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CAMBRIA BIKE ‘N BRUNCH – CENTRAL COAST BEAUTY

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By Richard Fox

Cambria is an upscale jewel of a coastal community near the north end of San Luis Obispo County, and is the gateway to San Simeon, home of the fabled Heart Castle.  Its historic downtown is located inland, east of Hwy 1,  a popular destination for shopping and dining.  The spectacular coastline is accessed along Moonstone Beach Drive, a short bike ride from the downtown.  The coastal Fiscalini Ranch Preserve contains some welcome open space and provides a mile-long bike cruise on a fire road, or some hilly singletrack for mountain biking.  A very pleasant ride on trails and low speed limit roads will take you to all of these Cambria highlights.  Those who feel comfortable with rural road riding can amble inland up scenic Santa Rosa Creek Road to the Stolo Winery and Linn’s Fruit Stand, famous for its Olallieberry pies. The perfect way to explore the town nicknamed “Pines by the Sea” is via a two-wheeled cruise, as described in the book “enCYCLEpedia Southern California- The Best Easy Scenic Bike Rides.”

It's beginning to look a bit like Big Sur as Cambria is the gateway to the fabled Hwy 1 along spectacular coastline. Here is the boardwalk along Moonstone Drive, great for a stroll but not a bike ride.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Big Sur since Cambria is the gateway to the spectacular Hwy 1 coastline.  Pictured is the boardwalk along Moonstone Beach Drive, great for a stroll but bikes must ride on the adjacent low-speed roadway.
Find free parking and restrooms at Leffingwell State Park at the north end of Moonstone Beach Drive, a good starting point for your ride.
Find free parking and restrooms at Leffingwell State Beach at the north end of Moonstone Beach Drive, an option for your ride start.
The hardpacked fine gravel fire road provides a very scenic 2 mile round trip ride across the coastal Fiscalini Ranch Preserve.
The hardpacked fine gravel fire road provides a very scenic 2 mile round trip ride across the coastal Fiscalini Ranch Preserve.  A hike-only path closer to the sea allows better views of the sea otters foraging in the kelp beds.
Beautiful coastal vistas from the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve. A hike-only path closer to the sea provides glimpses of those darling sea otters foraging in the kelp.
Beautiful coastal vistas from a neighborhood park en route to the  Fiscalini Ranch Preserve.
Singletrack MTB trails in Fiscalini Ranch Preserve lead to a grove of rare Monterey pines.
Singletrack MTB trails in Fiscalini Ranch Preserve lead to a grove of rare Monterey pines.
Downtown is split into the west village, and the East Village, where you'll find historic Linn's restaurant.
Downtown is split into West Village, and East Village, where you’ll find historic Linn’s restaurant, among others.
Choose from many restaurants in town. This interesting Danish breakfast is at the Creekside Garden Cafe, popular with cyclsts.
Choose from many restaurants in town. This interesting Danish breakfast is at the Creekside Garden Cafe, popular with cyclists.
Lovely Stolo Winery, open for tastings, is 1.5 miles up scenic Santa Rosa Creek Road.
Lovely Stolo Winery, open for tastings, is 1.5 miles up scenic Santa Rosa Creek Road.
Linn's Farm Stand sells fresh pies and fruit-related gifts.
Linn’s Farm Stand, 5 miles up Santa Rosa Creek Road,  sells fresh pies and fruit-related gifts.
Linn's is famous for their olallieberry pie.
Linn’s famous olallieberry pie.
October is a great time to visit Cambria, when most businesses and organizations create a scarecrow that represents themselves.
October is a great time to visit Cambria, when most businesses and organizations create a scarecrow to represent themselves in lighthearted satire.
Here is a humorous entry for Cambria's dog park.
Here is a humorous scarecrow at Cambria’s dog park.

 

 

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