The area now called Cambria was once part of the Mission San Miguel. After the Missions were secularized, cattle farmer Don Julian Estrada received 13,000 acres, which he called Rancho Santa Rosa, as a land grant in 1841. After defaulting on a loan, Estrada lost the land to investors who began developing the city. A general store, hotel, and thriving agricultural industries were all established quickly, making Cambria San Luis Obispo County's largest town by 1880.
Today, Cambria makes a fantastic vacation destination, whether you love taking it easy or pushing your body to the limit. Its beaches and other recreational spots help you connect to nature, while its superb dining venues and retail outlets provide big-city conveniences without the crowds. Cambria is also a short drive from Hearst Castle and San Simeon's elephant seal colony. Because of its variety of accommodations that suit all tastes and budgets, Cambria makes getting away from it all so easy.
What is the best time to visit Cambria, CA?
Cambria's pleasant year-round conditions make it an outstanding place to visit, no matter what the season. While spring, early summer, and early fall arguably offer the best weather, your decision will probably depend on what you hope to see and do while you're in town.
Summer brings the bulk of tourists, so accommodations can become a little pricier around this time of year. Many feel it's worth paying extra to attend local events like the 4th of July Picnic in the Park and the Gene Cerise Memorial Country Coast Classic Bike Ride.
Nearby Hearst Castle only runs its evening tours during the fall months. Autumn is also the season for Pinedorado Days and the Scarecrow Festival.
Cambria isn't a city that closes down for winter, with the Festival of Trees, the Art & Wine Festival, and the Cambria Film Festival all happening in the year's coolest months.
The wildflowers bloom in spring, helping Cambria look its best from March to May. The local Chili Cook-Off, Car, and Motorcycle Show in April is also a big spring draw for rev-heads.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in Cambria, CA:
Averate Rates by Star Rating
Below are 3 charts displaying average nightly cost trends by star rating class in Cambria, CA. Analyze these illustrations to determine the best time to book a room in Cambria for upcoming travels.
Which luxury hotels are in Cambria, CA?
4 Star Average Prices: £205.26
Cambria also has plenty of high-end accommodations for people who want to feel more pampered. Try one of these first-rate luxury hotels.
From the moment you spot its bright blue exterior, you'll know your stay at The Rigdon House in Cambria will be anything but ordinary. It offers king rooms and a range of suites, but for real indulgence, choose one of the luxury king or double queen options. They're much larger, with enormous marble onyx bathrooms and a pair of TVs with digital cable instead of just one set. When you're not in your room or exploring, unwind on the terrace, sun deck, or in the onsite library. The wine and cocktail hour is a welcome addition after a busy day in Cambria.
If you want to swim without the waves, you'll probably prefer Pelican Inn & Suites in Cambria. It has an outdoor spa and pool, heated for year-round fun. A free hot buffet breakfast is served each morning, complete with mimosas. Continue the day with more bubbles and other local specialties by using your free wine tasting passes. From standard rooms to suites, all accommodation features high-end bath amenities, soft robes, deluxe bedding, and coffeemakers for your early morning pick-me-up. Some rooms also have private patios and fireplaces.
What options are in Cambria, CA for the most affordable hotels?
3 Star Average Prices: £162.95
Visiting Cambria needn't break the budget, with a host of affordable hotel options close to local amenities. Try the following hotels offering high quality without high costs.
The whole family can enjoy an affordable getaway at the pet-friendly Sea Otter Inn. This inn welcomes you with fireplaces and views of Moonstone Beach from each room, and fresh cookies and complimentary breakfast are delivered to your door each day, making you feel like a VIP whenever you stay. Outdoor fire pits and a heated pool and spa add to the atmosphere.
Little Sur Inn is another beachfront boutique hotel with remarkably low prices. Its mission-style rooms are charming, with fireplaces, flat-panel TVs, and premium bedding. The oceanfront rooms also have Jacuzzis, as well as balconies for taking in those Moonstone Beach views. Dine al fresco in the garden patio as you savor your free continental breakfast each morning.
2 Star Average Prices: £121.34
Which hotels in Cambria, CA offer the best discounts?
Cambria hotels help many travelers save with special discount offers for selected guests. These hotels offer some of the best discounts in the village.
Special packages help you save on accommodations and local attractions when you stay at Cambria Pines Lodge. These packages often include free hot buffet breakfasts and restaurant meals and a bottle of wine. Cambria Pines Lodge also emails special discount offers to members of its mailing list. Cambria Pines Lodge ensures that all guests feel special, with premium features like a day spa, outdoor heated pool, and Cambria Pines Lodge Restaurant on site. After a busy day sightseeing, enjoy happy hour specials and live music each night at the Fireside Lounge.
