Cambria, San Simeon and Hearst Castle

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.

This story was originally published January 19, 2007 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Cambria, San Simeon and Hearst Castle."