Things to Do in Cambria: Top Sights and Original 3, 5 & 7-Day Itineraries
Cambria is a charming village on California's Central Coast, surrounded by Monterey pines and rugged coastline along Highway 1. It is the gateway to Hearst Castle, the elephant seal rookery at Piedras Blancas and the start of the Big Sur drive. With the Moonstone Beach Boardwalk, art galleries, wine tasting rooms and cozy inns, it is a perfect romantic coastal escape.
This guide covers the best things to do in Cambria, with itineraries for 3, 5 and 7 days, ideas for weekends, couples and families, local food, where to stay and how to get around.
Top things to see in Cambria
Moonstone Beach Boardwalk
Oceanfront boardwalk with tide pools, sea otters and sunsets.
Hearst Castle
William Randolph Hearst's hilltop estate in San Simeon.
Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery
Thousands of elephant seals on the beach.
Fiscalini Ranch Preserve
Coastal bluff trails with ocean views.
Nitt Witt Ridge
Quirky folk-art house built from recycled materials.
Cambria Village
Main Street galleries, shops and bakeries.
Harmony
Tiny town with a glassworks and a winery.
Cambria Christmas Market
Holiday lights at the Cambria Pines Lodge.
Cambria in 3 days: an original itinerary
1Day 1 · Moonstone Beach and the village
Start with a walk along the Moonstone Beach Boardwalk, looking for sea otters, whales in season and colorful moonstones on the shore. Explore the tide pools at low tide. Lunch in the East Village with olallieberry pie. In the afternoon browse the galleries and shops on Main Street. Watch the sunset from the boardwalk and dine at an oceanfront restaurant.
2Day 2 · Hearst Castle
Drive 15 minutes to San Simeon and take a guided tour of Hearst Castle, with its Neptune Pool, Roman Pool and lavish rooms filled with art. Lunch at the visitor center or at Sebastian's in Old San Simeon. In the afternoon walk William Randolph Hearst Memorial Beach and the pier. Return for dinner in Cambria.
3Day 3 · Elephant seals and Big Sur
Head north to the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery to watch thousands of seals. Continue along Highway 1 into Big Sur to Ragged Point and, road permitting, McWay Falls. Picnic lunch with ocean views. Back to Cambria for dinner.
Cambria in 5 days
Follow the 3-day plan above, then add these two days:
4Day 4 · Fiscalini Ranch and Harmony
Hike the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve bluff trail. Lunch in the village. Afternoon in Harmony, population 18, with its glass studio and winery. Wine tasting in Paso Robles or at local tasting rooms.
5Day 5 · Paso Robles wine country
Day trip to Paso Robles, about 40 minutes inland over Highway 46: tasting rooms along the Westside wineries, an olive oil tasting and the historic downtown square with shops and restaurants. Lunch at a winery with vineyard views. Return to Cambria in the evening for a quiet dinner.
Cambria in 7 days
With a full week, keep days 1 to 5 and finish with:
6Day 6 · Morro Bay and Cayucos
Drive south to Cayucos for its pier and beach, then on to Morro Bay to see the 576-foot Morro Rock. Rent a kayak to paddle among sea otters in the bay. Lunch with fish and chips on the Embarcadero. Back in Cambria for sunset on Moonstone Beach.
7Day 7 · Last day
Last breakfast in the village with a pastry from a local bakery, a visit to the quirky Nitt Witt Ridge folk-art house and a final walk along Moonstone Beach. Farewell dinner with local seafood and a bottle of Central Coast wine.
What to do in Cambria on a weekend
What to do in Cambria on a weekend? Saturday: Moonstone Beach and the village. Sunday: Hearst Castle and the elephant seals.
The Cambria Christmas Market and the Scarecrow Festival in October are popular.
What to do in Cambria in the evening
Evenings are quiet and romantic, with wine bars and restaurants in the village.
Sunset on Moonstone Beach is the highlight of every day.
Cambria for couples
For couples, a cozy inn on Moonstone Beach, sunset walks, wine tasting and a tour of Hearst Castle make a perfect getaway.
Cambria with kids
With kids, the elephant seals, tide pools, Hearst Castle and beach days in Cayucos are favorites.
What to eat in Cambria
Olallieberry pie
Local berry pie.
Seafood
Fresh fish and clam chowder.
Central Coast wine
From Paso Robles.
Tri-tip
Central Coast barbecue.
Bakeries
In the village.
Where to stay in Cambria: best areas
Moonstone Beach
Ocean-view inns.
East Village
Walkable.
West Village
Shops and cafés.
San Simeon
Near Hearst Castle.
What to do in Cambria when it rains
What to do in Cambria when it rains? Hearst Castle tours, wine tasting rooms, galleries and the Paso Robles downtown.
How much does a trip to Cambria cost?
Expect 180 to 350 dollars per night and about 35 dollars for a Hearst Castle tour.
Practical tips for Cambria
Best time to visit
April to October for sunshine, December to March for elephant seal births.
Getting around
A car is essential. San Luis Obispo airport is 45 minutes away.
Our practical tips
- Book Hearst Castle tours ahead.
- Check Highway 1 closures.
- Bring layers for fog.
- Visit at low tide.
- Try olallieberry pie.
- Stay on Moonstone Beach.
Mistakes to avoid
- Getting too close to seals.
- Driving Highway 1 at night.
- Skipping reservations in summer.
- Rushing the coast.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do in Cambria with kids?
Elephant seals, tide pools and Hearst Castle.
How far is Hearst Castle from Cambria?
About 15 minutes.
What to do in Cambria on a weekend?
Moonstone Beach and Hearst Castle.
When are the elephant seals there?
Year-round, with peaks in winter.