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    Leffingwell Landing

    4.7 (18 reviews)
    Open 6:00 am - 8:00 pm

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    Our view from a cliff overlooking the ocean at Leffongwell.
    Lisa P.

    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...

    Cold, wet, stormy day. 04 January 2021
    Terry C.

    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.

    Crab
    Miriam E.

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

    Claudia B.

    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.

    Beautiful flowers
    PatrickJ T.

    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!

    View looking south from picnic area at Leffingwell Landing in Cambria, CA
    Vicki C.

    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.

    Marcus F.

    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.

    Jan 2016

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    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.

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    Ask the Community - Leffingwell Landing

    Review Highlights - Leffingwell Landing

    Leffingwell Landing also serves as a great jumping off point for the boardwalk trail above the Moonstone Beach bluffs.

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    Shamel Park

    Shamel Park

    4.5
    (32 reviews)
    2.1 km

    This park is a fine place to stop if you want to let the kids or the dog out for a bit…read more Most of the grassy area was taken up by a large group of gentleman playing soccer while we were there but there is a small, unfenced area where you can let your dog off leash for a bit and let them relieve themselves. Most people kept their dogs on leash though Be careful though as it's close to the street and people go around the corner there much faster than I would like, especially for a residential neighborhood. The bathrooms were clean and there is a playground area for kids. You can also access the beach from this park. There is a pool are that was closed, so as busy as it was when we visited, I imagine it gets even busier.

    I really have zero complaints about this hidden park. It was…read morein a quiet neighborhood in a corner. I have 3 kids, two who are adults, and one who is 8 years old. There was a play area with slides and swings and they all enjoyed it. The bathrooms were clean, and I noticed there was a pool too. I don't know when it's open or if they open it at all. I just thought it was cute. There was beach access and the beach was pretty clean. There were not too many people, so it was nice to have it practically all to ourselves. There was sand but also beautiful rocks that we all enjoyed playing in. The waves were extremely large and gorgeous. There was a sign that said no lifeguard on site. Overall it was a great experience for all of us, and we would love to return for another day of hanging out!

    Photos
    Shamel Park
    Shamel Park
    Shamel Park

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    Moonstone Beach

    Moonstone Beach

    4.6
    (249 reviews)
    1.6 km

    Absolutely beautiful! We walked along the pathway....stunning view! Very peaceful! If you…read morehaven't been to this side, a must try when in Cambria!

    My family loves this beach. The parking lot is small, but we usually are able to find a spot…read more There's a public restroom connected to the parking lot. I've never needed it, but I'm glad it is there. Beach access is down some stairs that can be hard if you have mobility or balance issues. They are sturdy, and if you are able to navigate them slowly, it is worth it. The beach itself has driftwood that has washed up, and other beach-goers have fashioned into makeshift structures that are fun to explore. The sand is soft, and has tons of rocks and pebbles to investigate. As the name suggests, there are moonstones to find, if you have a bit of luck. Several times when I've visited, I've found these transparent clear and purplish/blue velella velella all over the shore. Other wildlife seen at this beach include moon jellyfish, sea lions (off shore), pelicans, seagulls, cormorants, and cottontail bunnies along the cliffs. There is a creek outlet that washes into the sea that can be a bit stinky, and tends to make traversing the beach hard past that point. Also along the water's edge, there can be some unstable sand areas, so tread carefully. This beach tends to have a nice breeze, and is refreshing even on hot days. If you are in the area and you can find parking, check it out!

    Photos
    Moonstone Beach
    Moonstone Beach
    Moonstone Beach

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    San Simeon Creek Trail

    San Simeon Creek Trail

    4.5
    (6 reviews)
    1.4 km

    A nice trail that's part nature walk, part moderate hike. The distance ranges from 3.5 - 3.8 miles…read moreit's a loop trail that goes around Sam Simeon State park/Campground. If you're staying at the camp ground you can easily get to the trail by following the park map. If you're not visiting the campsite there is a pullout area across the campground entrance on the other side near the beach where you can walk the trail under PCH. Coming from the beach trail around the loop you'll get around 450 feet of elevation gain, the trail is pretty simple to follow but if you're looking for direction to follow online there is a map on All Trails under "San Simeon trail to Washburn Campground Loop"

    The first .5 mile has a wooden path but don't try to do the full loop! The trial is quite overgrown…read moreand poison ivy is all along it. There was a small sign that indicated a part of the trail was under maintenance but once on the trail there's little direction other than small signs that tell about the trail. With no warning, suddenly you're in a very overgrown part that continues onto a broken bridge. By the point we got here we assumed we were more than halfway and didn't wanna risk more poison ivy which he had hardly gotten past. I'm glad we chose to continue because after getting past the broken bridge which was blocked off at the end (not the end we had come on) it was open, far less poison ivy and we made it to a road intended for vehicles to grt to the campground I think? It had some beautiful parts but not the sort of thing to bring kids out ages. Very narrow path for most of it!

    Photos
    Walk way from the campground goes under PCH right to the beach.
    Walk way from the campground goes under PCH right to the beach.
    The trail head right next to the path that leads to the beach. This trail goes around Washburn campground.
    The trail head right next to the path that leads to the beach. This trail goes around Washburn campground.
    Watch out for the bugs.

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    Watch out for the bugs.
    San Simeon State Park & Campground

    San Simeon State Park & Campground

    3.6
    (159 reviews)
    1.9 km

    Beautiful campground. We stayed in the lower lot, and were pleasantly surprised by the quick beach…read moreaccess, the large number of clean bathrooms and showers and the trees and greenery that made the campsites feel semi-private. We even were treated to a fantastic ranger talk in the campsite amphitheater, complete with a fire pit and a well spoken lesson about sharks. Both the ranger at check in and the ranger speaking were wonderful, and they made sure the kids had Junior Ranger books for the event. The location is superb, right down the street from the Elephant Seal Rookery and Hearst Castle. A heads up, we reserved a 25 foot campsite for our travel trailer, which is appropriate based on its length. If you're pulling a vehicle, I recommend reserving a 35 foot. Getting both the trailer and our vehicle in our site side by side was tight. Not impossible, but do yourself a favor and get a little extra room if you can. We will be back, only complaint is not staying longer.

    Lower creek has no view but is somewhat out of the wind. In some seasons that may be a bad thing…read morebecause that may mean mosquitoes and other bugs. My spot was shaded and the spots can be private or close depending on which one. The bathrooms and showers are fairly run down. Lexi. But all in all is was not too bad. I just wish dogs could go on the beaches.

    Photos
    April 18, 2025 - Washburn Day Use Area picnic tables are next to Highway 1.
    April 18, 2025 - Washburn Day Use Area picnic tables are next to Highway 1.
    San Simeon State Park & Campground
    San Simeon State Park & Campground

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    Leffingwell Landing - parks - Updated July 2026

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