CAMBRIA: “WHERE THE PINES MEET THE SEA”
By Lynn and Glenn Pribus
Cambria is a town of immense charm on the dramatic coast of Central California. It’s home to more than 20 art galleries, many B&Bs, fine restaurants, upscale shops, dramatic ocean views and a community theater.
Hearst Castle State Park is the premier local attraction and dazzling holiday decorations for “Christmas at the Castle” tours make it even more enchanting. There are 165 rooms, and 127 acres of gardens, terraces, statuary and swimming pools. Several different tours are offered daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Hearst Castle - Photo courtesy San Luis Obispo CVB.
Another captivating outing is driving the scenic coastline to view elephant seals at Pt. Piedras Blancas, a vista point about 5 1/2 miles north of San Simeon. Seals are there all year and the population peaks during the breeding season from November to January when hundreds and hundreds congregate. Adult males, which weigh up to 5,000 pounds, fight noisily while the females vigilantly protect their newborns.
Lynn Pribus takes photo of elephant seals - Pt. Piedras Blancas
Luxurious lodging is offered at Cambria Pines Lodge with rooms ranging from suites to cabins. And the gardens! Like eight separate outdoor rooms, the enchanting displays include rose, herb, organic kitchen gardens and more. Many visitors take pictures to create similar plantings at home.
We opted to stay at another Moonstone Hotels property, the Pelican Cove Inn at Moonstone Beach State Park where we could hear the surf as we lay abed. The Inn offers an extensive hot breakfast buffet, afternoon wine, and a tempting array of evening desserts. http://www.moonstonehotels.com/pelican_suites.htm
It was a perfect getaway. We enjoyed our fireplace, explored tide pools and strolled the boardwalk which extends for several miles along the rugged coastline where harbor seals and sea birds frequent the rocky shore.
For comprehensive information on Cambria, Hearst Castle, elephant seals, other local activities such a golfing and fishing, and this hotel group’s lodgings visit: http://www.moonstonehotels.com/
Glenn and Lynn Pribus are members of the Outdoor Writers Association of California.