Cambria Central Coast Day Trip
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The little town
of Cambria is nestled among beautiful pine
trees and the Pacific Ocean. The area where Cambria is today
started out as the property of Mission San Miguel. After the
Spanish lost their claim to California, the land was sold and
granted out. During the 1860’s, investors eagerly purchased
the prime central coast land. One man built a store, another
a hotel, another a tavern, and so on. The interesting fact is
that the first five men were all named George. Lull’s
store, on the corner of Bridge and Main Streets, was built by
George Lull in 1865. Cambria ended up growing very quickly and
soon was the second largest town in San Luis Obispo County.
The first name given to the town was “Slabtown”
because the buildings were all created from large left-over
slabs of wood. The lumber industry thrived until people started
wanting to conserve the forest. Mining, dairy farming, and grain
crops were the main industries for many years. Today the main
industry in Cambria are the thousands of visitors that enjoy
the charms of this quaint central coast village.
The Pacific Ocean lends its beauty and cool temperatures to
the residents and visitors of Cambria. The rock formations that
have been created from years of crashing waves are amazing.
Just across Highway 1 is the forest of huge pine trees that
were saved from the lumber industry. All within one walk, you
can experience a wide variety of sights, sounds, and smells.
Article by Robin Canada
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Cambria
Pines Lodge
Nestled on 25 acres of spectacular Monterey
pines and world-class gardens, Cambria Pines Lodge is
the ideal Central Coast get-away. Cambria's historic Main
Street with its eclectic medley of shops, art galleries,
wine bars, and restaurants is within 1 mile and beautiful
Moonstone Beach. More
information. |
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Things
to do and see in Cambria: Cambria is known for its
gardens. They seem to be everywhere in town. You can find them
between shops, along the streets, and at most homes. They range
from veggies to some of the most beautiful flower gardens you
will see. Take a drive up Hillcrest Drive and tour the home
known as Nitt Witt Ridge. A man who was a recluse and self proclaimed
artist was also the town trash collector. He saved items that
everyone else was throwing away. It took him 50 years to build
his castle on a hill. With a shovel and a hammer he chiseled
away at the hillside and built himself his own little mansion
completely out of other people’s trash, salvaged materials,
and beach-combed junk. Phil Hauser Art & Design is one of
the art galleries where you can observe or purchase original
works of art from local artists. The Allied Arts Gallery is
in an old one room schoolhouse that has been preserved for many
years. Shamel Park is a kid and dog friendly park where you
can unwind, go to the beach, play horseshoes, or have a picnic.
The other close beaches include San Simeon State Park Beach,
William Hearst State Park, and Moonstone Beach. Up by Moonstone
Beach is the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse. This used to be a whaling
station for California and is now open for tours and some awesome
photography opportunities. Just up the road from Cambria is
the sight that thousands of people come to see every year. The
mating, nesting, and molting of thousands of elephant seals
takes place from January through the summer. They are amazing
creatures that will give you quite a show. While you are in
San Simeon, who cannot stop at Hearst
Castle? The amazing and immense castle built by William
Hearst, is an attraction that draws worldwide attention. Located
just up Highway 1 from San
Luis Obispo and Morro
Bay and just south of Big Sur and Monterey, Cambria is a
great location for a day trip or that romantic getaway you have
been waiting for.
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Fog
Catcher Inn
Located just footsteps from
Cambria s beautiful Moonstone Beach; the Inn has an Old
English feel with contemporary conveniences. With its rounded
thatched-style roof; flower lined brick paths and a gas
fireplace in every room; FogCatcher Inn is the perfect romantic
getaway. More
information.
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Creekside
Inn Cambria
Location in Cambria provides you a short stroll into the
village for enjoying the shops, restaurants, wine tasting
rooms, parks, and art galleries along Main Street. Creekside
Inn also offers Pet-Friendly lodging, which
can be difficult to find in Cambria. More
information. |
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Cambria is located along the
central coast of California 35 miles north of San Luis Obispo
and 8 miles south of Hearst Castle. |
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