Charming Cambria

Thanks to Pacifica Hotels for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own.

Any time we have an opportunity to sneak off on a quick getaway, John and I always head up to Santa Barbara, or more specifically, the Santa Ynez wine country.

This time we thought we’d drive up a little further North. About 4 hours north of Los Angeles, on the Central Coast of California, is a charming little town called Cambria. I’ve always heard wonderful things of Cambria, but never had the opportunity to visit, so I knew this was the perfect opportunity.

Most of the charm comes from the the beaten path location off a single-lane stretch of Highway One. It only takes a moment to realize you have found a little bit of paradise. The beautiful beaches and rugged coastline are further complemented by the lush greens surrounding its landscapes. The fresh ocean air immediately smells amazing, and even more refreshing when combined with the quaint “Gilmore Girls’ Stars Hollow” feel that is so evident as soon as I got out of the car. I can see why people love it here so much.

Upon arrival, we were excited to check into the Fogcatcher Inn. And it did not disappoint! I love the charming cottage style exterior, spacious rooms and the vibrant pastel colors! We had a suite with ocean views and could hear the waves crash as we dozed off to sleep every night. The Fogcatcher Inn was so relaxing. There is a pool and hot tub where we enjoyed happy hour with a bottle of wine, but during the day, we opted for ocean adventures instead.

Speaking of the ocean, the hotel is just steps away from Moonstone Beach – one f the most beautiful and romantic beaches in California in my opinion. The rocky headlands across the golden pink sunsets were mesmerizing to see. The best part of the beach was the boardwalk, a long (maybe a mile or so) wooden path that weaves through the most scenic views. There were several pathways and/or stairs that led down to the coves for an even better view of the water.

The marine layer creates intense fog in the mornings (hence Fogcatcher in the name) but cleared out by around 10am for cool crisp mornings. The weather is a bit cooler than what I’m used to in Orange County, but we were able to catch a short timeframe in the early afternoons to bring out our bathing suits.

The cute downtown of Cambria is just short drive away from the Fogcatcher Inn, and is lined with interesting shops, art galleries and restaurants. We ate at Madeline’s Restaurant & Wine Bar per the recommendation of the front desk and LOVED IT. One of our best meals! The service is impeccable, the food is delicious and of course, the wine selection is amazing! Outside of main village, we ventured in Paso Robles for wine tasting. Just a short 20-minute drive inland, are some of the best wineries in California. Wild Horse, Turley, Justin, Eberhle and Epoch vineyards, just to name a few. I was actually surprise at how close Paso was to Cambria. Having visited Paso Robles many times and staying at stale corporate types hotels there (not much else available), I would definitely opt to stay in Cambria the next time around. And definitely at the Fogcatcher Inn again! Its location, friendly staff and breaktaking scenery make it the perfect spot to enjoy the Central Coast. There is even a family suite with a full kitchen and plenty of room for kids to run around. Jaxson would love it!

Next time, I’d love to visit the area’s other well-known attraction, Hearst Castle, which is located just 10 minutes north.