Currumbin Rock & Currumbin Alley
A truly spectacular section of the Gold Coast, here you can enjoy walks or just admire the scenery Views to the West, along the beautiful Currumbin Creek estuary and wetlands & up into the Currumbin Valley To the North, the entire length of the coast To the South, Elephant Rock and down to Kirra & Coolangatta.
Friendly & Affordable Motel Mintues From Cambria
Warm, friendly, and unassuming, the Sands by the Sea offers travelers a place to rest and relax. Ideally located along the Pacific Coast Highway, just minutes from Hearst Castle and Cambria, we offer some of the most affordable rooms in the area. Stay in San Simeon, just steps away from the ocean, on a scenic seaside bluff in cozy rooms with home-like comforts like free WiFi, a mini-fridge, microwave, and flat screen TV with premium channels. Indulge in a delicious breakfast, lunch, or dinner and enjoy beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean at the Cavalier Restaurant, located just steps away. Sands by the Sea is the ideal hub for guests exploring the best sights, beaches, nature trails, and landmarks in Californias Central Coast.
Sea Breeze Inn San Simeon Policies
These are general hotel policies. Policies may vary per room type. Please check the accompanying room details accordingly.
ADA Defined Service Animals are welcome at our hotel. Absolutely no pets are allowed.
Accepted Payment Methods
Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Cash. This hotel reserves the right to pre-authorize credit cards prior to arrival.
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A Day Trip To The Magical Seaside Towns Of San Simeon Cambria & Harmony
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Along Californias famous Highway 1, Monterey, Carmel, and Big Sur are well-known, and then people often skip down to Morro Bay and Pismo Beach. In between those popular spots though, there is a string of charming seaside towns. If you put together all the things to do in Cambria, Harmony, and San Simeon, youve got an idyllic day trip on your hands.
So take a day from your California road trip, and hit up these overlooked spots.
If youre coming down Highway 1 from the north, youll hit San Simeon first, followed by Cambria, and then Harmony, and the reverse if youre coming from the south.
Note: As of Jan. 28, 2021, parts of Highway 1 just south of Big Sur but north of San Simeon are closed after the road collapsed and fell into the ocean. So if you are coming from the north, youll have to make sure to go inland and take Highway 101 instead.
Where To Stay In Cambria
We visited these magical seaside towns from our homebase in San Luis Obispo, but I absolutely wouldve loved a stay in Cambria.
I found Cambria to be the cutest of the towns. It also has the most options for lodging, from charming Craftsmans to boutique hotels on the beach.
Of course, you can stay in San Simeon as well, and believe it or not, even the tiny town of Harmony has a vacation cottage for rent right on the main street!
Hope this has inspired you to visit Cambria, San Simeon, and Harmony! Pin it to share it!
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With Hearst Castle Closed And No Access From Highway 1
With Hearst Castle closed, and no access from Highway 1 north, the area is blissfully uncrowded. We came to see the elephant seal rookery, and it did not disappoint. Such a treat for wildlife lovers. We saw them at the peak of mating season, and they were fascinating–the best thing I have experienced in a while.
Where’s The Best Place To Stay In San Francisco
Are you going straight to a hotel, orlooking for a vacation rental or Airbnb?
The best resource on neighborhoods, areas,and hotels is the Trippy page onwhere to stay in San Francisco.
You can also see most people recommend as the best amount of time to visit. Find out how many days in San Francisco to stay.
If you’re looking for a quick answer, you can check out Top of the Mark, which was mentioned 13 times on Trippy.
Here are some more hotels people talk about:
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Our Favorite Spots To Eat
If you want to save money and are staying at Cayucos Beach Inn, plan ahead and stop at the grocery store. I think it would be fun to have dinner at one of the picnic tables, especially with kids who are restless. Let them play frisbee or tag while dinner is on the grill.
Youâll also have easy access to restaurants like Schooners Cayucos just across the street. This was one of our favorite food stops our California road trip.
You have to visit Linâs Fruit Bin while youâre there. We were so surprised as the name makes it sound like a fruit stand, but this elegant restaurant was fabulous.
If youâre driving up the coast, be sure to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium and a few of the fabulous wineries. San Simeon was a great find! Let me know if you visit.
Eat And Shop Downtown Cambria
What originally caught my eye about Cambria was its famous Linns olallieberry pies. Yes, I let my stomach decide my travels it certainly wasnt the first time .
Olallieberries are a type of blackberry, specifically a cross between a loganberry and a youngberry. That makes them roughly 1/3 red raspberry and 2/3 blackberry from a genetic perspective.
