Driving Directions to William Randolph Hearst Cove from our Cambria Hotel

Hop on Highway 1 and head north toward Hearst Castle
Once you see signs for Hearst Castle, you’ll make a left hand turn into the state park
There is a parking lot right next to the pier and beach, find a spot
Start your stroll toward the point and enjoy the magical day

Just a Few Things to Consider for a Proposal at William Randolph Hearst Cove

It’s probably best to time an early morning or mid-afternoon proposal here because the William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Park hours are dawn to dusk.

Why not bring a nice picnic to enjoy at a nice vantage point near the tip of the point? You’re sure to find an isolated zone perfect for a blanket. Just remember to pick up after yourself amidst all the excitement and celebrating.

Directions from our Cambria Hotel to Fiscalini Ranch

Fiscalini Ranch is just 2.5 miles from the Burton Inn. It’s a quick drive through the East Village and West Village of Cambria. Then you’ll cross Highway 1 and drive through a coastal neighborhood until you reach a dead end.

Start at 4022 Burton Drive, Cambria, CA 93428
Head toward Main Street
Turn left at Main Street
Drive 1.3 miles through Cambria’s quaint town
Turn left onto Windsor Blvd and go through the stop light that crosses Highway 1
Continue for about half mile and then park at the end of the road

…and then start one of the most memorable walks of your life.

A Few Things to Consider for your Cambria Proposal

Cambria weather can be cooler than you might expect. While it is a California coastal town, Cambria is quite a bit colder and breezier than some of the popular hot spots in southern California. You’ll want to make sure the walk is memorable for all the right reasons. Certainly, being frozen to the bone shouldn’t be a highlight. With that in mind, make sure you’re equipped with a jacket and perhaps a cozy blanket to cuddle up in together.

You’ll likely want to celebrate with a great dinner and bubbly afterwards. If you’re planning to travel to Cambria over the weekend, be sure to make reservations. The popular Cambria restaurants with a romantic flare tend to fill up pretty fast. The Black Cat, Robin’s, and Madeline’s offer a great ambiance for a special occasion after your Cambria proposal at Fiscalini Ranch.

The Best Time to Visit the Elephant Seal Colony near Cambria, California

 
Elephant seals take over the coastal area near Piedras Blancas Lighthouse from November to early March. The males are first to arrive on the scene in November. A series of fights and scuffles ensues to establish dominance in preparation for the arrival of the females. The female elephant seals give birth to their pups in late December and January. It is a true national geographic moment and, for those that are never without a camera in hand, it’s photographic bliss. You’ll capture aggressive alpha males fighting with their behemoth counterparts and females shielding their young from overzealous seagulls dive bombing to get their fill on nature’s aftermath from welcoming a new pup to the shores.

The sheer size of the alpha males is worth the drive out. Elephant seals reach a maximum size of about 16 feet and 6,600 pounds. What’s more impressive is their ability to move quickly on land as well as being one of the supreme divers of the underwater world. They’re capable of going under the sea for just under two hours at a time. The females resemble a seal as we know it, but the males have a protruding snout that makes them less than attractive, but highly distinguishable.

Friends of the Elephant Seals

 
There’s a newly built boardwalk to roam about the area while keeping a respectful distance from the elephant seals. Around the spectating area, you’ll find docents available to answer questions and talk about highlights. The docents are part of Friends of the Elephant Seals, a non-profit organization founded in 1997 with the aim to educate the community about these magnificent mammals of the sea. The group has done amazing work making the vista point accessible and safe for sightseers and elephant seals.

Getting to the elephant seal colony from our Cambria hotel:

 
Simply hop in your car at the Burton Inn. Merge onto Highway 1 and head north toward Hearst Castle. Once you reach Hearst Castle, keep driving north for another five miles and be on the lookout for signs and a parking area on the ocean side of the highway. You can’t miss it.

Directions to the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve from our Cambria hotel

There are a number of entrance points to the ranch. The starting point on Windsor Blvd is probably the easiest to locate. If you’re feeling adventurous you probably could walk to Fiscalini Ranch from our Cambria hotel, but it might be easiest to drive to save your legs for the stroll along the bluff.

• Turn right out of the Burton Inn driveway
• Turn left at the stop sign onto Main Street
• Go through West Village and turn left at Windsor
• You will cross Highway 1, keep going straight on Windsor
• Windsor will wind past Shamel Park, keep following the road until you hit the dead end
• Park your car and start your adventure

View Larger Map

Docent Walks of the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve

The Friends of the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve frequently organize docent tours of the preserve. They provide great information about the eco system of the area. The walks are free, but be sure to arrange them in advance. Reservations are required. You can contact them by email or over the phone. More information can be found at their website. It looks like they already have some great guided walks and informational sessions lined up for this year, so be sure to check out their schedule before your visit to see if one coincides with your stay in Cambria.

Enjoy your exploration of the central coast’s natural landscape.

