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Pretty Fall & Winter Pedicure Toe Nail Art Ideas
With fall and winter holidays just around the corner, don’t forget your toes! There is nothing more fun (and relaxing) than having a pedicure and choosing pretty colors and designs are important. Take time to browse through my cute toe nail art designs for your own inspiration!
I love the deep rich autumn brown with the coppery gold artwork. It creates a very fall vibe.
Nothing will put you in the Christmas spirit like getting a cute pedi with these festive holiday toes! It is like giving a present to yourself, literally!
Gold & Cherry Red is a great combo for New Year’s Eve and into 2019!
I hope you enjoyed my nail art designs. Wishing you peace, love, happiness, and super cute toes!
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Clementine & Co. in Carmel, California
Clementine & Company is a stunning shop filled with beautiful home decor, furniture, vintage finds, and gift items. It was founded by two sisters, Emily and Amanda, in 2016. Per their website, the sisters “grew up in a large family with a designer/artist father and a creative mom who flipped houses for a living. The sisters joined forces, put their creative energies together, and opened a shop in picturesque Carmel, CA that incorporates flea market finds with the latest trends in interior design.”
I am always impressed with the stylish decor here and there are always some wonderful surprises! The textiles, lighting, ceramics, furniture, and beautiful decor flood your senses. Every nook and corner is utilized to provide a pleasing view no matter where your gaze wanders.
I love finding inspiration here; the tableaus are so lovely.
It is fun to explore the variety. Always new and interesting finds here! They also have wonderful seasonal decor.
Clementine & Co. also features a professionally curated online store that can ship items right to your doorstep. How’s that for convenience? Check out Clementine & Co. yourself! You will not be disappointed!
Where: 153 Crossroads Blvd. Carmel, California, 93923 (located in the Crossroads Carmel Shopping Center)
Hours: Mon-Sat 10am to 6pm and Sun 11am to 5pm
Phone: (831) 620-1200
Helpful Links: Store Website
My latest snag from Clementine. As a coffee addict, I appreciate the size of this mug in addition to the cute inscription! Thank you for visiting my blog! Wishing you peace, love & happiness!
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Gizdich Ranch in Watsonville, California
With autumn in the air, nothing is more fun than visiting the apple orchard. When I lived in the Midwest, I would giddily make my annual pilgrimage to the local apple orchard, bundled up in a warm sweater and hat. I would join others piling onto the hay wagons that would be pulled by a tractor out into the orchard. There, we were abandoned with bushel baskets to pick apples from trees in the crisp, cool autumn air. We returned later to the apple barn with our haul. At the apple barn, there was hot apple cider and fresh, warm cinnamon donuts. I have so many fond memories of this, I was feeling pretty bummed to be orchardless in California, that is, until my friend Lauryn told me about Gizdich Ranch. 
While you don’t need to bundle up at this apple orchard, and there are no hay wagons, hot donuts or cider, it is a true gem. Located in a quiet, rural area, the 60-acre Gizdich Ranch has a reputation for being a local favorite. It is located at 55 Peckham Road in Watsonville, CA, 31 miles north of Monterey and 94 miles south of San Francisco. They have been in business for more than 80 years. As you drive through the quiet countryside to Gizdich Ranch, you will notice quaint Victorian houses with gingerbread porches, old-fashioned windmills, and little red barns. It almost feels like you have traveled back in time to a place where people churn butter, make quilts and drive to church every Sunday in a horse and buggy. It’s just that cute.
No matter the season, Gizdich has something good in store. In the spring and summer you can pick strawberries, olallieberries, and boysenberries, and in the fall, apples (or you can purchase them already picked). Gizdich is especially famous for their freshly baked pies. You can buy pie by the slice or an entire pie. You can even get a scoop of ice cream with your pie. Or, you may prefer a homemade apple dumpling drowning in a to-die-for caramel sauce. They also carry homemade jams, fresh pressed apple juice and other yummies, doodads, and gimcrackery. The apple juice is often sold out for good reason, it is delicious! If you are wondering about what to serve for dessert at Thanksgiving, you can pre-order pies here. Gizdich sells around 6,000 pies this time of year!
