2010-2011 - Cambria Chamber of Commerce

2010 - 2011
Index
Activites & Entertainment...........10
Antiques & Art Galleries .............5
Artist’s Colony .........................17
Business Services .......................7
Clothing....................................7
Coastal Discovery Center..........30
Demographics ...........................2
Elephant Seals .........................22
Food & Dining .........................15
Gifts & Specialty Items ..............19
Health & Wellness....................23
Hearst Castle Garden Tour ........44
Hiking Fiscilini Ranch ...............20
Historical Society .....................32
History of Cambria ..................36
How to Get to Cambria ..............8
Lodging ..................................27
Moonstone Beach ....................38
Moonstones.............................21
Piedras Blancas Light Station .....16
Piedras Blancas Lighthouse Lens....25
Real Estate ..............................34
Street Map ..............................43
Tidepooling &
Wildlife Viewing Etiquette ......37
Visitors Facts..............................9
Visitor Services ........................33
Weddings & Special Occasions.39
Wine Tasting ...........................40
The Cambria Magazine
Published annually by
The Cambria Chamber of Commerce
767 Main Street
Cambria, California 93428
805.927.3624
www.CambriaChamber.org
2010 Cambria Magazine
Designed & Produced by
Nancy McKarney
Diversified Graphic Design
805.927.0491
www.McKarney.com
Ad Sales by Nancy Carr
805.909.0441
Live .pdf version of this document available at www.cambriachamber.org
with links to all advertiser sites.
Page 1
Cambria Demographics
ASSESMENTS: Call the county assessor:
(805) 781-5643 or 1-800-834-4636.
INDUSTRY: Tourism, agriculture, real estate,
light industry, services.
CLIMATE: Mild - 50-70 degrees.
No smog, seasonal fog. Normal rainfall 20”25”. Some pollens, in fall and spring.
POPULATION:
Estimated 6,426. Median Age 52
Households 2878
Businesses: 482. The majority comprised of specialty items, clothing, unique gifts, gourmet foods,
art galleries, restaurants, lodging, massage, spa
and beauty.
ELEVATION: Sea level to 200 feet
GOVERNMENT: San Luis Obispo County (unincorporated area).County Sheriff protection.
Official Guide of the Cambria Chamber of Commerce,
(805) 927-3624 • 767 Main St. Cambria, CA 93428
Produced by McKarney & Carr • www.CambriaMag.com
Ad Sales: Nancy Carr • 805.909.0441 • [email protected]
Publication Design/Layout: Nancy McKarney • 805.927.0491 • www.McKarney.com
Cover Photo: Nancy McKarney, Diversified Graphic Design Services
Interior Photos by Nancy McKarney, Debbie Markham, Claudia Laird and Marcia Rhodes
The information in this publication has been gathered and carefully compiled in such a way as to ensure
maximum accuracy. The Cambria Chamber of Commerce, and McKarney & Carr, cannot and do not
guarantee the authenticity of all of the information furnished them, nor the complete absence thereof.
Thus, no responsibility for omissions and errors can be, or is, assumed.
Please support the businesses that have purchased advertisements in this publication.
© 2010-2011 Cambria Chamber of Commerce. • All Rights Reserved Publication
Page 2
Welcome to Cambria
Cambria, Within Reach, Yet a World Apart on California’s Central Coast
Sometimes being off the radar has its advantages, as is evident in the village of Cambria on
California’s Central Coast. Here, the scene evokes
an earlier era of coastal California, when life was
more in sync with the peaceful rhythms of the adjacent Pacific Ocean. The noise and stress of
urban life have yet to intrude, as if ashamed to
get near such natural beauty. In Cambria, even
the food slows down—because there’s not a fast
food chain to be found.
Visitors discover that Cambria, in fact, has several attributes in common with Carmel, its famous
neighbor 100 miles to the north, such as rugged
beaches, forested knolls and a quaint village brimming with bistros, art galleries and specialty
shops.
But the similarities happily end there. Cambria
has resisted the conformity of big brand stores.
Cambria is always thriving but never crowded.
It’s not a place to spend hours on your cell
phone. Rather, it’s a place that will make you forget about your cell phone. Poets, writers, musicians and painters continue to set the town’s
cultural tone, which favors eclecticism over commercialism.
Cambria is conveniently situated along coastal
Highway 1 between San Francisco and Los Angeles, but it wasn’t always so easy to reach.
When stagecoach service first came to the town
in 1867, poor roads meant that it took eight hours
to travel just 30 miles to San Luis Obispo, a town
to which many locals now make an easy commute.
From 1919 to 1947, the biggest show in town
was the creation of nearby Hearst Castle in San
Simeon, which today is a major visitor destination operated by the California Department of
Parks. Crowds of workers came to build the castle and serve the glittering guests of newspaper
titan William Randolph Hearst. Legend has it that
Hearst himself once purchased the entire stock of
a local market that still operates today.
While no longer isolated, Cambria still remains,
in many ways, a world apart. For this reason,
Cambria is a popular destination for those who
want to get away from it all, if only for a weekend. Some decide to stay and call it home, such
as legendary jazz saxophonist Red Holloway,
who discovered Cambria in 1985 while driving
down the coast after performing at the Monterey
Jazz Festival. Holloway is one of several notable
musicians who make regular appearances at a
local lounge.
Yet for all of its natural quietude, Cambria is
also close to a variety of exciting experiences. The
Paso Robles wine country begins 15 miles to the
east, while the bustling harbor of Morro Bay is
15 miles to the south. The entrance to Hearst Castle is in San Simeon just six miles to the north. Four
more miles up the coast is the Piedras Blancas
lighthouse, which overlooks a rare breeding
ground for massive elephant seals. The seals,
which weigh up to 5,000 pounds, can be viewed
from the bluffs.
continued next page
Page 3
Welcome continued...
Back in the village, the hungry traveler is in
luck, as Cambria is home to a gourmet food and
wine experience that is shaped by local farms,
fresh seafood and wineries. An eclectic array of
restaurants serves a variety of styles, including
Italian, Pacific Rim, Mexican, Seafood, Contemporary Comfort and Global Cuisine. Wine
enthusiasts can also discover local flavors at wine
shops and tasting rooms in the village.
Lodging is plentiful in Cambria. One can stay
near the ocean on Moonstone Beach or be in the
center of the village in a cozy bed and breakfast
atmosphere. Moonstone Beach offers breathtaking views of the ocean. An extensive boardwalk
makes it easy to traverse the wild shoreline and
reach the dazzling beach below. The adjacent
village is home to several bed and breakfasts,
inns and motels that are just a short stroll from
shops and restaurants.
continued page 6
Page 4
Antiques
Birds of a Feather
2020 Main St. ..........................927-2391
Antiques to feather your nest. Visit us at:
2birdsofafeather.com
Art Galleries
Bronze, Silver & Gold
4044 Burton Drive ..........................927-5421
Cambria’s best in selection & value. Exquisite jewelry
& original art in Cambria’s east village.
bsgcambria.com
Casa de Oro Jewelry
4090 Burton Dr. #5 ......................927-5444
Local custom gold & silver jewelry. Specializing in
pearls & opals.
[email protected]
Moonstones Gallery
4070 Burton Drive ..........................927-3447
or 800-424-3827
www.moonstones.com
see ad page 4
Seago Gallery by the Sea
6100 Moonstone Beach ..................927-9444
“America’s Romantic Impressionist”. Experience Seago’s
new celestial paintings from the Hubble Telescope.
Lessons available.
www.seago-gallery.artistwebsites.com
Page 5
Welcome continued...
The arts also abound in Cambria, which is no
surprise considering that so many artists call the
community home. More than a dozen art galleries feature original paintings, sculptures, glassware and crafts. Our live theaters earn rave
reviews for their dramatic performances.
Specialty shops, garden nurseries, antique
stores and cafes also make it easy to meander
casually around Cambria, while adventurous
types will find plenty of hiking and biking opportunities in the surrounding hills. Local companies offer guided kayak tours of nearby coves,
as well as surf lessons.
While there is so much to see and do in Cambria, the temptation to just sit back and relax is
always present. After all, few places make it so
easy to renew the soul and reawaken the spirit.
