Last Updated on June 7, 2025
There’s nothing like falling asleep to the sound of the ocean, especially accompanied by cool ocean breezes.
Moonstone Beach is one of my favorite areas to stay in Cambria. It’s a serene coastal destination renowned for its natural beauty and tranquil ambience, while showing off the rugged charm of California’s Central Coast.
The Moonstone Beach Boardwalk is a well-maintained wooden path meandering along the coastline, stretching for approximately one mile. It offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and is an outstanding spot for observing marine life such as sea otters, dolphins, and during migration season, whales.
Beachcombing is very popular here, attracting shellers and rockhounds for generations (including me) in search of the smooth pebbles known as “moonstones,” a chalcedony that exhibits a soft milky glow. Moonstones come in a variety of colors that include blue, jade green, brown, yellow, green or pink and though the ones found here are not true blue semi-precious moonstones, they are beautiful.
Just across from Moonstone Beach, the area is filled with a number of charming small boutique hotels that provide a laid-back, lovely Pacific Coast experience. Here are some of my and my family’s favorites. As a bonus, there’s no fee parking fee and WiFi is complimentary.
Blue Dolphin Inn
This was the first inn in Cambria that my husband and I stayed in on a romantic weekend getaway. Twenty thoughtfully designed rooms include gas fireplaces, premium bedding, and refined coastal décor.
Guests can choose from rooms with full, partial, or limited ocean views including six rooms themed after global dolphin habitats offering full ocean views and spacious patios or balconies. Some rooms include Sanjet bathtubs. If budget isn’t an issue, opt for one of these rooms with a view, all still reasonably priced.
The inn provides a freshly prepared picnic-style breakfast delivered to the room each morning which guests can enjoy in the room, on the balcony or at the beach. A limited number of pet-friendly rooms are available for $25 per night.
Oceanpoint Ranch
We absolutely love this property located on the shores of Moonstone Beach with beach access from a private trail. The ranch includes nine acres of oceanfront property in ranch-style rooms with luxurious furnishings in its cozy cabins and suites.
Built in the 1950s, the boutique property’s rustic, but chic ranch-inspired guest rooms have been beautifully renovated while still preserving the charm of its original architectural design. Rooms feature coastal designs along with bold plaids and animal prints to beautifully restored vaulted wood ceilings and rich leather accents.
Even Moonstone Beach visitors who are not staying at the Ranch know the value and benefit of dining at The Cow Tipper, featuring amazing dine-in, made-to-order meals during breakfast and dinner.
Castle Inn
You’ll instantly recognize this quaint property by the iconic bright red Adirondack chairs strategically placed on the lawn in front of the hotel inviting guests to sit, relax and enjoy amazing ocean views. A must-do is enjoying the warming firepit on a chilly Pacific night.
This was one of the original hotels built along the Cambria coast when cattle still roamed along Moonstone Beach Drive. The newly renovated hotel features 30 rooms, many with ocean views featuring either two queen beds or a king.
Room rates include a complimentary breakfast, a heated outdoor pool, BBQ, and picnic tables. Pet friendly rooms are available at a $25 per night fee.
Fireside Inn
Featuring 46 guest rooms, Fireside Inn is a charming, newly restored hotel with guest rooms and suites offering two queens or king guest rooms equipped with fireplaces and some offering ocean views, private patios and jetted tubs.
The boutique property also sports an outdoor heated pool and while the hotel doesn’t have an on-site restaurant, guests can order dishes from nearby Oceanpoint Ranch eatery Cow Tipper delivered directly to their room.
If you want to bring your pet, you can, for a nightly fee of $25.
FogCatcher Inn
Another coastal gem directly across from Moonstone Beach, FogCatcher Inn offers stylish coastal-inspired décor that incorporates driftwood-designs, paying homage to the large amount of driftwood found on the beach, a relaxed atmosphere and several rooms with cozy fireplaces and ocean views.
The 60-room boutique hotel with a California beach cottage look features a heated outdoor pool and hot tub that includes ocean views and a sundeck with a firepit.
Feel free to bring your four-legged friend for a $75 per visit fee.
Moonstone Landing
This lovely family-owned boutique hotel is only a few steps from the beach and boardwalk. The property’s well-appointed 29 guest rooms offer both oceanfront and non-oceanfront rooms, but, then again, views of the ocean are right outside your door.
The property is stunning, but does not have a pet-friendly policy, though service animals are always welcome. A complimentary breakfast is included in the stay and the hotel offers a heated outdoor pool and hot tub.
Sea Otter Inn
A charming property, Sea Otter Inn offers 25 coastal hotel rooms and suites with beach décor, elegant furnishings, plush beds and large windows providing plenty of natural light. Select accommodations also feature private patios, fireplaces and sweeping Pacific Ocean vistas.
Guests can also enjoy a heated outdoor pool, hot tub and fire pits. A breakfast basket is delivered to rooms each morning. Another pet-friendly inn, dogs are welcome in select rooms for a $25 per night fee.
White Water Inn
Located at the north end of the Moonstone Beach boardwalk, this beautiful 25-room oceanfront lodge blends Scandinavian-inspired design with the natural beauty of California’s Central Coast.
The hotel was reimagined by interior designer Nina Freudenberger who infused the space with a “Danish seaside” aesthetic. Rooms feature light Baltic birch slatted headboards, indigo-dyed pillows and vintage textiles. Many rooms offer ocean views, fireplaces and beautiful spa-like bathrooms. Free bicycle rentals are available for exploring the nearby Moonstone Beach Boardwalk.
Pelican Inn
The benefit of staying at this oceanfront property is the reasonable price, though during our visit, we thought the boutique hotel could use a little facelift and the front desk staff was not as friendly as other properties we’ve booked here in Cambria.
It does however provide a tranquil retreat with stunning ocean views from many of its 49 rooms and suites along with balconies or patios and gas fireplaces. Pelican Inn also sports an outdoor pool, hot tub and is pet-friendly with a $75 fee per stay, though Pit Bulls and Rottweilers are not permitted. The location is central and ideal for walking the boardwalk and enjoying the beach.
