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    Moonstone Beach Boardwalk

    5.0 (10 reviews)
    Open Open 24 hours

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    Ana T.

    This nice boardwalk is conveniently located across from the row of inns. I was there on the weekdays, and there was plenty of parking available on the side of the road. I also parked at the place I was staying at and just walked across. I went for the views...great spot to enjoy the sunrise and sunset.

    California Coastal Trail sign
    Melissa H.

    This was a memorable highlight of our visit to Cambria and the Central Coast. We liked it so much, we walked on it three times at different times of day. The boardwalk is dog friendly, but the beach is not, so we did not take advantage of the stairs down to the water. However, we had a perfectly lovely time enjoying the scenery and fresh air. There is no water and very little shade, and most town amenities and businesses are located elsewhere, so make sure you come prepared. Also, if you have a dog, be aware that there are some ground squirrels and other creatures in the bluffs that might tempt them. We had to keep a close eye and firm grip at times when something caught our husky's eye. There seemed to be ample parking at the beginning and end, and along parts of the route, but we weren't paying close attention because our hotel (El Colibri) connected directly to the path. The only restrooms we came across were at the South end, attached to a parking lot. They were about as you'd expect for a park/trail area.

    Marshall G.

    This board walk is across the street from our stay. Miles both way, a view of open protected shoreline.

    Steve R.

    Great spot to look out upon the ocean. So beautiful with the waves coming in and driftwood all along the shore. Parking was easy and so was the ability to walk right down yo the water. Definitely worth coming down here to see the ocean and relax to the sound of the waves

    Alex K.

    This place is beautiful. A perfect little quaint magical town hidden from the just and bustle of the city. The main strip that drives through offers ocean view hotels. Theres not much of dining option but your only a few minutes drive from Cambria which has more to chose from. But you're here for the view and the beach. The beautiful boardwalk long the coast gives you an east coast Maine vibe. Perfect for a stroll, a beach day (it's pretty chilly but beautiful), or catching sunsets in the benches. Always a must stop when we're in town.

    Beautiful flowers blooming

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    2 years ago

    Moonstone Beach Boardwalk is one of the highlights of Cambria, a wonderful area to enjoy the beauty of the ocean.

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    Review Highlights - Moonstone Beach Boardwalk

    The view of the ocean is so beautiful and sound of the waves makes me feel so peaceful!

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    Moonstone Beach

    Moonstone Beach

    4.6
    (249 reviews)
    1.5 km

    Absolutely beautiful! We walked along the pathway....stunning view! Very peaceful! If you…read morehaven't been to this side, a must try when in Cambria!

    My family loves this beach. The parking lot is small, but we usually are able to find a spot…read more There's a public restroom connected to the parking lot. I've never needed it, but I'm glad it is there. Beach access is down some stairs that can be hard if you have mobility or balance issues. They are sturdy, and if you are able to navigate them slowly, it is worth it. The beach itself has driftwood that has washed up, and other beach-goers have fashioned into makeshift structures that are fun to explore. The sand is soft, and has tons of rocks and pebbles to investigate. As the name suggests, there are moonstones to find, if you have a bit of luck. Several times when I've visited, I've found these transparent clear and purplish/blue velella velella all over the shore. Other wildlife seen at this beach include moon jellyfish, sea lions (off shore), pelicans, seagulls, cormorants, and cottontail bunnies along the cliffs. There is a creek outlet that washes into the sea that can be a bit stinky, and tends to make traversing the beach hard past that point. Also along the water's edge, there can be some unstable sand areas, so tread carefully. This beach tends to have a nice breeze, and is refreshing even on hot days. If you are in the area and you can find parking, check it out!

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    Moonstone Beach
    Moonstone Beach
    Moonstone Beach

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    Shamel Park

    Shamel Park

    4.5
    (33 reviews)
    1.2 km

    Shamel Park is a community park in the coastal California town of Cambria nestled in the burbs…read morealong Moonstone Beach. It's a six acre park that has a large grassy field, kids play area, swimming pool, reserved picnic table area with a Santa Ana grill, individual picnic tables with smaller grills, gazebo, restrooms, and direct access to Moonstone Beach. There is no fee to use the park including the parking. When I dropped by recently in the summer, the grassy lawn was crunchy brown. I don't know the reasoning for the lack of irrigation. But it was open for folks to use still, some folks were playing soccer. The swimming pool was surprisingly smallish size for a community pool; it was covered up and not in use. Possibly closed just for the day. I'm sure the schedule is posted on the San Luis Obispo parks district website. The pool is next to the children's play area, gazebo, and restroom. The play area and picnic areas are shaded by beautiful old growth trees. This is one of my favorite beaches, in Cambria, due to the restroom situation and combo park and beach access. There are several walking beach access points from the park. But most I recall involve stairs. The stairs are not numerous but they're there. The beach has sleeper currents and strong riptides. So if you go into the water be careful especially since there are no lifeguards here. To the far right behind the restrooms is a ragged tag self made old dirt trail leading to the Santa Rosa creek where it connects to the beach.Beautiful views. Movie worthy cinematography scenes. Regarding the dog policy, dogs are not allowed on the beach. But they are allowed in the park, leashed that is.

    This park is a fine place to stop if you want to let the kids or the dog out for a bit…read more Most of the grassy area was taken up by a large group of gentleman playing soccer while we were there but there is a small, unfenced area where you can let your dog off leash for a bit and let them relieve themselves. Most people kept their dogs on leash though Be careful though as it's close to the street and people go around the corner there much faster than I would like, especially for a residential neighborhood. The bathrooms were clean and there is a playground area for kids. You can also access the beach from this park. There is a pool are that was closed, so as busy as it was when we visited, I imagine it gets even busier.

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    Let's check this place out!
    Let's check this place out!
    Shamel Park
    Shamel Park

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    San Simeon Creek Trail

    San Simeon Creek Trail

    4.5
    (6 reviews)
    4.1 km

    A nice trail that's part nature walk, part moderate hike. The distance ranges from 3.5 - 3.8 miles…read moreit's a loop trail that goes around Sam Simeon State park/Campground. If you're staying at the camp ground you can easily get to the trail by following the park map. If you're not visiting the campsite there is a pullout area across the campground entrance on the other side near the beach where you can walk the trail under PCH. Coming from the beach trail around the loop you'll get around 450 feet of elevation gain, the trail is pretty simple to follow but if you're looking for direction to follow online there is a map on All Trails under "San Simeon trail to Washburn Campground Loop"

    The first .5 mile has a wooden path but don't try to do the full loop! The trial is quite overgrown…read moreand poison ivy is all along it. There was a small sign that indicated a part of the trail was under maintenance but once on the trail there's little direction other than small signs that tell about the trail. With no warning, suddenly you're in a very overgrown part that continues onto a broken bridge. By the point we got here we assumed we were more than halfway and didn't wanna risk more poison ivy which he had hardly gotten past. I'm glad we chose to continue because after getting past the broken bridge which was blocked off at the end (not the end we had come on) it was open, far less poison ivy and we made it to a road intended for vehicles to grt to the campground I think? It had some beautiful parts but not the sort of thing to bring kids out ages. Very narrow path for most of it!

    Photos
    Walk way from the campground goes under PCH right to the beach.
    Walk way from the campground goes under PCH right to the beach.
    The trail head right next to the path that leads to the beach. This trail goes around Washburn campground.
    The trail head right next to the path that leads to the beach. This trail goes around Washburn campground.
    Watch out for the bugs.

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    Watch out for the bugs.

    Moonstone Beach Boardwalk - beaches - Updated July 2026

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