Page 6
Business Services
Cambria Hardware Center
2345-B Village Lane ..................927-4650
see ad this page
Central Coast Pep Squad ...............927-4272
CheerGrams! When you are Cheer! It’s easy to
spread Cheer!
www.centralcoastpepsquad.com
McColloch Consulting
2450 Main Street Ste E ...................927-5993
see ad this page
Mel's Lock & Key
2580 Pineridge ..............................927-4250
The Cambrian
2442 Main St. ...............................927-8652
Your weekly source for Cambria, San Simeon & Harmony news.
www.thecambrian.com
The Mortgage House, Inc...............788-4466
1131 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo
Call Shar Gregory at 471-4374. Offering: CalPERS,
CalSTRS, FHA/VA/USDA
www.themortgagehouse.com
Clothing
New Moon/Half Moon
791 & 777 Main Street ..................927-4496
or 927-4466
www.newmoonofcambria.com see ad this page
Porte House Gallery of Wearable Art
4015 West Street ...........................927-2492
www.g-o-w-a.com
see ad this page
The Place
2336 Main St. #A ..........................927-1195
Quality casual women’s clothing & accessories at
affordable prices. Open daily.
www.theplacecambria.com
Page 7
How to get to Cambria
At the foot of the scenic Highway One/Big Sur coast,
halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, is the
quaint seaside village of Cambria. An artist’s colony nestled
in a forest of towering Monterey Pines, Cambria offers visitors
sophisticated restaurants, art galleries, antique and specialty shops
and scores of nearby wineries.
Just six miles south of world renowned Hearst Castle, this picturesque
village has a variety of motels, inns, bed and breakfasts and vacation
home rentals.
Cambria is known for the friendliness and hospitality of its residents, as
well as its beauty. A leisurely pace and country village atmosphere are the
town’s main attractions, particularly for urban residents seeking a quiet,
romantic getaway
By CAR: Cambria is located 240 miles north of Los Angeles and 240
miles south of San Francisco on U.S. Highway 1.
Coming South: From Highway 101, take Highway 46 West. Turn right, north, on Highway 1.
Coming North: From Highway 101 at San Luis Obispo take the “Highway 1
Morro Bay/Hearst Castle” exit and follow north to Cambria.
By AIR: The San Luis Obispo County Airport is 35 miles south of Cambria. Car rentals
are available at the airport.
By TRAIN: An Amtrak train station is located in San Luis Obispo, 35 miles south of Cambria, as well as
in Paso Robles, 30 miles east of Cambria. Car rentals are available in San Luis Obispo, and a county bus
runs between SLO and Cambria.
Page 8
Cambria Visitor Facts
AREA CODE: 805
BANKING
Rabobank, Heritage Oaks, & Bank of America.
NEWSPAPERS
The Cambrian ~ 2442 Main St.
Weekly, on Thursdays. ..................927-8652.
Home delivery of San Luis Obispo Tribune & Los
Angeles Times
TV - RADIO
Charter Communications provides cable
(800) 640-6959 or .......................544-2688
Local FM radio station, KTEA 103.5
MAIL SERVICE
Cambria U.S. Post Office. Home delivery, or you
can choose to rent a post office box and enoy a
daily trip to pick up the mail, see old friends and
hear the news.
RECREATION
Hiking trails, bicycling, surfing, kayaking, tide
pools, beach-combing, rock hunting and fishing.
Lawn bowling, tennis, picnic facilities, public swimming pool are all part of the year-round recreation
opportunities in Cambria.
PARKS & CAMPSITES
San Simeon State Beach Park (1 mile north of
Cambria) day & overnight use (No Hookups). For
day use Shamel Park offers an outdoor swimming
pool (open in summer), picnic tables, barbecue
areas, a wide expanse of lawn; and a great place
for a cook-out and a romp on the beach. Leffingwell Landing State Picnic Grounds on Moonstone
Beach Drive also has barbecue areas, picnic tables and tide pools to explore. William R. Hearst
State Beach in San Simeon (just 6 miles north) is
another fun place to spend an afternoon. You will
find barbecue areas, picnic tables, a great swimming beach, and a pier.
CHURCHES
Baptist, Catholic, Christian Science, Presbyterian, Episcopal and Unity.
ARTS & CULTURE
Numerous small groups engage in a spectrum of
activities. Allied Arts Association, Little Theater,
Garden Clubs, Instrumental Music Ensembles,
Writer’s Club & Adult Recreation Center - all supply year-round events. The Annual Cambria Art &
Wine Festival, at the end of January, is the perfect
time to enjoy much of what makes Cambria such
an interesting and rich community.
PUBLIC LIBRARY
Located at: 900 Main St., Cambria ..927-4336
MEDICAL
Family Practitioners, Optometrist, Psychologist,
Chiropractors, Dentists, x-ray, Paramedic and Ambulance Services, Veterinarians, Home Health
Services available.
Hospitals: Cambria is served by three facilities
Twin Cities Hospital – Templeton (25 miles inland), Sierra Vista – San Luis Obispo (35 miles
south), French Hospital – San Luis Obispo (37
miles south).
TRANSPORTATION
The Cambria Trolley is available daily from Memorial
Day weekend through Labor Day, with trips to the
Hearst Castle®. The regional bus system - San Luis
Obispo RTA - has exact timetables and fare information at www.slorta.org. Bus information is 5412228 and general information is 781-4472. The
RTA regional Route 12 offers service to Hearst Castle. The Castle is served by three round trips Monday through Saturday. Rental cars available in
San Luis Obispo 35 miles south.
SHOPPING & DINING
Cambria has a full range of shops and services
for visitors and residents. You will find retail specialty shops, restaurants for every taste, art galleries, gift and antique shops, wine tasting,
clothing stores, hardware stores, markets, gas stations, auto repair, home furnishings, spas, beautiful nurseries and garden shops.
Page 9
Local Activities
ANNUAL EVENTS
Attend barbecues, art shows, music festivals and
special celebrations.
Just a few of the Festivities include:
• January – Annual Art & Wine Festival
• February – Western Dance Jamboree
• March – Easter Egg Hunt in the Park
• April – Chili Cook-off & Classic Car Show
• May – Cambria Garden Extravaganza
• June – Country Coast Classic Bike Ride
• July – Fireworks Display at the Ocean
• August – Greenspace Art Auction
• September – Pinedorado Parade & BBQ (3 days)
• October – Open Studios Art Tour
• Nov - Dec – Holidays in the Pines Events
For a complete list of events throughout the
village and throughout the year see
www.cambriachamber.org
BEACHCOMBING & TIDEPOOLS
Moonstone Beach, Cambria’s magnificent public
parklands, with miles of rugged coastline, is a
beachcomber’s paradise. The beach is covered
with tiny, smooth semiprecious stones and there
are tide pools teeming with life. Take a walk on
the wonderful new boardwalk or go barefoot in
the sand.
DAY USE PARKS
In Cambria, Leffingwell Landing, at the north end
of Moonstone Beach Drive, offers magnificent
coastline views, picnic tables, restrooms and
Page 10
beach access. Shamel Park, adjacent to Moonstone Beach on Windsor, has a large, protected
grassy area, playground, horse shoe pit, picnic
tables and BBQ’s for day use. The swimming pool
is open in the summer. In San Simeon Cove,
William R. Hearst State Beach has picnic areas,
public restrooms, and a pier.
ELEPHANT SEALS
can be seen on the beaches south of the Piedras
Blancas Lighthouse, 10 miles north of Cambria.
These creatures include the great blubbery males
with pendulous noses that give these beasts their
name; winsome females whose faces seem etched
with a smile and the endearing babies with big,
round eyes. Birth and breeding season is at its
peak in January and February, with pups being
born and big guys fighting for breeding access.
For more information call 924-1628.
and Entertainment
Farmer’s Market Cambria
6115 Santa Rosa Creek Road ..........924-1260
see ad this page
Hearst Castle
100 Hearst Castle Rd., San Simeon ..927-6811
www.hearstcastle.com
see ad inside back cover
Hearst Castle Theater
100 Hearst Castle Rd., San Simeon ...927-6811
www.hearstcastletheater.com
FISHING
William R. Hearst State Beach, just 7 miles north
of Cambria, has pier fishing and two fishing boats
available for full or half day trips. Winter whalewatch excursions are also available. Rock and surf
fishing is permitted along Moonstone Beach at various locations.
GALLERIES, SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS
All along the main street and short side streets of
both the East and West Villages, you will find
charming gift shops, art galleries, antique malls,
specialty shops, and fine restaurants – many of
which have live music. Every Friday from 2:30 pm
to 5:00 pm you can visit our famous Farmers Market offering local produce and fresh seafood as
well as homemade gourmet delicacies.
Photo Courtesy Hearst Castle/California State Parks
HEARST CASTLE™
Hearst Castle™ is open for tours all year except
Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s days.
