a set of breathtaking gardens and three guesthouses. You can also visit the private zoo and amazing pools. The estate is filled to the brim with amazing antiquities and art works. The California State Park system manages Hearst Castle today, and there is a guided tour of Hearst Castle available. Once you’ve toured the main areas of Hearst Castle you can meander about the gardens and catch glimpses of the vast array of blooms on display. Currently there are also zebras roaming free on the grounds.
Snap a photo of Nitt Witt Ridge in Cambria!
A truly unique destination in Cambria is Nitt Witt Ridge, which is often called the “poor man’s Hearst Castle”. This attraction is a California Registered Historic Landmark. In 1928 Arthur Beal purchased a property on a hillside in Cambria. The ridge was then built using hand tools and local materials. The only thing that was purchased for construction was the cement.
This makes for unique and interesting sites and views like toilet seats and abalone shells adorning wooden frames alongside scraps of metal and glass. Beal worked as a garbage collector for many years. It is alleged that Beal spent some years working for the founder of Hearst Castle; William Randolph Hearst. Regrettably, however, the building is not in a great state anymore and tours can only be booked by appointment and are limited. Parking is very limiting as it is located in a residential area, which also impacts rules relating to the taking of photos.
Enjoy wine tasting in Cambria
There are some really spectacular tasting rooms in Cambria.
Cambria had great Central Coast wines on offer at places like Black Hand Cellars on Main Street, and Fermentations which also offers food tasting and gourmet dishes in addition to wine tasting. The Pacific Coast Wine Trail is a great choice available for wine enthusiasts in the Cambria area.
In Cambria, on Santa Rosa Creek Road, you can find Stolo Family Vineyards, where the tasting room needs to be booked by appointment. Many vineyards are pet-friendly (although it is best to call and check in advance), and serve anything from Sauvignon Blanc to Pinot Noir.
Visit the Cambria Historical Museum in Downtown Cambria
The Cambria Historical Museum is in the oldest house in Cambria, the Guthrie-Bianchini House in downtown Cambria. The house is on the National Register of Historic Places and was built in 1870. The house is full of exhibits and photos depicting the town’s history. The gardens are in full bloom between late spring and early fall. You can take a self-guided tour that includes a Chinese temple, a Catholic chapel, and so many other historical attractions in the village.
Downtown Cambria
Main Street in Cambria is full of galleries and unique little boutique stores making it a fun destination for a walk or a shopping trip. The East and West villages along with Cambria’s Main Street are highly walkable. Cambria is also full of antique stores that are a major tourist draw.
Cambria is also home to the unique combination that is the olallieberry pie, which combines Loganberry with Youngberry. There are several establishments that serve olallieberry pie. Linn’s Easy as Pie Cafe is especially famous for its olallieberry pie. It is a must-try when you visit Cambria.
Walk the Bluff Trail at Fiscalini Ranch Preserve
If you love the outdoors then there is no better place to visit in Cambria than Fiscalini Ranch Preserve. All the hiking trails here are free and there are a whole range of them to try. That being said, the Bluff Trail is the most popular and scenic trail. It is also quite short and winds around the bluff that rises up above the water. Needless to say, the views on this trail are absolutely breathtaking. All along this trail is seating so that people can sit down and enjoy the ocean and the views. There is plenty of wildlife, marine life, and sea birds to see on the way, even whales and otters down in the water.
The gravel trail and boardwalk are both accessible and the elevation gain is not that great. Additionally, dogs on a leash are allowed. There are also several other trails to try out where you can see the true diversity of the flora. Bear in mind that an elevation gain can be hard to manage, so check out a map and details before attempting anything. Also, keep an eye open for poison oak when you explore Fiscalini Ranch Preserve.
Tide pooling in Cambria
One of the biggest draws to Cambria is Moonstone Beach. This also happens to be a great place to go tide-pooling in Cambria. While the entire beach is peppered with rock pools that are most visible in low tide, the pools at the north end of Moonstone Beach are the best in Cambria.
The tide-pooling at this particular beach in Cambria is popular for a reason. There are plenty of sea creatures and shells to behold here. The entrance to this part of the beach is roughly a mile from the beginning of the boardwalk trail. Here you will find steps going down to the rocky beach below.
Go Beachcombing at the Beach in Cambria!
Cambria has some amazing beaches, and it happens to be home to one of the most beautiful beaches in Central California: The black sand Moonstone Beach in Cambria. The name is derived from the stones that have been worked and polished by the ocean. Take a closer look to find the ones with patterns and designs on them. While the stones are not really moonstones, you can find some jade, jasper, and agate on the beach. In addition to stones, the driftwood can be a truly beautiful site as well.
Stroll the Moonstone Beach Boardwalk in Cambria!
The official Moonstone Beach Boardwalk trail is an out-and-back trail that goes 1.4 miles each way. In terms of activities in Cambria, this is one that should not be missed. The walk is accessible and easy for most people who visit, so anyone can enjoy the marine life, wildlife, birds, and ocean views. All along the boardwalk there are stairs leading down to the beach below.
During the spring months there are oceans of wildflowers all along the boardwalk. Cambria is also right in the path of migrating whales, meaning that you can see whales along the shoreline at certain times of the year. Moonstone Beach is also a fantastic place to watch the sunset over the west coast. You can start anywhere between the north end of Leffingwell Landing to Moonstone Beach Drive on the south side. While dogs are not allowed on the beach, they are allowed on the trail as long as they are on a leash. Walking the trail is also entirely free.
