Cambria is a small coastal town in San Luis Obispo County, California, United States. Cambria is located midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The town’s population was 3,232 at the 2010 census. Cambria’s economy is based on tourism and agriculture. The primary crops grown in Cambria are grapes, lettuce, and broccoli.
Cambria is a beautiful place to visit with its coastline, mild climate, and friendly people. There are many things to do in Cambria including hiking, biking, golfing, fishing, and kayaking. Cambria also has several wineries that offer tastings and tours. In addition, Cambria has several art galleries, shops, and restaurants.
If you are looking for a place to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature, Cambria is the perfect destination.
Best Beaches in Cambria
Beaches in Cambria are some of the most beautiful and secluded beaches in California. Visitors can find many hidden coves and beaches to explore. The mild climate and gorgeous scenery make Cambria beaches a paradise for nature lovers.
The reason to choose Cambria beaches is that they offer many different activities for visitors to enjoy. There are beaches for swimming, sunbathing, fishing, surfing, kayaking, and more. Visitors can also find beaches that are less crowded and more private.
1. Moonstone Beach
Moonstone Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Cambria, named for the shiny gemstones that can be found on the beach. The boardwalk is a great place to stroll and take in the sights and sounds of the ocean, and there are plenty of restaurants and hotels nearby if you need a break from the sun. The speciality of Moonstone Beach is that it’s a great place to find all kinds of colourful gemstones, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled when you’re walking along the shore. Whether you’re looking to relax or explore, Cambria’s beaches are sure to please.
Amenities
Moonstone beach provides a few key amenities to make your experience more enjoyable. There are bathrooms and showers available, as well as a few picnic tables. The beach also has a lifeguard on duty during the summer months, so you can swim with peace of mind.
Getting There
Moonstone beach is located just off Highway 1 in Cambria, California. If you’re coming from the north, take the exit for Cambria Pines and follow Moonstone Beach Drive until you reach the shore.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Moonstone Beach is in the summer, when the weather is warm and the sun is shining. However, if you’re looking to avoid the crowds, it’s best to come during the shoulder season or off-season. You’ll still be able to enjoy the beautiful beaches and scenery, but there will be fewer people around.
Nearby hotels and restaurants
The best hotel near Moonstone Beach are the Cambria Pines Lodge, the Best Western PLUS Cavalier Oceanfront Resort, and the Fogcatcher Inn. For restaurants, some of the best options are Moonstone Grill, Nick’s Cove, and Sea Chest Oyster Bar & Restaurant.
2. Fiscalini Ranch Preserve
Fiscalini Ranch Preserve is a beautiful spot in Cambria with dramatic coastline views. The preserve offers a one-mile boardwalk for visitors to explore, as well as two beaches. The beaches at Fiscalini Ranch are less crowded than Moonstone Beach, making them a great option if you’re looking for a more relaxed experience. There are also several restaurants and hotels nearby, so you can easily find a place to take a break.
Amenities
Fiscalini Ranch Preserve provides a few key amenities to make your experience more enjoyable. There are bathrooms and showers available, as well as a few picnic tables. The beaches also have lifeguards on duty during the summer months, so you can swim with peace of mind.
Getting There
To reach Fiscalini Ranch Preserve, take the exit for Cambria Pines and follow Moonstone Beach Drive until you reach the shore. The preserve is located just north of Moonstone Beach.
Best time to visit
The best hours to visit Fiscalini Ranch Preserve is from sunrise to sunset. However, if you are hoping to catch a glimpse of the area’s famous “elephant seals,” it is best to come during their breeding season from December to March.
Nearby hotels and restaurants
The best hotels near Fiscalini Ranch Preserve are the San Simeon Pines Resort (0.8 miles away), Cambria Shores Inn (1.1 miles away), and Fogcatcher Inn (1.4 miles away).
As for restaurants, there are plenty of great options in Cambria, but some of the closest to the preserve include The Seaside Cafe (0.4 miles away), Creekside Restaurant (0.6 miles away), and Moonstone Landing Bar & Grill (0.7 miles away).
3. Leffingwell Landing
Leffingwell Landing is a great spot for swimming, fishing, and kayaking. The water is usually calm and there are plenty of rocks to jump off of into the water. There is also a small beach area where you can sunbathe or relax in the sand. This spot is popular with locals and visitors alike and it’s easy to see why! The characteristics of Leffingwell Landing are its rocky shorelines and beautiful tide pools. Leffingwell Landing is no different, with its access to a rocky shore and stunning tide pools. The park also offers BBQ pits, short hiking trails, and a beautiful lookout. Visitors at the right time of year might even be lucky enough to spot a whale or two! It is perfect for wedding photos, family gatherings, or just a day spent enjoying the incredible views.
Getting There
Leffingwell Landing is located in Cambria, CA. To get there, take Highway 1 north from Cambria for about 3 miles. Turn left onto Leffingwell Landing Road and follow it until you reach the parking lot. The best time to visit is during the weekdays when it is less crowded. Parking can be difficult to find on weekends, so plan accordingly!
Tips For Your Visit
– Bring your own food and drinks as there are no restaurants or grocery stores nearby.
– Be sure to wear sunscreen and hats as there is little to no shade at the beach.
– There are no lifeguards on duty, so swim at your own risk.
4. Harvey Accessway Beach
It is a great place to explore tide pools and look for sea creatures. The entire beach is located in front of homes, so please be respectful of private property. To get to the beach, park in the tiny paved lot at the end of Harvey Street at Sherwood Drive. You’ll see signage pointing you to the beach. There are also parking spaces on the shoulder of Harvey Street across from the lot.