Four separate tours are required to cover all of the
165 room estate. Tour One is recommended for
the first time visitor. Available March through Labor
Day is the self guided Evening Gardens and Vistas Tour. All tours begin at the Castle’s Visitor Center located just off Highway One, six miles north
of Cambria. Reservations are recommended. Tickets are available by calling 1-800-444-4445.
HEARST CASTLE™ THEATER
Experience the giant 5-story tall screen and incredible digital surround sound, located at the
Hearst Castle™ Visitor Center, six miles north of
Cambria. The theater shows “Hearst Castle, Building the Dream” and other features periodically.
Call the theater at (805) 927-6811 for more information.
Page 11
Local Activities & Entertainment
LIVE THEATRE
Two theatres present year-round plays and entertainment in unique and professional venues; everything from classical to original productions. For
more information, call the Chamber at 805-9273624 or go online at www.cambriachamber.org
MARINE LIFE
Gray whales can be seen migrating south from
late December to early February, and north during
March and April. Excellent sites for whale watching include Leffingwell Landing and Moonstone
Beach. Cambria is the southern gateway to the
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Along
Moonstone Beach you will see seals basking in
the sun and sea otters frolicking in the waves. Just
north on Hwy 1, Elephant seals haul out along the
beach to calve and mate. Visit San Simeon Bay
Coastal Discovery Center for information and exhibits about the rich natural history of the area.
For more information 805-927-6575.
Page 12
NIT WIT RIDGE
This charming home is an example of folk art architecture, listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks. Built in 1928 by Art Beal, also
known as Captain Nit Wit, Nit Wit Ridge has
been featured in many national publications and
on television. Located at 881 Hillcrest, take Cornwall off Main Street in the West Village to see it.
OVERNIGHT CAMPGROUNDS
San Simeon State Beach, just a few miles north of
Cambria, has overnight spaces all year round. For
reservations at State Parks call 1-800-444-7275.
Local Activities & Entertainment
RECREATION
In addition to fishing, recreationalists will find surfing, windsurfing and swimming in the ocean
along local beaches. There are many hiking trails
and a historic walking tour of the village. Bicycles
can be rented locally and for the golf enthusiast
there are wonderful courses nearby.
Kayakers enjoy the waters along local beaches
and kayaks can be
rented in town. Another local tradition
is the Cambria Lawn
Bowls Club. Located
downtown at 950
Main Street, this funloving group welcomes visitors to try
their hand at this
Old World sport.
They even offer free
lessons!
SANTA ROSA CREEK ROAD
Enjoy this idyllic country road lined with working
cattle ranches, orchards and farms. For a scenic
ride, take the Cambria to Cayucos loop which begins at Santa Rosa Creek Road, at the east end of
Main Street in Cambria, crosses Highway 46 at
midpoint and ends at Highway One in Cayucos.
SAVOR THE CENTRAL COAST
Nestled midway between Los Angeles and San
Francisco, Sunset's Savor the Central Coast event
will celebrate the beauty and the bounty of this unspoiled and largely unexplored part of the Golden
State in an incredible four-day experience. Editors
of the Sunset magazine, as well as celebrity chefs,
will guide attendees through unique culinary tours,
one-of-a-kind winemaker dinners, historic excursions and amazing culinary showcases. For complete details visit: www.savorcentralcoast.com
VILLAGE TROLLEY
Take the Cambria Village Trolley along Main
Street through the East and West Villages. For
those who want to explore a little further, the route
includes the length of Moonstone Beach Drive
where a boardwalk offers a beautiful mile long
stroll along the ocean. Or the Trolley can drop you
off at the entrance to the Fiscalini Ranch where
hiking trails offer spectacular views along the
bluffs and through the Monterey Pines. There are
also periodic trips to the Hearst Castle Visitors
Center. The Trolley is fun and convenient!
WINERIES
It’s great fun to visit Cambria’s local wine shops
where you can taste many, varied and interesting
wines from local wineries.Take a day tour of the
more than 60 wineries and 200 vineyards that dot
the hillsides nearby. You’ll enjoy tasting award
winning wines and a beautiful drive on the pastoral, country roads.
Page 13
Page 14
Food & Dining
Allocco's Food Products
1602 Main Street ...................... 927-1501
www.alloccos.com
see ad page 14
Bob & Jan's Bottle Shop
2292 Main Street...........................927-4909
see ad page 14
Cambria Coffee Roasting Company
761 Main Street ............................927-0670
www.cambriacoffee.com
see ad this page
Hamlet at Moonstone Gardens
7432 Exotic Garden Dr. .................927-3535
www.moonstonegardens.com see ad page 4
Indigo Moon Café
1980 Main Street ..........................927-2911
www.indigomooncafe.com
see ad page 14
Las Cambritas
2336 Main St. ..............................927-0175
see ad this page
Linn's Restaurant
2277 Main Street ..........................927-1499
linnsofcambria.com
see ad page 14
Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill
6550 Moonstone Beach Dr. ............927-3859
www.moonstonebeach.com
see ad page 12
Mustache Pete's
4090 Burton Dr. ............................927-8589
www.mustachepetes.com
see ad this page
Robin's
4095 Burton Dr. ............................927-5007
www.robinsrestaurant.com
see ad page 14
Wild Ginger Cafe
2380 Main St. .............................. 927-1001
www.wildgingercambria.com see ad page 13
Page 15
Piedras Blancas Light Station
135th Birthday
Piedras Blancas Light Station is located six miles
north of San Simeon, California, along state Highway One. The 19 acre site was previously part of
the historic Rancho Piedras Blancas. Piedras Blancas, which means white rocks in Spanish, refers
to several large white islets found along this section of coast.
The year 2010 marks the 135th birthday of the
Piedras Blancas Light Station and the 10th anniversary of the Bureau of Land Management’s
National Landscape Conservation System. The
treasured landscapes of the National Landscape
Conservation System are specially designated and
managed to conserve, protect and restore exceptional scientific, natural, cultural, ecological, historical and recreational values. Piedras Blancas
Light Station has been designated an “Outstanding Natural Area” within the National Landscape
Conservation System. Join in throughout the year
at the Piedras Blancas Light Station as these milestones are celebrated.
Increased shipping traffic following the California Gold Rush resulted in the need for maritime
safety measures. In 1866 President Andrew Johnson authorized the construction of thirteen lighthouses on the west coast which included Piedras
Blancas. Work on the light tower began in 1874
and was completed in a mere10 months. The first
order Fresnel lens was first illuminated in 1875.
This year, 2010, marks the 135th year the lighthouse has severed as an aid to navigation.
Piedras Blancas lighthouse originally stood 100
feet in height. Following an earthquake in 1948,
the upper portion of the light tower was removed
and the first order Fresnel lens was relocated to
Cambria, where it can now be viewed at the Veterans’ Memorial Building on Main Street. The current Piedras Blancas light tower stands at 70 feet
and is referred to as a truncated lighthouse.
The US Lighthouse Service managed the light
station until 1939 when the US Coast Guard assumed command. The Coast Guard subsequently
Page 16
relinquished control and management of the light
station to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
on October 12, 2001.
The BLM provides for public tours and is in the
process of restoring the Piedras Blancas Light Station to the historic era when it played a significant
role in maritime navigation. The BLM is committed
to a “Community” based partnership in restoring
and managing this historic treasure.
Piedras Blancas Light Station
15950 Cabrillo Highway - PO Box 129
San Simeon, California 93452
TOUR INFORMATION
Tours of the light station are offered Tuesday,
Thursday & Saturday, except Federal Holidays.
Meet at the former Piedras Blancas Motel,
located 1.5 miles north of the light station,
at 9:45 and depart promptly at 10:00.
Do not wait at the gate to the site!
Adults $10, children age 6 -17 $5, under 5 free.
For special arrangements, or for groups of 10
or more, call 805-927-7361 or
[email protected]
The Central Coast Artist’s Colony
Cambria is often referred to as an artists’ colony,
a place where a wide variety of arts are united by
a strong sense of place and community. Indeed,
according to an article in San Luis Obispo’s New
Times, Jazz journalist Francesca Nemko even
coined the term “jazz colony” to describe Cambria’s world-class collection of jazz musicians who
play regularly at a local haunt.
But jazz isn’t the only art that Cambria has cornered. The village has become home to artists
from the world over who specialize in painting,
sculpture, glass work, jewelry and even wearable
art. Many of them have public galleries that inhabit some of Cambria’s most historic and captivating structures.
