Cambria: Finding Stillness on California's Central Coast
Searching for a coastal getaway that offers both relaxation and outdoor activities in equal measure? Cambria, on the Central California coast, delivers. During my stay, I Discovered wildlife, stunning scenery and even a castle.
This post was written in partnership with Visit California and Visit SLO CAL. All opinions expressed are my own.
With only two days and one night in Cambria, my visit had the potential to feel more like a sprint than a marathon. Fortunately, Cambria, a seaside town on the Central Coast of California, exudes serenity and is ensconced in a sense of calm. What I appreciate most about this little town is that it doesn’t beg travelers to slow down—in fact, there’s a surprising amount to do here, at least as far as quiet seaside towns go. Instead, Cambria offers visitors a chance to take it easy. (And there is a difference, albeit minor, between slowing down and taking it easy.) So even though my time in here was a brief, it was incredibly peaceful. Idyllic, even.
To reach Cambria, I departed Oxnard, a coastal city that had served as my gateway to Channel Islands National Park, and hopped on Highway 101. Driving north along the Pacific coast was a delightful experience in itself. The road twisted through bright green valleys, popped out along the ocean and passed through small quintessential California towns. One quick stop for brunch in Santa Barbara and three hours later, I reached the quiet oasis that is Cambria.
In no rush at all, I settled into my guest house at Oceanpoint Ranch, a cozy property with guesthouses that can only be described as “ranch-chic.” The bed looked dreamy—and tempting to climb into—but I was eager to see the water and had a bit of car-confinement energy to release. I decided that a run along the ocean was in order. The great thing about Oceanpoint Ranch (one of many great things I should say) is that only a few minutes walk stood between my room door and the ocean.
As I began my run, the sun was just starting its evening retreat from our side of the world, throwing the whole place in a soft, warm glow. I jogged along wooden boardwalks overlooking the ocean and across small dirt trails on the cliff side, constantly in awe of the scenery. I had an ulterior motive for my run, too. I wanted to scout out the best spot for sunset, though it quickly became apparent that there really were no bad spots. Just before sunset, I explored the beach, making a one-sided friendship with a bird (they were not quite as interested in me as I was of them), and eventually climbing back up the cliffside to watch the evening show.
The next day, I explored Hearst Castle and visited Elephant Seal Point. At the former, I enjoyed seeing the details of such a unique historic estate, and at the latter I squealed with giddiness at blubbery blobs. My time in Cambria had quickly—and sadly—come to its end and I made my way to San Luis Obispo, just 40 minutes south on Highway 101. While another day would have been lovely, I’m grateful that I was able to give this town more than just a passing glance—and I highly recommend anyone in the area check it out, too.
Hearst Castle
If you are searching for an unexpected sight in the middle of California’s Central Coast, a 40,000 acre slice of land filled with a 165-room mansion and menagerie of animals may just fit the bill. Hearst Castle, a historic estate atop the hills of San Simeon, a small town just ten minutes north of Cambria, is as enchanting as it is eclectic.
Today, visitors can view the estate through a variety of tours (a free-for-all exploration of the grounds is not available) that showcase the estate’s Spanish-style architecture, Moorish details and thoughtful design elements.
Hearst Castle’s History
In 1919, media tycoon William Randolph Hearst inherited $11 million dollars (approximately $172 million in today’s economy) after his father’s death. Seeking to make “a little something on the hill,” he commissioned Julie Morgan, one of the world’s female pioneers of architecture, to build what would become a vast—not so “little”—estate. Now, a little praise for Morgan is in order here; not only was she the first female to graduate from the architecture program at Paris’s School of Beaux-Arts but she was also the first woman to open her own practice in California. Let’s not forget that this is 1919 and this is all to say that we very much like Julie Morgan.
For over twenty years, her and Mr. Hearst built what is now Hearst Castle. While she designed and constructed, he lavishly entertained. Throughout the 1930s, Hearst Castle was a social playground for the likes of Hollywood stars, famous politicians and other well-known individuals. The likes of Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin, Cary Grant, and the Marx Brothers spent their summers riding horses and playing tennis before enjoying evening drinks in the Assembly Hall. Tough life, it was, tough life.
After Mr. Hearst’s death, he bequeathed the castle to the State of California and here we are today, touring its Gothic-style corridors and ooh-ing and ahh-ing at its finer details.