I have a thing for blackberries and all its hybrid descendants. So the call of olallieberry pie and preserves was just too strong to ignore.
And that was precisely our first stop in Cambria: getting a slice of olallieberry pie at Linns Easy as Pie! cafe.
Satisfied and sugared up, we set out to explore Cambrias historic and darling downtown. My favorite discovery is the Spellbound Herbs Gift Shop and Garden.
A cute, handwritten sign about its Faerie Festival is what first caught my eye. The shop is filled with items of herbal and mystical nature, from fairy garden pieces and incense to crystals and herbs. But it was what was behind the back doors that was truly magical.
If you like Peter Pan, Harry Potter, the Hobbit, Alice in Wonderland, Narnia, or anything like that youll love this intricately-designed, spellbinding garden.
I spent so long inside, my partner started wondering if Id been transported to another world!
Other cute stores in Cambria include Cinnabar, a Fair Trade folk art and home decor store thats located in an old blacksmith shop, and the nature-inspired Sea + Green.
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Where Is San Simeon Cove
San Simeon is located between Los Angeles and San Francisco. We took a California road trip beginning in Marina Del Rey, and this was one of our favorite stops.
To get to San Simeon, take U.S. Highway 101 north to San Luis Obispo, then take California Highway 1 north for about 39 miles. From that point, it will take you about four and a half hours.
Our launch point was San Simeon Cove, which is located directly below Hearst Castle. The Cove was at one time the private port of William Randolph Hearst and is now part of WR Hearst State Beach.
You can actually see San Simeon Point from Highway 1. There’s a trail that leads you into San Simeon Cove, and it’s a beautiful walk.
Cavalier Restaurant Open For Breakfast Lunch & Dinner
Start your day in the Central Coast with a traditional hearty breakfast at Cavalier Restaurant. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner the Cavalier Restaurant features panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, a casual ambiance, reasonable prices, and a selection of traditional American favorites. The whole family will love indulging in Hearst Ranch Beef and locally caught seafood. Unwind after a long day with a glass of wine, pint of beer, or cocktail at the bar inside the Cavalier Restaurant.
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Finding Cheap Hotels In San Simeon
Currently the average price of a hotel in San Simeon is £133, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find a better deal.
We price check with 270 hotel brands and booking sites, so you don’t have to search each one individually. Then we sort by price, meaning you can find the cheapest time to bag the perfect hotel at the best price, in seconds.
Found a hotel you like, but not ready to book straight away? Sign up for hotel Price Alerts and we’ll tell you as soon as rates rise or fall. Then you can decide whether to book – or not.
San Simeon To San Francisco Road Trip Planner
Here’s a sample itinerary for a drive from San Simeon to San Francisco. If you’re planning a road trip to San Francisco, you can research locations to stop along the way. Traveling with a dog or cat? View pet-friendly stops between San Simeon and San Francisco. Camping along the way? View RV campgrounds between San Simeon and San Francisco. Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on themost talked about places recommended by Trippy members.
11:00 am start in San Simeon drive for about 1.5 hours
stay for about 1 hour and leave at 1:34 pmdrive for about 1 hour
stay overnight at Mission Ranch Hotelleave the next day around 11:00 am
day 1 driving 3 hours
11:00 am leave from Mission Ranch Hoteldrive for about 40 minutes
stay for about 1 hour and leave at 12:40 pmdrive for about 45 minutes
stay for about 1 hour and leave at 2:25 pmdrive for about 49 minutes
stay for about 1 hour and leave at 4:14 pmdrive for about 40 minutes
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Recommendations For People Who Are Not Fully Vaccinated
If you are not fully vaccinated and must travel, take the following steps to protect yourself and others from COVID-19:
- Before you travel:
- Get tested with a viral test 1-3 days before your trip.
- Make sure you understand and follow all airline and destination requirements related to travel, testing, or quarantine, which may differ from U.S. requirements. If you do not follow your destinations requirements, you may be denied entry and required to return to the United States.
- Check the COVID-19 situation in your destination.
What To Bring For San Simeon Kayaking
Bathing suit
Pretty obvious for a day on the water, but itâs a good idea to wear a one-piece bathing suit when youâre going to be in a wet suit.
One of those things I often forget until Iâm there is a hat, which is why I have such a large collection! Pack a hat for everyone. Itâs not a bad idea to have a waterproof hat with a wide brim and a chin cord just in case a wave catches you while youâre out in San Simeon Cove. If you worry about forgetting things like I do, use this free .