While the produce at Gizdich is not certified organic, they use many techniques, including applying beneficial insects and organic sprays, to avoid the use of pesticides. I snagged some heirloom Pippins (grown by George Washington on his estate in Virginia) and they were super crisp, sweet and tasty. Pippins are just one of 17 apple varieties available at Gizdich.
One of the most popular flavors for jam and pie is ollalieberry. If you are from the midwest, like me, you have probably never heard of ollalieberry. Olallies are a cross between blackberries and red raspberries and let me tell you, they are heavenly!
If you are hankering for something more substantial to eat, Gizdich’s has a deli that serves picnic lunches including sandwiches, chips, cookies, an apple, and a drink. There are picnic tables and benches where you can sit down and enjoy your goodies. There is also an antique shop on the premises which was closed when we were there.
Hours: They are open every day from 9 am to 5 pm
Helpful Hints:
- Weekday mornings are the quietest, by afternoon the school buses are arriving and you will be standing in lines or dodging the kiddos
- If you are picking berries, bring your own take-home containers; Gizdich provides containers for picking only, there is a fee charged for boxes to take berries home in
- If you will be outside during hot and sunny weather, bring sunscreen and a hat
- It can be dusty here with dirt roads
- Credit cards are accepted as well as cash
- Signs can be a bit confusing, we ended up at the pick your own orchard and had to continue further around the corner to the actual farm and store.
- You can place phone orders before you arrive
- Ample parking is available
Contact: Call 831-722-2458 or visit their website Orchard
Thank you for visiting my blog! Wishing you peace, love, happiness, and a very lovely autumn!
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Surfing Museum Lighthouse in Santa Cruz
“Let’s go surfin’ now, everybody’s learning how, come on and safari with me” begins the popular Beach Boys song “Surfin’ Safari”. This could well be the theme song of the beautiful seaside city of Santa Cruz, California. Surfing is an obsession here. Legend has it that three Hawaiian princes first brought surfing to America while visiting Santa Cruz in the 1800s. This is the story of how a lighthouse built shortly after the civil war transformed into a shrine to surfing culture. 
The beach north of the museum offers a serene view. Santa Cruz’s original lighthouse was completed in 1870, constructed at Point Santa Cruz and modeled after the Ediz Hook Lighthouse in Washington Territory. By 1878, the prolific formation of new sea caves along the cliffs at Point Santa Cruz began to jeopardize the lighthouse’s structural integrity, with the potential for collapse. It was removed from its foundation and moved on wooden rollers three hundred feet further inland, using a team of horses.
A handful of lighthouse keepers and their families lived at Point Santa Cruz. The most notable was Laura Hecox, the daughter of the first lighthouse keeper, Adna Hecox. When her father passed away, she became the official keeper, a job she held until her resignation in 1916. Laura began the study of shells and amassed an expansive and well-renowned collection of artifacts, some of which can be viewed today at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History.
In 1941, the Coast Guard built a twenty-six-foot high tower 200 feet seaward of the lighthouse which became the station’s official beacon, and the original lighthouse and grounds were leased to the city of Santa Cruz for a park. In 1948, the Coast Guard sold the aging lighthouse with the stipulation that it be entirely removed from the property. A local carpenter purchased it and completely dismantled it for the lumber. The city of Santa Cruz later purchased the property at the site of the original lighthouse. The lighthouse that had stood here for over seventy years was gone forever. This could have been the end of the story, but a tragic accident brought about a very beneficial reinvention.
It’s fun to watch today’s surfers catching waves. In the background is Santa Cruz’s beach boardwalk. Surfing can be a perilous sport, and in 1965, a promising young 18-year-old surfer named Mark Abbott lost his life at nearby Pleasure Point surf break. In 1967, Mark’s grieving parents wanted to do something positive to commemorate their son. They donated life insurance money for the completion of a new 550 square foot new lighthouse in honor of their son. The Abbott Memorial Lighthouse was built of red brick and featured a lantern from the defunct Oakland Harbor Lighthouse. A beautiful plaque inside the lighthouse reads “This lighthouse is further dedicated to all our youth whose lives, through fate or misadventure, are terminated before realizing their true potential. May their spirits find new dimension in the unknown horizons that await us all.”
