Local Tourism

The town of Cambria is an attraction on its own: hiking trails along Fiscalini ranch wind dramatically through the native pine forest with views of the Pacific. Moonstone Beach, showcasing one of the most beautiful coastlines in the state, is just a 10-minute walk from Sunbury House: a perfect spot to jog to in the morning or at dusk. If you enjoy walking instead of running, you can explore Cambria on foot by viewing remnants of a Wild West settlement established during the 1800s in the historic downtown area, with more information available at the Cambria Historical Society.

North of Cambria: Ragged Point, which marks the beginning of the dramatic coastline of Big Sur, is just a 20-minute drive north of Cambria, where you can stop and view the elephant seals of Piedras Blancas on the way, or take a detour to Hearst Castle to view the beauty of San Simeon. Big Sur is a world on its own that begs to be explored: it hosts a landscape that has inspired artists and writers for centuries, including Henry Miller, Jack Kerouac, Hunter S. Thompson, Joan Didion, and John Steinback.

South of Cambria: Cayucos, a beach 15 minutes south of Cambria, is a great surfing spot for beginners and provides beautiful vast beaches for those who prefer to stay onshore. On the drive south, you can pull off of Highway 1 to visit several coastal hiking spots, but go quick! The parking fills up fast. Also check out the artist community of Harmony, where you can watch spectacular glass blowing. Morro Bay and Los Osos lie further south, both offering lovely kayaking with a view of Morro Rock. For low exertion hiking, check out the elfin forest in Los Osos, where you can view a rare species of Pygmy Oak tree, and drive over to Montana de Oro State park, to experience gorgeous views of Morro Bay Estuary, more hiking, and dramatic rocky shores.

Check out the gallery below to view some photos we took to give you a taste of the locations mentioned!