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Cambria,
San Simeon & North Coast
Visit the elephant seals
The elephant seal rookery extends
six miles along the shoreline near Point
Piedras Blancas in the Hearst San Simeon
State Park. The seals may be seen all year
but the largest populations are present
during late January, April and October.
Visit the Friends of the Elephant Seal
website at elephantseal.org for informa-
tion about the best viewing times and
spots.
The Hearst San Simeon
State Park
The state park encompasses the
Moonstone Beach, the Santa Rosa
Creek Natural Preserve, the San Simeon
Natural Preserve and the Pa-Nu Cultural
Preserve.
• Santa Rosa Creek Preserve includes
valuable riparian forests and coastal
wetlands, that provide habitat for
endangered Tidewater Goby.
• San Simeon Natural Preserve covers
vast wetlands, riparian areas, and several
undisturbed native plant communi-
ties and is a wintering site for monarch
butterflies.
• The 13.7 acre Pa-nu Cultural
Preserve contains an archaeological site
dated to 5850 years before the present
era. The site holds significant evidence of
prehistoric technology and life patterns.
A 3.3 mile trail runs through parts of
the San Simeon Natural Preserve, with
a portion of the trail being wheelchair
The charming village of Cambria is
filled with unique shops, galleries,
and restaurants serving all kinds of
delicious food. The shops have every-
thing from antiques, specialty items,
household gadgets, exquisite jewelry,
and art from the quirky to traditional.
Walking through the village, along
flower-filled yards and shady trees, the
well-maintained buildings, many dating
from the 1800s, all come together in a
sense of how life in a more tranquil time
must have been.
Cambria is also known as the
gateway to Hearst Castle, glorious ocean
scenery along Highway 1, and during
the month of October, is the heart of the
Cambria Scarecrow Festival. The festival
is an outdoor display of whimsical
handmade scarecrows that draws visitors
from all over.
Attractions
Historical walking tour
Visit the Cambria Historical Society
website (cambriahistoricalsociety.com)
for a map of a walking tour of Cambria’s
historical buildings. The self-guided tour
encompasses 28 buildings and the map
includes a written history of each one.
Learn the fascinating history of these old
buildings and how their uses evolved
from the original business or residence
to their current occupations. Learn a
little about the people and families who
shaped Cambria’s early years.
accessible. The trail includes scenic over-
looks, rest-stop benches and interpre-
tive panels. The park address is 500 San
Simeon Creek Road, Cambria. Call (805)
927-2010 for information about days
and times the park is open.
Nitt Witt Ridge
This California Registered Historical
Landmark #939 is famous for the artistic
use of recycled materials used in its
construction. Reclusive artist Arthur
Harold Beal purchased the land in 1928
and spent the next 50 years creating
his own version of a castle. Building
materials include beer cans, concrete,
washing machines, car parts, old stoves
and abalone shells. Call (805) 927-2690
to arrange a tour.
Attractions & Tours
Covell's Clydesdales
Covell Ranch has 50+ Clydesdale horses
and 2,000 acres of pasture and forest the
family lives on in Cambria. They have
been raising them for nearly 40 years.
They are open Mon. – Sat. 9 a.m. to 3
p.m. for horseback riding and at noon for
vehicle tours. 5694 Bridge St, Cambria,
covellsclydesdaleranch.com,
(805) 975-7332
Dining & Drinks
Madelines Restaurant & Wine
Tasting Room
Try some fantastic local boutique wines
of the Central Coast in the wine shop.
Enjoy an intimate French-influenced
dinner in the restaurant. Serving only
the best organic meats and produce.
Dinner 5-9 p.m. Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Wine Bar open 11 a.m.-6 p.m., 788 Main
St., Cambria, madelinescambria.com,
(805) 927-4175
Shopping
Ball & Skein & More
A wide variety of unique yarns, knitting
and crochet supplies, buttons, and
kits. Something for everyone, from
the beginning knitter to the serious
fiber artist. Unique gifts and offerings
to remember your trip to Cambria.
4210 Bridge St. entrance on Main St.,
cambriayarn.com, (805) 927-3280
Cambria Nursery
They offer an extensive selection of
seasonal outdoor and indoor plants,
flowers and décor for your garden!
Browse their gift shops and year-round
Christmas store, and take a piece of
Cambria home with you. Open daily, 9am-
5pm. 2801 Eton Rd., cambrianursery.com,
(805) 927-4747