$1,198,526Average Value$270Average Price per Sq Ft21Homes For Sale
Peaceful living between the Pacific and Monterrey pines
Home to one of the world's only remaining native stands of Monterey pine trees, the coastal village of Cambria in northern San Luis Obispo County feels far removed from other Central Coast beach communities. “It reminds me of Lake Tahoe,” says Central Coast resident Susie Brans, a broker associate with Richardson Sotheby’s International Realty. “It very much feels like you’re in a mountain town. It’s nothing like anything else around here.” According to longtime area resident Jennifer Lawson, a Realtor with Re/Max Pines by the Sea, buyers who are relocating to Cambria are looking for quiet, peaceful living with a scenic backdrop and a sense of isolation from city life. “It takes a peculiar person to want to live here full time,” she says. “You don’t want to be somebody who likes to shop at a mall — we don’t have malls here. We have some small stores and some sweet little boutiques. If you want to go to Costco, the closest one is 45 minutes away. If you want to go to the movies, you have to travel. But if you want to make it, the drive is beautiful.”
This house in Cambria, located near Hwy 1, mimics the style of coastal homes in the area.
The vibrant flowers throughout Cambria bring an elegant charm to the neighborhood.
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Moonstone Beach plus hiking trails at Fiscalini Ranch Preserve and Hearst San Simeon State Park
Known for its dramatic views of the Pacific Ocean, Cambria’s Moonstone Beach is also a popular local surf spot. The mile-long boardwalk allows residents to enjoy the salty air while scouting for sea otters, whales and dolphins off the coast, and some mornings, harbor seals can be found sunbathing on the sand. Locals frequently scour Moonstone Beach for smooth, tumbled “moonstones” (which are actually a clear quartz called chalcedony), and beachcombers can also find smooth pebbles of jade, jasper and agate. Immediately adjacent to the main beach, the 6-acre Shamel Park also offers beach access, plus a playground, a barbeque area and a heated swimming pool. Just south of there, the 430-acre Fiscalini Ranch Preserve has a network of 17 short hiking trails, including the popular Bluff Trail, which spans a mile along the steep coastal cliffs. “It’s perfect for an afternoon walk if it’s not too windy or too cloudy,” says longtime Central Coast resident Cody Chavez. Several of the trails allow bikes and horses, and several are also ADA accessible. "I go there at least once a week to decompress,” Lawson says. On Cambria’s north end, Hearst San Simeon State Park has a 3.3-mile hiking trail with scenic coastal overlooks, and a 14-acre archaeological site dating back nearly 6,000 years.
Coveted water views and water meters
Most homes here were built between the mid-20th century and the early 21st century, and are usually two or three stories; many are poised above the beach, to maximize their ocean views. “There’s a lot of funky, multi-level homes built on the hillside,” Lawson says. “There are some spec homes here, but for the most part, every house is so different. You might have this beautiful Mediterranean-style home, and then next door is a cute little cabin. One house might be several million dollars, the one next to it might need a lot of work.” According to Lawson, Cambria’s median home sale price is around $1 million, and real estate here tends to be more affordable than other nearby coastal towns, particularly Cayucos. “If people get priced out of Cayucos or Carmel, they come here,” she says. Modest single-family homes start at around $500,000 and range to about $900,000, while homes with 2,000 to 3,000 square feet range from $1 to $2 million. Custom estates with about 3,000 to 4,000 square feet and acre-sized lots go for anywhere from $2 million to $2.5 million. Small oceanfront fixer-uppers can be found for less than $1.5 million, but most waterfront properties start closer to $2 million, and those with 3,000 square feet and luxury upgrades can cost upwards of $4 million. Modest manufactured homes in the Oak Terrace mobile home park start around $300,000, while luxury manufactured homes in the 55-and-older Castle Cottages can go for nearly $1 million. There are also many open lots for sale, but buyers will have difficulty developing them. “We have a lot of vacant lots but no water, so the Coastal Commission isn't allowing any building,” Lawson says. In 1986, following an extensive drought, Cambria created a waitlist for new residential water connections; in 1990, this waitlist was closed to new applications. In 2001, the Cambria Community Services District declared a water emergency and issued a building moratorium that's still in effect today, effectively ceasing all residential development in Cambria with very few limited exceptions. “The water meters are extremely valuable in Cambria because you can transfer them to another property,” says area resident Kim Conti DeGroot, principal broker and owner at Kimberly's Global Real Estate, adding that she can't recall a new one being issued in the 25 years she has been in real estate. "There are vacant lots that are 500th or 600th in line to get water,” says area resident Tim Townley, a Realtor with Comet Realty. “People buy lots with lower numbers to move ahead in line, but before you would even get a shovel in the ground, it’s probably $35,000 to $40,000 just in permits.”