Resident artists often say that the area’s stunning
natural beauty is what first attracted them to Cambria, and that it never ceases to provide inspiration. They add that they also stay because of the
chance to interact with such a wide range of other
artists. The Wednesday Irregulars is an established
group of area artists who meet weekly at different
scenic spots along the coast. Here they create, discuss and critique while enjoying a picnic meal.
They welcome visitors to the group, too!
Reflecting Cambria’s out-of-the-way location,
local art gallery prices tend to be significantly
lower than those in other coastal communities.
Both collectors and casual shoppers appreciate
this perk. Cambria also boasts an active and accomplished theater scene that is surprising for a
community of just 6,500 people. Both the Theater
at the Old Grammar School and the Pewter Plough
Playhouse are respected for their concerts, musicals and plays.
Brimming with character and characters, these
venues offer year-round performances in enjoyable settings, and are bolstered by the dedicated
and enthusiastic talent that has happily landed in
little Cambria.
“The Wednesday Irregulars” by Clarence Weiss
Page 17
www.CambriaChamber.org
Page 18
Gifts & Specialty Items
A Matter of Taste in Cambria
4120 Burton Dr. .............................927-0286
www.amatteroftastecambria.com see ad page 18
GOWA Creative Arts
4009 West Street ......................927-1005
www.g-o-w-a.com
see ad page 7
Among Friends
2254 Main Street ...........................927-7156
Affordable Gifts, Stationery, Clothing, Handbags,
Jewelry, Chocolate & MORE Celebrating Friendship!
www.ShopAmongFriends.com
Highway Won Christian Store
801B Main St. ...........................927-2320
Books, Cards, Bibles, DVDs, Music, Apparel, Jewelry,
gifts for adults & children.
www.highwaywonchristianstore.com
Anita’s Pillow Pets
746-B Main Street ..........................927-7387
www.anitaspillowpets.com
see ad page 18
Linn's Gourmet Goods
4241 Bridge Street .........................927-1499
linnsofcambria.com
see ad page 14
Anselmo’s Ink Custom Tattoos
790 Arlington Street .......................203-5300
www.anselmosink.com
see ad page 18
Old Cambria Market Place/Carwash
589 N Main Street .........................927-8877
see ad page 2
Paws on Main Art Rubber Stamps
816 Main Street ..................927-PAWS(7297)
Rubber stamps and accessories for the creative mind
and imagination!
Ball & Skein & More
4070 Burton Dr. ............................. 927-3280
www.cambriayarn.com
see ad this page
Cambria Bead Store
761 Main Street ..............................927-9907
Beads from around the world, findings & more. Come
see! www.cambriabeadstore.com
Cambria Music Box Shoppe
734 Main Street .............................927-3227
www.cambriamusicbox.com
see ad this page
Sweet Offerings
4070 Burton Dr. ............................ 927-9300
www.sweetofferings.net
see ad page 18
Teresa Belle Gallery
766 Main Street .............................927-4556
www.teresabellegallery.com
see ad page 6
Cambria Village Pharmacy - Toys & Games
2306 Main Street ...........................927-4236
see ad page 22
Caren's Corner
755 Main Street .............................927-1161
see ad this page
Every Cowboys Ranch House
2261 Center Street .........................927-1369
www.ecrgallery.com
see ad page 33
Page 19
Hiking the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve
A trip to Cambria is hardly complete without a
visit to the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve. This natural area
of just under 440 acres in the heart of Cambria contains a vast network of trails; from a developed
boardwalk to tiny tracks through the forest, allowing visitors a number of different strolling, hiking
and biking experiences.
The “Ranch”, as it is called by locals, has many
access sites and is open to the public from dawn ‘til
dusk every day of the year. It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean on the west, and small neighborhoods
on the north and south and the town of Cambria to
the east. It is bisected by Highway One dividing it
into east and west portions, connected by Santa
Rosa Creek which provides a natural corridor for
wildlife. It is home to a number of endangered
species and species of special concern and so provides great wildlife viewing opportunities.
The most popular trail is the one mile Bluff Trail
which provides sweeping ocean views from near
Page 20
the dramatic ocean bluff. This trail is a continuation
of the California Coastal Trail. It is a fairly flat,
boardwalked and granite paved pathway that is
ADA accessible. There is ADA parking at the north
and south Windsor entrances. Otters, sea lions, and
often, migrating whales may be seen while walking
this trail. Dogs must be leashed on this trail and bicycles must be walked here. You will meet many locals taking their morning constitutional on this trail.
It has been dubbed the “Hi” road because so many
friends and neighbors are seen chatting there.
For a more solitary experience, a walk through
the forest is just the ticket. You can access the rare
and endangered Monterey pine forest at the Highway One, Tipton and Trenton entrances. These trails
are smaller and less traveled. If you enter via Highway One, you will need to climb a fairly steep hill
past the remains of the old Fiscalini Family dairy
and homesite and cistern built in 1865. This back
way into the forest will reward you with quiet and
continued next page
Hiking the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve
scheduled and where it will begin, log on to
www.cambriaranchwalks.com.
The preserve offers a rare expanse of nature
and solitude in the middle of this small town, almost a backcountry experience. It is common to
see adults, children and dogs enjoying the tranquility of one of the last untouched public open
spaces on the California coast. It is also within
walking distance of many visitor accommodations
and Cambria neighborhoods.
For more information about the Ranch or
Friends of the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve, call (805)
927-2856 or visit www.ffrpcambria.org.
its own special charms. From this trail you can
break out onto the 400-foot ridge, which will afford stunning views of the coast to Piedras Blancas
to the north and almost as far as the Harmony
Headlands State Park to the south.
A map of all the trails may be picked up at the
Cambria Chamber of Commerce, at either end of
the Bluff Trail or by accessing the Friends of the
Fiscalini Ranch Preserve website mentioned below.
Friends of the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve, the organization that watches over this much loved open
space, conducts free once a month, docented
walks that talk about some natural aspect of the
preserve. To find out the walk topic, when it is
Moonstones
he beautiful, white and translucent stones found on Cambria’s beaches are
called moonstones by the locals. Moonstone, or chalcedony, is formed in
the earth by patient dripping of water through the ages. It is swept down the
streams into the ocean where it is tumbled and polished by our turbulent surf
along our rocky coast.
The ancient Greeks believed the stone to arouse the most tender of passions
and were convinced that the stone foretold the future and could guide a
person in making decisions.
With its beautiful silvery light and mysterious qualities, the moonstone
is truly a wonderful treasure reminiscent of Cambria.
Cambria moonstones are also called quartz agates and may be
found along the beaches from San Simeon Cove south to Moonstone Beach.
T
photo by: Elizabeth Bettenhausen
Page 21
Elephant Seals
A
By Joan Crowder
large and growing colony of northern elephant seals has made the beaches just
south of the Piedras Blancas lighthouse their home
base. North Coast visitors have an up-close view
as the seals give birth, mate, molt and play.
Mother Nature’s free show, which can be safely
viewed from a large boardwalk, changes with the
seasons as seals of different ages come and go.
Blue-jacketed volunteer docent guides from
Friends of the Elephant Seal are there to explain
to visitors what’s going on at the moment.
Winter is the peak season of seal activity. The
huge males, looking like prehistoric monsters and
weighing up to 5,000 pounds, begin arriving
from their Alaska migration in late November.
They put on a good show as they bellow in booming, echoing voices, chase each other and fight
for territory on the beach. The pregnant females
start arriving in December. Each alpha male
continued next page
Page 22
Health & Wellness
Amethyst
704 Main Street ........................927-1700
Holistic Healing and Massage for the Mind, Body
and Spirit!
www.amethysthealingcenter.com
Cambria Drug & Gift
2222 Main Street ...........................927-7283
see ad page 24
Elephant Seals continued...
reigns over his territory, surrounded by a harem of
from 30 to 40 females. Each female delivers one
black pup, weighing about 60 pounds. The pups
are born from mid-December to early February,
and visitors may be lucky enough to observe a
birth during that time. About 4,000 pups were
born last year.
The females head out to sea after mating, leaving their fat weaned pups, called weaners, on the
beach. The youngsters don’t know how to swim or
forage for food, and during the months they are
learning to swim, they live off the fat gained while
nursing.
In March, most of the adults, having fasted for
months, are far out to sea, feeding again. The big
males are headed back to Alaska, and the winsome, wide-eyed weaners are still on the beach,
playing and teaching themselves to swim. Some
of these little guys are still there in April when the
females and juveniles, from ages one to about
five, return to molt. The seals shed a layer of skin
once a year in what is called a catastrophic molt.
continued next page ...
