Care for a walk?

A February day on Moonstone Beach. Plan a walk along our boardwalk and enjoy the many sites, fresh air and comfortable weather.

You can get your own prints of the Beautiful Cambria area. Simply visit:
See Cambria Photos

I hope you are enjoying my photos of our area.

Petals & Palettes Art Show... a Real Pleasant Experience

 It is that time again for the annual Petals & Palettes show at the Cambria Center for the Arts, the home of Allied Arts Association.

Stop by and see the pairing of local artist's original Artwork & Photos with Flowers & Plants supplied by the Cambria Garden Club. What a show!

You may even recognize a couple of my photos on the wall. I love to photograph flowers from all angles. The mystery of detail and riot of color never cease to fascinate me.

Let me know if you plan to stop by.

Public Invited to
Artist & Guest Reception
Saturday - May 11th
11:00 am to 4:00pm
Live Music & Refreshments
Music Provided by
The Central Coast Jazz Institute
$3.00 donation

Can't Make the Reception?
Visit the Show for FREE
May 12 - June 2, 2013
During Regular Gallery Hours
Thursday/Friday: 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Saturday/Sunday: 11:00 - 4:00 p.m.

You can always view more Cambria Photos at SeeCambria.com

You know you want to....

Cool ocean breezes, miles of boardwalk and trails on the very edge of the ocean, a glass of Chardonnay sitting on the deck of Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill, a comfortable room on Moonstone Beach to wake to fresh coffee and a croissant.... You know you want to!

 

This is an impression looking south down Moonstone Beach. 

See more Cambria Photos at SeeCambria.com

What is your favorite thing about Cambria?

Please note, my photos are all copyrighted and may not be used for any purpose without my written permission. They are available at a nominal fee for use on your own website or promotional materials. The photos are also available printed on premium photo paper suitable for framing, up to 13"x19" in size.

Cambria's Kitchen Tour, Don't Miss it!

Nearly forgot to share... come on over next Saturday for one of Cambria’s most popular events:

 The 12th Annual Great Kitchens of Cambria self-guided tour
Saturday, July 28, 2012
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

See eight unique and wonderful kitchens, each full of inspiring ideas you can apply to your own home, now or in the future. Enjoy great food and entertainment as you wander through some of the most interesting and impressive kitchens on the central coast! Visit www.cambriakitchentour.com for all the details.

Zebra Hunting in Cambria

Been too long since I shared a photo, or two. Life on the coast can get busy. Did you know about the zebras who live just north of Cambria? They make a showing every now and then. You know when they are out and about when you see cars parked on the side of Highway 1 lined up for the circus.

My daughter and I went Zebra hunting one Sunday morning thinking, illogically, they would be out and about very early in the morning. We annoyed a few bulls hanging out on the side of the highway and caught a glimpse of the illusive black and white creatures just on the crest of the hill. Yes, look VERY closely you can see two of them meeting up for a days chew.

For those of you east of Cambria in the par boil weather, come see us for cool coastal mornings and walks along our exquisite ocean front.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL EVENTS CAMBRIA HAS TO OFFER... 
Cambria Garden Tour - May 19

The Gazebo nestled in the gardens of Cambria Pines Lodge

The Original Cambria Garden Tour, one of the most anticipated events of the year in Cambria, returns Saturday, May 19, 2012, for the eighteenth year of showcasing Cambria's spectacular and unique gardens. This highly popular event offers exclusive access to Cambria's most beautiful private gardens along with an opportunity to enjoy complimentary gourmet offerings from the area's top restaurants, live performances by professional and student musicians, and local artists demonstrating their talents in each of the gardens.

Cambria Pines Lodge winding pathway through the gardens

 

 Tickets are $35.00 per person prior to the event and $40.00 on the day of the event. Phone: 805-909-0052
Web site: http://www.cambriagardentour.com

SPRING HAS SPRUNG IN CAMBRIA!
APRIL 28th & 29th Annual Cambria Wildflower Show
Saturday 12-5 pm • Sunday 10am-5pm • Cambria Veterans' Hall 

A display of fresh wildflowers collected from the Monterey County line to the Morro Bay Estuary and from the coastal bluffs to the ridge of the Santa Lucia Mountains. Donation at the door $3 Students of all ages FREE. Sponsored by Friends of the Fiscalini Ranch Phone: 927-2856

APRIL 29TH
Greenspace Wildflower Walk • 9am-2pm

Don't miss this rare opportunity to tour the Hind River Ranch at the headwaters of the Salinas River. This beautiful property is home to a variety of rare and native plants as well as beavers, eagles, bear, and other major fauna. The walk will be led by a botanist and a wetland scientist. Tickets are $50 and include lunch and a beverage. SPACE IS LIMITED. For more information please call (805) 927-2866 or visit www.greenspacecambria.org.
Contact: Kathrine Cochron Phone: 805-927-2866
Web site: http://www.greenspacecambria.com

 

What?... Fun & Exotic Cars along with Tasty Chili in Beautiful Cambria?