In Cambria, you'll find housing choices ranging from beachfront homes to luxurious estates.
Experience the soothing sound of waves crashing while you shop for oceanfront homes.
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Locally owned eateries and mom-and-pop shops span Cambria’s East and West Villages
Cambria’s main shopping and dining district spans along Main Street, which is divided into two separate, walkable areas: the East Village and the West Village. "It's so cute here in town,” Lawson says. “There are no chains or franchises here, so you can’t go to Starbucks. It’s all local businesses, so it’s very niche, for sure.”
In the West Village, Cambria Coffee Company is a favorite for house-roasted beans and specialty espresso drinks, while Madeline’s Restaurant & Wine Cellar serves French-inspired cuisine alongside local wines. Home Arts sells locally crafted art and home decor, and New Moon Boutique specializes in women’s clothing and accessories. In the East Village, Robin’s serves global fare made from locally sourced ingredients in the outdoor garden area, while the cozy Linn’s is a community staple for county-style comfort food and fresh baked goods. “They make the best pies, they’re world-famous,” Lawson says. While most restaurants in Cambria are closed by 9 PM, residents can grab a drink at Mozzi’s Saloon until midnight. Antiques on Main is a favorite for vintage finds, while Spellbound Gift Shop & Garden stocks herbs, soaps and incense alongside whimsical garden decor. Both Cookie Crock Market and Soto’s True Earth Market are on Main Street for groceries.
Dine in at Lynn's Restaurant, a local favorite located on Main Street in Cambria.
Robyn's Restaurant in Cambria offers patio dining, perfect for enjoying on a nice day.
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A defined arts scene with local galleries, live music and a performing arts theatre
Cambria’s East and West Village are home to a variety of art galleries and public murals. “Cambria has a little artistic mini culture,” Lawson says. “There are a lot of retired musicians who live here so there’s a lot of live music.” During the summer, Stolo Vineyards & Winery hosts live music on the outdoor lawn on Thursday evenings, while Robin’s has Monday night performances in the garden and The Fireside Lounge at Cambria Pines Lodge has live music every night. On Main Street between the East and West Village, the Cambria Center for the Arts has a large gallery featuring local artwork in a variety of mediums, and the 100-seat theatre stages local and touring plays, musicals and concerts. The center regularly hosts other events, including film screenings, lectures and free youth art classes, as well as the annual Cambria Film Festival each February, an international competition open to short and feature-length independent films of all genres.
Don’t miss the latest mural at the Cambria post office, painted by a local artist.
Cambria's downtown is filled with antique and arts and crafts stores waiting for you to shop.
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Learning in Coast Unified School District
Cambria is served by Coast Unified School District. From kindergarten through fifth grade, students can attend Cambria Grammar School, which receives a C rating from Niche. Santa Lucia Middle is graded with a B-minus, while Coast Union High earns an A-minus and offers several career and technical education courses in fields like animal science, agricultural mechanics and digital media.
Direct access to California’s scenic Highway 1
California Highway 1 runs through Cambria, and residents heading north along this famous route will see some of its most dramatic and scenic coastline views. While Cambria is largely car-dependent, Moonstone Beach Drive and Main Street are lined with San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority bus stops, connecting riders with destinations throughout the county. Adventist Health’s Twin Cities Community Hospital is about 25 miles east in Templeton, and the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport is less than 40 miles southeast, with nonstop flights to western U.S. hubs via American, United and Alaska Airlines.
