Jamie’s guidebook
Sightseeing
Beaches, Hiking trails, Sea Life and beautiful views that are too good to pass up.
These mammoth Elephant Seals travel long distances to mate and have their young here. The males have a big 'hammer head' and the females have the typical pristine seal head. Sometimes you might even witness a female giving birth. (I did) You don't want to get too close to them or they might feel threatened. There are really nice docents to chat with and answer any questions. There is a parking lot to the North where you can park, go through the fence and go for a beautiful hike and see more Elephant Seals and scenic views.
151 personas de la zona recomiendan
Mirador de Elephant Seal
These mammoth Elephant Seals travel long distances to mate and have their young here. The males have a big 'hammer head' and the females have the typical pristine seal head. Sometimes you might even witness a female giving birth. (I did) You don't want to get too close to them or they might feel threatened. There are really nice docents to chat with and answer any questions. There is a parking lot to the North where you can park, go through the fence and go for a beautiful hike and see more Elephant Seals and scenic views.
Amazing views with a grassy picnic area. The lower level also has tables for picnics and barbecues right on the beach. There is a really cool pier with a beautiful view of the cove, mountains and the little harbor. When you're walking west on the beach you can see some of the remnants of family Hearst housing 50 feet away. This beach often seems to be sheltered from the wind when other coastal areas are "whipping & howling". If you head west on the beach, toward the end, you'll see a trail that reaches up the bluff. Head up that way and you can wind around little elfin-like trails where there are secluded beaches here and there. A great place to bring your to-go coffee in the morning and see the views. You definitely don't want to miss this spot... my favorite beach in the area. Locals call this beach "the cove".
William Randolf Hearst Memorial State Beach
Amazing views with a grassy picnic area. The lower level also has tables for picnics and barbecues right on the beach. There is a really cool pier with a beautiful view of the cove, mountains and the little harbor. When you're walking west on the beach you can see some of the remnants of family Hearst housing 50 feet away. This beach often seems to be sheltered from the wind when other coastal areas are "whipping & howling". If you head west on the beach, toward the end, you'll see a trail that reaches up the bluff. Head up that way and you can wind around little elfin-like trails where there are secluded beaches here and there. A great place to bring your to-go coffee in the morning and see the views. You definitely don't want to miss this spot... my favorite beach in the area. Locals call this beach "the cove".
Wonderful nature walk with really close up views of the ocean below the bluff. There are handmade artsy benches along the trail where you can sit and chat or open your picnic lunch. You may see Sea Otters, Seals, Pelicans, Seagulls, Egrets, not to mention Deer, Rabbits, Squirrels and more. It is an easy hike and well worth it.
60 personas de la zona recomiendan
Fiscalini Ranch Preserve
Bluff TrailWonderful nature walk with really close up views of the ocean below the bluff. There are handmade artsy benches along the trail where you can sit and chat or open your picnic lunch. You may see Sea Otters, Seals, Pelicans, Seagulls, Egrets, not to mention Deer, Rabbits, Squirrels and more. It is an easy hike and well worth it.
Moonstone Beach has a nice boardwalk where you are up above the beach, on the bluffs, right along the ocean. I like to go in the morning when it's not so windy. You will see a variety of sea life as well as surfers out in the water. It's a popular spot for people to walk their dogs along the cliffs. Before I head out of town, I usually drive by this scenic ocean area and check out the crashing waves, it's addicting!
49 personas de la zona recomiendan
Playa de Moonstone
Moonstone Beach has a nice boardwalk where you are up above the beach, on the bluffs, right along the ocean. I like to go in the morning when it's not so windy. You will see a variety of sea life as well as surfers out in the water. It's a popular spot for people to walk their dogs along the cliffs. Before I head out of town, I usually drive by this scenic ocean area and check out the crashing waves, it's addicting!
Food scene
Castillo Hearst
750 Hearst Castle RoadMy favorite Restaurants
Here are some breakfast, lunch & dinner restaurants in Cambria and all the way up to the North Coast of Big Sur.
This restaurant overlooks moonstone beach. It is so quaint and lovely. You can sit at the bar with a glass of wine and watch the chefs prepare your oysters in the half shell and cook your meal ...right in front of you. It is really quite an experience! The seafood, pasta, salads, soups and appetizers are all amazing. No reservations are available...there may be a line of 30 people before they open up at 5:30. Make sure and bring cash as they don't take cards.
58 personas de la zona recomiendan
Sea Chest Restaurant
6216 Moonstone Beach DrThis restaurant overlooks moonstone beach. It is so quaint and lovely. You can sit at the bar with a glass of wine and watch the chefs prepare your oysters in the half shell and cook your meal ...right in front of you. It is really quite an experience! The seafood, pasta, salads, soups and appetizers are all amazing. No reservations are available...there may be a line of 30 people before they open up at 5:30. Make sure and bring cash as they don't take cards.
Here you will find a gourmet treat with food made from scratch. Lunch and dinner are both great and the wait staff are really friendly. I love their salads and their seafood bisque is truly amazing. They will do so much to try and make you happy.
29 personas de la zona recomiendan
Indigo Moon
1980 Main StHere you will find a gourmet treat with food made from scratch. Lunch and dinner are both great and the wait staff are really friendly. I love their salads and their seafood bisque is truly amazing. They will do so much to try and make you happy.
I love this place because of the quaint atmosphere , the grassfed/organic burgers and meatloaf sandwiches. There is a cute patio out back and also seating outside in the front. Inside there are cozy antique tables and rustic atmosphere.. I haven't had anything I didn't like and the sandwiches are so plentiful! They are open from 11am to 4pm.