In 1986, the lighthouse became home to the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, the first surfing museum in the world. In 2008, it was nearly closed due to city budget difficulties. The Santa Cruz Surfing Club Preservation Society raised enough money to keep the lighthouse open temporarily, and other donors soon came forward to rescue the museum.
While I am not a surfer, I was truly impressed by the extensive collection of photographs, videos, surfboards, and other surfing memorabilia in the museum. Notable features include locally crafted redwood surfboards from the 1930s and the very first wetsuit invented by Santa Cruz native Jack O’Neill. You really feel the passion that this sport has elicited in people and the historic role (over 100 years) it has played in the area. Santa Cruz is highly respected in the surfing world. In 2011, Santa Cruz received approval as a World Surfing Reserve, ranking highly on criteria such as wave quality and consistency, surf culture and history, and its unique environmental characteristics. There are over 23 surf spots in the region, including the iconic Steamer Lane and Pleasure Point.
It is a beautiful place to relax and contemplate the sea and sun. The museum/lighthouse has been a staunchly revered local landmark and hosts the annual “Caroling Under the Stars” tradition each Christmas. Admission to the museum is free but donations are welcome. There are numerous benches around the area and it is wheelchair accessible. It is a beautiful and peaceful place to sit and watch the surfers, enjoy a picnic lunch, or just bask in the sunshine while enjoying the beautiful beach.
Location: 701 West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Summer Hours (July 4 – Labor Day): 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (closed Wednesdays)
After Labor Day Hours: Noon – 4:00 p.m. (closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays) and
Phone: 831 420-6289
Helpful Hints: No restrooms are on the premises, but public restrooms are available approximately one block south of the museum on the opposite side of the street.
More Information: Santa Cruz Lighthouse and Surfing Museum
Plaque commemorating Hawaiian Princes who introduced surfing to Santa Cruz in 1885. Thank you for visiting my blog! Wishing you peace, love, happiness, and beautiful vistas!
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Eight Best Books To Curl Up With This Fall!
With fall coming, it’s a great time to curl up in a quiet place with a good book. I have some recommendations that I think you will enjoy!
1. The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters. This is a ghost story and a bit scary, perfect for Halloween! The story is told from the perspective of a local doctor in England following World War II. It has apparently been made into a movie (released just last month) which I have not seen. The story focuses on a mansion, called Hundreds Hall. The narrator reveals his first experience with the mansion when he was a 10-year-old boy and his mother had been employed there as a servant. He later returns and finds the mansion to be in a state of dilapidation and disrepair. He befriends the once well-do-to family living there and observes the ensuing creepy events from a purely scientific perspective. Various bizarre happenings are easily explained away. Yet, he seems to understand that some things cannot be easily explained. He states to his colleague, “The subliminal mind has many dark, unhappy corners, after all. Imagine something loosening itself from one of those corners. Let’s call it a germ. And let’s say conditions prove right for that germ to develop–to grow, like a child in the womb. What would this little stranger grow into? A sort of shadow-self, perhaps: a Caliban, a Mr. Hyde. A creature motivated by all the nasty impulses and hungers the conscious mind had hoped to keep hidden away.” Warning: may cause nightmares!
2. The Harry Potter Series is inordinately addicting. Yes, adults can read these too. I didn’t start until my boys were grown and gone and I was going through their old books. Once I started, I was hooked! I finally understood their frenzied quest for each new book in the series. Wonderfully entertaining! I recommend starting with the first book and proceeding sequentially.- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
- Harry Potter an the Goblet of Fire
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
3. Agatha Christie mysteries. Favorites include The Murder at the Vicarage, The Mirror Crack’d From Side to Side, and The Mysterious Affair at Styles. I used to scour rummage sales, book sales, and flea markets for every tattered Agatha Christie novel I could find. I love Miss Marple and Hercules Poirot, the consummate detectives. In the Mysterious Affair at Styles, Poirot states to his friend assisting with the investigation, “You gave too much rein to your imagination. Imagination is a good servant and a bad master. The simplest explanation is always the most likely.” Fun reading and the British ambiance in each book is addicting.
