In the Central Coast, nothing connects you to the earth like feeling the ocean breeze while standing barefooted in the sand, admiring wildlife while hiking through a lush riparian habitat, or watching the sunset while resting on a peaceful weatherworn bench.
Every day is Earth Day in Cambria’s oceanside abode, but in honor of this day of global awareness, we’ve listed a few of our favorite places where you can refocus on the earth and plan your own journey. Find joy this month by celebrating our corner of the world. We know you’ll leave with a renewed sense of wonder!
Experience the Central Coast for Yourself
Celebrating the earth often involves keeping a respectful distance. Wildlife is observed from far away, and natural scenery is captured through pictures. So, we’ve thought of a few fun activities that let you really get involved! Who knows, you might even end up with a souvenir that brings the Central Coast home with you.
Covell Clydesdale Ranch
At Covell Clydesdale Ranch, you can ride majestic animals in an absolutely gorgeous natural setting—the Central Coast. Horses are special creatures, and spending time with them allows you to connect with the earth on a very personal level. The experience is simultaneously grounding and uplifting—you’re physically one with nature while being lifted to see the world from a higher vantage point.
Cambria Nursery and Florist
There’s no better place to find an Earth Day souvenir than Cambria Nursery and Florist. Browse their extensive selection of plants, which has everything from flowers to trees to succulents, and admire the ways that people have cultivated natural beauty. The knowledgeable staff will factor in details like climate and gardening skill level to set you up for success and help you bring home the perfect plant.
Explore the Seaside
Start your Earth Day getaway in a place where we find extreme joy—the ocean! Whether you run full-force into the waves or stay on the shore, now is the time to take your shoes off and fully experience the expansive beauty of the Central Coast.
Tide Pools
See the small wonders of the ocean up close by exploring tide pools. From crabs to anemones to snails, there are so many living creatures that make tide pools their home. Prepare for your excursion by wearing shoes that prevent slippage and researching the best time for low tides. As always, respect the earth by looking, not touching.
Piedras Blancas Light Station
The Piedras Blancas Light Station’s rugged coast is both a historical gem and an ideal spot for admiring the Central Coast. The lighthouse was first illuminated in 1875 and now serves as a historic site for visitors to learn. Whether you take a hike in the area or take a guided tour of the light station, you’re sure to discover something new about the coastline. Book your ticket in advance to reserve your spot!
Coastal Discovery Center
The Coastal Discovery Center celebrates the connection between land and sea that draws us all to Cambria. Here, you can learn all about the Central Coast through interactive exhibits about the cultural and natural history of the area. Expand your knowledge of the ocean, then walk outside to put your new discoveries into practice! Plus, admission is free!
Glimpse Wildlife in Natural Habitats
With its unique microclimate, the Central Coast is home to a multitude of wild animals. Depending on the time of year and the specific location, you can find elephant seals, local birds, families of deer, whales, and so much more. Grab your binoculars and go on a wildlife expedition to truly appreciate the earth and the many creatures who live here with us.
Northern Elephant Seal Rookery
Seeing the elephant seals at the Piedras Blancas rookery is an amazing experience. Whether you get to view a birth during pupping season, observe the not-so-little pups on their journey of growing into giant adults, or watch the adults venture back into the ocean, every stage of the cycle is incredible. Prepare for your visit by researching which months tend to have the most elephant seals on the shore.
Fiscalini Ranch Preserve
Home to over 150 different native plants and more than 430 types of birds, Fiscalini Ranch Preserve is a spot you can’t miss on an earth-focused visit to the Central Coast. The historic sanctuary spans ocean cliffs, a Monterey pine forest, and wetlands. As a riparian habitat, it’s the perfect place to look for wildlife. Whether you take a docent-led tour or hike on your own, here you can find joy in the abundance of the earth.
The Whale Trail
The Whale Trail is a nonprofit organization that works to inspire stewardship and appreciation for these graceful giants. They identify viewing sites where everyone can have a chance to glimpse whales, and one of them just happens to be Moonstone Beach! Even if you don’t visit during prime whale season—December through February—you always have a chance of seeing other marine life in the wild.