Picture a small, artsy town in the pines then plunk it down at the beach. Surround it by miles of secluded shoreline, wave-battered bluffs and a colony of elephant seals and you’ve got the hamlet of Cambria.

It’s a serene place for romantic getaways, a discovery-filled spot for a simpler kind of family holiday and a paradise for those looking to connect with nature.

For a perfect Central Coast weekend, combine a day or two on the North Coast – beachcombing, hiking, browsing in village shops and visiting the opulent Hearst Castle -- with a tour of nearby nearby Paso Robles’ wine country. If you’re traveling the Pacific Coast Highway south, you’ll head next to Morro Bay.