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Cambria

Cambria History

   Cambria began as a fishing and mining town in the 1800s. The seaside community later became known for its dairy and lumber exports. Today, its rugged shoreline and pine-covered hills attract tourists on their way to San Simeon, which is located just north of the city.
   The unincorporated community has had a variety of names over the years, from Santa Rosa and Roseville to the unpleasant-sounding moniker of Slabtown. In 1869, a local committee selected the name Cambria for the seaside resort. Although no one is sure how the town got its name, some think it was picked for the region's resemblance to Cambria County, a woodsy mining area in southwestern Pennsylvania.
   A number of historic buildings remain from Cambria’s early days, including the Old Santa Rosa Church, the Santa Rosa School and the Squibb-Drake House. Many retirees call the community home, along with small families and a large artists' community.

  
Courtesy Hearst Castle®/California State Parks

Activities

   Cambria is the southern gateway to San Simeon, one of California's most popular tourist destinations. San Simeon is home to Hearst Castle, the publishing mogul's magnificent seaside mansion. Located just six miles north of Cambria, the estate features 165 rooms and 127 acres of gardens, terraces, pools and walkways. Hearst Castle was the model for Xanadu in the classic film "Citizen Kane." Its rooms are furnished with a vast collection of Spanish and Italian antiques and art, which draw visitors from around the globe.
   (For more photos of Hearst Castle, click here.)
   Cambria is also home to a variety of art galleries that offer original paintings, sculptures, glass works and jewelry. Many local artists belong to the Allied Arts Association, which provides them with opportunities to showcase their work throughout the city.
   One of the city's most unique art pieces is Nit Wit Ridge, which is a designated state historic landmark. Artist Arthur Beal used rocks, shells, beer cans, tile, car parts and TV antennae to create this one-of-a-kind structure, which is open to the public by appointment.
   There are more than 25 wineries and 100 vineyards in San Luis Obispo County. Take a tour of the wineries in nearby Paso Robles. Or try some of the area's finest at the Cambria Art & Wine Festival, which is held each February.
   San Simeon State Park is located a mile north of Cambria. Recreational activities include camping, picnicking, hiking, fishing, bird watching, surfing, beach combing and whale watching.
   You can also watch for whales at Leffingwell Landing, or visit the elephant seal colony at Piedras Blancas near San Simeon. A Cambria-based group, the Friends of the Elephant Seal, is dedicated to protecting these mammals and promoting the marine environment of the central coast.

Cambria Fast Facts

Schools

Beaches

Maps of Cambria

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