Location: San Simeon, California
SAN SIMEON: This is one of the oldest divisions of the California
State Park System. This is a beach full of dramatic coastal bluffs,
rocky shores and wonderful vistas. Part of the park is the “Santa
Rosa Creek Natural Preserve,” the “San Simeon Natural
Preserve and the Pa-nu Cultural Preserve.” There is a 3.3
mile trail that runs through parts of the San Simeon Natural Preserve,
and the Washburn Campground as well. The trail is wonderfully
laid out, with scenic overlooks, rest stop benches and a good
amount of information available on both the wildlife and habitat
in the area. San Simeon State Park is located 35 miles north of
San Luis Obispo on Highway 1, and 5 miles south of the Hearst
San Simeon State Historical Monument Visitor Center. The community
of Cambria is located 2 miles to the South, offering food, lodging,
gas stations and quaint local shops to tantalize the tourist.
There are 115 campsites for either tents or recreational vehicles,
with the maximum length of 35 feet for the RV’s. There are
fire rings and picnic tables at each camp site and water spigots
are available throughout the campground. Restrooms, coin operated
showers, a dump station and water fill-ups for RV’s.
Recreational activities include California camping, picnicking,
hiking, fishing, surfing, beachcombing, bird watching and whale
watching. The Junior Ranger Program is a regularly scheduled interpretive
program for children. Interpretive walks of the San Simeon Trail
may also be available.
Washburn Campground is one mile inland from the beach overlooking
the Santa Lucia Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. This is a primitive
campground and the facilities include a fire ring and picnic table
at each campsite, water spigots, chemical flush toilets and use
of the dump station and water fill-up.
Hearst Castle is one of the oldest historic house/museums in
the United States, with a highly sophisticated guided tour. Home
of the famed William Randolph Hearst, who was one of the many
wealthy American collectors in who built and decorated incredible
homes. For further information: http://www.hearstcastle.com/
LODGING:
Blue Whale Inn http://www.bluewhaleinn.com
CHANTICLEER VINEYARD http://www.chanticleervinyardbb.com
J. PATRICK HOUSE www.jpatrickhouse.com
OLALLIEBERRY INN http://www.olallieberry.com
PICKFORD HOUSE B & B http://www.thepickfordhouse.com
©Copyright 2006 Carla Iacovetti
