Recently I have partnered with Oceanpoint Ranch for a quick weekend getaway to Cambria. In case you are not familiar with this darling coastal town, it is located on the Central Coast of California, just about 7 miles south from Hearst Castle.
There are quite a few lovely hotels along the coast of Cambria, right across from Moonstone Beach, but there is a list of amenities that sets Oceanpoint Ranch apart. Let me indulge you so that you can decide if Oceanpoint Ranch is where you want to stay for your visit to Cambria.
Many rooms are cottage style, so you don’t have anyone above you, if this is important to you make sure to mention it during your reservation.
The rooms are beautifully decorated, in a mix of elegant classic and western decor. They are comfortable and spacious. Some have fireplaces, some clawfoot tubs, some little patios that open to the garden & pool. Some are located towards the end of the property near the path to the beach. Guests have a wide array of options when deciding what it is important to them.
The coolest amenity for me was the game room and the choices of outdoor games on the front and back lawns. This is a place you can have wholesome fun with your family or friends regardless of age.
The game room has a huge scrabble on the wall, a giant 4 In a Row, a pool table, air hockey and a large table where people can hang out and perhaps play card games or just chill, chat, and enjoy a drink.
On the spacious, beautifully maintained lawn you’ll find more games, a cute gazebo, Adirondack chairs and several fire-pits where you can enjoy a night cap and good conversation after a day of hiking/exploration.
The pool is heated year round and has a nice view of the nearby mountains.
Oceanpoint Ranch also has its own full restaurant on site. I loved the ambiance here. They have two big communal tables as well as smaller tables and the nicest decor. The staff here was so friendly and attentive.
Like most hotels in town Oceanpoint Ranch is pet friendly, but not only that, they have treats for your furry friend.
In the back of the property there is an even larger lawn than the front one. Here too you will find a couple of fire-pits surrounded by Adirondacks and some outdoor lawn games. From here the path will lead you down to a creek with a very photogenic little white bridge build over it and further on out to Moonstone Beach.
I could imagine a summer outdoor wedding out on that back lawn, it would certainly be a stunning location, with the tall trees around and the ocean just beyond them.
And lastly but certainly not least I have to mention the staff. Every single employee I interacted or just ran into were professional, courteous, friendly and very helpful. The amenities of a place are enticing but it is the experience we have while staying in a place that makes us want to go back again and again. I can honestly say I felt super welcomed and taken care of. And yes, this was a partnership stay for me, but most people who work there did not know that, so I am quite sure they treat all their guests with the same attention and kindness.
What Is There to Do in Cambria?
This is a quiet town on the coast of the Pacific, along the famed scenic Route 1. Whether on a longer coastal road-trip and spending only a day or two here or planning it as the main destination Cambria will enthrall those who appreciate the outdoors and are looking for a relaxing, serene getaway.
Moonstone Beach, named so because of the pretty colorful pebbles that often wash ashore on its sands, stretches along the shoreline of Cambria. Some parts are rugged with large cliffs jutting out and another side of it is wide open sand. If you don’t feel like getting your shoes in the sand you can walk on the wooden boardwalk built through the bluffs parallel to the beach.
Another gorgeous must visit for all nature lovers is Fiscalini Ranch Preserve. The Preserve occupies a fairly large area, has several entrances and trails. The most popular is the Bluff Trail, which runs along the coast, with beautiful ocean views and unique benches scattered along the trail. See photos bellow. Further inland the Preserve covers some forested area and wide open hills. If you are looking for a longer hike you might choose to venture that way. Check Google Maps on where to park and which entrance to take depending on your choice of short coastal walk or a longer forest adventure.
Cambria is an excellent location to spot whales as they tend to swim fairly close to the shore around here. Take the trail through Leffingwell Landing Park, an elevated area, and you will find several benches and lookouts where you can comfortably look for whales.
Cambria has a charming downtown area, which is home to a variety of unique shops, restaurants, and art galleries.
To get to downtown Cambria from the coast or Moonstone Beach Drive, where most of the hotels are located, you will have to cross Route 1 and drive or bike inland/east to Main Street.
Visitors can stroll along Main Street, taking in the historic architecture and browsing the many boutiques and gift shops that line the street. The town is also home to several art galleries, showcasing the work of local artists and offering visitors the opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind pieces.
On your way to downtown take a slight detour up the road (check Google Maps) to Nitt Witt Ridge. It’s a very unique house built by Arthur Harold Beale from recycled materials and what some might consider junk. The house is a designated Historic Site and since changing ownership in 2022 it is viewable only from the outside.
If you are looking for excellent coffee I strongly recommend Cambria Coffee. It’s a small coffee shop with mighty good coffee, excellent service and a cute little outdoor deck upstairs.
In addition to its natural beauty Cambria is known for its welcoming community and relaxed, laid-back atmosphere. The town is home to a variety of events and festivals throughout the year, including the Cambria Scarecrow Festival, which takes place every October and features a display of more than 500 handmade scarecrows and the Cambria Christmas Market with a beautiful light display and local vendors selling Christmas goodies. There is also a Film Festival, Twilight Summer Concerts and Art & Wine Festival in January.
In close proximity is the Piedras Blancas Light Station and just a few more miles north the Elephant Seal Rookery. Just 7 miles north of Cambria is Hearst Castle, a grand estate built by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst in the early 20th century. Visitors can take a guided tour of the castle, marveling at its opulent furnishings and breathtaking views of the ocean.
