Leffingwell Landing is part of the San Simeon State Park providing access to Moonstone Beach and tide pools, northern starting point to the Moonstone boardwalk (walking trail), picnic tables, restroom, and gorgeous bluff views. Absolutely gorgeous views. And get this...parking and access is free. FREE! I walked down to the tide pools. I didn't venture out too far. It was low tide and I didn't see much of any marine life. But still fun. Then I walked up to the bluff and looped around the walking trail and portion of the boardwalk. Terrific views. Pretty native flowers blooming. There are several benches and picnic tables to sit and look out to the ocean... well actually 360 panoramic view. Ocean, beach, tide pools, meadow, bluff, treeline, people watching. Breathing in all this beauty and calm. If you go into the tide pool area. Please do me two big favors. One is to be aware of the tides. Don't get so engrossed that you turn your back on the ocean and kiddos. Second is that observe and no need to harm the marine life. Take a picture (physical or mental) and leave everything as is. read more

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Great tide pools! We walked down the stairs and found tide pools up high on the rocks with all the typical tide pool wild life! Came around 1 since low tide was set to be 1230 on June 24th read more

I swear I was a mermaid in my past life. The sounds of the waves crashing against those huge rocks on the side of the cliffs, the infinite water that never ends, the sand between my toes and the sun beaming down on my skin completed me... oh and the music on my Bluetooth speaker... is just the absolute best feeling ever. I easily lose track of time when I'm there... I was totally inspired by the rescues by the Marine Mammal Center while we were there at this beach... First they came and rescued a bird who couldn't fly... there were two of them... totally patient and very careful they put it in a bag and said they were going to check to make sure everything was okay before releasing it back out... A few hours later there was a sea look who looked like it was not doing very well... Someone must have called and a team of rescue came and did the same... carefully putting him in a cage and said they were taking him to morro bay hospital for observation and then would be taking it to Sausalito to release it. They were speaking with the public which I thought was really cool! I've already done my donation and I think more people need to know about this place. But back to this beach.. There is a bathroom nearby... benches to sit and have lunch... grills to cook... it's just a perfect place to spend the day at... I cannot even explain the beauty that is here Go check it out if you haven't yet! read more

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Part of the reason I love the Central California Coast is their commitment to keeping the beachfront areas public. You'll find miles upon miles of shore-near cliff trails, walkways and mini parks. It's not like other parts of California where million dollar mansions are taking up prime beach views. You don't have to try and find super secret beach front access and park miles away. It's just... accessible! Leffingwell Landing is across from Oceanpoint Ranch. There's public parking dotted here and there and we've never had trouble finding a spot. There are paved trails, combined with established dirt trails and the occasional newly created trail (which we try to avoid). Some of the cliffs have been eroded over time, along with the stairs and beach access points. There are also several areas blocked off to inhibit foot traffic and encourage plant growth. It's a great place to stroll, or take your leashed pup for a walk. The clear sunny views are breathtaking and the morning fog captivating - you'd be hard-pressed to have a bad weather day here! On our last visit we encountered a lone Great Blue Heron. She had recently finished a freshly-caught meal and was drying off just off the trail. Folks were mesmerized by her and everyone respectfully kept their distance. Leffingwell Landing also has a small grassy park with benches. A nice spot for a small party or wedding - albeit a bit breezy. Don't miss walking the Moonstone Boardwalk and Leffingwell Landing - it's simply Cambria! read more

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Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! I love the central coast so much. The Moonstone Beach boardwalk leads to Leffingwell Landing. Dense with cypress trees and the roar of the waves below sheer cliffs, there's lots of great lookout points and benches. My husband and I took our beach chairs and created our own lunch spot overlooking the ocean. Leffingwell is windy so we did eat some SAND along our sandwiches! But it was all about the view so we didn't mind... read more

Leffingwell Landing - Our view from a cliff overlooking the ocean at Leffongwell. - Parks Near Me

Leffingwell Landing is at the northern end of Moonstone Beach. It is a day-use area just north of Cambria on Moonstone Drive. As a part of the Hearst San Simeon State Park, dogs are not allowed on the beach due to being an environmentally sensitive area, but leashed dogs are welcome on the grassy area as well as on the boardwalk. The grassy area with picnic tables offers an exceptionally beautiful place to enjoy this location with a nosh from a local eatery or deli in nearby Cambria. Enjoy the scenic vast views from fifty feet above the gorgeous coastline. There are wooden stairs to explore the beaches and the numerous tidepools. Please be respectful of the landscape elements that are vital to the long-term maintenance of natural resources & biological diversity of the ecology of the area. "Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time." -- Aliyyah Eniath. It can be windy and cool, so bring a light jacket. read more

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Must go down and carefully explore the tide pools, walk around, find little creatures and enjoy the view. read more

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Being a water sign, I am drawn to the ocean, and I am especially drawn to Moonstone Beach. It's easy to get to (by foot or by car), never overcrowded, and it's beautiful whether in sunshine or clouds. Leffingwell Landing is at the northern most point of Moonstone Beach Drive, and it should not be passed by. There is a wonderful grassy area with picnic benches overlooking the ocean, and there's another area where you can climb down the stairs to get closer to the rock formations. It's very picturesque, a photographer's haven, and let me repeat, NOT CROWDED. I love being able to soak up the natural beauty withOUT hoards of people around me. My husband and I walked around taking pictures, and then, we sat on one of the benches for a good long time and just watched the magnificent ocean in all its splendor. It was around 10 a.m., foggy, cool (almost cold), and it just doesn't get any better than that. read more