Getting There
The Harvey Accessway is a public access stair to the beach in the southern part of Cambria. From Highway 1, take the Windsor Boulevard exit and head east. Turn left on Santa Rosa Creek Road and follow it for about 2 miles until you reach Burton Drive. Turn right on Burton Drive and follow it for 0.3 miles until you reach Harvey Street. Turn right on Harvey Street and follow it for 0.1 miles until you reach the end of the road. The parking lot will be on your left.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit the Harvey Accessway Beach is during low tide so that you can explore the tide pools.
What to bring
Make sure to bring sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, and plenty of water. You should also bring a beach chair or towel to sit on.
Beach safety
Swimming is not recommended at this beach due to the rocky shoreline. Please use caution when exploring the tide pools as some of the rocks can be slippery.
Nearby hotels and restaurants
There are several hotels and restaurants located nearby. For hotels, try the Seaside Inn or the Cambria Pines Lodge. For restaurants, try the Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill or the Robin’s Restaurant.
5. San Simeon Creek Beach
It is a great place to enjoy the outdoors and take in the beauty of nature. The beach is known for its dunes, wetlands, and driftwood. Visitors can also enjoy bird watching and photography opportunities at the lagoon that forms where the creek backs up behind the beach. The water at San Simeon Creek Beach is generally clean and clear. However, there can be strong rip currents so it is important to swim with caution.
Campgrounds are available near San Simeon Creek Beach, making it a great place to spend a few days exploring all that this area has to offer.
Getting There
San Simeon Creek Beach is located at the mouth of San Simeon Creek, north of Cambria, CA. To get there from Cambria, take Highway 1 north for about 3 miles. The beach will be on your left (west) side just before the bridge that crosses San Simeon Creek.
Once you cross the bridge, there is a dirt parking area on the shoulder of the highway on the left (north) side. This is the first parking area for the beach. If you continue south on Highway 1 for about 0.25 miles, you will come to the Washburn Day-Use Area, which has a parking lot on both sides of the highway.
There is also a wooden boardwalk that meanders through the wetlands and under the highway from the parking lot on the eastern side of the highway. This boardwalk takes you to the second parking area for San Simeon Creek Beach, which is located on the western (beach) side of Highway 1.
Best time to visit
San Simeon Creek Beach is open all year round. However, the best time to visit is from September to November when the weather is mild and there are fewer crowds.
Amenities
The beach has a few amenities that visitors can take advantage of, including:
– a dirt parking area on the shoulder of Highway 1 (north of the bridge)
– a wooden boardwalk that meanders through the wetlands and under the highway
– a parking lot on the western (beach) side of Highway 1
– campgrounds nearby
– lifeguards on duty during the summer months
Things to Do
There are many things to do at San Simeon Creek Beach. Visitors can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, fishing, bird watching, and photography.
Nearby hotels and restaurants
There are several hotels and restaurants located near San Simeon Creek Beach, including:
– Cambria Pines Lodge
– FogCatcher Inn
– Moonstone Landing
– Sea Breeze Café & Wine Bar
– Robin’s Restaurant
– Sierra Mar Restaurant
– Cambria Beach Lodge
– Shoreline Inn & Suites
– Seaside Inn & Suites
6. Santa Rosa Creek Beach
It is one of the beaches in Cambria, CA. Moonstone State Beach is a great place for surfing. The southernmost section of the huge Hearst San Simeon State Park is Santa Rosa Creek Beach, which offers outstanding views of the lagoon and beach. The parking lot entrance is located at the south end of Moonstone Beach Drive. Two observation decks with views over the beach and Santa Rosa On the other side of the creek is Shamel Park. The best point of Santa Rosa Creek Beach is that it is less crowded than Moonstone Beach, but still offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the sun, sand, and surf. Driftwood logs often wash up on the shore, providing a unique and natural decoration.
Getting There
The beach is located at the southernmost end of Moonstone Beach Drive in Cambria, CA.
From Highway 1, take the Windsor exit and head west on Windsor Road. Turn right onto Moonstone Beach Drive and follow it until you reach the parking lot for Santa Rosa Creek Beach.
There is a small fee to park in the lot.
Beach Safety
The waves here can be quite strong, so it is not recommended for beginners. There are also several tide pools to explore at low tide.
Amenities
A boardwalk with two observation platforms runs through the dunes, providing access to the beach for those with disabilities.
There are no restrooms or showers at this beach.
Things to Do
Swimming, sunbathing, fishing, and exploring the tide pools are all popular activities at Santa Rosa Creek Beach. Surfers often ride the waves here as well.
Nearby hotels and restaurants
–The Cambria Pines Lodge
–FogCatcher Inn
–Sea Otter Inn
–Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill
–Cambria Farmer’s Market (open Thursdays from 3pm-6pm)
Cambria beaches are also a great place to enjoy the stunning California coast. The beaches here offer incredible views of the Pacific Ocean. Visitors can watch the waves crash against the cliffs, enjoy the sunset, and even see some dolphins or whales swimming by.
So if you’re looking for a place to enjoy the sun, sand, and surf, be sure to check out Cambria beaches. You won’t be disappointed!
Moonstone Beach, Fiscalini Ranch Preserve, Leffingwell Landing, and Santa Rosa Creek Beach are all great places to visit in Cambria, CA. Each offers something unique and different, from beaches and tide pools to restaurants and hotels. No matter what your interests are, there is sure to be something for you in Cambria. So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and head to Cambria today!
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