Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Cambria
With a whopping dose of natural beauty, the coastal idyll of Cambria is a lone pearl cast
along the coast. Built on lands that once belonged to Mission San Miguel, one of the vil-
lage's first nicknames was Slabtown, after the rough pieces of wood that pioneer buildings
were constructed from. Today, just like at neighboring Hearst Castle, money is no object in
this wealthy community, whose motto 'Pines by the Sea' is affixed to the back of BMWs
that toodle around town.
Sights & Activities
Although its milky-white moonstones are long gone, Moonstone Beach still attracts ro-
mantics to its oceanfront boardwalk and truly picturesque rocky shoreline. For more
solitude, take the Windsor Blvd exit off Hwy 1 and drive down to where the road dead-
ends, then follow a 2-mile round-trip blufftop hiking trail across East West Ranch , where
Outback Trail Rides (
805-286-8772; www.outbacktrailrides.com ; tours $65-95;
Wed-Mon
May-Sep, by reservation only) offers horseback rides (reserve in advance).
A 10-minute drive south of Cambria, past the Hwy 46 turnoff to Paso Robles' wine
country, tiny Harmony is a slice of rural Americana. An 1865 creamery now houses
artists' workshops and a charming cafe (2177 Old Creamery Rd, Harmony; dishes $3-10;
usu-
ally 10am-4pm) run by an Italian chef, or visit the hillside winery, Harmony Cellars
( www.harmonycellars.com ; 3255 Harmony Valley Rd, Harmony; tasting fee $5; 10am-5pm, to
5:30pm Jul & Aug) . A few miles further south inside peaceful Harmony Headlands State
Park ( www.parks.ca.gov ; Hwy 1; 6am-sunset) , a 4.5-mile round-trip hiking trail winds out to
coastal bluffs with inspiring sea views.
Sleeping
Cambria's choicest motels and hotels line Moonstone Beach Dr, while quaint B&Bs
cluster around the village.
HI Cambria Bridge Street Inn HOSTEL
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