4. The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux. If you are a hopeless romantic and like mysterious men in capes and masks you will most likely find this gothic horror mystery appealing. Basically, the Phantom lurks in the opera house, seemingly appearing in places out of nowhere as if by magic. He falls in love with a beautiful young singer and ends up kidnapping her although he later lets her go. Much melodrama ensues. Although creepy, it is definitely sad, beautiful and poignant and you feel sorry for the Phantom, who will live a loveless life alone in the dark depths of the opera house.
5. The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman. In this tale, Susanna Owens has three children. The children, Franny, Jet, and Vincent know that they are different from other people and have special abilities, but feel unsupported by their mother. Finally, the children visit her Aunt Isabelle in the small Massachusetts town where the Owens family has been both feared and sought out for help over the years. Aunt Isabelle, dressed in black, encourages the children to embrace who they are. The children see the help she provides to the local folk, who are invited into her kitchen to sit at the old pine table. “The price for a cure might be as low as half a dozen eggs or as high as a diamond ring, depending on the circumstances. A token payment was fine in exchange for horseradish and cayenne for coughs, dill seeds to disperse hiccoughs, Fever Tea to nip flu in the bud, or Frustration Tea to soothe sleepless nights of the mother of a wayward son.” Monterey is mentioned in this book, as Vincent, a musician, participates in the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. Vincent’s two granddaughters, Sally and Gillian, end up being raised by Franny and Jet in Practical Magic after their parents die in a tragic accident.
6. Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman. “There are some things, after all, that Sally Owens knows for certain: Always throw spilled salt over your left shoulder. Keep rosemary by your garden gate. Add pepper to your mashed potatoes. Plant roses and lavender, for luck. Fall in love whenever you can.” You have probably seen this quote morphed in one way or another onto plaques and signs on Etsy. Hoffman’s use of creativity, superstition, and vivid description make her books wonderfully entertaining reads. She also tugs at your heartstrings with the losses and lessons her characters experience. Once you are hooked you will be back for more!
7. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. I will be forever awestruck and imprinted by the amazing characters in this book, including the scary convict, sweet Pip, beautiful Estella, and creepy Miss Havisham. Pip assumes his benefactor is Miss Havisham; the discovery that his true benefactor is his convict shocks him. I have to say that Miss Havisham is the weirdest character ever and that is what makes this book so interesting. A wealthy spinster, once jilted at the altar, she insists on wearing her wedding dress for the rest of her life and lives in a ruined mansion with her adopted daughter, Estella. She keeps all the clocks in the mansion set at twenty to nine, the exact moment her fiance ran off, leaving her at the altar. She tries to make Estella jaded towards men and plays sick games with poor Pip. She is one of the most strange and grotesque characters in the story. Pip states “I saw that the bride within the bridal dress had withered like the dress, and like the flowers, and had no brightness left but the brightness of her sunken eyes. I saw that the dress had been put upon the rounded figure of a young woman and that the figure upon which it now hung loose, had shrunk to skin and bone. Once, I had been taken to see some ghastly waxwork at the Fair, representing I know not what impossible personage lying in state. Once, I had been taken to one of our old marsh churches to see a skeleton in the ashes of a rich dress, that had been dug out of a vault under the church pavement. Now, waxwork and skeleton seemed to have dark eyes that moved and looked at me. I should have cried out if I could.” In adopting Estella, she seeks to protect the girl from the hurts she herself has suffered and she trains Estella to love no one. Estella ends up not only unable to love men but unable to love Miss Havisham. I love Charles Dickens!
8. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving. In this story, a headless horseman wreaks havoc on the townsfolk. He is believed to be a Hessian soldier who lost his head to a cannonball during the Revolutionary War. In the story, he rides forth nightly to the scene of battle in search of his head. Ichabod Crane, a lanky schoolmaster competes with Brom Bones for the hand of 18-year-old Katrina Van Tassel. One autumn night, Crane borrows a horse named Gunpowder to travel to a Halloween party at the Van Tassels’ homestead. The horse is described as “a broken-down plow-horse, that had outlived almost everything but its viciousness. He was gaunt and shagged, with a ewe neck, and a head like a hammer; his rusty mane and tail were tangled and knotted with burs; one eye had lost its pupil, and was glaring and spectral, but the other had the gleam of a genuine devil in it. Still, he must have had fire and mettle in his day, if we may judge from the name he bore of Gunpowder. He had, in fact, been a favorite steed of his master’s, the choleric Van Ripper, who was a furious rider, and had infused, very probably, some of his own spirit into the animal; for, old and broken-down as he looked, there was more of the lurking devil in him than in any young filly in the country.” Upon reaching the party, Crane proposes to young Katrina but is spurned. As he rides home, dejected, he encounters a cloaked horseman and realizes that his companion’s head is not on his shoulders, but on his saddle. Ichabod rides for his life, but as he nears the bridge, the horseman rears his horse and hurls his severed head at Ichabod.I like movies, but honestly, I think books are so much better. Wishing you peace, love happiness, and fun reading! -
Plant Lover’s Paradise in Santa Cruz, California
If you are as obsessed with plants as I am, you have to visit Santa Cruz. Two of my favorite shops are in this beautiful beachside town. The first is DIG Gardens. Located at 420 Water Street, Santa Cruz, California, it is well worth the trip.
They feature a plethora of plants, textiles, books, candles, pottery, furniture, and interior decorating inspiration. They have one of the largest selections of succulents, cacti, and air plants I have ever seen!
I could spend hours perusing this place, and my pictures are only the tip of the iceberg! They have a huge outdoor area chockful of plant wonders as well! My favorite is the gigantic succulent display. This has become so crazy popular, people are getting married in front of it. For reals!
I’m sure all my plant loving friends are drooling at this point. But wait, there’s more! Botanic And Luxe, located at 701A Front Street in Santa Cruz, California is another sweet spot for your plant fix. It is located just around the corner from the beautiful downtown Santa Cruz area, close to other great shops and restaurants. They also carry gifts and home goods, as well as great decorating inspiration.
Their store is carefully curated and you can feel the loving care they put into creating a welcoming and attractive atmosphere. I love the friendliness of the staff and the way they provide education regarding plant care in a simple, no-nonsense way.
Their air plant selection is amazing. They even have jellyfish air plants! I was also informed that they only purchase their plants through ethical sources, to help protect and maintain our earth’s valuable ecosystems.
In conclusion, dear friends, if you are looking for a botanical pick-me-up, you know where to go. If like me, you have a thing with plants, you will not be disappointed! For more information, see Botanic & Luxe and DIG Gardens
Thank you for visiting my blog. Wishing you peace, love & happiness!
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Ragged Point: Gateway to Big Sur
Known for its breathtaking views from its perch 400 feet above the wild Pacific coastline, Ragged Point Inn is often called the gateway to Big Sur. Ragged Point consists of not only an Inn, but also a cafe, restaurant, gift shop, mini mart, ice cream parlor, and gas station. It is basically a self-sufficient little community in the remote wilderness that is Big Sur. 
Ragged Point features beautiful flower gardens, fountains, and pathways filled with gently drifting Monarch butterflies and swiftly darting hummingbirds. Fabulous ocean vistas include myriad sightings of seals, dolphins, and migrating whales. Live music is an attraction on weekends and holidays, lasting throughout the summer into October. There are also photo ops at the “Portal to Big Sur”, a wooden sculpture that looks like a big donut (or toilet seat, you decide). There is also a fairly steep and somewhat challenging hiking trail leading down to the beach.
