If you love the great outdoors, then your next trip should include plans to traverse the open spaces of Cambria by trail!
Click the links in the descriptions to be taken to each trail’s page, with maps and directions for your next awe-inspiring adventure!
This short trail leads through Fern Canyon Preserve and features majestic Monterey pines, oaks, ferns and a seasonal creek. The trail crosses Fern Drive and dead-ends in a chaparral near Highway 1. The trail is approximately 3/4 miles each way, offering an easy hike for those who aren’t interested in breaking a sweat but still want to experience the wide open spaces.
Sitting unassumingly along Highway 1, just eight miles south of Cambria, is Harmony Headlands State Park. This secluded and peaceful three-mile trail offers diverse views of the natural beauty between Cambria and Harmony. Take in the pristine scenery of the coastline, and panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.
Fiscalini Ranch Preserve is home to a number of endangered species and species of special concern, offering a wonderful display of nature’s diversity. The most outstanding natural feature is the dramatic ocean bluff that runs more than a mile along the shoreline of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary where you can view migrating whales, elephant seals, and other ocean mammals. The benches located along the trails are each unique pieces of art that offer stunning ocean views.
Find your trail at Fiscalini Ranch.
South of Fiscalini Ranch Preserve, this large secluded loop is hidden and nestled within towering pines. Meandering through this scenic trail provides a different view of nature’s beauty, from the lush, pine tree-laden landscapes to breathtaking views of the coastline.
A 2.1-acre state park with trails and two benches overlooking the sea at Sherwood Street and Lampton Street on the Marine Terrace, Lodge Hill. Tide pools are found at the base of the cliff.
Just north of Moonstone Beach, this trail includes views of seabirds, occasional sea otters, and migrating California Gray Whales in season. Begin at Shamel, and at the marked trail, start heading down to the beach, north across the sandy expanse. Follow the Moonstone Beach Boardwalk to Leffingwell Landing Park for a two-mile hike with stunning views.
For those interested in a longer hike, this three-mile trail runs through parts of the San Simeon Natural Preserve and the Washburn Campground. The trail includes scenic overlooks, rest-stop benches, and interpretive panels with information on wildlife and habitat. You’ll see the best of what the natural landscape in Cambria has to offer: wetlands, pines, and a eucalyptus grove—and if you’re lucky, you may spy some of the creatures that call these areas their homes.
This invigorating hike north of Ragged Point on Highway 1 offers more than sights—it’s an auditory symphony of nature’s voice. The ambiance of the rushing water builds anticipation as you approach the waterfall. The trail winds through lush greenery before arriving at the majestic sight of the falls themselves.
Beginning at Hearst Castle Beach State Park, this trail lets you stroll along the beach for about a quarter mile, eventually coming to a dirt path. Ascend the hillside and head up along the bluff for a round-trip hike of about 2.5 miles dotted with some gorgeous views. This hike is family-and dog-friendly, though dogs must be on leashes.