[…]Shop in Morro Bay. We began the next morning with a tour of the Point San Luis Lighthouse in Avila Beach. Founded in 1890, this Victorian lighthouse has served San Luis Bay for 127 years. Our docent, a retiree with a penchant for physics named Marian, explained how the original […]
[…]and free parking. Find Spooner’s Cove Beach to the right, just before the campground. Sandspit Beach This long beach begs for long walks on soft sand, and the dunes beg for jumping! The sand spit that gives the beach its name continues north, almost all the way to Morro Bay. […]
[…]be sure to check out Bob Jones Trail; rent a boat, jet ski, or paddle board; and stroll along the Avila Beach Boardwalk. Also, if you have a furry friend with you, there’s an excellent dog beach right next to the pier. Old Edna Townsite Located in the heart of […]
[…]glassy surface to get going. Glide to your heart’s content in the calm and protected bay of Avila Beach, where you’ll survey an endless expanse of soft ripples disturbed only by the occasional dolphin friend. You can also get your “SUP” on in Morro Bay, where peaceful mornings in the estuary allow […]
[…]seaside town has appealed to generations of travelers. Everything revolves around Cayucos State Beach, the white sand beach favored by surfers, anglers, families, romantics, frisbee enthusiasts, sunbathers and sandcastle builders. And right at the heart of Cayucos State Beach lies the Cayucos Pier, a historic landmark built in 1872. Conceived […]
[…]Point Beach on the Cliffside Trail. This half-mile, extremely steep trail leads to a secluded beach with black sand. While the ocean views are majestic, views from the beach up to the 300-foot Black Swift Falls are equally impressive. The 1.6-mile loop of the Pacific Valley Bluff Trail takes hikers […]
[…]known to make an appearance along this special slice of California coastline. Lunch at Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill Lunch at Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill in Cambria blends stellar seafood dishes with an unforgettable ocean view. Directly overlooking Moonstone Beach, the restaurant’s heated patio offers unobstructed views of surf […]
[…]big, beautiful surf perch from the waves. Just north of Oceano and Pismo Beach, Shell Beach and Avila Beach provide ideal conditions for kayak fishing on scenic, protected shoreline. And easy freshwater fishing can be had on Oso Flaco Lake, where largemouth bass, flathead grey mullet and white perch are […]
[…]for steelhead trout (the river empties into the Pacific on the northernmost side). Moonstone Beach Trail Moonstone Beach Trail is an easy, ADA-accessible boardwalk trail that boasts plenty of exciting seaside detours. A 2.6-mile out-and-back trail popular for casual walking, you’ll find fun coastal experiences located all along this popular […]
[…]Tidepools Moonstone BeachFew beaches offer as many tide pooling experiences as Moonstone Beach, which runs parallel to Cambria’s Moonstone Drive. Here, miles of sandy and stony shore provide shelter for creatures of all shapes and sizes among the tidepools. Especially look for tide pools along the northern shore of the […]
[…]Lighthouse is open to 20 hikers each Wednesday and 40 hikers each Saturday. Read More Moonstone Beach Trail – Moonstone Beach is one of Cambria’s and the Central Coast’s most scenic spots. Read More Horizon Hike Over Edna Valley – Enjoy a mild hike, learn about the vines as you walk through them and […]
[…]of the best parts about shopping downtown is its proximity to other attractions like Cayucos State Beach, and the Cayucos Pier. Check out the Cayucos Skate Park and let younger kids burn off steam at the beach playground between shops. Downtown Cayucos also offers restaurants, bakeries, wine tasting, cafes, and […]
[…]Cambria coastline offers multiple beach access points for excellent rockfishing, all of which are much rockier than Moonstone Beach. Head north to Pico Creek, at the end of Pico Avenue, almost 6 miles from Cambria off Highway 1. Or get to the Nottingham Drive Beach Access, on Nottingham Drive at […]
[…]BeachThis stunning area once belonged to multi-millionaire William Randolph Hearst, a private beach below his “enchanted hill,” Hearst Castle. Today, the beach welcomes visitors to enjoy its protected cove, wade or swim in its waters, and fish off the pier. This beach is also terrific for launching into San Simeon […]
[…]a few benefits. For starters, it’s jaw-droppingly scenic — the beautiful Harmony Headlands beach is just south of Moonstone Beach, as is the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve. But this beach is unique for its unusual smooth “moonstones” along the shoreline, in addition to seaglass and driftwood. Once you’ve parked at the […]
[…]and beaches around the town center, Cambria is a quaint reprieve. Discover its colorful Moonstone Beach on a miles-long beachfront wooden boardwalk, admire the storybook-like Victorian architecture, meet beautiful Clydesdale horses, cozy up at one of their lodging options (which include family-owned hotels, oceanside vacation rentals and B&Bs) and enjoy […]
[…]many of which boast close access to the sea. Nibble iconic brown butter cookies on the beach or hop in a kayak and paddle back in time to a mysterious lighthouse. From spying Hearst’s famed wild zebra herd grazing along the side of the road to learning the ancient art […]
[…]de Oro State Park, home to some of the most beautiful uninhabited coastal property. At Avila Beach, visitors can sample wine and visit the local pier before heading to Edna Valley and Arroyo Grande Valley, which boasts rolling hills, vineyards, wildlife, and outdoor activities like fishing, windsurfing and sailing. At […]
[…]the shoreline and cross Pacific Avenue. There, you’ll find coastal access down to Cayucos State Beach via a staircase. A lookout platform also stands at the end of a primitive path, perfect for seagazing. Locals tip: When you’ve had your fill of the great outdoors, walk up North 3rd Street […]
[…]popular with kayak anglers. Big lingcod and vermillion rockfish rule the waters here, and the beach is an easy, sandy launch. Again, though, be aware that these beaches are the migratory home of elephant seals at times throughout the year. The beach is actually closed from mid-December through the end […]