Helpful Tips:- No Wifi unless you are staying at the Inn, and even then it is sketchy
- Expensive gas prices
- No cell service
- Rooms are a bit outdated
- A good place to stop on the long drive between outposts of civilization in the area
- Pets are allowed at the Inn and on the premises
Other Fun Activities in the Area:- Hike to Salmon Creek Falls. This natural waterfall is located 3.6 miles north of Ragged point Inn close to Hwy 1. An interesting feature of the waterfall is that it actually starts out as two waterfalls that merge into one as they cascade down 120 feet. It is a relatively easy and popular hike with a round trip distance of only .25 miles. The pullout for the trailhead is 45 miles south of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. The falls are visible from Hwy 1. Salmon Creek Falls is also next to the Silver Peak Wilderness area. For more information, see Salmon Creek Falls
- Visit Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery. Located almost 11 miles south of Ragged Point Inn, the colony includes more than 17,000 elephant seals, which gather seasonally to safely avoid predators and frolic playfully with their pups. Elephant seals are the largest seals in the northern hemisphere. For more information, see Elephant Seals
- Visit Hearst Castle. Located 15 miles south of Ragged Point Inn, Hearst Castle was designed by famed architect Julia Morgan for business magnate William Randolph Hearst. It is nestled on 127 acres of meticulously groomed gardens and terraces. For more information, see Hearst Castle
- Visit San Simeon Pier, 15.5 miles south of Ragged Point Inn. This area is protected by the Marine Life Protection Act and is home to seals, otters, humpback whales, elephant seals, pelicans, ospreys, and much more. For more information, see San Simeon Pier
- Take a tour of Piedras Blancas Light Station, located approximately 9 miles south of Ragged Point. For more information, see Lighthouse
- Visit the romantic village of Cambria, 22 miles south of Ragged Point, for fabulous shopping and delicious sunsets at Moonstone Beach. For more information, see Cambria
- If you are into hiking hidden trails and experiencing isolated beaches, visit the very private Ragged Point Beach. This is 1.8 miles south of Ragged Point Inn. The trailhead starts at a small pull-out parking area on a bend between a blue call box and a “no campfires” sign. The trail is called Ragged Point Cliffside Trail. It is a .6 mile steep and fairly strenuous hike with a 400-foot change in elevation. The black sand beach is extremely private and is flanked by rocky bluffs. There is also a seasonal waterfall here called Black Swift Falls.
- Visit the Big Sur Jade Festival in the Lost Padres National Forest, directly across from Sand Dollar Beach on Hwy 1. This beloved annual festival, which draws people from all over the world, is usually held for three days in October. Multiple vendors sell and showcase their work, ranging from tiny, delicate pieces of jewelry to huge slabs of stone harvested from the sea. For more information, see Big Sur Jade Festival
I hope that you enjoy Ragged Point and the wonderful sights around it! Thank you for visiting my blog. Wishing you peace, love, happiness, and beautiful vistas!
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Partington Cove: Tanbark Tunnel to the Sea
If you have ever wished to find pirates or buried treasure in the Monterey area, your best bet is Partington’s Cove. I think the name should be changed to Pirate’s Cove because it resembles something out of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island. It is located 1.8 miles north of the entrance to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, and 6 miles south of Nepenthe. It is easy to pass by due to poor signage. Look for the trailhead turn-off inside a hairpin turn on the west side of Hwy 1. Once you reach the trailhead, follow the half-mile dirt trail downhill. At the bottom, it splits into two trails. Turn left at the bottom and cross a wooden footbridge above Partington Creek.
Follow the path along, and you will see a 100-foot-long tunnel bored through rock. The tunnel was constructed in the 1880s by homesteader John Partington, to enable the transport of lumber from the tanbark forest above the canyon to ships moored in the cove. Tanbark provided the tannins necessary to tan hides into leather. Mules were used to haul the lumber down the canyon to the ships.
You can still see remnants of iron and wood structures used to moor the ships in the cove. You can also see tangled kelp forests as they sway gently in much of the cove. I imagine what it must have been like to see a ship moored here. It seems to me that swashbucklers could have been here. I can almost hear them chanting “Fifteen men on a dead man’s chest, yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum!” Speaking of rum, Partington Cove also has been rumored to be affiliated with Prohibition bootlegging ventures, but this has never been substantiated.
As you return and cross back over the footbridge, instead of turning right to return up to Hwy 1, turn left. Following this will lead you to a beach where Partington Creek cascades and spills over stony boulders and rocks into the ocean. It is a wonderful place to sit and reflect. As the waves crash onto the sandy shore, I think I hear a parrot shrieking “pieces of eight!” But I am shocked out of my reverie when I realize it is my friend calling me, “we’ll be late!” He has been thinking he saw a mermaid in the cove!Whether you like pirates or mermaids, experience Partington Cove yourself and let me know what you think. Adventure awaits!
