Typical Day in the World of Cambria

Little Sur Inn and the Moonstone Landing have beautiful new facades and I was asked to take new photos for their brochure. It was the perfect task for my frame of mind. After a flurry of work and errands, I realized I needed a bit of fresh air to clear my head and put myself on track for the balance of the day, so I ventured down to Moonstone Beach to inhale, relax and shoot.

On my way home I sighted one of our Deer friends and took the shot through my car window.

Is there anyone else out there who finds the Moonstone boardwalk an alternate form of therapy when life keeps throwing you curves?

A Bottled Lunch in Cambria...

Sometimes lunch can be a difficult prospect. A neighbor of ours is shown here with a slight dilemma, which he eventually overcame. 

Lunch in Cambria is not quite so difficult .... except to decide just where to eat! Gourmet restaurants, great barbecue and home cookin coffee shops are a plenty. Visit SeeCambria.com for a partial list.

You can also see more Cambria photos at:
SeeCambria.com

Hope you enjoy my Cambria Impressions and would love to hear from you regarding your favorite Cambria Restaurant! 

Spring in Cambria

Cambria is well into spring, with flowers blooming and the weather conducive to long hours in my adirondack chair on the back deck. Here are a few of our neighbors who hang around the house and nearby boardwalk.

We enjoy deer cruising the streets and yards, raccoons rummaging for goodies, fox lurking in the shadows, squirrels jumping from tree to tree, dozens of birds (they particularly like our bird bath), turkeys on parade, an occasional skunk usually evident by their trace of perfume, on rare occasions a sunbathing mountain lion, the moles and voles... not so much we see them and not so much fun to see.

Our forests and shores are inhabited by such a variety of interesting wildlife that often surprise you when they come out to play within a few feet of where you sit or walk.

Have you enjoyed any particular interesting wildlife sightings? Share your experiences with me. I love to hear from visitors and locals alike regarding their personal Cambria joys.

To see more photos visit SeeCambria.com

 

Dive in and Cool Off

Do you sometimes just feel the need to dive in and cool off? 

It is pleasantly cool here in Cambria. Where is your favorite place in Cambria to rest and refresh? Visit SeeCambria.com to see more photos.

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).

Where the Pines Meet the Sea...

One of the unique elements of the Cambria California area is the absolutely beautiful forests that surround the villages and meet the sea. You can hike to your hearts content through the forest down to the beach, along the bluff and back again. Enjoy the wonderful combination of trees and shore, sights and sounds that offer a calming and extraordinary taste of nature not found anywhere else on the Central Coast. Visit SeeCambria.com to see more and learn more of what Cambria has to offer as the perfect vacation destination for a refreshing and relaxing holiday... Add to that gourmet foods to excite your taste buds and unique galleries and shops to be fascinated by original creations and compelling gifts.

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

Cambria Chamber Showcase & A Craft Show

I have been associated with the local Cambria Chamber of Commerce since I moved here in 1994. I have always believed in supporting the Chamber of Commerce, within my community, for so many reasons... not the least of which is to have multiple opportunities to get to know the business owners and operators who can make our community successful, or fail. Fortunately our Cambria Chamber of Commerce is viable and strong with members who care about our community and constantly strive to make it a better place to live and play. This month the Veterans' Hall will be busy.... on June 17, the Chamber offers a "Business Showcase" with many of the businesses offering displays and giving away treats in an effort to share what they can do for you. There will also be a "Craft Faire" over the weekend of the 11th in the parking lot.... and don't forget the Piedras Blancas Light Station and Hearst Castle tours going on throughout the week.

My photo of the week shares a small contingency of a much larger group that decided to meet down the road from our home. There were at least 18 to 20 bucks who took over an empty lot and just "hung out" for awhile before splitting up and going back to their does and fawns. Go figure, networking goes on from cyberspace to forest.