Over Two Hours Away From Bakersfield Is A West Coast Beach With Ocean Views, Wildlife, And A Boardwalk

Nothing sums up the wild spirit of California quite like its cliff-hemmed coastline. This is certainly true of the state's Central Coast, where sheer bluffs and sandy coves are about as ubiquitous as the crashing waves that carved them. Moonstone Beach in San Luis Obispo County definitely has an untamed air about it, what with its pounding surf and swirling tidepools. As you probably already guessed, Moonstone Beach is famous for its stone-strewn sands. You can find a bevy of water-worn pebbles scattered across the nearly 2-mile stretch of shoreline, but it's the translucent white chalcedony — a variety of quartz affectionately dubbed "moonstone" by the locals — that gave the place its name. 

Aside from all the cool rocks and gorgeous ocean views, Moonstone Beach is prized for its scenic boardwalk overlooking the water from the bluffs, which is a great spot to catch a glimpse of all the coastal wildlife. It's no wonder this West Coast getaway ranks among the top-rated beaches in the entire state on Tripadvisor, at the time of writing. Despite its popularity, you likely won't have to battle any crowds. "It's a relaxed calming atmosphere," one visitor shared in a Google review. "Not crowded at all. It's very quiet. All you hear is the ocean."

Moonstone Beach is located in California's underrated artsy city of Cambria. Whether you're making the roughly two-and-a-half-hour drive over from Bakersfield, Monterey, or Santa Barbara, this place is totally worth the trip. Straddling Highway 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, the little town of Cambria has plenty of cozy hotels, inns, and vacation rentals just steps from the beach if you want to stay the night. 

Moonstone Beach is pretty easy on the eyes. The waters that lap this sandy stretch of Cambria are usually a stunning shade of blue and green, similar to some of the best beach vacation destinations in the U.S. The powerful waves are also a sight to see as they pound against the rocky outcroppings and crags. Just think twice about hopping in for a swim because the water can be quite chilly, choppy, and rough throughout much of the year. There are also no lifeguards on duty, so only highly experienced surfers should attempt to tackle the waves.

You can get a fantastic view of the Pacific Ocean along the boardwalk. The wooden walkway sweeps along the entire length of the beach atop the bluff, extending for about a mile between the Santa Rosa Creek and Leffingwell Landing day-use areas, part of Hearst San Simeon State Park. The boardwalk is accessible and dotted with benches, so you can easily plop down for a break as you take in the coastal scenery and striking sunsets. 

If you visit in the spring, you may also be able to see colorful blossoms sprouting beside the wooden trail, rivaling any of the best places to see California's iconic wildflowers. As one beach-goer penned on Tripadvisor, "There were lots of wildflowers in bloom along the boardwalk so it made for a very scenic walk with the blooms and the ocean backdrop."

Sets of stairs are spaced at intervals along the boardwalk if you want to amble down to the pebbly sands of Moonstone Beach. Walk along the shoreline and search for the coveted chalcedony and other weathered natural gems, such as jade and agate, as you go. Keep in mind that, since Moonstone Beach is located within a state park, all of the rocks and other natural features are protected — collecting them is off limits, and doing so could land you a hefty fine. 

You'll likely see a variety of interesting critters during your time at the beach. The Seal View Beach Deck along the boardwalk is a great place to stop and do a bit of wildlife watching. True to its name, there's a good chance that you'll spot some harbor seals resting on the rocks or swimming near the shore. If you're lucky, you may see a few other marine creatures gliding through the water, too, including sea lions, sea otters, dolphins, and whales, per iNaturalist. 

Peer down to spot some limpets, periwinkle snails, gooseneck barnacles, and shore crabs in and around the tide pools clustered near the north end of the beach. Have your cameras ready to snap a photo of all the seabirds and shorebirds, too, from Heermann's gulls and brown pelicans to black oystercatchers and marbled godwits, according to reports on eBird.