5 Fun Things To Do In and Around Cambria, California

Cambria, California

The charming town of Cambria is one of my very favorite places to visit in California, and I got to enjoy it frequently when my sister lived there years ago. Although I was sad when she moved away, I can’t argue with her choice of Hawaii as a good replacement (hello winter vacations!). Still, I miss that sweet little village on the Pacific where I like to go to decompress and revel in nature. I spent a long weekend there this summer, and I’m providing my list of 5 fun things I did while I was there.

1. Ocean Gazing. What is it about the ocean that is so hypnotizing? I could stare at it for hours. In Cambria you might see surfers, sea otters, whales, and even elephant seals. There is an elephant seal colony just north of Cambria on Highway 1 before the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse. Depending on the time of year, you might see newborn pups just hours or days old.

2. Walk the Boardwalk. Along Moonstone Beach Drive, where the adorable inns and lodges are located, there is a stretch of boardwalk skirting the ocean where you can get a little exercise and indulge more in No. 1, above. There are benches and viewpoints along the way, and you can enjoy the antics of ground squirrels playing beneath the boardwalk.

3. Shop the Village. The town is so darn cute you can’t help but stop in a few shops or galleries in either the West or East Village. No big box stores here, you’ll find unique, artisan crafts and clothing, plus plenty of tasty restaurants. This is a one-market town with no movie theater, so remember that you’re here to get away from it all.

Sea Chest Restaurant, Cambria

4. Dinner at the Sea Chest. Yum. That’s all I can say. Just be prepared to wait because this place is popular. People start lining up outside long before they open, but there is a fire pit with benches where you can bring a bottle of wine to enjoy while you wait. It’s also on Moonstone Beach Drive, which is really where you want to be, anyway.

5. Get Engaged. Well that’s what I did, and I thought it was a perfect, romantic location for a proposal. I’m not saying exactly where my sweetheart popped the question, but you can find your own spot.