Cambria

  Cambria, California, United States
Thursday, May 8, 2008

Next stop, Cambria, an artsy crafty town on the beach and the place to stay if you want to visit the famous/infamous Hearst Castle. Lots of nice shops, restaurants, and beach tracks for leisurely strolls.

Solvang, Calif. - a Danish town

Enroute to Cambria we stopped in Solvang, a danish town, featuring everything Danish including wonderful Danish breakfasts - yum!




Of course, what would a stop with shops be without shopping.

Solvang Needlepoint

J. Patrick House B&B

We stayed at a wonderful B&B, would stay there again! Warm chocolate chip cookies at night and an amazing gourmet breakfast both mornings.

Hearst Castle

Our primary reason for visiting Cambria was to visit Hearst Castle located in San Simeon, California, just up the road from Cambria. "Originally known as "Camp Hill," its wilderness offered a place for family members and friends to "rough it" on camping trips. Despite elaborate arrangements with separate sleeping and dining tents, Hearst envisioned more comfortable accommodations. His simple instructions to famed San Francisco architect Julia Morgan in 1919: "Miss Morgan, we are tired of camping out in the open at the ranch in San Simeon and I would like to build a little something""

Everything you might want to know about the Castle can be found here:  http://www.hearstcastle.org/

Hearst Castle

We did two tours: the daytime time and the nighttime tour where members of the staff dress in period costumes; both worth while doing.

Hearst Castle