Good to know: Visit and neighborhood recommendations in Cambria
Cambria blends rugged Pacific beauty with a strong artistic identity. Visitors can walk Moonstone Beach Boardwalk, explore local studios, and sip wines with ocean breezes. Restaurants and boutique shops fill the quaint downtown area with quiet energy. The destination delivers reflection, discovery, and fresh sea air.
Top areas to stay at in Cambria
Moonstone Beach District
Running parallel to the coast, this area is known for sea glass, sunset views, and blufftop boardwalks. Vacation rentals in Cambria near Moonstone Beach include oceanfront inns, coastal cottages, and romantic getaways. Guests can enjoy whale watching, tide pools, and early morning walks.
East Village
Cambria’s historic heart features 19th-century buildings, antique shops, and charming restaurants. Airbnbs in Cambria’s East Village include period homes, garden apartments, and artist retreats. Travelers can walk to museums, bakeries, and hidden courtyards.
West Village
Slightly more commercial, this area offers art galleries, tasting rooms, and live music venues along Main Street. Rentals in Cambria’s West Village include updated lofts, studio flats, and central accommodations. Guests appreciate the walkability and local spirit.
Lodge Hill
Perched among pine trees, this residential neighborhood provides peace, privacy, and elevated views of the sea. Vacation homes in Cambria’s Lodge Hill include hillside cabins, treehouse-style residences, and serene escapes. Travelers enjoy access to trails, wildlife sightings, and forest silence.
Park Hill
Near Shamel Park and the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve, this neighborhood combines beach access with open green space. Apartments in Cambria’s Park Hill area include sunlit units, compact bungalows, and homes with ocean-facing patios. Guests can picnic by the surf or hike wooded ridges.
What to do if you spend a vacation in Cambria
Moonstone Beach Boardwalk
This bluffside path stretches over a mile with benches, lookout points, and coastal flora. Visitors can stroll above crashing waves, collect sea-polished stones, and watch the sun dip below the horizon. Wildlife sightings include seals, pelicans, and dolphins.
Fiscalini Ranch Preserve
Covering over 400 acres of coastal bluffs and forest, this preserve includes walking trails, panoramic views, and educational signage. Guests can explore oceanfront cliffs or take wooded paths lined with wildflowers. The landscape supports biodiversity and peaceful recreation.
Cambria Historical Museum
Located in the historic Guthrie-Bianchini House, this museum preserves local heritage through displays, photos, and guided tours. Travelers can learn about ranching, early settlers, and architectural history. The setting blends educational insight with hometown pride.
Nitt Witt Ridge
An eccentric landmark built from recycled materials, this hillside home showcases folk art, humor, and local legend. Visitors can take guided tours to discover oddities, colorful murals, and storytelling architecture. The home reflects one man’s creative vision and Cambria’s artistic spirit.
Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery
Located just north of town, this site hosts hundreds of elephant seals year-round. Guests can view massive animals lounging, sparring, and molting along the shoreline. Educational signs explain their lifecycle and behaviors. The rookery offers rare wildlife access without barriers.
Hearst Castle
A short drive away, Hearst Castle dazzles with opulent rooms, art collections, and grand terraces overlooking the Pacific. Visitors can join guided tours through Neptune Pool, libraries, and guesthouses. The estate reveals a story of ambition and design. The landmark expands the Cambria visit with historic drama.
Stolo Family Vineyards
Tucked into the Santa Rosa Creek Valley, this winery provides tastings, picnics, and scenic views just minutes from downtown. Guests can sample cool-climate wines and enjoy live music in a rustic setting. The site combines agriculture, relaxation, and community gathering.
Covell’s Clydesdale Ranch
This working ranch offers guided tours among majestic horses and sweeping ocean backdrops. Visitors can meet Clydesdales, ride through meadows, and hear about the ranch’s history. The experience merges agriculture and coastal views.
Where to find a vacation rental near Cambria
San Simeon, California
Just north of Cambria, San Simeon offers coastal bluffs, beach trails, and the world-famous Hearst Castle. Vacation rentals in San Simeon include oceanfront rooms, cliffside cabins, and beach-friendly stays. Enjoy sweeping views and calm evenings from a cabin in San Simeon perched near the cliffs. The town provides serenity and grandeur side by side. San Simeon complements Cambria with historic elegance.
Paso Robles, California
Part of our curated list, Paso Robles brings wine country charm, art walks, and thermal springs about 40 minutes inland. Rentals in Paso Robles include vineyard cottages, downtown lofts, and spa-side residences. Savor a wine-soaked getaway while staying in a vacation rental in Paso Robles nestled among the vines. The destination suits wine lovers and road trippers alike. Paso Robles adds warmth and taste to a Cambria visit.
Cayucos, California
South of Cambria, Cayucos features a historic pier, surf-friendly beaches, and old-fashioned charm. Vacation homes in Cayucos include clapboard houses, surf shacks, and shorefront cottages. Spend the night in a house in Cayucos and wake up steps from the sand. The town evokes a vintage California feeling with modern comfort. Cayucos creates a mellow stop along the coast.
Morro Bay, California
A part of the destination list, Morro Bay combines harbor activity, fresh seafood, and dramatic coastal backdrops. Airbnbs in Morro Bay include boatside lodges, bluff-view condos, and town apartments. Visitors can embrace marine life while resting in an airbnb in Morro Bay near the docks. The city adds energy and ecological richness to the region. Morro Bay is a well-rounded addition to the Cambria loop.
Harmony, California
With fewer than 20 residents, Harmony offers art studios, gardens, and a peaceful pause on the road. Rentals in Harmony include hillside retreats and artist-inspired getaways. Travelers find inspiration and quiet while based in a vacation rental in Harmony surrounded by wide-open views. Visitors enjoy pottery galleries, creamery shops, and open skies. The hamlet adds quirky charm near Cambria.
Discover enchanting landscapes and unique coastal towns across North America
The natural wonders emanating from this charming locale serve as the perfect starting point for an adventure into breathtaking landscapes. Enhance your exploration by including holiday rentals in Logan, where you can immerse yourself in the verdant valleys and peaks of Utah's Bear River Mountains. Alternatively, the tranquil charm of airbnb in Tobermory unveils the crystal-clear waters of Fathom Five National Marine Park, a haven for underwater shipwrecks and striking rock formations. For those seeking a blend of tranquility and luxury, Kiawah Island vacation rentals provide a serene retreat among soothing beaches and lush maritime forests in South Carolina.
The coastal allure doesn't stop there; further seaside treasures await exploration. Embrace the vibrant waterfront atmosphere with Bellingham Washington accommodation, nestled in a city known for its historic Fairhaven district, offering delightful shops and cafes. The raw beauty and rugged coastline of Alaska beckon with an airbnb in Homer, famed for its intriguing art galleries, scenic beaches, and the iconic Homer Spit. To experience the quintessential New England charm, consider vacation rentals in Boothbay Harbor, offering opportunities for scenic boat tours and a stroll through the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. Alternatively, unwind along the serene shores and bustling boardwalks with vacation rentals in Surf City New Jersey, where the historic Barnegat Lighthouse invites you to gaze upon panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean.