| If you want to get away to a small seaside village and | | | | ocean. |
| just enjoy its slow pace and lovely scenery, Cambria | | | | For a spectacular walk along the bluffs of the Pacific, |
| California on the central coast is just the place. But | | | | go to Fiscalini Ranch. You can park at the end of |
| there is more to do than just relaxing and enjoying the | | | | Windsor Boulevard. In spring time, the wildflowers are |
| sunsets. | | | | blooming as you walk out along the path overlooking |
| There's no real commercial draw, except that it's the | | | | the ocean with the crashing surf below. |
| gateway to the Big Sur coast. Many people stop here | | | | Probably the most well known place for Cambria |
| if they're planning to visit Hearst Castle, just 6 miles up | | | | lodging is the Cambria Pines Lodge. It's not by the |
| Highway One. There's a few little motels in town, and | | | | beach, but up in the monterey pine covered hills at |
| more at Moonstone Beach, mostly with ocean views. | | | | 2905 Burton Drive. It's a lovely little lodge, which is |
| The nearest "big" city is San Luis Obispo, about 33 | | | | situated on 26 acres. You can stroll around the |
| miles to the southeast. | | | | gardens and eat in the casual dining restaurant there |
| The town of Cambria is divided into the east village | | | | even if you are not an overnight guest. A splendid little |
| and the older, west village, both very walkable. On | | | | path leads from the lodge's grounds to the Cambria |
| Friday afternoons there is a Farmer's Market. It started | | | | Pines Nursery, which is a delight in itself for garden |
| as an artist's colony and Victorian architecture is | | | | lovers to explore. |
| plentiful. There are art galleries, boutique shops and | | | | Cambria is also convenient to wine tasting, as there |
| restaurants to enjoy. The Cambria Historical Society | | | | are several wineries along Highway 46, which leads |
| offers self-guided walking tours of the east village. You | | | | inland towards Paso Robles. |
| can get their brochure from The Cambrian at 2442 | | | | If you're heading to Hearst Castle for the first time, |
| Main Street. | | | | you're in for a real treat. Drive about six miles up the |
| A free trolley can take you on an hour-long route, | | | | coast and park near the large visitor center. You can |
| looping through both villages, Moonstone Beach Drive, | | | | get tickets there to one of the tours and see a film |
| Fiscalini Ranch and Cambria Pines Lodge. It leaves | | | | about the place before boarding the bus up the |
| every half hour. | | | | mountain to William Randolph Hearst's spectacular |
| Moonstone Beach is covered with small rocks, including | | | | estate. |
| moonstone agate, jasper and jade. It's fun to crunch | | | | If you happen to like offbeat, decorative architectural |
| around on them, discovering how unique each one is | | | | relics, you can't leave town without a quick drive up to |
| and how shiny they become when the sea washes | | | | Nit Wit Ridge. It's actually a state historical landmark |
| over them. | | | | and can be found at 881 Hillcrest Drive. It took 51 years |
| Leffingwell Landing is on the north side of Moonstone | | | | to build, and is adorned with all kinds of oddities, both |
| Beach Drive. There, you'll find restrooms, picnic tables | | | | natural and manmade, including toilets, abalone shells |
| and fantastic views. | | | | and car parts. |
| There's also tide pools to explore and a wooden | | | | Other things to do in Cambria California include |
| boardwalk that winds along the back of the beach | | | | seasonal whale watching, going to the local theatre, or |
| where you can stroll and enjoy the great views. | | | | listening to live music. |
| Across the street are several motels that face the | | | | |