My Perfect Weekend in Cambria

Myhusband and I recently faced an unusual and perplexing dilemma – a holiday weekend with no firm travel plans!  Fortunately, inspiration hit when a magical destination popped into our minds.  We had not visited Cambria, California in years – but quickly agreed that it is the ideal location for a proper weekend getaway.  Cambria, located halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, is a seaside village that perfectly expresses what Central Coast living is all about.

Drawn by a chance to escape the Southern California heat, we decided to stay in Moonstone Beach – a picturesque slice of coast in Cambria, which enjoys cooler weather throughout the year.  In addition to the summertime 60-degree temperatures, Moonstone Beach offers gorgeous views, a mile-long boardwalk, and plenty of hotel options.

We selected White Water Lodge as our home in Cambria.  This was an optimal choice as it is located right on Moonstone Beach and is dog-friendly to accommodate our pup – Frankie.  White Water Lodge boasts several amenities including wine and snacks available into the evening and a firepit perfectly situated for watching the sunset.  Your room rate includes Continental Breakfast, delivered to your room each morning, which entails a picnic basket filled with pastries, coffee, juice, and sparkling wine for Mimosas.

One fabulous perk of Moonstone Beach is walkability – park your car once and you really do not need it again during your stay.  After settling into our hotel, we (Frankie in particular) bounded across the street to the boardwalk to explore Moonstone Beach.  After capturing countless photos of breathtaking ocean waves crashing into the rocks of the beach, we decided to refresh ourselves at Madeline’s on Moonstone.  Madeline’s is a Cambria institution and their beachside tasting room overlooking the ocean has a casual food menu as well as a wide assortment of wine and beer tastings.  I opted for a wine flight that included fantastic local red wines of the Central Coast.

After our pit stop, we pressed on along the beach route so that we would work up a sufficient appetite for dinner.  Stumbling upon Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill, we found another perfect spot for a sunset with indoor and outdoor seating options.  Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill, known for their seafood such as Crab Legs and Lobster Tails, does get quite crowded and does not take reservations.  Luckily, you have the option to enjoy a cocktail or two while you wait and take in the ocean views.  Once seated, I dug into their Cove Scampi – sauteed shrimp finished with a white wine and butter sauce. 

Another incredible seafood spot along Moonstone Beach is the Sea Chest Oyster Bar.  Open since 1975, this iconic Central Coast establishment does not take credit cards or reservations but typically has a line of people waiting to order specialties such as fresh oysters, clam chowder, and cioppino.

For our second day in Cambria, we really packed the fun!  We started our adventure at Stepladder Ranch & Creamery, whichis absolute heaven for people who love cheese … and goats!  Stepladder specializes in crafting small-batch, award-winning goat and cow’s milk cheeses.  Their top priority, however, is to ensure their goats live a “dairy goat princess lifestyle” with every luxury a goat could imagine.  Nestled among beautiful mountains just fifteen minutes from Moonstone Beach, Stepladder allows guests to book a full tour of the creamery that includes hang time with the goats and an amazing cheese tasting.  Speaking as a self-proclaimed cheese expert, Stepladder’s cheese is among the best I have ever tasted!  Their Spicy Fromage Blanc and Chèvre were among the highlights.

Leaving the adorable goats, our next stop was lunch in downtown Cambria at Madeleine’s Restaurant & Wine Cellar, which offers a lovely, dog-friendly patio and a French-inspired menu. Favorites include the Steak Frites and Mushroom Tartine, which I suggest pairing with one of the boutique Central Coast wines on their menu.

After lunch, we took advantage of Cambria’s Main Street with a bit of shopping at stores such as Verde of Cambria, known for their organic, herbal teas; and Maddie Mae’s Pet Pantry, where we chose a few treats and toys for Frankie. 

As a passionate wine lover, I cannot visit any town without seeking out the best wine available.  While nearby Paso Robles affords ample wine-tasting opportunities – in Cambria, Parr Collective at Stolo Vineyards is a must-visit.  Located just minutes from Main Street, Stolo Vineyards is a relaxing place to sip on some seriously impressive wine!  These wines are produced by internationally recognized winemaker Raj Parr.  This cool climate location produces award-winning estate Pinot Noir, Syrah, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and more.  Stolo has ample outdoor seating to enjoy live music, cheese boards, happy hour, and in-depth wine tastings.  I enjoyed the wine so much that I needed to bring home a few friends – including a bottle of Mondeuse.  Being a new grape to me, I quickly fell in love with Mondeuse, which produces a deeply colored, aromatic red wine with good acidity and tannic structure.

After all the wine, we did the unthinkable and dined at the same restaurant we had enjoyed the night before.  I rarely repeat restaurants on a vacation, but I couldn’t deny those sunset views and the convenient location of Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill just steps from our hotel.  The second time around, I went for the Fish & Chips to appreciate the quintessential beach dining experience. Whether you are looking to relax on the beach, shop, taste fantastic cheese and wine, or feast on fresh seafood – Cambria has all the ingredients for a perfect weekend.  Have I mentioned the ocean views and dog-friendly nature of the town? Cambria is a gem on the Central Coast that I look forward to visiting again and again.  I am convinced that you will love it too!