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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. Cambria was settled in the early 1860's with the towns center located in what is now East Village. By the 1880's Cambria was the second largest town in the county, with a population of nearly 7000, and an active center of shipping.

In 1894, railroad lines were extended into San Luis Obispo from the south, resulting in the decline of coastal shipping and the isolation of Cambria. It was more than twenty five years before the first improved road to Cambria was completed.

In 1927, the area called Cambria Pines was subdivided into small residential lots. Today, tourism and real estate are the town's main industries. Residents include artists and craftspeople, retirees, professionals ranchers and farmers.

It took almost a decade for Cambria to settle on a name. In 1869, after going by Slab town, Rosaville, San Simeon and Santa Rosa, the name Cambria was officially adopted.

The dramatic coastal drive on Highway 1 in northern San Luis Obispo County has earned its reputation as one of the most scenic drives in the world. This area is home to Ragged Point, San Simeon, Cambria, Harmony and Cayucos.

Cambria's Moonstone Beach Area At the northwest corner of the county is Ragged Point, an untamed section of coastline. Just south is the Piedras Blancas (meaning "white rocks") beach, where the 110' Piedras Blanca Lighthouse, built in 1874, still stands as a beacon warning boaters and fishermen of the perilous reefs and rocky shores.

San Simeon
San Simeon Pier, built in 1878 by William Randolph Hearst's father, George Hearst, continues to serve the area's commercial and sports fisherman.

Cambria's West Village
South of San Simeon, between a natural Monterey pine forest and the Pacific Ocean is the charming town of Cambria. This lovely village with a history of dairy farming is now regarded as an artist's colony, and supports an impressive selection of gourmet restaurants, art galleries, ocean view inns, and one-of-a-kind shops. At the west end of town is Moonstone Beach, named for the shiny moonstones that were once found on the shore. A row of small hotels and bed-and breakfast inns overlook the beach.

Cambria's West Village
View Quicktime Panorama

Harmony
Just south of Cambria, one-block-long Harmony (population 18) is home to a post office, wedding chapel, art shops, galleries, a restaurant/bar, and a winery. Further south from there, Cayucos Pier offers legal fishing even without a fishing license. On New Year's Day, hundreds of swimmers brave 50-degree waters for the annual Polar Bear Dip in the Pacific. The event attracts both young and old participants.

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Ragged Point
At the northwest corner of the county is Ragged Point, an untamed section of coastline. Just south is the Piedras Blancas (meaning "white rocks") beach, where the 110' Piedras Blanca Lighthouse, built in 1874, still stands as a beacon warning boaters and fishermen of the perilous reefs and rocky shores

Average Temperatures
For San Simeon, Cambria & Cayucos...
» Winter - sunny days, clear nights, high 61, low 40
» Spring - Breezy days, cool nights, high 63, low 48
» Summer - foggy mornings and nights, high 67, low 54
» Fall - gentle days, cool nights, high 71, low 49

Cambria Farmers' Market
Fridays, 2:30 - 5:30pm
Main Street next to Vet's Hall

Note:
An amusing controversy continues over the correct pronunciation of Cambria. Visitors and newcomers usually call it Came-Bri-a, while most residents agree on Camm-bria.