Wishing you peace, love, happiness, and beautiful vistas! -
Cambria, California: Top 10 Things to Do!
Charming, romantic, and fun, Cambria lies smack dab between L.A. and San Francisco on Hwy 1, just south of the famous Hearst Castle in San Simeon. With a population just a smidge over 6000, Cambria is small but jam-packed with fun things to do.
Cambria is the Latin name for Wales. Cambria is situated amidst one of only three rare Monterey pine forests.It was named by a local surveyor from Cambria County, Pennsylvania. If you love the beach, art galleries, boutiques, wine tasting, and intimate restaurants, Cambria is the cat’s meow.History
Cambria was originally settled by the Chumash Indians and eventually, settlers moved here for the farmland and lumber. In 1862, Cambria became a boom town after the discovery of cinnabar, the ore from which quicksilver, also known as mercury, is made.What To Eat
There are no McDonalds, Burger Kings or Taco Bells here, which adds to the quaint, old-fashioned ambiance of the town. Favorites include Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill (great views here), Robin’s Restaurant, Indigo Moon, Black Cat Bistro ( I love this name!), and Madeline’s Restaurant. If you just want to grab coffee or tea and a quick breakfast, I recommend Cambria Coffee, located on Main Street.
Where To Stay
Cambria is known as a romantic getaway. There are numerous bed and breakfast inns in town. There are also a plethora of hotels across Hwy 1 from downtown Cambria on Moonstone Beach (or at least, across the road from it). Our hotel suite had a second story patio overlooking the beach and sliding doors you could leave open at night to allow the cool, delicious ocean breeze in. I would highly recommend finding lodging near the beach, as it is incredibly beautiful.
What to See & Do
- Moonstone Beach is very user-friendly beach and has a beautiful 1.5-mile boardwalk with many benches and vista points. At the beach, you may see a variety of animals, including elephant seals, sea otters, and shorebirds. The beach was named after the moonstones swept onto the beach by the ocean. Beachcombers are a frequent fixture on the beach. Beautiful stones and occasional sea glass can be found here. There is also a dearth of driftwood, and people constantly create interesting driftwood sculptures on the beach. For more information, see Moonstone Beach.
- Hearst Castle is located just north of Cambria. Designed by famed architect Julia Morgan for business magnate William Randolph Hearst, this opulent estate is a must see. Originally called “La Cuesta Encantada”, or The Enchanted Hill, the castle has 165 rooms. It is nestled on 127 acres of meticulously groomed gardens and terraces. You will be wowed by the artwork and statuary that Hearst collected, including castle ceilings and Cardinal Richelieu’s bed. It is said that the film “Citizen Kane” is based on William Randolph Hearst and his “castle” certainly supports that conjecture. The film chronicles the life of a newspaper tycoon who amasses fame and fortune but is unable to buy love or happiness. Although decades have passed since Hearst lived there, it still inspires amazement. For more information, see Hearst Castle.
- Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery is about 4.5 miles north of Hearst Castle. This colony includes more than 17,000 elephant seals, which gather seasonally to safely avoid predators and frolic playfully with their pups. Elephant seals are the largest seals in the northern hemisphere. The best time to see seal activity is in the winter, from December through February. Males, which are 14-16 feet long and weigh up to 5,000 pounds, begin arriving in late November, and their female mates come in December. February is the busiest month for the elephant seals, with almost 4,000 pups born in just a few weeks. For more information, see Elephant Seals.
- Wine Tasting. Cambria is the gateway to wine tasting, with local wineries and more in nearby Paso Robles and Templeton. Wineries in Cambria include Moonstone Cellars, Cayucos Cellars, Cutruzzola Vineyards, Twin Coyotes Winery, among many others.