Cambria Massage
7432 Exotic Gardens ...927-7752 or 927-5159
Integrated Hot Jade Massages, Facial's & Galvanic Treatments. Coming soon Aquatic Therapies.
www.cambriamassage.com
Cambria Village Pharmacy - Toys & Games
2306 Main Street ...........................927-4236
see ad page 22
Diva Day Spa
Cavalier Plaza - San Simeon ............927-4252
Full Service Salon & Spa. Open 7 days.
www.divadayspaonline.com
Frank Fratto, DDS
2150 Main Street #4 ......................927-4811
see ad this page
Moonstone Day Spa
7432 Exotic Gardens Dr.................. 927-5159
www.moonstonedayspa.com
see ad page 4
Sojourn Healing Arts Center
2905 Burton Drive ..........................927-8007
www.sojournspa.com
see ad this page
The Cambria Connection
870 Main Street .............................927-1654
A Community Resource Center. Events and 12 step
schedules on-line.
www.thecambriaconnection.org
Therapy By the Sea
816 Main Street .............................927-2956
www.cambriadayspa.com
see ad page 22
www.CambriaArtWine.com
Page 23
Elephant Seals continued...
They look scruffy and tattered when they arrive
and silvery and sleek in their new duds when they
leave after four to six weeks. They come and go
in a sort of musical chairs sequence of ages and
genders. There are many seals on the beach in
early spring, but they are pretty quiet.
Some of the females and juveniles are still there
in late May when the subadult males come in to
molt. These boys are fun to watch because, like
most adolescent males, they like to show off, posture and play-fight. To visitors who haven’t seen
adult males, these young guys look big and
tough, but they are juvenile versions of the adult
males that return to molt in July. In September and
October some of the young seals return, this time
just to rest. Early fall is the time of year when the
fewest seals are on the beaches. But visitors may
continued next page
Page 24
Elephant Seals continued...
see harbor seals, sea otters, or dolphins, and they
will always be greeted by friendly ground squirrels and maybe a cottontail rabbit or two.
The office of the non-profit Friends of the Elephant Seal is in the Cavalier Plaza in San Simeon,
where books, videos, T-shirts, photographs, cards
and other items are available. For more information call the office at 924-1628 or check
www.elephantseal.org.
Friends of the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse Lens
The Piedras Blancas Lighthouse Station was
completed in 1875, and housed the first order
Fresnel lens for over 70 years.
In 1949, a fierce storm damaged the lantern
room, and the lens, lantern room, ornate railing,
and the beautiful sculpted upper portion of the
tower were all removed. A rotating aerobeacon
was placed atop the shortened, capped tower,
and the lighthouse returned to service.
Following its removal, the local Lion's Club rescued the lens, reassembled it, and placed it on a
concrete pad at their Pinedorado grounds. The
light stood on the pad uncovered for roughly forty
years, and remarkably suffered minimum
damage from the elements or vandals.
In 1990, Norman Francis, who had
returned to Cambria after a career with
the CIA, launched an effort to restore and
protect the lens. The lens was then taken
by the Coast Guard to their station in
Monterey, where it was lovingly cleaned
and restored. The Friends of Piedras Blancas Lighthouse Lens helped construct a
modern lantern room, which now houses
the lens at the Pinedorado grounds on
Main Street in Cambria.
photo by Bill Bonser
Page 25
Page 26
Lodging
Best Western Cavalier Oceanfront Resort
9415 Hearst Drive - San Simeon .927-4688
or 800-826-8168
www.cavalierresort.com
see ad page 28
Blue Dolphin Inn
6470 Moonstone Beach Dr...............927-3300
or 800-222-9157
www.bluedolphininn.com
see ad page 28
Bluebird Inn
1880 Main Street ...........................927-4634
or 800-552-5434
www.bluebirdmotel.com
see ad this page
Cambria Inns on Moonstone Beach
Sand Pebbles Inn, Blue Dolphin Inn,
Moonstone Cottages by the Sea
www.cambriainns.com
see ad page 28
Cambria Landing
6530 Moonstone Beach Dr. .............927-1619
or 800-549-6789
Ocean front Jacuzzi Suites, fireplaces, balconies,
continental breakfast & more!
www.thecambrialanding.com
Cambria Palms Motel
2662 Main Street ...........................927-4485
www.cambriapalmsmotel.com see ad this page
Cambria Shores Inn
6276 Moonstone Beach Dr. .............927-8644
or 800-433-9179
www.cambriashores.com
see ad inside front cover
Cambria Vacation Rentals
784 Main St. Ste A .........................927-8200
or 800-545-5079
www.cambriavacationrentals.com
see ad below
Page 27
Page 28
Lodging
Captain's Cove
6454 Moonstone Beach Dr. ........927-8581
or 800-781-COVE
Enjoy ocean breezes, smell the salt air.
www.captainscoveinn.com
Don Bricker Property Management
702 Main Street .............................927-0177
or 800-464-0177
www.donbrickerproperties.com
see ad below
Hosteling International
Cambria Bridge Street Inn
4314 Bridge St. .............................927-7653
Charming 1890’s home in village. Rooms and
dorm. Individuals/groups.
www.bridgestreetinncambria.com
J. Patrick House Bed & Breakfast
2990 Burton Drive ..........................927-3812
or 800-341-5258
www.jpatrickhouse.com
see ad page 27
Little Sur Inn
6190 Moonstone Beach Dr. .............927-1329
or 866-478-7466
www.littlesurinn.com
see ad page 26
Moonstone Cottages By the Sea
6580 Moonstone Beach Drive ..........927-1366
or 800-222-9157
www.moonstonecottages.com see ad page 28
Moonstone Hotel Properties
2905 Burton Drive ....................800-966-6490
www.moonstonehotels.com
see ad this page
Moonstone Landing
6240 Moonstone Beach Dr ..............927-0012
or 800-830-4540
www.moonstonelanding.com see ad page 26
Page 29
The Coastal Discovery Center at San Simeon Bay
The Coastal Discovery Center at San Simeon Bay is an interactive interpretive center cooperatively operated by NOAA’s
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and California State
Parks. The Center is located at historic William R. Hearst Memorial Beach in San Simeon, a popular site for picnicking, swimming, hiking, pier-fishing and wildlife viewing, and is open to
the public free of charge from 11am to 5 pm every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Center is in close proximity to the Hearst
Castle, California’s largest elephant seal rookery, and the Piedras
Blancas Light Station.
There are many things to do at the Coastal Discovery Center;
listen to a talking tidepool, feel the fur of a sea otter, listen to the
sounds elephant seals make at a rookery, explore the history of
San Simeon Bay, find out how heavy a whale bone is, learn
about sunken ships, underwater volcanoes, and make your own
microscope slide to see what lives in a drop of sea water. Knowledgeable volunteers will help you earn a Jr. Ranger badge, or
lend you a pair of binoculars to look for sea otters and whales
off of the pier.
Special events and programs occur throughout the year. History of San Simeon Bay tours are offered the first weekend of
each month from 11am to 1pm, and the annual Coastal Discovery Fair will be held on July 17th from 10am to 4pm. Join us for
a day of family fun with kid-friendly activities including constructing and testing remotely-controlled underwater robots
(ROV's), live animals, crafts and much more. Highlighting the
"Connection of Land and Sea" are conservation and environmental exhibitors hosted by the Monterey Bay National Marine
Sanctuary and California State Parks. Admission is free. Food
and raffle prizes are available.
School group programs are also offered and arranged by
appointment at (805) 927-2145.
For more information about hours and special events,
call (805) 927- 6575, or visit our website at
montereybay.noaa.gov/vc/cdc/welcome.html.