If you can take a midweek getaway, you'll save at Cambria Palms Motel. It offers special discounted rates on stays of two nights or more from Sunday through Thursday nights. Premium bedding, cable TV, tea- and coffee-making equipment, and free Wi-Fi help make each of the motel's recently renovated rooms feel like home. Some even have kitchenettes and private patio areas. Cambria Palms has just 18 rooms to ensure that guests get the personalized service they deserve.
Which hotels in Cambria, CA are budget-friendly?
Your money will go further at the following Cambria hotels, with their spacious, well-appointed rooms and no extra charges for the things you really need.
As its name suggests, Moonstone Landing is so close to Moonstone Beach that all rooms have full or partial ocean views. It also offers fireplaces, coffee makers, fridges, microwaves, and plush bedding. The oceanfront rooms even have Jacuzzis and private patios or balconies. Moonstone Landing keeps its prices affordable by not offering free breakfasts or pool facilities. But with so many great local restaurants and the beach steps away, you may never miss these features.
The coastal vibes of Cambria Beach Lodge will have you feeling calmer from the moment you check in. Its rooms are well-appointed, with signature touches you won't find anywhere else, such as wool Faribault blankets, Iron & Resin artworks, and Compagnie de Provence bath amenities. A small daily service fee covers your Wi-Fi, parking, continental breakfast, and use of Linus bicycles during your stay. When you consider how much you'd ordinarily spend on your morning meal and transport, it's a great value.
How do you enjoy nature in Cambria, CA?
The unspoiled beaches and spacious parklands around Cambria will help you reconnect to nature. Moonstone Beach, Cambria's main beach, is ideal for swimming, surfing, or simply spending time on the sand soaking up the sun and ambiance. Keep your eyes peeled for whales, dolphins, sea otters, and small sea creatures living in the tide pools.
Santa Rosa Creek Beach, part of Santa Rosa Creek Natural Preserve, is a little off the beaten track, so it's perfect for avoiding summer crowds. Two observation decks provide impressive views of the ocean and the bird species that congregate here. Take the stairway down to the sand and wander among the driftwood that litters the beach.
Fiscalini Ranch Preserve is an oceanfront park popular with hikers, horse riders, and mountain bikers. It's also a haven for local wildlife, with sea lions, elephant seals, and migrating whales often spotted in the area. Rocky terrain makes accessing the shore difficult, so stick to the trails that wind through protected forest and grassland. The preserve is especially beautiful during spring, when blooming wildflowers color the landscape.
Lampton Cliffs County Park is much smaller, but this park on Cambria's southern outskirts is worth exploring. Its loop trail winds through an open meadow. Stairs help you access the rocky beachfront. It's not great for swimming, but kids love watching the creatures in the tide pools. Watching the winter swells hit the large rocks is also a real treat.
Shamel Park, in Cambria's north, is another excellent choice for a family day out. This picturesque community park on the edge of a sandy beach has plenty of space for active visitors. Kick a ball around one of the grassy playing fields, enjoy a game of horseshoe, then make use of the picnic tables and grills for a leisurely lunch. Shamel Park also has a kids' play area and a swimming pool, which opens for residents and visitors during summer.
When you've had enough of the daily grind, Cambria is the perfect place for rest, recreation, and rejuvenation. Enjoy the easy access from California's biggest cities on your next road trip.
FAQs about hotels in Cambria
What did travelers think of the city of Cambria?
Below are reviews of the city of Cambria, CA from an actual visitor's perspective.
"Beautiful Beach Town"
Score
5.0 / 5
We loved Moonstone Beach! It was beautiful and we enjoyed taking walks on the walking path. We shopped downtown and it was wonderful. We especially loved the Sea Chest restaurant. So close to our hotel and the food was amazing. Cambria is a beautiful town, we loved it.
Annette C., from 17-Oct-2024
"Very quiet and the locals are very friendly."
Score
5.0 / 5
Very quiet and the locals are very friendly.
Lance M., from 14-Oct-2024
"Loved Moonstone Beach!"
Score
5.0 / 5
We loved Moonstone Beach! It was beautiful and we enjoyed taking walks on the walking path. We shopped downtown and it was wonderful. We especially loved the Sea Chest restaurant. So close to our hotel and the food was amazing. Cambria is a beautiful town, we loved it.
