CambriaHotel-BurtonInn

Elephant Seals near Hearst Castle

Burton Inn — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:38:07 +0000

The elephant seals are a sight to behold. Cambria, California is fortunate to host a colony of elephant seals approximately five miles north of the central coast’s famed landmark, Hearst Castle. It’s just a short drive up Highway 1 from our Cambria hotel, the Burton Inn, to see these beautiful marine mammals in action. It’s no wonder this is one of the most popular things to do in Cambria. You can spend hours watching the interaction between the alpha bulls, females, and their cute newborn pups.

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.

Fiscalini Ranch

Burton Inn — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 11:05:52 +0000

Discover the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve, a beautiful ocean front bluff near our Cambria hotel. Fiscalini Ranch gives visitors and locals a place to admire the beauty of the central coast. As you meander the Fiscalini Ranch trail you will notice it is incredibly well maintained thanks to the efforts of the Friends of the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve. There are many benches to post up and admire the view. We actually have a couple that frequents the Burton Inn and they head on down to Fiscalini Ranch and read poems to one another. It’s quite a romantic place. Spring time is particularly beautiful with an abundance of wildflowers dotting the bluff and shooting sprays of purple and gold across the preserve.

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.

Sebastian’s Store

Burton Inn — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 02:50:32 +0000

Sebastian’s Store is a local favorite where you can find some of the best sandwiches and burgers around. The view and surrounding area is pretty special to boot. The general store is a little drive from our Cambria hotel and very close to Hearst Castle. It is the perfect lunch spot after touring Hearst Castle or enjoying a day at the William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach. Once you’ve finished admiring all the treasures and the magnificent architecture of the masterpiece high on the hill, cross Highway 1 toward the state beach. You’ll stumble upon Sebastian’s somewhat unassuming general store, which has been a landmark since 1852.

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.

Piedras Blancas Lighthouse

Burton Inn — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 03:03:20 +0000

For all the lighthouse fanatics out there, this is one to add to your photo album collection of historical lighthouses around the country. There are almost 50 lighthouses in California and the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse is a must-see. It’s located very close to our Cambria hotel.

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.

William Randolph Hearst Cove Hike

Burton Inn — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 01:49:24 +0000

One of the most magical things to do in Cambria, California is to experience the great outdoors when visiting our Cambria hotel. The central coast offers incomparable beauty with rugged, undeveloped coastline and evergreen, oak, and cypress trees. My absolute favorite Cambria hike is to stroll around the William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach to admire the peaceful cove. Calling it a hike is a bit of an exaggeration. It’s more of an easy walk under a canopy of gorgeous trees. The William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach is just below Hearst Castle and only a 10 minute drive from our Cambria Hotel, the Burton Inn. On a beautiful day, nothing quite compares to walking around a forest that looks out toward the calm, emerald green waters of the Pacific.

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.

Black Cat Bistro

Burton Inn — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 09:24:25 +0000

The Black Cat Bistro is one of the finest gourmet restaurants in Cambria. They describe their culinary presentations as American fare with an international influence. If that doesn’t conjure up images of platable deliciousness, then perhaps the fact that they use seasonal and local produce that is organic and sustainable will do the trick. You’ll find fresh, imaginative twists on classics like chipotle shrimp linguine, seared yellowfin ahi, and oven-roasted rack of lamb. Their menu changes often, so check the menu closer to when you’ll be staying at your Cambria hotel.

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.

Indigo Moon Cafe

Burton Inn — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 08:18:05 +0000

Indigo Moon is fast becoming one of the most recommended Cambria restaurants, and for good reason. They have a new enclosed and heated garden patio. It’s the perfect spot to listen to music as you enjoy an afternoon brunch or lunch. Music plays every Sunday from 12pm to 3pm. To complement the great outdoor setting, you’ll find a healthy dose of beautiful wines, a variety of tasty and unique cheeses, gourmet sandwiches, hearty homemade soups, and sweet desserts on the menu. The building is adorable and located right on Main Street, just a short stroll from our Cambria hotel.

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.

Robin’s Restaurant

Burton Inn — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 08:25:43 +0000

Robin’s Restaurant is a Cambria favorite. It is located just steps from our Cambria hotel, the Burton Inn. You’ll find delicious international cuisine and a wonderfully, intimate ambiance at Robin’s. Their meals are handcrafted and renowned for fresh ingredients and original fusions. You’re sure to enjoy their world inspired fare from the cozy nooks indoors or their beautiful outdoor garden, which is perfect for weddings. Robin’s is a Cambria restaurant that can best accommodate wedding receptions and other special events, providing a memorable setting for your big day.