Page 30
Lodging
Olallieberry Inn
2476 Main Street ......................927-3222
or 888-927-3222
www.olallieberry.com
see ad to left
Pickford House
2555 MacLeod ..............................927-8619
9 BR, 9 BA Beautiful Mansion! Perfect for Family
Reunions, Retreats, Weddings.
www.thepickfordhouse.com
San Simeon Pines Resort
7200 Moonstone Beach Dr. .............927-4648
or 866-927-4648
www.sspines.com
see ad page 1
Sand Pebbles Inn
6252 Moonstone Beach Dr. .............927-5600
or 800-222-9970
www.sandpebblesinn.com
see ad page 28
The Squibb House
4063 Burton Dr. .............................927-9600
www.thesquibbhouse.net
see ad to left
Whispering Pines B & B
1605 London Lane ..........................927-4613
Romantic, secluded & stress free. King bed, full breakfast & spa. [email protected]
www.whisperingpinesbedandbreakfast.com
White Water Inn
6790 Moonstone Beach Dr. .............927-1066
www.whitewaterinn.com
see ad below & on back cover
Windrush
6820 Moonstone Beach Dr. .............927-8844
Enjoy scenic coast, king bed, continental breakfast, TV,
refrigerator. No smoking
Page 31
Look How Far We Have Come
Sharing Cambria's heritage is an important mission of
the Cambria Historical Society. Beginning with our purchase and restoration of the Guthrie-Bianchini House as a
place of discovery. The house is now a museum – a heritage destination for visitors – and since opening in late
2008, has hosted 10,000 visitors.
Ongoing litigation in what has been called the state's
longest probate kept the Guthrie-Bianchini House in limbo
until 1999 when a Superior Court judge's order settled
Bianchini's estate. The Cambria Historical Society purchased the property in 2001, with the goal of creating a
museum.
During the ensuing years, CHS worked to restore the
house. After several years of planning and obtaining the necessary permits, the original "salt box" portion of the house
was totally disassembled. All of the parts removed were carefully documented by Cambria Historical Society volunteers
and stored on the property. Where possible, these parts were
reused when the house was rebuilt. Or, if they could not be
saved, they were used to fabricate duplicate parts.
On July 14, 2004, the remainder of the house was lifted
up about eight feet and a stem-wall foundation was built for
the entire structure. On October 20 of that year, the house
was lowered onto its newly constructed foundation. The
house was stabilized to prevent further deterioration, but rehabilitation work was temporarily suspended due to lack of
funds.
In late 2005, a grant from California State Parks enabled CHS to resume work. Early in 2008, another grant
provided by The Hind Foundation helped complete the
restoration. In October, 2008, the San Luis Obispo County
Planning Department issued a certificate of occupancy. Two
months later, the Cambria Historical Museum was opened
to the public.
Page 32
continued next page
Cambria Historical Society
One of our current exhibits, Parades and Picnics in the Pines, features Pinedorado. We have a
collection of programs from the 1950s to the present and discovered the old trout pond, former
Pinedorado Queens, winning floats and other
memorabilia that we have on display.
We also have an exhibit about the harrowing
and absolutely amazing feat of engineering and
sheer guts it took to build Highway 1. And we
have first-hand accounts of the sinking of the Montebello oil tanker off our coast in 1941.
We invite you to come visit because the museum and public gardens are yours to explore
and enjoy. And we are creating the Wilfred Lyons
Memorial Archive, using donations to properly
preserve, store and exhibit Cambria's irreplaceable treasures of the past.
For more information and to learn about
upcoming events please visit:
www.cambriahistoricalsociety.com
Visitor Services
Cambria Chamber of Commerce
767 Main Street.............................927-3624
A .pdf version of this magazine is available on the
Chamber website with live links from the ads and text.
www.CambriaChamber.org
SeeCambria.com ..........................927-0491
Photos of the beautiful Cambria area available
as notecards or fine prints.
www.SeeCambria.com
St. Paul's Episcopal Church & Quiet Garden
2700 Eton Rd. ..............................927-3239
Services 1st Sunday: 9:30 am;
All others: 8 & 10:30 am
www.stpaulscambria.org
Welcome Map ..............................927-1382
Fun & Colorful Birds-Eye view Map of Cambria &
surrounding areas.
www.welcomemap.biz
Page 33
Local Experts... Global Reach
TERI MCCALL
LAURA MCKINNEY
teri@mccallfarmcom
www.BASothebysRealty.com
Celebrating 40 years in Cambria
Dedicated and Capable with Proven Results
[email protected]
www.RealEstateSLOCounty.com
REALTOR®
DRE# 01390072
REALTOR® GREEN
DRE# 01493489
805.909.1201 • 805.927.3140
805.235.0457 • 800.207.4888
JAN LLOYD
RON & JEANNE MARTIN
Over 30 years of real estate industry
experience, achievements and education
www.CambriaCoastalProperties.com
Over 30 years experience specializing in homes, ranches,
land & vineyards throughout the central
coast & southern Monterey county
[email protected] • www.ronjeanne.com
CRB, CRS, GRI, SRES, e-Pro, Fine Homes Specialist
BROKER ASSOCIATE
DRE# 01142335
805.927.9700 • 877.871.0131
REALTOR® ASSOCIATES
DRE# 00647690 & #00896848
805.434.0405 • 805.235.2290
805.927.1200 • 743 Main Street, Cambria CA 93428
Each office is independently owned & operated.Except offices owned & operated by NRT Incorporated.
Page 34
Real Estate
Becky Adams Coldwell Banker Don Bricker
702 Main Street .............................235-2258
or 800-223-3834
www.beckyadams.com
see ad to left
CA Realty...................927-3330 or 909-2090
carealty.biz
see ad this page
Cambria Pines Realty - Lance Morales
746-A Main St. .....927-8616 or 800-676-8616
www.cambriapinesrealty.com see ad this page
Jack Posemsky
718 Main Street .............................927-4777
www.jackposemsky.com
see ad this page
Jan Lloyd, CRB, CRS - Barnes & Associates
Sotheby's International Realty
743 Main St. ........927-9700 or 877-871-0131
www.cambriacoastalproperties.com
see ad page 34
Laura McKinney - Barnes & Associates
Sotheby's International Realty
743 Main St. .......235-0457 or 800-207-4888
www.realestateslocounty.com see ad page 34
Manya Brett - Coldwell Banker
702 Main Street ...927-5000 or 800-223-3834
www.cambria-realestate.com ........see ad below
Ron & Jeanne Martin - Barnes & Associates
Sotheby's International Realty
PO Box 156 - Templeton CA 93465
....................805-434-0405 or 805-235-2290
www.ronjeanne.com
see ad page 34
Teri McCall - Barnes & Associates
Sotheby's International Realty
743 Main St. ..............909-1201 or 927-3140
www.basothebysrealty.com
see ad page 34
Page 35
Cambria History
he place we now call Cambria was once
part of the lands of the Mission San Miguel.
After Mexico declared its independence from Spain
in 1821, the Missions were secularized and the
lands were given to prominent individuals through
the land grant system. On January 18, 1841, Governor Juan B. Alvarado granted the 13,000 acre
Rancho Santa Rosa to Don Julian Estrada.
The first man to own much of Cambria after the
land grant system began to fade was Domingo
Pujol, a San Francisco attorney who had loaned
money to Don Julian Estrada. Rancho Santa Rosa
was the security for the loan and, when Estrada defaulted, Pujol foreclosed and took the land. In the
mid 1860s speculators and others came and bought
the land from Pujol, who sold it at a profit. Among
the few original investors were five men named
George. George Lull built a general store in 1865 at
what is now the south east corner of Bridge and
Main Streets. George E. Long, George W. Proctor
and George W. Davis bought land in Cambria between 1866-1868 and George Lingo bought land in
the 1870s. Some landholders developed other
plans and wound up with other interests.
One of the first was George Proctor who built
the three story Proctor Hotel across Bridge street
from Lull's store. The town was called "Slabtown"
because many of the buildings were made from
rough slabs of wood. This was the beginning of
Cambria. "Slabtown" grew rapidly and by 1880
Cambria was the second largest town in San Luis
Obispo County. Early industries in the area included
cinnibar mining, and sales, lumbering, dairying,
beef-cattle ranching and grain and orchard farm-
T
Page 36
ing. The downtown area along Main Street was destroyed by the Great Fire of 1889. Many of the residential buildings were centered around Lee and
Center streets (Lee is now called Burton Drive) and
survived the fire. Many of the homes were quite
lavish for the times and today house commercial
ventures.
In 1894, the railroad came to San Luis Obispo
County bypassing Cambria and causing a sharp decline in shipping. Even so, Cambria continued as a
quiet, isolated farming community. The advent of
the automobile in the 1920s caused an improved
road to be built to Cambria and brought land developers. The Cambia Pines Lodge was built so that
prospective land buyers would have a place to
stay. Then, in 1958, Hearst Castle became a state
park and was opened to the public.This brought
throngs of tourists to the area clogging the roads
until a Highway One bypass was built carrying the
traffic around the downtown areas. Known over
the years as Santa Rosa, Roseville, San Simeon and
"Slabtown", the town became Cambria (the Latin
word for Wales according to Funk & Wagnall's) on
January 10, 1870, on the recommendation of a
local committee. The exact story of how Cambria
got its name is shrouded in mystery and lost as subsequent generations have stepped forward to
claim the honor of naming our village. One story
that seems to have the most facts to support it is
that Cambria is named after a Welsh town in Cambria County, Pennsylvania.