Annette C., from 12-Oct-2024
"Slower pace and small town vibe."
Score
4.0 / 5
Slower pace and small town vibe.
Carla H., from 29-Aug-2024
"Near Terrific Restaurant!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Robin Restaurant was terrific. Easy walk.
Douglas K., from 21-Jul-2024
"The staff was pleasant and helpful. The facility was clean and comfortable."
Score
4.0 / 5
The staff was pleasant and helpful. The facility was clean and comfortable. It was so friendly and welcoming.
Pamela R., from 02-Jun-2024
"The room was clean, comfortable. The staff was friendly. "
Score
4.0 / 5
Bed was comfortable, and room was clean
Christine S., from 02-Jun-2024
"Friendly Town"
Score
4.0 / 5
We love Cambria. A friendly town to visit. Shopkeepers, restaurant owners and help are really nice.
Ken M., from 30-Apr-2024
"Moonstone Beach!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Cambria is our favorite place to go and we go as often as we can. We love the little shops and there are a lot of places with good food. Moonstone Beach is so relaxing, even when it is crowded it doesn't feel crowded. The traffic is never bad so it is easy to drive around. We have stayed at other beach cities but no where feels or looks like Cambria so now we don't bother to stay anywhere else.
Zentra C., from 18-Mar-2024
"Quaint Place"
Score
4.0 / 5
Linn's Bin was a great place for dinner and dessert. The old town is quaint and an easy walking destination.
Timothy S., from 29-Feb-2024
"Coffee, Shopping & Dining!"
Score
4.0 / 5
We loved having coffee, shopping, and having berry pie for dinner!
Pam B., from 18-Feb-2024
"Great Location!"
Score
5.0 / 5
Great range of activities. Robins, as always, very good food and great service, close to the hotel.
Andrew C., from 18-Dec-2023
"Cambria is our favorite resort town!"
Score
5.0 / 5
Cambria is our favorite resort town. Beautiful and FRIENDLY!!
John D., from 15-Nov-2023
"Quaint With Fun Shops!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Quaint and full of fun shops!
Janine F., from 02-Oct-2023
"Quaint and full of fun shops!"
Score
5.0 / 5
Quaint and full of fun shops!
Janine F., from 29-Sep-2023
"We love the ocean, the boardwalk and Moonstone Beach Grill!"
Score
5.0 / 5
We love the ocean and the boardwalk and the Moonstone Beach grill!
Randy R., from 21-Sep-2023
"Lovely City"
Score
4.0 / 5
Cambria is a lovely city. Linn's is a jewel and the nursery is a treasure. Highly recommend visiting Cambria.
Maria T., from 31-Jul-2023
"Friendly staff, very clean, food was great, service was wonderful."
Score
4.0 / 5
Friendly staff, very clean, food was great, service was wonderful. 👍
Steve W., from 26-Mar-2023
"Cozy"
Score
4.0 / 5
Cozy
James C., from 19-Mar-2023
"Charming town filled with fun restaurants & shops!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Cambria is charming! It's filled with fun restaurants and shops! Whether downtown, wandering through the hilly neighborhoods or having a drink while watching the sunset over the Pacific, Cambria is a perfect retreat - peaceful but with plenty to do.
Peter F., from 28-Jan-2023
"Outstanding Shops!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Outstanding shops for my wife to find presents for our adult children and herself.
Donald D., from 04-Jan-2023
"Moonstone Beach"
Score
5.0 / 5
Moonstone Beach was fun! Also Cambria Lodge grill and Madeline's restaurant and wine.
Helen J., from 28-Nov-2022
"Quiet location within walking distance of food and drink."
Score
4.0 / 5
At the end of Main Street. Quiet at the end of town. Can walk to food and drink.
Steve M., from 22-Jul-2022
"Cambria has it all!"
Score
5.0 / 5
Cambria has always been our "go to" town on the Central Coast because of all the services (restaurants/shops).
Arlene B., from 20-May-2022
"Old Fashioned Charm!"
Score
4.0 / 5
I love Cambria's old fashioned charm and great shopping and dining experiences
We always shop small business
Darlene M., from 15-May-2022
"Cambria has old fashioned charm w/great shopping & dining!"
Score
5.0 / 5
I love Cambria's old fashioned charm and great shopping and dining experiences .
We always shop small businesses.
Darlene M., from 14-May-2022
The average traveler rating of the city of Cambria, CA shown above is
4.4 out of 5 based on 26 reviews