Page 55 - SLO Visitors Guide - Spring 2026

slovisitorsguide.com SPRING 2026 55
Cambria,
San Simeon & North Coast
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
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
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.
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
and abalone shells.
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
Cavalier Coastal Kitchen
Enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner in an
elegant oceanfront setting. Featuring
thoughtfully sourced local ingredients,
seafood, and premium Hearst Ranch
beef. Start your day with breakfast or
savor a handcrafted cocktail at sunset.
9415 Hearst Dr., San Simeon, CA,
cavalierresort.com, (805) 927-3276
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
Hotels & Lodging
Cambria Pines Lodge &
Restaurant
Indulge in exceptional coastal-inspired
cuisine at the Cambria Pines Lodge
Restaurant. Take a stroll through 25
acres of beautiful gardens. Enjoy the
Fireside Lounge for happy hour specials
and nightly live music. 2905 Burton Dr.,
cambriapineslodge.com (805) 927-4200.
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
The Cambria Nursery & Florist
The Cambria Nursery offers extensive
selections of plants, flowers, and
garden decor! Take a piece of
Cambria home with you from their
gift shops and year-round Christmas
Shoppe. Open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
2801 Elton Rd., cambrianursery.com
(805) 927-4747
Maddie Mae's Pet Pantry
Since 2009, Maddie Mae's Pet
Pantry has been helping residents
and visitors of the Central Coast
provide their pets with top-of-the-
line pet supplies. Come see us at
our beach location in Cambria, or
one of our three other locations in
Templeton, San Luis Obispo, or Pismo
Beach. 614 Main Street, Cambria,
maddiemaespetpantry.com,
(805) 924-1139
Rich Man Poor Man
Antique Malls
Two Giant locations on the central
coast offering a unique selection