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Captain Leffingwell was my great, great, grandfather. Of course I never met him but his descendant, my grandmother, was a school teacher and had an encyclopedic memory for her family history so I learned what she knew about him. I grew up and lived till I was 59 years old only 30 miles drive inland from the area so visited the beach and the landing often. Nice little park with some rugged but beautiful beach scenery. The surf can be pretty treacherous at times and with all the big rocks you need to be careful. Unless you have a reason to visit Cambria where this park is located such as the gateway to Hearst Castle or a beach vacatiuon it's not really a desitination but if you are traveling Hwy 1 it is definitely a place to stop for pictures, a picnic or just to relax and take it all in read more

We enjoy coming to Leffingwell Landing whenever we visit the charming coastal town of Cambria. Located next to Moonstone Beach which can be easily walked to cause of all the paths. Especially like coming here for a picnic. There are some picnic tables. So we bring our food, and enjoy our meal with the beautiful scenery. Lovely spot! read more

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This is a day use park at the north end of Moonstone Beach in Cambria, CA. It is the first stop in Cambria as you head south from San Simeon. There are a few picnic tables, some raised grills, water, and rest rooms. The scenery here is fantastic. Look to the south, and you will see Moonstone Beach and in the distance there is the village of Cambria. Walk out to the west end, and you will find smooth rocks and tide pools alive with sea creatures. On a good day, you may spot some sea otters or migrating whales. Walk on the trail north and climb down to the beach area. Here, you will probably find solitude, since not many people walk down here. If you keep walking, you will eventually come to San Simeon. According to my daughter, the best thing about Leffingwell Landing is catching rock crabs. You'll see her holding rock crabs in the pictures I'm uploading. Leffingwell Landing is not a destination, but it's a good place to stop for a picnic if you are in the area, and it is definitely worth checking out the tide pools nearby. read more

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I recently spent a vacation at the San Simeon Pines seaside resort and Leffingwell Landing was right across the street. This easy to access park has some breathtaking coastal ocean views. If you're staying anywhere along moonstone beach you can easily walk the wooden boardwalk north to Leffingwell Landing. There are trees and walking trails, beach walks, and photo opportunities abound. This park was the highlight of my last stay on Moonstone beach. read more

Leffingwell Landing - Parks Near Me

Great place to enjoy lunch at the picnic tables. Or sit on a bench and watch the wildlife and the ocean waves. Very peaceful and calming.

An extremely pretty spot for a wedding, which is why we were there. Not our own marriage. It was my boss's. It was windy, and when the sun went down, it was a bit cold, but overlooking the Pacific Ocean with just 30-40 feet of downhill and beach separating you from the mighty blue sea is pretty awesome. I know my boss got great photos, too, with the sunset in the background, as she tied the knot. The spot is a little tough to locate, and I want to stress this quite a lot ... If you are looking for directions online, follow the ones to LEFFINGWELL COVE. The Landing results send you right into the heart of the state park, which is a solid 4-5 miles away from this actual location. Leffingwell Landing/Cove is JUST north of Cambria, by maybe a couple blocks. You head west off PCH about 50-100 feet, then take what basically amounts to a frontage road right in between PCH and the water. The Landing is marked pretty clearly from there, but again, make sure not to head north to San Simeon - that's the wrong spot. If you're driving through, this is worth a quick stop for a photo op with your special someone. read more

Excellent little park at north end of Moonstone Beach that has parking, picnic benches and scenic overlook spots to watch the sunset. If you head down to the beach you will be rewarded with fun little pebbles and interesting rock formations. Leffingwell Landing also serves as a great jumping off point for the boardwalk trail above the Moonstone Beach bluffs. It's one of my favorite little spots along the Cambria coast-windswept pines, grassy areas to lounge, access to walking trails and coastal views-it's just about perfect. read more

I go to a lot of parks. Especially the ones within 30 miles of my house. this park and Cambria is so wonderful. During the week I often have it to myself. It has a place you can sit facing south and watch the waves crash in. Wow when there's a storm it is dynamic. there are picnic tables, restrooms, pathways to the beach, and just beauty as you see the sweeping coastline. Again don't tell everyone just let it be our little secret. read more

Robert O, not "Robet". Can't figure out to change it. Family has been coming here for Easter for many years. It's absolutely beautiful and I have a good time every time I come. I proposed to my wife here, and we named our daughter after the town because we love everything about Cambria! Good place to take a nice walk, breathe in fresh air and relax! Waves are always crashing against the rocks, be sure to be careful when near them, they can be slippery. Also has a beautiful view of the coastline. read more

Dog friendly. Free parking. Stone covered beach, not sand. Beautiful. Easy access to beach by stairs or near the boat ramp. read more

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The views are terrific and parking is easy. We came down to the beach which is not white sand but dark small pebbles(moonstone). We went to explore tide pools and climbed on the rocks. We enjoyed the beauty of the ocean and the the plants and flowers. Great view of sea birds and friendly squirrels. Great place to hang out and feel nature at it's best. Serene. Not crowded. Perfect for meditation or a quiet picnic with family or friends. read more