Visit the Cambria Historical Society's web site
for additional information, photos and upcoming
events: www.cambriahistoricalsociety.com
Tidepooling and Wildlife Viewing Etiquette
Central California is home to one of the world’s
most diverse marine ecosystems which are protected by both CA State Parks and NOAA’s Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS).
In addition, State Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
in San Simeon and Cambria are part of a
statewide network which offer the protection and
conservation of marine life and habitat.
By following simple wildlife viewing etiquette
rules, you will help us to preserve and maintain
our precious natural resources, while setting a
good example for generations to follow.
Animals found in tidepools have adapted to the
tidal fluctuations, but not to human disturbance.
Recommended tidepool locations in San
Simeon and Cambria: All recommended sites are
within Marine Protected Areas which offer protection of the intertidal plants and animals: Leffingwell Landing Day Use Area, Moonstone Beach.
Marine mammals such as harbor seals, sea
lions and elephant seals share our beaches and
rocky shoreline. They are protected from harassment or disturbance by state and federal laws.
The best year-round elephant seal viewing is
located at the vista point 4.5 miles north of the
Hearst Castle Visitor Center.
As you tidepool, please;
• Avoid stepping on animals.
• Find footholds on bare rock.
• Leave everything where you find it.
• Do not collect anything.
• If you peek under a rock, put it back the way you found it.
• If you sit quietly and look closely, you will see much more.
• For your own safety, NEVER TURN YOUR BACK to the ocean.
• Always check weather conditions & tides before tidepooling!
Please abide by the following rules if you see
a marine mammal;
• Do not touch, pick up or feed any marine mammals.
• Observe the animal from a distance of at least 50 feet.
• Human disturbance adversely affects the health of mothers & pups.
• Keep dogs away from marine mammals - diseases & parasites
are transmittable.
• Call the Marine Mammal Center if you suspect an animal is
injured; 805-771-8300.
Page 37
Moonstone Beach & More
Meanwhile, on the inland side of Highway 1,
San Simeon Beach State Park offers camp sites, a
eucalyptus grove and hiking trails that range from
moderate to challenging.
With its abundance of natural splendors and
peaceful coastal ambiance, Cambria is the perfect place to invigorate the body, renew the soul
and reawaken the spirit. One of Cambria’s most
popular outdoor attractions is its newly expanded
8,000-foot-long boardwalk trail that winds along
the coastal bluffs above Moonstone Beach. Here,
couples, families with strollers, senior citizens and
pet owners walking their dogs all soak up the fresh
sea air and stunning views of the Pacific. Remarkable sunsets inspire romantic evenings and
thrill photographers.
Picnickers and hikers at Leffingwell Landing Park
at the north end of Moonstone Beach Drive enjoy
beach access and picnic tables, and are even
sometimes greeted by migrating whales.
Shamel Park located on Windsor Boulevard just
south of Moonstone beach is another bustling spot
with sports fields, a playground, picnic tables and
a swimming pool open during the summer months.
Another favorite spot is Andy’s Park, a beautiful
privately maintained and landscaped park on Park
Hill, at Guildford and Worcester Drives.
Page 38
The Fiscalini Ranch properties offer still more
cherished land that has been set aside for the public’s enjoyment. The ranch offers immaculate hiking
trails along the bluff and into the woods.
Ocean kayaking, swimming, windsurfing, diving, and kite flying are some of the many activities
that abound.
Weddings & Special Occasions
All Phase Photography.............235-7151
www.allphasephotography.com see ad to left
A Wedding Ceremony ..................423-4820
Rev. Paulette Claire
see ad this page
Cambria Bride & Finery ................924-1505
www.cambriabrideandfinery.com
see ad page 38
Cambria Pines Lodge
2905 Burton Drive .........................927-4200
or 800-966-6490
Nestled between towering pines and the sea, our
historic 152-room property features stunning wedding
venues, theme gardens, restaurant, onsite catering, and
lodging ranging from hotel-style rooms to luxurious
cottage-style honeymoon suites.
www.cambriapineslodge.com see ad page 29
Indigo Moon Café - Reception Dinners
1980 Main Street ..........................927-2911
www.indigomooncafe.com
see ad page 14
Page 39
WINE TASTING STOPS
1. Hearst Ranch Winery
2. Black Hand Cellars
3. Moonstone Cellars
4. Indigo Moon
5. Fermentations
Must Sees &Wine Tasting...
By Todd Clift
While ambling along Cambria’s streets, nothing
is quite so relaxing as pausing to sample fine coastal
wines, and several local merchants offer distinctly
different experiences.
“Must-sees” in Cambria: Moonstone Cellars’
tasting room, in West Village, offers a broad array of
popular red and white varietals. Sip some seriously
award-winning vintages in a not-so-serious atmosphere. Odds are, owner/winemaker Todd Clift will
be pouring, in his easy-going style, while educating
you about coastal winemaking. All wines are moderately priced, and personalized labels are available
for your special occasions and gifts.
Also in West Village, you will want to visit Black
Hand Cellars, another family-owned winery. Tom, the
winemaker, has a background that includes over
seven years experience with prestigious wineries on
the Central Coast. And now he is producing his own
award-winning wines!
Across town, in East Village, Fermentations is a
charming wine shop that feels like a home, where
tasting selections constantly change. You can also
sample gourmet delights, like flavored olive oils,
while learning about food and wine pairing. Fermentations is overflowing with gifts, home accessories
and specialty foods to tempt any shopper.
If you’d like to nosh on something more substantial
than crackers while tasting, head for Indigo Moon
Café and Cheese Shop on Main Street, between East
and West Villages. Indulge in premier cheese selections, pates and freshly baked breads, or order lunch
in the garden. Dinner is also served.
continued next page
Page 40
Wine/Tasting
Black Hand Cellars
766 Main Street ........................927-9463
Offering outstanding red wines & 1920’s stories that
go with the “speak easy” theme of the tasting room.
www.blackhandcellars.com
Fermentations
4056 Burton Drive ..........................927-7141
Wine & gourmet food tasting. Gift baskets, picnic indulgences & home decor. Open 10-10
www.fermentations.com
Hearst Ranch Winery
442 SLO San Simeon Rd - San Simeon 927-4100
www.hearstranchwinery.com see ad this page
Moonstone Cellars
801 Main Street Suite C 927-9466
www.moonstonecellars.com ......see ad page 40
The Wine Line - Wine Tours .......888-9WineLine
994.6354
Hop on, hop off; Wine tasting shuttle service in Paso
Robles Wine Country
www.hoponthewineline.com
Must Sees &Wine Tasting...
"Must-sees", Close By: If you are headed up
the coast to visit Hearst Castle, Piedras Blancas
Light Station, the elephant seals, or just want to
relax at the beach, be sure to stop at the historic
Sebastian’s General Store. Not only will you
enjoy wonderful, freshly made meals, but now
you may also relax by tasting some fine, handcrafted wines at the newly opened Hearst Ranch
Winery.
Drive six short miles south of Cambria to the
historic hamlet of Harmony and you’ll discover
Harmony Cellars. Then, wander down Highway
1 for about 13 more miles and you’ll encounter
another family-owned winery, Cayucos Cellars.
Designated drivers with style: If you’d prefer
indulging in wine with abandon, call The Wine
Line. Their low-cost shuttle service features environmentally friendly, professionally operated, air- conditioned passenger vans that tour the Paso Robles
Wine Country. They serve Cambria, San Simeon,
and other towns in the surrounding region.
