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Posted June 2006
Destinations: Cambria, California
CAMBRIA, CALIFORNIA—One of the best kept secrets of the Central
Coast is the small, picturesque town of Cambria, California,
located about three hours south of Monterey. Well worth the twisty
drive along Highway One, Cambria is only ten minutes from San
Simeon State Park, and is surrounded by unspoiled beaches to
the west, along with pine forests to the north, east and south.
A favorite spot for nature lovers, there are many trails and
hiking paths throughout the area, as well as a number of unusual
attractions, restaurants, shopping, gardens and wineries.
Nitt Witt Ridge
Almost everyone has heard of newspaper mogul William Randolph
Hearst, who built his magnificent castle just north of Cambria.
But less well known is the castle of Arthur Harold Beal, also
known as Capt Nit Wit or Der Tinkerpaw.
A junk hauler that lived in the area while Hearst Castle was
being constructed, he staked claim to a piece of hill with an
incredible view all the way to the ocean, then spent his life
building an "estate" from recycled materials--one of
his favorite being recycled beer cans. You'll also find re-used
toilet seats (made into frames), shells, driftwood…and a variety
of other materials that are cobbled together to create this one-of-a-kind
attraction.
After Beal's death in the 1990's, the castle fell into disrepair.
Current owners Michael and Stacey O'Malley bought the land in
1999, and have shepherded it through the historical landmark
process and are give tours of the home in order to help with
its upkeep. You'll need to call ahead for an appointment (which
can be spotty, so plan ahead). There are also many stairs throughout
the property, which can make access difficult. The cost is $10
for adults and $5 for children, and the tour takes about 90 minutes.
Nitt Witt Ridge, 881 Hillcrest Dr., Cambria, CA, (805) 927-2690
Moonstone Gardens
Also nearby are Moonstone Gardens, a restaurant, spa and nursery
that features some spectacular succulents and cacti from around
the world. This three-acre property was originally owned by
founders Bill Shultz and Bob Oaks in the late 1960s, known
as Exotic Gardens, which featured their collection of plants
in a sweeping ocean overlook.
The current owners have left many of the plants, some of which
have grown to spectacular sizes. The focus, however, is on the
Hamlet restaurant, a glass and redwood building that has been
converted to a quaint ocean-side dining experience. The Hamlet
is well known for live jazz music every other Sunday and their
home-made lemon ice cream. The Hamlet at Moonstone Gardens, 7432
Exotic Gardens Drive, Cambria, (805) 927-3535
Wineries
Harmony Cellars is just a couple of miles south of Cambria in
the small town of Harmony. Kim and Chuck Mulligan founded Harmony
Cellars in 1989 and now produce about 6,000 cases of wine annually.
The focus is on great wines at affordable prices, making this
a nice, relaxed stop where you can sample some of the many
different styles and varieties of wine available. They couple
have won a number of awards over the years, including a recent
gold for their Diamond Reserve Bordeaux blend, Aria. The tasting
room is open daily, and the gardens are worth a stroll. The
winery hosts frequent dinners and special events, so call ahead
to see what's happening. Harmony Cellars, 3255 Harmony Valley
Road, Harmony, CA, (805) 927-1625, www.harmonycellars.com
Moonstone Cellars
A relatively new winery in the area, their tasting room isn’t
due to open until Spring of 2007. You can stop by their web
site check out their wines and to place orders. www.moonstonecellars.com
Parks
San Simeon
Close to Cambria are Moonstone Beach and Leffingwell Landing,
both part of San Simeon State Park. Leffingwell Landing is
a day park that sits on a small hill above the coast. There
is an access trail down to the beach. It's a nice place to
take a box lunch and enjoy the views. If you’re lucky you
might see the occasional pod of pilot whales or seals traveling
by during the winter months. East/West Ranch
The East-West Ranch is a 417-acre hiking and trail area that
winds through Cambria to the coast. Several community and national
organizations worked together to purchase this coastal land
area. The park is mostly undeveloped, so you won't run into
it by accident. The best bet is to get a local hiking and trail
map or ask the locals where to find access points. |
