Laid-back, Ranch-Style Lodgings Minutes from Downtown Cambria

California's Highway 1, one of the world's most scenic routes, runs alongside the sparkling Pacific coastline not far away. The Cambria Palms Motel lies a short distance from the shore, nestled amid green, rolling hills. Loungers dotting the property provide front-row seats for taking in the scene, which is enhanced by the smell of blossoms from the inn's tranquil backyard garden.

Inside, guest rooms feature coffee-colored walls and decorative touches unique to each room. The laid-back lodgings are straightforwardly yet stylishly adorned, with floral-themed artwork and kingly comforters in golds, reds, or nouveau patterns. The Cambria Palms loans out complimentary bicycle cruisers for exploring the surrounding countryside, competing in impromptu jousting tournaments, or pedaling into downtown Cambria to visit its quaint shops and restaurants. Nearby boutique wineries also present inviting opportunities for day trips.

Cambria, California: Picturesque Pacific Coastal Village

The coastal town of Cambria lies about 6 miles south of San Simeon, midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Though the village is small, it has a host of attractions to keep vacationers occupied, including 30 art galleries in the charming downtown area, beachfront boardwalks at Moonstone Beach, and a cast of hulking seals at the elephant-seal rookery.

Just a few miles away lies the famed Hearst Castle, the enormous, European-style palace built by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst. The building took more than 25 years to complete and houses more than 100 elaborate rooms and an astounding collection of Spanish and Italian art and antiques. Numerous tours crisscross the 127-acre estate throughout the day, acquainting visitors with the grand rooms, cottages, kitchens, and fitness room wallpapered with Hearst's collection of Family Circle comic strips.