The Perfect Weekend Trip in Cambria, California

One of my most favorite places to go is Moonstone Beach in Cambria, California. Cambria is located between Monterey and San Francisco. Cambria is known as the place where the pines meet the sea. Moonstone Beach has a beautiful rocky coastline. Cambria is full of unique shops and great places to eat. Cambria is a small community with an East Village and West Village.

The Place to Stay

I highly recommend The Sea Otter Inn right across the street from Moonstone Beach. I love this Inn! The beds have down comforters, (the most comfortable beds I've ever slept in), the design is old country style. You get cable tv, (including the movie channels), a fireplace, a refrigerator, a microwave, all the amenities you could ask for. You can even rent movies inside the office. Breakfast is not your typical Continental breakfast. In the office (besides a small shopping area) you will find coffee, milk, juice and all varieties of pastries you can imagine from one of the best bakeries in town.

You can make reservations on the internet or call the toll-free number, 1-800-966-6490. You can even email them with questions. On the website you can see what the rooms look like. There are some rooms with an outdoor patio, some suites overlooking the beach and a pool and a hot tub outdoors. Beautiful gardens surround the inn.

Moonstone Beach

There is a wooden boardwalk all across the shore and stairs to take you down to the beach. You'll see squirrels, chipmunks and sometimes little rabbits all along the boardwalk. The beach below is beautiful. To see pictures I took check out my slide show called Southern California Beaches, (just click on the tab slide shows two tabs to the right of the published content tab). I found out it's actually considered Central California. For anyone interested in photography be sure to take your camera and plenty of film.

Restaurants

The first restaurant I would recommend would be Linn's Bin, (unfortunately they had a fire and are in the process of rebuilding), the atmosphere was great, the bakery fabulous and the restaurant served the best fish and chips I've ever eaten in my life. There was a really cool gift shop too.

The next two places I would recommend are The Old Stone Station and The Moonstone Beach Bar and Grill. At the Moonstone Beach Bar and Grill, located across from Moonstone Beach, you can dine inside the restaurant or outside on the patio. Food choices include steak, seafood, pork, chicken and pasta dishes.

The other restaurant I recommend is Old Stone Station. You can eat on the patio or inside downstairs or upstairs overlooking the village. The Old Stone Station serves burgers, steaks and seafood. The atmosphere is very casual and cozy. There are many other restaurants to eat at including Mexican and Chinese food. I've heard The Sow's Ear, Main Street Grill and The Black Cat Bistro are very good as well. The Sow's Ear and Black Cat Bistro have their own web sites.

Shopping in the Village

The village is small enough that you can walk from shop to shop and see most of the shops you want to see. One of my favorite shops is a little place where they make their own soap and lotions. Some of the shops include a western shop, a great art gallery, a leather shop, antique shops and other unique gift shops. One of the best places I found for shopping is in the gas station gift shop, (I think it's a Shell Station) at the end of the two villages on the way back to the inn.

Elephant Seals at Piedras Blanca's

One of the most fun things you can do is to drive to Piedras Blanca's, (a short distance from the inn) and go see the elephant seals on the beach. It is quite an adventure for the whole family. In the winter months you may see females giving birth. Be sure to take your camera and plenty of film. If you enjoy photography, you will really love this place, it is a sight to see.

Hearst Castle

Another place near by nestled in the hills of San Simeon is Hearst Castle. Be sure to make reservations ahead of time. There are five different tours. Tour One is recommended for first timers, then you have your choice of Tour Two, Three and Four or the Evening Tour. Currently the price for adults is $24.00 and $12.00 for children aged six to seventeen. The Evening Tour is a little more expensive, $30.00 for adults and $15.00 for children six to seventeen. There are discounts for disabled vets and seniors. You will ride a bus up to the castle. Don't be surprised if you see a few zebras or other exotic animals along the way. You will get an education on the history of Hearst Castle from your tour guide. Photography is not allowed here. After your tour is over you can go shopping in the gift shop and pick up a few souvenirs.

Hearst Castle History

Hearst Castle was inherited by William Randolph Hearst, a newspaper magnate, from his mother Phoebe Apperson Hearst when she died in 1919. William was the only child of George Hearst, (a United States Senator) and Phoebe Hearst. William Randolph Hearst began his own construction on the estate from 1919 to 1947. A famous San Francisco architect Julia Morgan designed most of the buildings. The castle includes 56 bedrooms, 61 bathrooms, 19 sitting rooms and two pools. You will learn a lot more about the history of the castle from your tour guide.