Sunscreen
Donât depend on your tour company for things like sunscreen. Sometimes they will have it, other times they wonât. You definitely need it when youâre out on the water, so be sure to stick it in your waterproof backpack before you head out.
Water shoes
You will at some point have to enter and exit the kayak, which means youâll be stepping on the floor of San Simeon Cove. Protect your feet with water shoes.
Towels
Again, your tour company may have these, so check with them before you leave your hotel. You donât want to be without towels when youâre getting out of the wetsuit and into dry clothes.
Drinking water
Pick up a few bottles of water, or better yet, always have a couple of these collapsible water bottles with you when you travel. Youâll save a ton of money and itâs so much better for the environment. Remember to fill them before you leave!
Change of Clothes
San Simeon Cove Tour Companies
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Soak In The Sun On The Shore
Given it is a seaside town, visiting the beach is a no-brainer when trying to figure out what to do in Cambria.
After we had our fill of delicious street tacos and gorditas, we headed over to Moonstone Beach. Dogs arent allowed on the beach itself, so we had a sunny afternoon stroll on the boardwalk instead.
The mile-long boardwalk offers amazing views of the coast and is also scenic itself, with its photogenic trees and shrubbery. We even spotted some sea lions playing just off the shore!
For more gorgeous scenery to explore, you can also head slightly south to the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve.
Other Things To Do In Cambria
One unique Cambria activity that we forewent was visiting and riding Clydesdale horses.
The city is home to Covell Clydesdale Ranch, where there are roughly 100 of the majestic horses made famous by Anheuser-Busch commercials. The ranch offers tours as well as horseback riding.
Our pup Kokomo has yet to meet horses. Not sure if hed liken them to big dogs or be afraid. Perhaps another time!
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Explore And Find Your Best Apartments B& bs And Others
For travelers visiting San Simeon with children, consider staying at a hotel near Veterans Memorial Hall, such as Quality Inn Near Hearst Castle which offers an outdoor swimming pool, a picnic area and a Jacuzzi. For a relaxing vacation, reserve a resort hotel near Scenic View Point, such as The Morgan Hotel San Simeon or Silver Surf Motel.
Pop In For Some Harmony
Just south of Cambria is a town named Harmony.
Yes, I know, I know, Harmony is a speck of a town compared to Cambria, with a whopping population of 18 people. It truly is a blink and youve missed it town off of Highway 1.
But it is absolutely adorable and makes for a fun quick stop to wrap up your day trip to Cambria and San Simeon.
Harmony used to be a dairy cooperative. Today, its a one-block main street sort of town. There are instagrammable backdrops, a pottery shop, a glassworks shop, a winery up the hill, and a darling little chapel. Who wouldnt want to start their marriage in Harmony?
And since you are in a dairy town, make sure to grab some ice cream from the Harmony Valley Creamery ice cream truck and go meet all the cows around town.
Told ya this place is cute!
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Welcome To San Simeon
Come experience the rich history of San Simeon and William R. Hearst Memorial State Beach. Old San Simeon above the cove offers a wealth of activities for the outdoor enthusiast, the foodie, or the vista-hunter. Old San Simeon is built on the shoreline known for its whaling in the 1800s. While walking in Old San Simeon, stroll to the 800-foot San Simeon Pier to fish, watch for wildlife, or take in a sunset. The pier overlooks William R. Hearst Memorial State Beach, a protected area that offers picnic tables, barbecue grill stands and restrooms. Wildlife is abundant in the area with frequent sightings of sea otters, elephant seals, seabirds and migrating humpback whales. For lunch, grab a burger and beer at Sebastians Cafe, or wine tasting next door at award-winning Hearst Ranch Winery, just a stones throw from the beach. Looking for a hike? The easy-moderate San Simeon Bay Trail takes you through coastal forests and out to secluded vistas.
Have You Been Fully Vaccinated
People are considered fully vaccinated*:
- 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or
- 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnsons Janssen vaccine
If you dont meet these requirements, you are NOT fully vaccinated. Keep taking all precautions until you are fully vaccinated.
If you have a condition or are taking medication that weakens your immune system, you may NOT be fully protected even if you are fully vaccinated. Talk to your healthcare provider. Even after vaccination, you may need to continue taking all precautions.
- Before you travel
- Make sure you understand and follow all airline and destination requirements related to travel, mask wearing, testing, or quarantine, which may differ from U.S. requirements. If you do not follow your destinations requirements, you may be denied entry and required to return to the United States.
- Check the current COVID-19 situation in your destination.
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