Discover Cambria's Most Beautiful Hikes
Crashing waves and rugged cliffs extend for miles along the Cambria coastline. Flanked by wildflower fields and towering forests, it’s a landscape that invites you to stroll, wander, and fully escape into nature. If you’re planning an upcoming trip to the Central Coast, making time to get outside and take in the magnificent views is a must. To help you plan, we’ve got a list of Cambria’s most beautiful hikes, so you know exactly where to go. Check it out and don’t forget the camera—you’ll want to remember these views.
Cambria Hikes for Every Skill Level
Fiscalini Ranch Preserve Bluff Trail
There are 17 trails to choose from at this gorgeous preserve, but by far the most popular among visitors is the Bluff Trail. Well-maintained, the boardwalk trail is great for families with little ones, or those with mobility needs. You’ll be met with sweeping ocean views and dramatic cliffside drops. Keep your eyes peeled for whales in the distance as you enjoy this scenic stroll.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 0.9 Miles
Check out the most recent Fiscalini Ranch Preserve trail details and plan your visit.
Moonstone Beach Trail
Best for early morning or sunset due to the lack of shade, this trail at Moonstone Beach leads you beside the ocean over boardwalk sections and hard-packed paths. If you’re traveling with your pup, they’ll love sniffing all the wild grasses and getting the chance to spot elephant seals lounging on the shore.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 1.9 miles out-and-back
- AllTrails Map
Harmony Headlands State Park Trail
Eleven minutes south of town, you’ll find one of the most secluded and beautiful Cambria hikes. Harmony Headlands State Park offers 784 acres of preserved coastal grounds with a simple hike anyone can do. Starting from the parking lot, follow the path as it winds past grasslands and a reflective lake as you make your way to the ocean overlook.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 3 miles out-and-back
Pets are not allowed on this trail, so if you’ve brought Fido along on your vacation, they’ll need to sit this one out. But that’s ok, especially if you’ve booked a pet-friendly home with Cambria Vacation Rentals. They can cozy up while you get out and explore—a win-win for the whole family!
Speaking of Cambria Vacation Rentals, if you like this info on the best hiking trails in Cambria, and want more travel and vacation planning tips, why not get our newsletter sent directly to you?! Filled with top to-dos plus updates on vacation rental sales and specials, it’s your go-to guide from locals who know this area best.
Strawberry Canyon Trail
Did you know Cambria is home to one of the last remaining native Monterey pine forests in the world? Designated as an Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area, Strawberry Canyon is protected by Greenspace, a nonprofit land trust organization that works to preserve the Central California coast. Their work ensures generations of future residents and visitors can experience the magic of this landscape for years to come.
At the Strawberry Canyon Trail, you’ll traverse a clearly marked path through soaring trees as you make your way to the beach. The loop trail is great for folks looking for a bit more challenge and is unique for its diversity in terrain, transitioning from dense forest to ocean views.
- Distance: 1+ miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
Lampton Cliffs Park
If you’re after a gentle, scenic stroll, the loop path at Lampton Cliffs Park is perfect. While you won’t really get your blood pumping, it is a wonderful spot for wildlife viewing and tidepool exploration. At dawn and dusk, you may spot grazing deer in the meadow, and at low tide, the beach is teeming with marine life in the shallow waters. Look for the stairs to the beach at the far end of the path from the parking lot. But be careful, the beach here is rocky and can be slippery.
- Distance: less than one mile
- Difficulty: Easy
Leffingwell Landing
Accessible via Shamel Park, Leffingwell Landing’s paths are a great way to see migrating gray whales in winter and a variety of other wildlife, like shorebirds and playful otters. The trails are accessible via Moonstone Beach’s boardwalk and lead through lush Cypress groves as you make your way to the ocean, where you’ll find picnic tables and easy beach access. Pack a lunch and enjoy the rewarding views at the end of this short Cambria hike.
- Distance: 2 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
Salmon Creek Trail
Free and open to the public, this short hike leads you to a 120-foot cascading waterfall tucked into the Santa Lucia Mountains. Best viewed after a good rain, you’ll find the trailhead just three miles north of Ragged Point Inn. As you walk along the path, look for a trail sign and arrow pointing right. Stay to the left to head straight to the falls, or continue right to reach a campsite higher up the mountain. Though the trail is short and mostly easy, there is a brief scramble over rocks to reach the falls. Dogs are welcome to tag along on this hike, but keep them leashed and on the path—poison oak is known to grow in the area.
- Distance: 0.3 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate due to rocky scrambles near the falls
Monarch Butterfly Observation Area via Trenton Trail and Meander Loop
From October through early February, you can glimpse the endangered Monarch Butterfly as it migrates through Cambria. Along the Trenton Trail and Meander Loop, you’ll find observation areas where you can sit for a while and watch swarms of vibrant orange fill the bright blue skies. Accessed via the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve, this short loop trail provides grassy plains, ocean views, and passages through pine forests.
- Distance: 1.8 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- AllTrails Map
Cambria Hiking Packing List
Venturing out on one of these popular hiking trails in Cambria? Make sure you have the basics covered in your pack.
- Bug spray
- Sunscreen
- A hat
- Reusable water bottles
- Layered clothing that wicks away moisture
- A headlamp if you’ll be out after dark
- First aid kit – just in case
- Compass and trail maps – some areas don’t have reliable cell service
- Thick socks
- Hiking shoes with thick tread
- Snacks – opt for things like trail mix and protein bars so you can replenish sugars and fuel your body for the rest of the hike
- If hiking with your dog, make sure you have water for them + waste disposal bags and some pup-friendly snacks
Stay Near the Best Cambria Hiking Trails
Featured Property: 401 Hastings
At Cambria Vacation Rentals, we have properties located near Fiscalini Ranch Preserve and Moonstone Beach, where you’ll find ample hiking trails and opportunities to get out and explore the Central Coast.
After your day outdoors, you’ll love coming home to one of our spacious rentals. Take advantage of hot tubs for soaking your tired muscles, full kitchens for tasty at-home dinners, and comfy furniture where you can curl up and rest for the next day’s adventures. Plus, when you book your stay directly with us, you’ll get the best rate. That’s because you cut out the middleman of online travel agencies like Airbnb or Vrbo and all their extra commissions and fees.
If you’re planning a trip to the Central Coast, check out our inventory of Cambria properties and book your stay directly with us. We can’t wait to welcome you!
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