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.

Linn’s Fruit Bin Restaurant

Burton Inn — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 09:36:24 +0000

Linn’s has become one of the icons of Cambria, serving happy customers delicious food and pie since 1989. Their pies are what put them on the map so many years ago. It’s no wonder people keep returning for their sinfully good desserts. If you like berries, try the olallieberry pie. An olallieberry is a cross between a loganberry and a youngberry. Funny enough the loganberry is a cross between a blackberry and a raspberry and the youngberry is a cross between a blackberry and a dewberry. That’s a lot of crossing, but the result is magic.

Linn’s Restaurant went through some major renovations after a devastating fire years ago. The updated restaurant is beautiful and a great place to relax and enjoy some comfort food. Their menu is extensive. If you have a lot of picky eaters that all want different things, then Linn’s is your place to dine.

Contact Linn’s Restaurant

2277 Main Street
Cambria, California 93428
805.927.0371

http://www.linnsfruitbin.com

Cambria Restaurant Hours of Operation

Open daily from 8am to 9pm

Most Popular Dishes at Linn’s Restaurant

Did anyone say pie? Particularly the olallieberry pie is one of their most popular sweets. You can score a great pick me up with a quality cup of coffee and choose from an assortment of fresh muffins if you’re looking for some breakfast snacks. If you’re looking for something more filling, Linn’s serves one of the best breakfasts in town. If you like to indulge in the comfort of a pot pie, you won’t be disappointed here. It’s a definite must order.

You can view their huge menus by clicking the links below. Don’t forget to scope out the dessert menu! It’s legendary.

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Dessert

Cambria Restaurant Pricing

Dinner ranges from $15 to $32 for a main dish. Lunch covers the price gamut from $9 to $22. Dessert will set you back between about $6 and $10 per dessert.

Linn’s Restaurant Reviews

What a fun place – whatever you do make sure you try the Olallieberry Pie! Great staff. The Pie is amazing!

Linn’s has the very best food. The food is served hot and the menu is wide ranging and the servers are excellent.

The best breakfast in town. Everything homemade and fresh. I wish Linn’s had a resturant where I live!

The Sow’s Ear Cafe

Burton Inn — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 08:56:46 +0000

The Sow’s Ear Cafe has been a long-time favorite since it opened its doors in 2001. The owners focus on providing an intimate and comfortable dining experience with the best service on the central coast. Their waitstaff is knowledgeable and helpful. The servers are capable of providing outstanding food and wine pairing recommendations and they know the restaurant cuisine like the back of their hand. You’ll find rich items on the menu that will leave you feeling wonderfully satisfied. Indulge in homemade mac and cheese, lobster pot pie, chicken fried steak, chicken and dumplings, Alaskan halibut in a honey macadamia nut crust, and many other delicious favorites.

The restaurant is located in the heart of Cambria’s East Village on Main Street, just a short walk from our Cambria hotel. The restaurant itself is intimate and romantic. One of their trademarks is serving bread in a flower pot. Very sweet.

Contact The Sow’s Ear Cafe

2248 Main Street
Cambria, California 93428
805.927.4865

http://thesowsear.com

Cambria Restaurant Hours of Operation

Open nightly from 5pm until closing

Most Popular Dishes at The Sow’s Ear Cafe

The Sow’s Ear “Macoroni and Cheese” is delicious as is any of their seafood dishes. They do an unreal rack of lamb and their beef stroganoff may very well be the best you’ve ever had.

You can view their full menu by clicking the link below and navigating to the “Menu” option in the bottom navigation bar. Then click “Dinner”.

Dinner

Cambria Restaurant Pricing

If you get in for early dining between 5pm and 6pm, then you can save a little bit on your bill. You can enjoy select menu items for between $15 and $20. If you wish to dine a little later, then you can expect to pay between about $22 and $32, depending on the dish you fancy.

The Sow’s Ear Reviews

Wonderful little Bistro….the fireplace in the dining room is a wonderful touch and only heightens the dining experience

The food was good. Large wine selection. The service was flawless. The restaurant was clean and cozy.

Great selection and awesome food. Would go back in a minute.