The sandwiches and burgers in and of themselves are worth a trip to Sebastian’s Store; the history is the proverbial cherry on top. The store, amazingly, was operated by the same family for half a century! It was recently sold to the Hearst Corporation and the new managing body has been busy putting in a great wine tasting bar. The building is a registered historical landmark (No. 726).

Contact Sebastian’s Store

442 Slo San Simeon Road
San Simeon, California 93452
805.927.3307

Cambria Restaurant Hours of Operation

Lunch 11am – 4pm.
This is a lunch spot and it’s usually always busy, so an early (11am) or late (3pm) lunch might be a good call to try to avoid the mid-day rush. The good news is that it’s busy because it’s that good.

Most Popular Dishes at Sebastian’s Store

Seriously, everything on the menu is top notch. Order any of the sandwiches or burgers, veggie or with meat, and your taste buds will be over the moon. Just about anybody that has ever eaten at Sebastian’s Store raves about their meal no matter what they ordered. The sandwiches and burgers are big and should take care of a big appetite after a Hearst Castle tour or a walk around San Simeon Cove.

Cambria Restaurant Pricing

Very reasonable! You get a huge sandwich for around $10.

Sebastian’s Store Reviews

The burgers are made with the grass fed beef from the Hearst Ranch. They are delicious! I have, simply put, never had a better burger in my life. Eating it under an umbrella, on their deck, was a perfect meal before heading up to the Castle.

Sebastian’s is wonderful and a great place to grab amazing sandwiches and either eat on their patio or take to the beach and have a picnic.

Probably the best value in the area. The store is pretty amazing, too.

Directions to Piedras Blancas Lighthouse from our Cambria Hotel

It’s a quick 20 minute drive north on the Pacific Coast Highway to get to the lighthouse. You’ll simply hop on Highway 1 and travel 14.8 miles toward Big Sur while enjoying the beautiful scenery along the way. The lighthouse will be, of course, on the left side of the highway.

About the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse

The Piedras Blancas Lighthouse reaches 115 feet toward the sky and donned its first Fresnel Lens in 1875. The Fresnel lens was considered a state of the art masterpiece in the 19th century because it reduces the amount of material required when compared to spherical lenses and it also does the trick in illuminating larger distances. The Piedras Blancas Lighthouse original Fresnel lens now sits in the center of town in our small Cambria village. If you’re keen to get an up close and personal look at the original lens, it’s on Main Street just a short 15 minute stroll from our Cambria hotel.

The story goes that Captain Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo bestowed the name Piedras Blancas to the area because he found a large amount of guano on the rocks, completely covering them in a blanket of white. Although not too romantic, it certainly is memorable!

In bygone decades, there were keepers of the lighthouse that managed the station until 1939. Imagine what a job that would be! Eventually, the coast guard took over and oversaw operations until about 1975. After that, the lighthouse tower was automated leaving little need for any staff. The Piedras Blancas Lighthouse was handed over to the Bureau of Land Management in 2001. They have plans to completely restore the landmark, including replicating the lantern room.

Piedras Blancas Lighthouse Tours

You can get a tour of the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse and surrounding area from September 1 to June 14 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, or Saturdays at 10am sharp. It’ll take you about 2 hours to cover the lighthouse and history of the area. The time includes a 1/2 mile walking tour.

You’re instructed to meet at the former Piedras Blancas Motel, located about a mile and a half north of the light station. It is recommended you arrive 15 minutes early.

There is a fee for the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse Tour.
Adults: $10
Children (6-17): $5
Children (5 and under): FREE

You can find more information at the Bureau of Land Management website.

Directions from our Cambria Hotel

750 Hearst Castle Road
San Simeon, California 93452

It’s quite easy to get to Hearst cove.

• Drive north on Highway 1
• Once you see signs to Hearst Castle pointing Right, you’ll actually turn Left into the William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach
• Find a parking spot in the lot that’s pretty much right on the beach and start walking toward the point.
• You’ll find a trail on the small bluff that wraps around the point

Enjoy the amazing vistas of the central coast experience!

About William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach

This is a favorite day use spot for a variety of recreational activities while you visit Cambria and the surrounding areas. You can dip your toes in the water, relax on the beach, have a barbecue on one of the beach’s grills, adventure through the forest, fish, kayak, and boogie board. I’d say this is probably one of the best beaches along the entire central coast to enjoy a day in the sun. The beach area was donated by William Randolph Hearst’s heirs after his death in 1951. It is truly a gift to be able to enjoy such a beautiful spot.

View this YouTube video from DeciWorland to get an idea about how beautiful this area really is.

San Simeon Cove Lunch Spot

If you manage to work up an appetite, head on over to Sebastian’s General Store for one of the best spots to enjoy a gourmet sandwich on the central coast.

You’ll find an intimate setting at the Black Cat Bistro. The service is attentive without being over the top. The vibe is sophisticated without an air of pretentiousness. You can dress up…or not. Cambria restaurants are usually casual enough that you can pass with just about any style. However, if you’re celebrating a special occasion, then the Black Cat Bistro is a Cambria restaurant that promises to deliver. Oh and did we mention their wine list? Divine. They know how to pair a fine wine with a good entree at the Black Cat.

