Explore the best things to do in Cambria with our comprehensive self-guided Cambria itinerary, taking you along the breathtaking California coast where you can experience the stunning Moonstone Beach plus a glimpse into historical Cambria village.
We love Cambria! We love it so much that we have visited on many of our wedding anniversary celebrations. Tucked away between hills and the gorgeous California coast, Cambria is simply beautiful and quaint. Come along with me as we explore the best things to do in Cambria, moving from the village itself to the gorgeous California coast. All this is arranged into an efficient, self-guided Cambria itinerary.
Exploring Cambria and the Central Coast
Cambria and neighboring San Simeon define the classic Central Coast experience. While you can explore Hearst Castle and the local elephant seals just a few minutes north, here are my favorite places to visit right here in Cambria:
Cambria Itinerary: At a Glance
- Cambria Old Town & Antiques: start in town
- Fiscalini Ranch Preserve: pick a short trail along the coast
- Moonstone Beach Boardwalk: walk along the coast
- Leffingwell Landing State Park: explore tide pools
Map of best things to do in Cambria, California
Go wine tasting in Cambria and San Simeon with a hop-on, hop-off wine-tasting tour. You’ll have around 70 wineries to choose from with this roughly five-hour-long service, with stops of around 40 minutes at each spot.
With our map in hand and some comfortable walking shoes we started exploring the best things to do in Cambria.
1. Explore Cambria Historic Village
Beautiful older home in Cambria
See my photos from Cambria
We start our Cambria itinerary in the center of village itself. Main Street in Cambria is a beautiful street to simply walk through and wander. Lots of restaurants and cute shops line up Main Street and make it one of the best things to do in Cambria.
In addition to Main Street, Burton Drive is like an extension of the main walking area of Cambria.
2. Fiscalini Ranch Preserve
Abalone Cove seen from the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve coastal trail
See my photos from Cambria
Located along the eastern side of Cambria, right on the coastal bluffs, Fiscalini Ranch is a beautiful open space with walking trails that take you right along the rugged coast line at Cambria. We loved the loop trail that took us from the end of Windsor Boulevard to the amazing rugged coast along Abalone Cove. Fiscalini Ranch is one of my favorite hiking trails in Cambria.
This is a gorgeous location to take family photos with an amazing backdrop. Make sure you plan enough time so you don’t feel rushed when taking in this beautiful area.
3. Moonstone Beach Boardwalk
Sunset seen from the Moonstone Beach Boardwalk near Leffingwell Landing
See my photos from Cambria
From Leffingwell Landing you can start walking along the Moonstone Beach bluffs and take in one of the most scenic parts of the California Coast. This is California scenery at its best. Almost 3 miles round trip, the Moonstone Beach Boardwalk is a beautifully maintained coastal walk that takes you to the best vista points along Moonstone Beach.
4. Leffingwell Landing State Park
Sunset is best viewed at Leffingwell Landing State Park
See my photos from Cambria
Even though it’s tiny, the Leffingwell Landing State Park area is extremely beautiful and it is clearly one of the best things to do in Cambria. The coast line is rugged and filled with rocky tide pools and many rock formations jutting out of the sea. Just gorgeous!
If you’re looking for the best spot to watch the sunset, Leffingwell Landing area is just perfect especially the parking area and rocky coast by the Leffingwell Creek. Take your time and walk down to the beach and take in the scenery and watch the many birds and sea otters that you will definitely see in the water.
5. Enjoy Local Cambria Food & Treats
Clam Chowder bowl and Olallieberry Burger at Linn’s Restaurant
See my photos from Cambria
Linn’s of Cambria is a beautiful company. From a local ranch to an amazing restaurant and bakery, Linn’s of Cambria must be on your places to visit while in Cambria. We had dinner at Linn’s Restaurant right on Main street on the last day when they allowed outdoor dining during the COVID-19 pandemic. The next day we came to Linn’s Easy As Pie Cafe, a few minutes up the road from the restaurant and bought their famous Olialenberry pie.
Boni’s Tacos is an unassuming Mexican take-our restaurant situated in the industrial area of Cambria. If you don’t know about it, you would not find it. The host at beautiful Oceanpoint Ranch highly recommended the place to us and it did not disappoint. Boni’s Tacos is the definition of a Mexican “hole in the wall”, which is unassuming but has amazing food. Their famous Al Pastor pork burrito is simply delicious.
Is Cambria Worth Visiting?
Absolutely yes! Spending a few full days in Cambria will completely relax you and inspire you with the beautiful California coast filled with amazing animals and birds. Whenever we have friends and family who visit California, we always suggest they go to Cambria for a few days.
I’ve been 1 time to Cambria, saw some of the places you mentioned. We are going again next week to Hearst Castle, we’ve never been there either. Something fun to see was Cambria Nursery & Flourist and breakfast at Creekside garden Cafe on Main Street is wonderful!
Cheryl….thank you for your comment!
When you visit Hearst Castle make sure you stop a bit further up at the Elephant Seal Vista Point near the Piedras Blancas lighthouse. If you have an extra 2 hours I highly recommend taking the coastal Boucher Trail which takes you to a few more secluded coves filled with seals. I love the area.
We visited Cambria today for the first time and found your post very interesting and useful. Cambria is a beautiful town and the surrounding area is fabulous. Thank you for the information
Michaela & Phil…glad you found my article helpful for your trip. And yes, Cambria is lovely…I call it quintessential California beach town.
This Cambria, California guide is incredibly helpful. You’ve really thought through everything you need to know before planning a trip. Thank you for this helpful resource. Saving this guide for later!
Glad you found my Cambria guide helpful!
Hello I was looking up Pt. Mugu and came across your trip & travel site. It’s well done! I couldn’t help but smile when I saw Cambria as one of your 1st destination choices. I used to live in Cambria and absolutely love it there! I’m moving to that area (Morro Bay) at the end of the year! I have to say though, that I’m surprised you didn’t mention Harmony, Cayucos & Morro Bay. All very beautiful & amazing towns along that coast. Anyways thanks for your site.
MM…thank you for your comment, and I’m glad to hear my site was useful to you. Morro Bay is a bit further from Cambria, so that’s why I didn’t include it in the list. Since I mostly write about places we actually visited, I didn’t mention Harmony and Cayucos because we never stopped there, even though we passed through them many times. Next time we visit Cambria we’ll stop in Harmony at least.