The California coastline is a stunner any time of year, and on a clear day, it’s remarkable. Heading south on Highway 1 to the Central Coast from San Francisco, my husband and I drove through Monterey and Carmel, Big Sur and across the Bixby Bridge, through San Simeon to Cambria.
Developers first arrived in Cambria in the 1860s and created a successful dairy industry. Bypassed by the railroad, Cambria became an isolated community. When Hearst Castle was opened to the public in 1958, tourists started arriving to what has become today an idyllic beach town “where the pines meet the sea.”
Stroll Moonstone Beach Boardwalk. Photo: Bo Links
STAY
Located in the popular Moonstone Beach area, the Blue Dolphin Inn offers casual comfort and easy access to the area. Our street-level beachfront room with expansive patio has unparalleled views. The spacious room is decorated in warm colors and boasts a kitchenette, large bathroom with Jacuzzi tub, gas fireplace, and complimentary Wi-Fi. No need for a sleep machine with the ocean waves just outside the door. Make your breakfast choices at night and in the morning find them freshly prepared and conveniently packaged to eat in or take on a picnic (800-222-9970, cambriainns.com/blue-dolphin-inn-cambria-ca).
Main House, Hearst Castle, San Simeon, CA. Courtesy Hearst Castle/CA State Parks/All Rights Reserved
SHOP & PLAY
Ten minutes north of Cambria, Hearst Castle sits on “The Enchanted Hill.” Open daily for tours, this magnificent estate heralds the glam Hollywood era of the 1930s. It was built over the course of three decades (with ongoing renovation, restoration, and preservation projects); William Randolph Hearst and architect Julia Morgan delighted in the grand rooms, lush gardens, majestic pools, sprawling terraces, and acres of land on which the castle was built (800-444-4445, hearstcastle.com).
Find everything you need at Sea for Yourself Kayak Outfitters to explore the beautiful Monterey Bay Natural Marine Sanctuary. Time your launch according to the waves and you’ll be out on the water in no time. Depending on the season, you might see whales, otters, harbor seals, and more. Experienced guides offer insightful information on safety, habitats, wildlife, and local history (805-927-1787, kayakcambria.com).
Try wines from Moonstone Cellars. Photo: Bo Links
The Pacific Coast Wine Trail snakes its way along Highway 1. On Main Street in Cambria, discover wineries that are part of the six-winery experience (pacificcoastwinetrail.com).
The vibe is casual and the wines are delicious at Moonstone Cellars. Made from Central Coast grapes, these reds are some favorites: 2016 Zinfandel and the 2015 Côtes du Stone (Granache/Syrah/Mouvèdre blend) (805-927-9466, moonstonecellars.com).
Black Hand Cellars delivers on good wine and interesting stories (like how the brand evolved from family history with the Black Hand Mafia). The grapes are grown in Paso Robles. Don’t miss these 2014s: Pinot Noir, The Flapper, “New Release,” and the Brunello (805-927-9463, blackhandcellars.com).
Taste Black Hand Cellars wine. Photo: Bo Links
The small town of Cambria has ample room to stretch your legs: Stroll Main Street and discover its East and West Villages full of historic buildings, restaurants, art galleries, wine tasting, and boutiques; or hit Moonstone Beach Boardwalk along the Pacific Coast with its enticing views. Both Hearst San Simeon State Park (parks.ca.gov/?page_id=590) and Fiscalini Ranch Preserve (ffrpcambria.org) offer nonstop trails and vistas. For something crazy and whimsical, check out Nitt Witt Ridge, a California Historical Landmark. This folk art house is made from items others threw away (think: car parts, beer cans, and old stoves). (visitcambriaca.com/itinerary-element/nitt-witt-ridge)
EAT
Linn’s Restaurant has been owned and operated by the Linn family since 1989 and originally relied on local fruits and vegetables and olallieberry pie. Now, in addition to the many homemade jams and preserves and fresh baked pies and pastries, Linn’s serves comfort food with a modern flair. Don’t miss the flavorful charbroiled artichoke and the seared ahi starters. In addition, find a variety of salads and Hearst Ranch beef burgers. (805-927-0371, linnsfruitbin.com)
Don’t miss the olallieberry pie at Linn’s. Photo: Bo Links
Indigo Moon is housed in a “kit house” that dates back to the 1930s. With its expansive al fresco dining area and beautiful garden, the restaurant is a favorite casual eatery. It’s locally driven and seasonal menu features soups of the day such as corn and crab chowder. We also enjoyed the crispy blue crab cakes with chili lime sauce; dry rub salmon tacos with mango salsa and a garlic shrimp Caesar salad, paired with a San Luis Obispo Brewery & Taproom IPA. On the way out, stop at their Wine & Cheese Shop next door. (805-927-2911, indigomoonrestaurant.com)
Enjoy an intimate, candle-lit dining experience at the Black Cat Bistro with delicious food and friendly service. Inspired by what’s fresh from the farms, the menu offers creative fare like Cayucos Abalone in grapefruit vanilla butter. The Caesar is kicked up with lightly seared romaine and a classic dressing with lemon served with a bacon jam crostini. The Maple Leaf duck breast is tender and juicy and comes with mushroom and red wine barley risotto and baby bok choy in a cherry duck jus. The night we visited, we had a decadent dark chocolate sea salt pot de crème with a bacon shortbread cookie for dessert. Wines from California, especially the Central Coast, are highlighted on the international wine list. (805-927-1600, blackcatbistro.com)
OTHER ESSENTIALS:
Farmers market every Friday: cambriafarmersmarket.com
Cambria Visitors Bureau: cambriachamber.org
Visit San Luis Obispo County: visitsanluisobispocounty.com
Patty Burness can be found on Twitter (@pattygb), Instagram (pburness) and reached by e-mail at [email protected].