Contact the Black Cat Bistro

1602 Main Street
Cambria, California 93428
805.927.1600

http://www.blackcatbistro.com

Cambria Restaurant Hours of Operation

Open Thursday through Monday 5:00pm for Dinner
Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Most Popular Dishes at The Black Cat

Since their menu changes frequently, it’s difficult to pintpoint a specific dish. They seem to have the seared ahi quite regularly and that is to perfection on the yum scale. Based on rave reviews, their gnocchi is an absolute must-try. The Black Cat is currently the #1 rated restauranted in Cambria according to TripAdvisor.

View The Black Cat Bistro’s menu by clicking the link below.

Dinner Menu

Cambria Restaurant Pricing

You can enjoy a Black Cat feast for between $20 – $36 per entree. Considering the quality, this is quite reasonable pricing for an organic, fresh, and amazing meal.

The Black Cat Bistro Reviews

A thoughtful, charming, cozy bistro staffed by people who care.

Outstanding. Charming restaurant. 5 star service is a very small town. Well done gourmet food. Inventive. Good ingredients. All in all, a great experience.

The Black Cat lived up to its reputation for first-class ingredients carefully prepared. The staff are enthusiastic and passionate about their food, and the place had a good buzz.

You can pop in for lunch or dinner 7 days a week. Brunch is only served on Sundays, but it’s well worth a long week’s wait to sit down on Sunday afternoon and dig in to French toast, eggs benedict, or a lobster omelet. Don’t forget to add on a pomegranate mimosa and your weekend will be off to a great finish at Indigo Moon.

Contact Indigo Moon Cafe

1980 Main Street
Cambria, California 93428
805.927.2911

http://www.indigomooncafe.com

Cambria Restaurant Hours of Operation

Brunch: Sundays from 10am to 3pm
Lunch: Monday through Saturday 10am to 4pm
Dinner: Monday through Sunday 5pm to 9pm

Most Popular Dishes at Indigo Moon Cafe

There are so many great items on the menu. Their menu is fun and different, making it a great place to try something new. If you enjoy wine, then you’ll be impressed with their extensive wine list. The sweet potato fries are a great treat as is the olive tapenade starter. We’ve heard their fish tacos are to die for.

View their menus by clicking the links below.

Brunch
Lunch
Dinner
Wine List

Cambria Restaurant Pricing

Lunch prices at Indigo Moon range from $6 for soup to $12.50 for delicious fish tacos. You can expect to pay between $17 to $29 for a dinner main. There’s a ton of value at Indigo Moon with the prices being so reasonable the food so delicious.

Indigo Moon Reviews

The food was so fresh and delicious. Reasonable prices for great quality. A very lovely atmosphere with a large patio.

Great food with so many awesome choices. I will definitely be returning. The wine selections are also great.

Wondeful setting and great food.

If you’re looking for a Cambria restaurant that prides itself on the art and science of delicious and unique flavors, Robin’s is a must. Their head chef, Shaun Behrens, has a natural talent for combining the freshest ingredients and making something that will get your taste buds dancing. Robin’s caters to vegetarians as well and the dishes are so good even the meat-eaters out there may forego their usual order for a new meat-free and delicious dish.

Contact Robin’s Restaurant

4095 Burton Drive
Cambria, California 93428
805.927.5007

http://www.robinsrestaurant.com/

Hours of Operation

Lunch 11:00 a.m.-3:50 p.m.
Early Dinner 4:00 p.m.-4:50 p.m.
Dinner Sunday – Thursday 5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Dinner Friday & Saturday 5:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m. or later
Sunday Brunch 11:00 a.m.-3 p.m. Easter & Mother’s Day 10-3pm

Open Daily. Closed Christmas Day

Most Popular Dishes

Robins has a hearty salmon bisque that is most popular with locals and visitors alike. It’s so good that visitors have been known to return to Cambria just for the salmon bisque at Robin’s restaurant! Their lobster enchiladas are a personal favorite and their Thai green chicken curry is some of the best on the Central Coast. The good news is that you can’t really go wrong with whatever you order!

View this Cambria restaurant’s menus by clicking the links below:

Brunch Menu
Lunch Menu
Dinner Menu

Cambria Restaurant Pricing

Robin’s Restaurant is excellent value for the money. For the freshest ingredients and delectable main dishes, you’ll pay between about $18 – $26 for a dinner entree (exclusive of wine and appetizers) and between $10 – $15 for a lunch entree. This is definitely in the same price range as other Cambria restaurants.

Robin’s Restaurant Reviews

You have to see this restaurant to believe it! The food is presented beautifully, it tastes amazing and well worth the prices! Please enjoy!!

Outstanding food with a wonderful diverse menu.

Phenomenal and imaginative food, gracious service, rustic adorable outdoor terrace setting.