Page 41
Adams Street...............................C3
Alban Place .................................C2
Amherst Place .............................C2
Andover Place .............................B2
Ardath Drive..........................C2, C3
Arlington Street...........................B2
Arliss Drive..................................C3
Ascot Court..................................B2
Ashby Lane .................................A2
Astor Avenue ...............................C2
Atwell Atreet................................C1
Avon Aveneue..............................C2
A
Banbury Road .............................C2
Benson Avenue............................C2
Berwick Drive ..............................C2
Bixby Street.................................C2
Blythe Place ................................B2
Bradford Circle ............................C3
Bradford Place ............................C2
Bradford Road.............................C2
Brand Place.................................C2
Bridge Street...............................B2
Brighton Lane .............................A1
Bristol Street. ..............................B1
Bryan Place.................................B1
Buckingham Place.......................B2
Buckley Drive. .......................A1, A2
Burton Circle ...............................B2
Burton Drive..........................B2, C2
B
Camborne Place. .........................C2
Cambria Road .............................B2
Cambria Pines Rd. ..................A1,A2
Cambridge Street ........................B1
Canterbury Lane .........................A1
Cardiff Drive ...............................C2
Castle Street................................C1
Center Street ...............................B2
Charing Lane...............................A1
Chatham Lane.............................A1
Chelsea Lane...............................A1
Chester Lane ...............................C2
ChIswick Way ..............................A1
Cornwall Street............................B1
Coventry Lane .............................A1
Cowper Street..............................C2
Croyden Lane..............................A1
C
Darby Lane .................................A1
DeVault Place ..............................B1
Dorking Aveue.............................C2
Dorset Street ...............................B1
Dovedale Avenue.........................C2
Dover Lane..................................A1
D
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Downing Avenue. ........................C2
Drake Street ..........................C1, C2
Dreydon Avenue..........................C2
Ellis Avenue.................................C2
Emerson Road. ............................C2
Emmons Road........................C1, C2
Ernest Place...........................C2, C3
Eton Road. ............................B3, C3
Evelyn Court................................A2
Evensong Way.............................B2
Exeter Lane.................................A1
E
Fallbrook Street...........................C1
Fern Drive. ..................................C2
Finney Road................................C3
F
Gaines Street...............................C1
Gleason Street.............................C3
Green Street................................C3
Greystone Way. ...........................B2
Grove Street ...............................B2
Guildford Drive ...........................B1
G
Haddon Drive ..............................C2
Hartford Drive.............................C2
Harvey Street ..............................C1
Hastings Street............................B1
Heath Lane .................................B1
Hillcrest Drive..............................B2
Holden Place ...............................C2
Hudson Avenue ...........................C3
Huntington Road. ........................B1
H
Iva Court.....................................B2
Ivar Street. ..................................C1
I
Jean Street..................................C1
J
Kay Street ...................................C2
Kathryn Drive..............................A2
Kendal Lane................................A1
Kenneth Drive .............................C2
Kent Street. .................................A1
Kerry Avenue. .............................C2
Kerwin Street. .............................C1
Knollwood Circle..........................B2
Knollwood Drive..........................B2
K
Lampton Street ......................C1, C2
Lancaster Street ..........................B1
Langton Street.............................C2
Latham Place. .............................B2
Laurel Place. ...............................C2
Lawson Place...............................C2
Leighton Street. ..........................B1
L
Leona Drive.................................C2
Leonard Place .............................C2
Linden Court. ..............................C3
London Lane ...............................C3
Londonderry Lane. ......................C3
Lucille Avenue .............................C2
Ludlow Avenue............................C2
Lyle Avenue...........................C2, C3
MacLeod Way ........................B2, C3
Madison Street.......................C1, C2
Main St.......................B1, B2, B3,C3
Malvern Avenue.....................C2, C3
Manor Way .................................B2
Margate Avenue..........................B2
Marjorie Place. ......................C2, C3
Marlborough Lane ..................C1,C2
Martingale Road .........................B2
McCabe Drive ..............................C3
Melrose Avenue...........................C2
Merlyn Avenue. .....................C2, C3
Mills Street..................................C3
Moonstone Beach Dr....................A1
Murray Place...............................B1
M
Nault Avenue...............................C2
Newhall Avenue. .........................C2
Newport Avenue ..........................C2
Newton Drive. .............................B2
Norfolk Street. ............................B1
Northampton Street.....................B2
Norton Lane ................................C2
Norwich Avenue ..........................C2
Nottingham Drive..........................2
N
Oakhurst Drive............................B2
Ogden Drive................................C2
Orin Place. ..................................C3
Orlando Drive..............................C1
Orme Place .................................B2
Orville Avenue.............................C2
Orville Place................................C2
Oxford Avenue ............................C2
O
Patterson Place ...........................B2
Pembrook Drive ..........................B1
Pickwick Lane..............................C3
Pierce Avenue..............................C2
Pine Court...................................B2
Pine Knolls Drive.........................B2
Pineridge Drive ...........................C3
Pinewood Drive ...........................B2
Piney Way...................................B2
Pitt Place.....................................C2
Plymouth Street. .........................B1
Preston Street............................. C3
P
Radcliff Avenue. ......C2
Ramsey Avenue...........B2
Randall Drive...................C2
Richard Avenue .................. C2
Rodeo Grounds Road ......................B2
Rodman Avenue ..........................C2
Rogers Drive. ............................. B2
Romney Drive............................. C2
Roscoe Place................................C3
Ross Road. .................................C2
R
St. James Road. ..........................C2
St. Thomas Avenue ......................C2
Sandown Place. ...........................C2
Santa Rosa Creek Rd. .................B3
Schoolhouse Lane. ......................B3
Sheffield Street. ..........................B2
Sherwood Drive...........................C1
Skye Street. ................................B2
Smith Court.................................B2
Somerset Way .............................A1
Spencer Street. ............................C3
Stafford Street.............................A1
Stuart Street..........................C2, C3
Suffolk Street..............................B2
Sunbury Avenue.................... A2,B2
S
Taft Place ................................... C2
Tamson Drive. ............................ B2
Tipton Street............................... C2
Trenton Drive ..............................C2
Tully Place...................................C2
Tweed Avenue .............................C2
T
Victoria Way. ...............................C1
Village Lane ..........................B2, B3
V
Wales Road. ...............................C2
Wall Street ..................................B2
Wallace Avenue .....................C2, C3
Wallbridge Drive .........................B1
Warren Road ...............................C2
Warwick Street ............................A1
Wedgewood Street ......................C1
Wellington Drive......................... A1
West Street................................. B2
Weymouth Street.........................A1
Whitehall Avenue. .......................B1
Wilcombe Road ...........................C2
Wilton Drive................................B2
Windsor Blvd North .....................B1
Windsor Blvd South. ....................C1
Wood Drive. ..........................B2, B3
Worcester Drive ...........................B1
W
Yorkshire Drive ...........................B2
Y
1
2
3
www.CambriaChamber.org
A
Cambria
B
©2010 Aldridge Designs
C
Page 43
Hearst Castle New Tour
Gardens & Vistas
Would you like to stroll back in time through
the gardens of Hearst Castle in the late afternoon, as Mr. Hearst’s guests would have
done in the 1930s, watching the sunset
into the Pacific Ocean? This opportunity is
now available beginning in March and
continuing through Labor Day weekend
with the new self-guided Gardens & Vistas
Tour.
Designed to complete the setting of the
magnificent estate, the gardens were an
integral part of “The Enchanted Hill.”
William Randolph Hearst and architect
Julia Morgan worked collaboratively to create the garden designs, including plants,
fountains and statuary to compliment the architectural design of the buildings. Guests
would have explored the beautiful gardens
while soaking in the incredible views, listening to the water flowing softly in the
fountains and admiring the statuary that
was integrated into the garden designs.
Flowers and trees bloomed according to the
seasons to add color and incredible fragrances to the late afternoon walk.
As visitors today enjoy the gardens on
this new self-guided tour, guides will be
present to answer questions about the estate and William Randolph Hearst. Maps
will be provided to visitors as a guide to the estate and indicating the pathway areas throughout
the grounds that are available for viewing. Photographers will have the opportunity to capture
Page 44
breathtaking images of the gardens and vistas.
Included with the Gardens and Vistas Tour
is admission to see the movie, Hearst Castle-Building the Dream, shown on the
Giant-Screen at the Hearst Castle Theater.
Guidebooks will also be available for
purchase for visitors who would like more
detailed information or as a keepsake of
their experience.
Hours and Dates
The Gardens and Vistas Tour will be
offered beginning mid-March through
mid-June on most Friday and Saturday
late afternoons. Beginning on June 27th
through Labor Day weekend in September,
the tours will be offered in the late afternoons on a daily basis.
Length
The Gardens and Vistas Tour will end
at sunset and all visitors will depart
within one-half hour after sunset. Visitors
can depart earlier as buses will arrive at
the hilltop and depart to the Visitor Center
every 20 minutes.
Tickets
The Gardens & Vistas Tour can be purchased through the reservation system
either online at www.hearstcastle.com or
at 800-444-4445. Times will vary with
the season, depending on sunset.
Page 45