Visiting Hearst Castle
There is an extensive selection of daily tours offered, and I’ve detailed the main ones below. For first-time visitors seeking a more general overview of the castle, I recommend the Grand Rooms Tour or the Upstairs Suites Tour. Visitors cannot drive up to the castle. Instead, you park at the Visitor’s Center and catch a bus for the time your ticket is slotted. It’s a scenic drive up the hill with Alex Trebek’s commentary guiding the way over the speakers as you zigzag your way to the grand estate. If you’re lucky, you may spy a zebra wandering in the distance.
Grand Rooms Tour | 70 minutes, $30/pp - recommended
Focuses on the main social areas including the Assembly Room, Refectory, Billiard Room, Theater, Gardens, Neptune Pool and Roman Pool.
Cottages & Kitchens Tour | 70 minutes, $30/pp
This tour focuses on the less opulent but more intimate areas, including the Wine Cellar, House B (Casa del Monte), House A (Casa del Mar), the Kitchen, Gardens, Neptune Pool and Roman Pool.
Upstairs Suites Tour | 70 minutes, $30/pp - recommended
This tour involves many steps and includes viewings of Doge’s Suite, the Library, The Gothic Suite, Duplex Bedrooms, Celestial Suite, Gardens, Neptune Pool and Roman Pool.
Julia Morgan Tour | 120 minutes, $100/pp
This tour focuses on Hearst Castle’s architect, Julia Morgan, a female pioneer in what was then a male-dominated industry. It includes rarely-seen areas of Hearst Castle.
Designing the Dream | 75 minutes, $35/pp
Weave through three decades of planning and construction of Hearst Castle with tours of Casa del Sol and the North Wing of Casa Grande.
Elephant Seal Point
In San Simeon, a few minutes from Hearst Castle and ten minutes north of Cambria, are hundreds—sometimes thousands—of chunky seals sunbathing on the shore. The air is filled with deep snorting, high-pitched pulsing sounds, and clapping that resembles the sound of a diesel engine. There are piles of what I will call “normal sized” seals, which clock in at 1000 pounds, and a few bull seals. The bulls are big boys that average 5ooo pounds, though they can get up to a whopping 8000 pounds.
While you can see them year-round, winter is the ideal time to visit. Bulls haul out to the shore in December and January and females start to give birth. These bulls have a harem of 30-100 cows (science’s words, not mine) and they are vastly protective of them. Sometimes bulls battle and it is like watching two floppy school buses smash into each other repeatedly.
Elephant Seal Point is located right along Highway 101, making it very simple to swing by for a look at a pig pile of behemoths.
Oceanpoint Ranch
As a sweet little ranch-style property perched just above the ocean, Oceanpoint Ranch is aptly named. The guesthouses are cozy, accessible, and comfortable, making your stay feel like a home away from home, and the on-site amenities make it feel like a retreat. Most rooms also have a fireplace which ups the cozy level tenfold (unless, if, like myself, you are in the minority and don’t enjoy the lingering smell of campfire, then perhaps the fireplace suffices as merely a cozy vibe).
Communal areas include a fenced-in grassy knoll with bright red Adirondack chairs, games like cornhole and horseshoes, and firepits for roasting s’mores. There’s also on on-site restaurant, The Cow Tipper, that offers tasty meals in a rustic-chic setting. I can confirm that the dinner, breakfast, dessert, coffee, and wine were all worthy of applause. Oceanpoint Ranch fits the bill for all sorts of travelers: families, couples, friends, or even solo travelers, such as myself. I imagine there are more families in summer, so if you want more solace, I recommend visiting in spring or fall (or even winter—don’t forget about those fireplaces now).
average nightly rate: $350 per room
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Getting to Cambria
Cambria is part of San Luis Obispo County, about 45 minutes north of San Luis Obispo (city). In terms of location within the great state of California, it is halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, and about a four-hour drive to each. With this in mind, reaching Cambria is best done by rental car.
From San Luis Obispo
If visiting from San Luis Obispo (SLO), it is an easy 45-minute drive north on the scenic Highway 101. Buses are also available and take about two hours each way. To fly in, SLO has a regional airport located just ten minutes from the city center and it is simple to get in and out of.
Read More: Travel Guide to San Luis Obispo
From Los Angeles
From LA, Cambria is a 4-hour drive north. While you can take Interstate 5, I recommend driving Highway 101 and stopping in cute towns along the way, like Santa Barbara, Solvang, or Pismo Beach.
From San Francisco
From SF or San Jose, it is also a 4-hour drive but going southward. Instead of Interstate 5 or Highway 101, I recommend taking Highway 1 along the coast and stopping at scenic spots like Monterey and Big Sur.
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