Cambria's 17 +1 trail system zigzags SLO County's prime coast land
Grasses pop up from the ground in Cambria along the gorgeous Fiscalini Ranch Preserve in Cambria. As the closest coastal city to Paso Robles, Cambria offers a wealth of hikes for wine-lovers and during summer, reprieve for those seeking to escape the heat.
For hikers in Cambria seeking a nice coastal trail that winds its way along a section of open space along the coast, consider the Bluff Trail in Fiscalini Ranch Preserve.
Open and free to the public yearly from sunrise to sunset, the preserve has walking trails, coastline views, wetlands, wildflowers, coastal pine trees and oak forests, according to Friends of Fiscalini Ranch Ranch Preserve (FFRP).
Fiscalini Ranch has a total of 17 trails to offer along the coastal bluffs in beautiful Cambria. Twelve are easy, 5 moderate. In essence, it’s super scenic, relatively easy hiking that you’re likely going to want to consider looping 2x if you’re a hardcore, miles-driven type. Park entrances are all over the place, you just can’t go wrong.
All of the 17 trails within the system are less than a mile long with Bluff Trail (0.9 mile) being the longest. During my hike on Bluff Trail, I had the opportunity to savor a wonderful coastal day with nice weather and a classic California sunset. The trail system was extremely mellow and well-tended. For folks looking for a little bit of breathing room, it’s a nice place for hiking. Amenities aren’t super prevalent. Coastal access is not advised, if not for safety than for erosion in this highly sensitive coastal habitat.
If you haven’t spent much time in Cambria – and maybe you have – you might be aware of the overall “feel” of the place. It’s a bit upscale, and like most coastal towns the core contingency is tight-knit. It’s a place where treading lightly is warmly welcome, and bad behavior is snuffed out quickly. That’s good news for the sensitive habitat and true sense of a “piece of California coast” in the quiet coastal enclave of Cambria on the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve trail system.
About halfway through the hike, I decided that zig-zagging across the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve would be the best option, gaining elevation with each trail choice until finally coming down to sea level, back to the car and heading home. I would highly recommend this coastal hike with the caveat that you’re aware all 17 trails are less than 1 mile long, so be prepared for a short jaunt or a zig-zag adventure, as I undertook.
Trails at Fiscalini Ranch do not require heavy hiking boots; however, it is nice to have some nice trail-runners or something grippy if conditions are wet, or dry for that matter as sometimes it can get slippery. The trail system is divided east/west. West has 17 trails, and east is accessible via the Santa Rosa Creek Trail East. Cars parked can be visible along Highway 1. There’s also a fenced dog park divided into two sections for large and small sections, at the Rodeo Grounds Road off of Burton Drive in the East Village.
Cambria’s character comes in sync with that coastal vibe, where artists meet crafts, and the good life is celebrated in forms like this handcrafted benchwork along the coastal edge of Fiscalini Ranch along the Bluff Trail.