Things to do in San Luis Obispo County

Cambria and San Luis Obispo Area Attractions…

San Luis Obispo Piedras Blancas Lighthouse Elephant Seals Hiking & Biking Cambria Art Galleries

Paso Robles. Rancho Paso de Robles was created in 1844 when brothers Daniel and James Blackburn purchased the 26,000-acre site for just $8,000. After the Civil War, Drury James (the uncle of outlaw Jesse James) purchased a half-interest in the town and, along with the Blackburns, created a resort complete with first-class amenities including a hotel, opera house and natural hot sulfur springs. Today, Paso Robles is a bustling city that is home to the Central Coast’s multi-million dollar wine industry. Www.pasowine.com.

San Luis Obispo. Home to the famous Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, one of the best-preserved examples of 18th century Spanish architecture in the state, San Luis Obispo is a popular college town with a wide variety of activities and attractions like a weekly evening farmer’s market, Bubble Gum Alley, unique local shops and restaurants, and much more.

Moonstone Beach. Moonstone Beach is located off Cambria’s rocky shoreline below 20-foot windswept bluffs. Visitors can access the sandy beach via several staircases, where they’ll be rewarded with the smooth, translucent, milky white moonstone agates that give this beach its name. Enjoy a stroll along the walking trail that leads past small coves, rock formations, and tide pools to scenic overlooks that are perfect for sighting migrating gray whales.  [Top]

Piedras Blancas Lighthouse. Located just north of San Simeon, Piedras Blancas lighthouse was completed in 1875 and included a 115-foot tower with a state-of-the-art Fresnel lens. A fog signal building and additional keeper's dwelling were added in 1906.
The lighthouse was operated by the U.S. Lighthouse Service until 1939, when the Coast Guard assumed command. Today, this fully-automated light station is operated by the Bureau of Land Management. Www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/bakersfield/Programs/pbls.html.

Central Coast Bird Watching. From Morro Bay to Montana de Oro, the Central Coast offers a wide variety of bird watching opportunities for bird watchers of all ages. With a diverse range of habitats, from oak woodland to wetland and estuaries, offering more than 200 species, beginning and experienced bird watchers will have fun trying to find their personal favorite. Serious bird lovers will want to attend the Morro Coast Audubon Society’s annual Winter Bird Festival with bird watching tours, workshops, speakers, and more.  [Top]

Elephant Seals at Piedras Blancas. Located seven miles north of San Simeon, the Piedras Blancas elephant seal rookery offers visitors the chance to see more than 8,000 elephant seals living and mating in their natural habitat. The breeding season runs from December through April, with elephant seals visiting the area throughout the summer and fall months. Docents from the non-profit group, Friends of the Elephant Seal, are generally on-site to answer visitor questions.

Hearst Castle. The famous palatial estate of newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, Hearst Castle is a 250,000-acre ranch overlooking the Pacific Ocean in San Simeon. With spectacular buildings designed by San Francisco architect Julia Morgan, the estate is a wild blend of architectural styles inspired by Hearst’s travels through Europe. Highlights include an outdoor pool featuring an ancient Roman temple transported from Europe and reconstructed at the site, ancient mosaic floors, 127 acres of gardens, and the world's largest private zoo with zebras and other exotic animals still roaming the grounds. Www.hearstcastle.org.  [Top]

Hiking & Biking in Cambria. Cambria offers a wide range of hiking and biking trails for outdoor enthusiasts of all abilities. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along area beaches, or challenge yourself with an intense all-day hike. You’ll have plenty of choices when you visit Cambria, California. For more information on hiking and biking trails in the Cambria area, visit www.trails.com/city-trails.asp?keyword=Cambria&state=CA

• Leffingwell Landing Park. Enjoy views of sea birds, sea otters, and migrating California Gray Whales as you walk along the bluff trail toward San Simeon Creek.


• San Simeon Beach State Park. With spectacular scenery that includes rocky shoreline and pine forests, San Simeon State Park offers a variety of hiking trails, wetlands, campgrounds, monarch butterflies, and views of migratory birds like mallards, egrets and herons.


• East West Ranch. This 436-acre ranch includes several outstanding trails for hikers and bikers of all skill levels. The bluff trail is an easy stroll offering fantastic views of the Pacific Ocean.


• Berry Trail. Access this steep, unimproved trail at the end of Pine Court. This trail is very popular with mountain bikers, but experienced hikers looking for a challenge will enjoy the hike as well.


• Santa Rosa Creek. A wide trail running along and above the west side of Santa Rosa Creek, this trail includes two moderately difficult and steep sections, and is popular for both hiking and biking.  [Top]

Cambria Art Galleries. With more than 30 art galleries offering everything from art glass to watercolor painting, nature photography to handmade jewelry, you’ll find the best work from well-known local artists and craftsmen in Cambria’s quaint downtown area. Www.cambriachamber.org/art-galleries.php.

National Geographic Theater. Located at Hearst Castle in San Simeon, the National Geographic Theater offers a movie experience you won’t soon forget. Enjoy spectacular documentary style films on the iWERKS screen that is eight times the size of traditional movie screens and includes 7-channel digital surround sound to transport you right into the movie experience. Www.ngtheater.com.  [Top]