WHAT? You had not heard?... well it is not too late. Saturday April 21st It’s all happening at the Vets Hall and Pinedorado Grounds from 10 am to 3 pm.

The aroma of mouth-watering chili will draw you to the Pinedorado Grounds (1000 Main Street) for the Annual Chili Cook-Off and Car Show. Chili tasters can enjoy hot cars as well as hot chili at this annual event where chili cooks and car owners compete for trophies and prizes. Music, prizes, entertainment, and great beers all add up to great fun for everyone. The Cambria Rotary Club will be serving an assortment of beers to compliment the hottest or smoothest of chilli you may encounter. It’s all happening at the Veterans Memorial Hall and Pinedorado Grounds at the corner of Main Street and Cambria Road.

IF YOU PLAN TO COME, OR WILL BE SHOWING YOUR CAR, OR SERVING CHILI, LET US KNOW!

This is an ANNUAL EVENT... so keep an eye out next April!

Submarines on the Central Coast?

Submarines on the Central Coast?

Are there submarines landing on our central coast? 

No, what you see is a monster Elephant seal taking in a bit of sun. The Elephant seals located just north of Cambria are a fascinating bunch to watch all year round. Their front room facing the beautiful Pacific is a gorgeous area to visit.

Which brings me to a great event coming up in September which supports the Friends of the Elephant Seals and many services they provide to our visitors: 

A Grand Ole Soupabration (click link to download event flyer)

An afternoon of artisanal soups, Central Coast boutique wine tastings, authors and art, while overlooking the Pacific Ocean.  Plus olive and olive oil and artisanal vinegar tastings, cookie samples from Red Moose Cookies in Cambria, cheese tastings and more.

Central Coast chefs will compete and defend their titles for the best soups around, judged by celebrity judges, including celebrity Chef Dakota Weiss, recently featured on Top Chef as a contestant.

Have a private chat at an author's table, which will feature wine, sparkling cider and a fruit and cheese plate for just $10 plus the cost of the author's book.  Featured authors include David Helvarg (award winning author of 5 books about the marine environment), Mariane D. Wallace (award winning author/illustrator of children's nature books), and Sue McGinty (author of Central Coast mystery books).
Noted plein air artists, including Jeanette Wolff, will paint on site and offering the original work, plus photos of the work-in-progress, during a silent auction.

The event also includes, entertainment,  silent auction, raffles, and Elephant Seal Bingo.

Children under 10 & under, free.

Come see the Elephants!

Big Daddy about to go for a swim and a nosh.

Where the seals rest, squawk, birth & fight.

This is the best time of year to come visit Cambria and see the amazing Elephant Seals just north of San Simeon. At this point you can see the entire family! Dads, Moms and babies. 

This is also the time of year that offers one of Cambria's largest and exciting events... the Cambria Annual Art & Wine Festival. January 27, 28 & 29. Three days of wine tasting, demonstrating artists, good food, shopping specials, and beautiful Cambria! You can get all the details at CambriaArtWine.org... tickets available online and at the Cambria Chamber of Commerce (767 Main Street).

Plan A Holiday Visit to Cambria

Cambria decks out for “Holidays in the Pines” throughout the month of December with an unforgettable display of decorations, deals and discounts.

Enjoy holiday lights and decorations throughout the town. Shop for unique “one of a kind” gifts, enjoy fine dining in Cambria’s gourmet restaurants, rest and relax at any of the lovely lodgings offering discounts and specials. 

Join in the festivities and celebrate the Holidays in the Pines—Cambria Pines by the Sea. 

December 6: Don't miss the Christmas Tree auction. An evening of wine, great food and absolutely glorious trees and wreaths that will be auctioned off and the proceeds go to the non profit the item represents. 6:30 pm at the Veterans' Hall (1000 Main Street)

For additional information visit: www.CambriaHolidays.com Or call 927-3624

And don't forget to visit See Cambria Photos for your choice of Cambria Photos suitable for framing, great holiday gift!

Cambria's History & Near Future Events

Not your everyday scarecrow

We just enjoyed a wonderful October here in Cambria. The villages were full of hand made scarecrows of all personalities. Thanks to our Cambria Historical Society and all their good work. 

