Cambria is a seaside village in San Luis Obispo County, California, United States midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles along California State Route 1 (Highway 1). The name Cambria, chosen in 1869, is the Latin name for Wales. Cambria is situated amidst Monterey pines in one of only three such native forests. Previously, the town had gone by the names of Slabtown, Rosaville, San Simeon, and Santa Rosa.
For such a small community (just 6,000 residents), Cambria has many moods. On the inland side of Highway 1, Cambria’s commercial area is divided into two distinct sections along Main Street. With some buildings dating to the 19th century, its East Village is the oldest part of town.
Most people know Cambria as the gateway to Hearst Castle, just 11 miles up the San Luis Obispo County coast. But even without its famous neighbor, Cambria’s creative vibe and its setting—beautiful pine forests and open space along a craggy stretch of the California coast—make it an irresistible destination in its own right.