A low crime risk and responsive local fire departments
Cambria's CAP Index Crime Score is 2 out of 10, lower than the national average score of 4. Cambria scores especially low in violent crime, with 1 out of 10 scores across the board in all categories. The community doesn’t have its own police department, but it does have ambulance services and local firefighters. “We have Cal Fire on the north side and then we have a fire department in the heart of town,” Lawson says. “We’ve had a couple fires, but nothing that’s gotten out of hand, because we have such a great system in place. It’s amazing how quickly they respond.”
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Brian Thorndyke,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Shamel Park
San Simeon Beach State Park
Cambria Dog Park
Lampton Cliffs Park
Fiscalini Ranch Preserve
Moonstone Beach
Transit
Airport
San Luis County Regional
56 min drive
Bus
Moonstone & Fireside Inn
Bus
Main & Tamson
Bus
Oceanpoint Ranch
Bus
Main & Cambria Drive
Bus
Castle Inn
Bus
Burton & Main
Bus
Bluebird Inn
Cambria Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Cambria, Morro Bay sell after 80 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Cambria, Morro Bay over the last 12 months is $415,000, down 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Classic Cambria Retreat with Endless Potential! Step into the character of this vintage Cambria home featuring 2 bedrooms and 1.5 baths, set on a highly desirable .34-acre on two parcels with a portion street-to-street in peaceful Lodge Hill. Rich with original details, from knotty pine walls to a charming vintage kitchen, this property offers timeless appeal with room to make it your
Leslie DoughertyCentral Coast Sotheby’s International Realty
In the West Village of Cambria Pines by the Sea, on a quiet street just steps from shops, restaurants, wine and beer tasting is 953 Sheffield St. This home, set on a quiet culdesac, offers 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms extensively remodeled including flooring, windows and kitchen and baths updated with all new fixtures, cabinets and countertops! On the bright and cheerful main level you have 3
Come in, sit down, and enjoy this cute two bedroom, two bath house located just behind the West Village! Enjoy the ease of living “right in town,” allowing you to walk to get your coffee and the paper in the morning, walk to lunch on the patio at Harmony Cafe, and stop by Moonstone Cellars on your way home (and ALWAYS on Friday...trust me on that one)! The current owners have loved this house for
Welcome home to Avon Avenue. One of Cambria's quietest streets! This pine studded triple lot is less than a mile to the beach, 4 blocks to the Fiscalini Preserve and surrounded by nature. Close to town, yet a deep forest feeling. Currently #774 on the water wait list. Check with your agent for current availability of water meters for purchase.
This home is a quintessential cottage in the woods and it is less than a mile from the ocean. Built upon 8 ocean view lots on Lodge Hill, this south facing home is surrounded by a secret garden of mature oaks, ferns and meandering pathways. It is an artistic cottage, beckoning you to create, to be a maker. Built in 1951 its most recent owner was Eleanor and Henry Kluck, a prolific and famous
Lodge Hill double lot, 50'x70' +-3500sf with forest views on a quiet paved low traffic street. Quiet tree lined avenue with all sorts of deer, wild turkey roaming about. No local water position on these lots at this time but eligible to have one moved here. Looking for a nice property to invest in? Offered for $18,000.
Property Id: 1602486Discover comfort and coastal charm in this warm inviting three bedroom two bath room home situate on Lodge Hill. Just a short stroll to the beach.Upon entry, you will find two spacious bedroom, full bath, laundry room, and living room and a gas fireplace on the ground level. The upstairs open to a bright area, living and dining area, gas fireplace and court
THE COTTAGE AT CAMBRIAPer Week: $2,100. Per Month $8,500. Reserve Now For Your Spring/Summer Getaway! Unwind and Relax! Spend a divine vacation in seaside Cambria enjoying ocean breezes, walks and sunsets at Fiscalini Ranch Preserve (1 block away), close by beach and pool at Shamel Park, and the best access to the fun restaurants and shops at Moonstone Beach and in quaint downtown
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Brian Thorndyke,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
6,972
Median Age
64
Population Density
2 ppl/acre
Population under 18
12.3%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
48.3%
Significantly above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$85,627
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$112,353
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96%
College Graduates
44.8%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
20.5%
% Population in Labor Force
47.8%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
44''
Average Winter Low Temperature
42°F
Average Summer High Temperature
66°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
1/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
10/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