The scarecrows will return next October for the entire month, so plan on it. I will be posting photos of some of my favorites on the SeeCambria.com website soon.

On your next visit don't miss our museum which is one of Cambria's oldest homes, the Guthrie-Bianchini House, built in 1870. Step back in time and enjoy the painstaking work done by our historical society to bring the home back to it's original state. 

The next big occasion here in Cambria is "Holiday in the Pines". Another month long series of events to make your visit to Cambria not only pleasurable but practical. Visit dozens of unique shops in town to find the perfect gift for your family members and friends. Items not found in boring department stores. Unique, personal, fresh and very special.

In January (27th, 28th & 29th) you must come by for the annual Art and Wine festival. For as little as $25 you can have access to several wine tasting and art demo venues. This event sells out so get your tickets early CambriaArtWine.org. The tickets make great holiday gifts!

Reflect, Rejoice, Rejoin....

I'm a bit late in adding a new photo to my blog. Gets busy in Cambria, when you let it. This image is a remote spot in Cambria's front yard which I enjoy from time to time. The waves stroll in as I reflect on how quickly time goes by and how often we just do not get around to those experiences we mean to do, but don't quite find the good sense to get done.

The next big "do" in Cambria will be the "Holidays in the Pines". A month of celebrations and events. I will share some Christmas Light photos from days gone by and invite you to visit for unique shopping adventures and wonderful dining experiences.

Don't forget to get your tickets for the Art & Wine Festival in January. We sold out last year and the Kick Off Party is selling fast. Visit CambriaArtWine.org for all the details.

I hope you enjoy my photos and would appreciate hearing from you.

Moonstone Beach in Fall... a lovely time of year.

Our beaches are clean and breathtaking. An ideal place to rest and rejuvenate after a long hot summer.

Stop by in October and you will have the joy of seeing over 200 hand made scarecrows positioned throughout the villages. Everything from Pirates to Nuns.... The scarecrows will be up the entire month of October and will take you more than a day to see them all! So, book a room, enjoy a few gourmet meals and make your way through our villages and the Moonstone Beach drive for an incredible assortment of creations guaranteed to delight and cause wonder.

A Day at the beach?

A day at the beach can be educational and fun! Just a few miles north of Cambria is a small casual park where you can enjoy the surf, the sun and visit a Discovery Center with all sorts of magic lessons on the mystery of the sea and it's residents. 

Stay the night in Cambria near dozens of wonderful restaurants and galleries. After breakfast at the Creekside Café drive to the park, enjoy the Discovery Center then relax and enjoy the surf, sights and sounds of San Simeon Bay.

Cambria offers a full range of lodging selections. From the traditional and beautiful Cambria Pines Lodge surrounded by an extraordinary garden to the nontraditional Victoria's Last Resort Bed & Brunch, which offers a unique atmosphere, brunch (served when you are ready), hot tub, complete privacy and fun innkeepers who will gladly fill you in on all there is to see and do in Cambria.

The view looking north toward the San Simeon Bay and pier.

The Coastal Discovery Center is a joint venture between the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and California State Parks. Located on beautiful San Simeon Bay, the Coastal Discovery Center celebrates the connection between land and sea.

The Center offers interactive exhibits and education programs which highlight the cultural and natural history of Old San Simeon, California State Parks, and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The interface of land and sea is unique, drawing people for its rich bounty, economic opportunity, recreation and inspiration. Protection of these special places preserves them for use and enjoyment for generations to come.

Free Admission
Open Fri-Sun 11-5 (summer), 11-4 (winter)
Info, call: 805-927-6575

Welcome to SeeCambria.com

I often receive calls regarding Cambria and what is going on there. I have decided to add a weekly update on upcoming events along with one of my many Cambria photos. I hope you will enjoy and sign on for automatic updates by email.

This photo is taken from Lodge Hill above Marine Terrace. The darker blue you see is the sea.... hence the phrase "Cambria Pines by the Sea".

The month of June offers several venues for your pleasure and comfort: In addition to the usual Piedras Blancas Light Station Tours and Hearst Castle Tours (Hearst is offering a new set of tours this season!), Harmony Cellars is offering a Summer Fete & Dinner, the cyclists will be enjoying the coast during the Annual Country Classic Bike Ride and a couple of Craft Fairs for those of you excited about handmade goods. Of course there is always the exquisite beaches to enjoy and refresh the spirit. Details for all of these events and more can be found at the SeeCambria.com Calendar.