Cambria

Travel Guide

Photo provided by Highway 1 Discovery Route
Photo provided by Highway 1 Discovery Route
Photo provided by Highway 1 Discovery Route
Photo provided by Highway 1 Discovery Route
Photo provided by Highway 1 Discovery Route

With the sometimes turbulent Pacific Ocean to the west and mountains to the east, this coastal town has a beautiful setting and many exciting things to do.

Visit Cambria for a perfect mix of relaxing location and stimulating activities. Take a scenic drive along the rugged Pacific Ocean coastline or hike numerous trails between headlands and beaches. Away from the coast, pursue activities ranging from antiquing to zebra watching.

Cambria’s biggest attraction is the long coastline, perfect for hiking, picnicking, observing sea creatures and enjoying sunsets. Stroll along the boardwalk at Moonstone Beach and watch surfers and sea otters. The nearby Fiscalini Ranch Preserve offers docent-led tours of varied habitats of shoreline, grasslands and pine forests. Along the highway near San Simeon is the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Vista Point, where over 20,000 elephant seals are visible during their annual migration.

Enjoy outstanding food and drink in this fertile part of California. Fresh produce is available for your own cooking from the Cambria Farmers Market. Area restaurants serve delicious seafood accompanied by local vegetables. Sample excellent vintages at wine cellars in town or tour wineries in the hills a few miles inland. Try an olallieberry pie made with blackberry-like fruit fairly unique to this area. Visit several antique stores along the main shopping streets of Cambria.

About 10 miles (16 kilometers) north of Cambria in San Simeon is one of the region’s top points of interest, Hearst Castle. Drive past zebras grazing in fields along the winding road leading to this impressive mansion. Join a tour of the grandiose castle built by William Randolph Hearst. Although it was not quite finished when Hearst died, during the extended construction period Hearst hosted famous Hollywood celebrities in its more than 160 rooms and ornate indoor and outdoor pools. Look for the Neptune Pool where Lady Gaga filmed a video surrounded by its imposing marble pillars and statues.

Reach Cambria by driving north from the Los Angeles area or south from San Francisco along the scenic Pacific Coast Highway. Enjoy an unforgettable vacation in this fascinating spot.

Where to stay in Cambria

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Park Hill

While visiting Park Hill, you might make a stop by sights like Fiscalini Ranch Preserve and San Simeon State Park.

Park Hill
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Marine Terrace

5/5(1 area review)

While visiting Marine Terrace, you might make a stop by sights like Fiscalini Ranch Preserve and Cambria State Marine Park.

Marine Terrace
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East Village

If you're spending some time in East Village, Fiscalini Ranch Preserve and Cambria Center for the Arts are top sights worth seeing.

East Village
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Pine Knolls Estates

Though Pine Knolls Estates may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Fiscalini Ranch Preserve and Nitt Witt Ridge.

Pine Knolls Estates
Castle Inn
Castle Inn
3 out of 5
6620 Moonstone Beach Dr, Cambria, CA
The price is RM574 per night from 22 May to 23 May
RM574
RM646 total
22 May - 23 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star motel in Cambria. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,015 reviews)
"Staff was wonderful beds were very comfortable"

Reviewed on 14 May 2025

Castle Inn
Cambria Pines Lodge
Cambria Pines Lodge
3 out of 5
2905 Burton Dr, Cambria, CA
The price is RM574 per night from 18 May to 19 May
RM574
RM646 total
18 May - 19 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star spa hotel in Cambria. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
Great place to stay
"Great time clean great service the restaurant on site had an excellent menu overall quiet stay clean room"

Reviewed on 13 May 2025

Cambria Pines Lodge
Pelican Inn & Suites
Pelican Inn & Suites
3 out of 5
6316 Moonstone Beach Dr, Cambria, CA
The price is RM772 per night from 19 May to 20 May
RM772
RM870 total
19 May - 20 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Cambria. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,004 reviews)
"Cute and cozy."

Reviewed on 11 May 2025

Pelican Inn & Suites
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Lofts at The Market
The Lofts at The Market
4 out of 5
1803 Spring St, Paso Robles, CA
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Paso Robles. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Sensorio and Paso Robles Pioneer Museum are located ...
"Had a great stay with family with young kids and a dog. Lofts are on the second floor with no elevator. They are above shops and restaurants with outdoor eating areas around. Out particular loft was at the front of the building so all of the light from the businesses made one of bedrooms rather bright ..."

Reviewed on 16 Apr 2025

The Lofts at The Market
Gray's Inn & Gallery
Gray's Inn & Gallery
2.5 out of 5
561 Embarcadero, Morro Bay, CA
Stay at this aparthotel in Morro Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and furnished patios. Popular attractions Morro Bay Skateboard Museum and The Giant Chessboard ...
10/10 Exceptional! (34 reviews)
"Todd was so great to work with. Comfortable stay right on the water"

Reviewed on 6 May 2025

Gray's Inn & Gallery
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Cambria

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
20
5 - Excellent 49%
4 - Good
19
4 - Good 46%
3 - Okay
2
3 - Okay 5%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Quiet small town. Not very touristy but worth a look around.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Nice small town 5 minutes away from really nice beach. A great place to spend the night if you’re driving the Pacific Coast Highway

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Very very good restaurants in Cambria! We loved The Spot and Linn’s in particular: fresh and local food, amazing taste and reasonable prices... We also had lots of fun when visiting the fire station. Ryan has been extremely nice!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Would stay again, Great for a beach holiday.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Not really much there, but it broke up the journey

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Beautiful part of California