17 personas de la zona recomiendan
The Café on Bridge St
4286 Bridge StI love this place because of the quaint atmosphere , the grassfed/organic burgers and meatloaf sandwiches. There is a cute patio out back and also seating outside in the front. Inside there are cozy antique tables and rustic atmosphere.. I haven't had anything I didn't like and the sandwiches are so plentiful! They are open from 11am to 4pm.
I love the breakfasts here, especially the Huevos Rancheros (huge) and the 4-5 types of Eggs Benedict. I've never tried lunch because I'm so happy with breakfast! They are open from 11:00 am - 2:00pm
Redwood Cafe
2094 Main StI love the breakfasts here, especially the Huevos Rancheros (huge) and the 4-5 types of Eggs Benedict. I've never tried lunch because I'm so happy with breakfast! They are open from 11:00 am - 2:00pm
The food at Mezzo Italiano is made from scratch and features organic local dishes. They are the only place in town where you can have a beautiful meal until Midnight. They open at 3:00pm. They serve great wine and delicious Peet's coffee. You can order to go meals at 8059271501. Finding a place to sit can be tricky, but you can either wait or take it with you.
MEZZO ITALIANO
1622 Main StreetThe food at Mezzo Italiano is made from scratch and features organic local dishes. They are the only place in town where you can have a beautiful meal until Midnight. They open at 3:00pm. They serve great wine and delicious Peet's coffee. You can order to go meals at 8059271501. Finding a place to sit can be tricky, but you can either wait or take it with you.
The food is excellent here. They boast a sushi bar as well as delicious lunches and dinners. You might want to get there early as they pack the place out at night! Lunch is from 12:00 to 2:00 and dinner is from 5:30 to 8:30. The view from the restaurant deck and sushi bar is amazing. Sushi bar is closed on Monday & Tuesday nights. Everyone is so sweet here, especially the owners, John & Corinne!
6 personas de la zona recomiendan
Treebones Resort
71895 CA-1The food is excellent here. They boast a sushi bar as well as delicious lunches and dinners. You might want to get there early as they pack the place out at night! Lunch is from 12:00 to 2:00 and dinner is from 5:30 to 8:30. The view from the restaurant deck and sushi bar is amazing. Sushi bar is closed on Monday & Tuesday nights. Everyone is so sweet here, especially the owners, John & Corinne!
There is a special vibe here that is so unique. There are the views, the beautiful patio, the colorful people, the great selection of dishes. I love the hamburger with added avocado. When I lived in L.A. I knew people who drove here just for lunch and would drive back to L.A. the same day! People are very mellow and seem to enjoy working there. I like going there just to 'people watch' as well as eating the yummy food.
94 personas de la zona recomiendan
Nepenthe
48510 CA-1There is a special vibe here that is so unique. There are the views, the beautiful patio, the colorful people, the great selection of dishes. I love the hamburger with added avocado. When I lived in L.A. I knew people who drove here just for lunch and would drive back to L.A. the same day! People are very mellow and seem to enjoy working there. I like going there just to 'people watch' as well as eating the yummy food.
I like to go here in the morning and have coffee on the porch. The homemade doughnuts, pastries are fun and the meals are amazing. They cook pizza in a wood fired oven and everything is made from scratch.
32 personas de la zona recomiendan
Big Sur Bakery
47540 CA-1I like to go here in the morning and have coffee on the porch. The homemade doughnuts, pastries are fun and the meals are amazing. They cook pizza in a wood fired oven and everything is made from scratch.
River Inn is too fun to pass up The food is amazing and you can sit in the patio and look at green grassy slopes and the Big Sur river running through. There are big wooden chairs you can sit in right in the river! My daughter and I split the tri- tip sandwich, and it was not a typical tri tip...it was amazing.! The presentation was really special.
29 personas de la zona recomiendan
Big Sur River Inn
46800 CA-1River Inn is too fun to pass up The food is amazing and you can sit in the patio and look at green grassy slopes and the Big Sur river running through. There are big wooden chairs you can sit in right in the river! My daughter and I split the tri- tip sandwich, and it was not a typical tri tip...it was amazing.! The presentation was really special.
This charming seafood restaurant is in Cayucos on Main St. (the main drag) overlooking the beach. (They literally have the best clam chowder I have ever had. I think maybe they add whipped -up cream at the last minute...never had anything like it. Everything I've had there is amazing but I just can't stop thinking about the chowder! Gotta sit upstairs for the ocean view (right across from the beach). There is a bar upstairs too!
51 personas de la zona recomiendan
Schooners
171 N Ocean AveThis charming seafood restaurant is in Cayucos on Main St. (the main drag) overlooking the beach. (They literally have the best clam chowder I have ever had. I think maybe they add whipped -up cream at the last minute...never had anything like it. Everything I've had there is amazing but I just can't stop thinking about the chowder! Gotta sit upstairs for the ocean view (right across from the beach). There is a bar upstairs too!
Lily's Restaurant on Main Street, Cambria, Ca has amazing breakfast burritos...the best!! They have a great coffee bar and great breakfast items and homemade desserts. They have limited indoor seating and outdoor seating in a garden setting.
7 personas de la zona recomiendan
Lily's Coffee House
2028 Main StLily's Restaurant on Main Street, Cambria, Ca has amazing breakfast burritos...the best!! They have a great coffee bar and great breakfast items and homemade desserts. They have limited indoor seating and outdoor seating in a garden setting.