Moonstone Beach and Boardwalk

Moonstone Beach is a gorgeous brown sand beach on the California Central Coast just off Highway 1 in the popular small town of Cambria. The Instagram-worthy beach setting and famous boardwalk on the bluff combine to make this one of the most searched beaches in California.

The narrow shoreline here is made up of brown sandy coves with separated by unique rocky bluffs that resemble moon rocks (or a “moon stone”). It’s possible that the beach got its name from the gem “moonstone” but the small white stones found mixed into this beach are actually a type of quartz and not the rare moonstone. You can find stones of all colors here including jade, jasper, and many types of agates. Small pieces of seaglass can be found too!

Atop the bluff you’ll find the wooden Moonstone Beach Boardwalk which meanders along the one mile length of Moonstone Beach from the Santa Rosa Creek day-use area to the Leffingwell Landing day-use area. Access to Moonstone Beach is from either of these day-use parking lots or any of the pull-outs along Moonstone Beach Drive (the middle stairway is across from Sea Chest Oyster Bar)

From Santa Rosa Creek, it is possible to form a loop by walking the beach and then returning to your car on the boardwalk. At the back of the beach there are large drift logs and rocks to rest on. Note that it is best to visit Moonstone Beach at low tide so that you can walk more of it (see tide tables). Those with wheelchairs can use the boardwalk as it’s mostly flat and ADA compliant.

All of these beaches and parking lots are part of Hearst San Simeon State Park. Because these are state beaches, dogs are not allowed on the beach but they are ok on the boardwalk.

Wading in the water at Moonstone Beach is delightful but the water is cold, especially in the winter. Never turn your back on the ocean as sneaker waves (those that are much larger than the rest) can occur. Swimming is not advised here as there are strong waves, rip currents and no lifeguards. Experienced surfers in wetsuits are a common sight at Moonstone Beach in the winter months.

On Moonstone Drive there are about fifteen Cambria hotels and a couple restaurants which are open during the tourist season. Downtown Cambria on Main Street has a lot more restaurants and several unique shopping options too.

Before you visit this town, you should know that the local pronunciation is cam-bria not caim-bria.

Beach address: Moonstone Beach Dr, Cambria, CA 93428

Activities: Rockhounding, agate hunting, beach walking, beachcombing, surfing, walking, whale watching, and photography.

Amenities: Wooden boardwalk, benches, hotels, restaurants, ADA Access, driftwood, and restrooms (at day-use areas located at the ends of the beach).

Dogs: No dogs allowed on the beach or trails, but leashed dogs are ok on the boardwalk.

Parking: You can find parking spaces all along the shoulder of Moonstone Beach Drive in Cambria. You’ll also find parking lots at the ends of the beach at Santa Rosa Creek Day-Use Area and Leffingwell Landing.

Address

Moonstone Beach Dr
Cambria, CA 93428

Phone

805-772-6101

Park Name

Hearst San Simeon State Park, Moonstone Beach Park, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS)

Other Names

Moon Stone Beach, Moon Stone Boardwalk, Cambria Rock

Owner

State Park

Fees

Free parking

Links

Water Temps
Tide Chart