- Shopping. Cambria is home to many artists and creatives, and you will find amazing art galleries and antique, garden, home decor, pottery, beadwork, and clothing shops. My favorite is Home Arts, which includes beachy boho decor including pottery, baskets, macrame, furniture, and artwork. As a Wisconsin native, I was also pleasantly surprised to see an Ephraim Pottery Shop on Main Street. Ephraim Pottery is also located in Lake Mills, Wisconsin, and features craftsman style pottery and ceramics in the American arts & crafts style of the early 1900s.
- Cambria is home to “Nitt Witt Ridge“, a home built at 881 Hillcrest Drive by Arthur Harold Beal, also known as Der Tinkerpaw or Captain Nitt Witt. Beal was a garbage collector for the town of Cambria in the 1940s and 1950s and used of what he found to build it, including beer cans, abalone shells, washing machine drums, automobile parts, and old stoves. He also purportedly worked at Hearst Castle for a time and incorporated remnants from the estate into his own home. Although Mr. Beal has moved on to the big Nitt Witt Ridge in the sky, you may tour his previous home, which is now a California Historical Landmark. For more information, see Nitt Witt Ridge.
- Take a Tour of Piedras Blancas Light Station. Located 15 miles north of Cambria, you can tour this historic lighthouse, although it appears to have something missing on top. If you’re wondering where it went, check out downtown Cambria for the original Fresnel Lens. For information on guided tours, see Piedras Blancas Light Station.
- Other Outdoorsy Activities you may enjoy in Cambria include biking, hiking, fishing, surfing, and kayaking.
Surfers enjoy catching the waves - Explore Fiscalini Ranch Preserve. Follow coastal bluff trails to see red-legged frogs, marsh hawks, as well as other local and endangered species at Fiscalini Ranch Preserve, a 430-acre protected wildlife habitat. For more information, see Fiscalini Ranch Preserve.
- Visit the Coastal Discovery Center. Located on San Simeon Bay, the center is a joint venture between Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and California State Parks. It provides education regarding the cultural and natural history of San Simeon. It is located just across highway one from the entrance to Hearst Castle. For more information, see Coastal Discovery Center.
Interesting Facts-
The 1990 film hit Arachnophobia was filmed in parts of Cambria and at the local high school
Annual Events- October: Cambria’s Annual Scarecrow Festival features over 300 scarecrows lining the town’s streets.
Helpful Tips- Use the Cambria Village Trolley to get around town.
- Public restrooms are on Burton Street, just off Main Street.
I hope you enjoy Cambria as much as I did! Wishing you peace, love, happiness, and beautiful vistas!
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Shake Your Tail Feathers at the Monterey County Fair
The 2018 Monterey County Fair’s Theme was “Shake Your Tail Feathers”, which of course, as a chicken mama, I loved. I am also inspired by seeing the dedication of all the young people in 4-H to their animals and to this event. It is clearly a great deal of hard work, and I respect all the effort they put forth.
I went the very last day of the fair, which I found out later, was probably not a good idea. The last day, all children under 12 get free admission, which means, it is usually the busiest and most crowded day to go. Yet, for the most part, everyone was very peaceful and unruffled. It actually was moderately calm and low-key, considering the crowds and lines.
Rides, food, farm animals, musical talent, live entertainment, demonstrations, souvenirs, home-made foods and crafts, ribbons & prizes; the Monterey County Fair is a recipe for good old-fashioned fun for all ages!
There were even wine tastings from local wineries. We are in wine country, right?
One of my favorite buildings is the Wool Building. I always love seeing the ladies with their spinning wheels, diligently operating their wheels while simultaneously chatting and providing information to visitors. If I ever retire, I want to learn how to operate a spinning wheel. Maybe I will also finish all my crochet and knitting projects too!
Of course, my very favorite part of the Monterey County Fair is the animals. I wanted to snuggle with all the cute farm animals, but alas, I had to follow the rules and stay outside of their pens. It was especially difficult with Mr. Pig (see photo below) as he was so ridiculously cute and had personality plus! There is just so much to see, smell, hear, taste, and touch. I would highly recommend the Monterey County Fair!
Too much fun! I can hardly wait until next year’s Monterey County Fair. Thank you for visiting my blog. Wishing you peace, love & happiness!