Discover the fun in Cambria California during Covid-19

posted by Britin Wardlaw -in BLOGGING, TRAVEL

March 10, 2021

Please note all California COVID-19 regulations were followed. Facial coverings are mandatory indoors and in busy public areas in the state of California. 

This post is not sponsored. All opinions expressed are my own. 

In February for Super Bowl weekend, my family and I drove the 2+ hours over to the Central California Coastal town of Cambria. Cambria is an ideal place to unwind and relax. Cambria is great in all seasons but I particularly love going in the winter. Winter may have cooler temperatures, but fewer tourists and usually some of the best sunset pictures around. Located in Central  California just off coastal highway 1.  Cambria’s rare combination of geographical attributes like pebbled covered beaches, forested knolls, pine-lined hiking trails, and its charming village full of gourmet food, unique shops, and wine bistros make Cambria the perfect getaway. In this post, you will find our Top 5 things to Do in Cambria during Covid-19.

Explore Moonstone Beach

Moonstone Beach is absolutely one of my Top 5 Beaches in California. Its rugged yet approachable landscape allows you to walk along the mile-long boardwalk path or sink your toes into the pebbled beaches. Depending on the time of year you may see a whale migration view playful sea otters and dolphins or just take in the gorgeous coastal views.

Visit Downtown Cambria

Cambria is the quintessential California town boasting many gourmet restaurants featuring California abundant harvests and local vineyard wines. If shopping is more your scene you won’t be disappointed by the unique shops and quaint historic East Village. Our most recent trip included a patio dinner at Indigo Moon. After not being able to dine out for such a long time this was an absolutely magical experience. The food and ambiance are intoxicating just like the charm of Cambria. The entire meal was delicious but the Chocolate Truffle Macaron Tart with fresh cream left me speechless.  My go-to clam chowder spot is Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill. Their chowder has the best well-balanced flavor and just the right amount of smokiness from bacon!

Hiking Trails in Cambria

While Cambria has many available hiking trails including the Moonstone Beach trail, we found a fun off-the-beaten-path small hike up 257 steps. From a previous stay in Cambria, we discovered there is a walking path available from downtown Cambria up to Cambria Pines Lodge. This “Nature Trail” is a mix of dirt trails and wooden steps with about 250 stairs from top to bottom. It is available at the discretion of visitors and “Cambria Pines Lodge” guests. It is not advised to use the path at night as it is not lit.

View Elephant Seals

While elephant seals can be seen on Moonstone Beach the best viewing points are north of Cambria in San Simeon and the Piedras Blancas area. Ten miles north of Cambria, The Piedras Blancas rookery is located in San Simeon on Highway 1. From December through March female elephant seals arrive on the beach to give birth. This area has become a paradise for these massive creatures and depending on the time of year, you may see hundreds of them on the shore, including babies. While it’s never recommended you get close to them, there are lots of great viewpoints to watch them from on the small boardwalk.

Discover the Fun

While you can choose anything from surfing, biking, hiking, para-gliding, long-boarding, or skim-boarding to meditating Cambria can offer everyone something they will enjoy. On this trip, we took our RC cars to our hotel at Ocean Point Ranch. I specifically picked this hotel for its expansive grounds and proximity to Moonstone beach. The hotel spans 9 seaside acres and has a fun area for recreating with lawn bowling, cornhole, horseshoes, croquet, firepits for roasting marshmallows, and open fields. We took the cars down to the creek under the bridge towards the ocean. The hotel has a great overall look with ranch-chic rooms and is pet-friendly. Cambria is a great place to discover the fun!