Leffingwell Landing

Dog friendly. Free parking. Stone covered beach, not sand. Beautiful. Easy access to beach by stairs or near the boat ramp.

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.

An extremely pretty spot for a wedding, which is why we were there. Not our own marriage. It was my boss’s. It was windy, and when the sun went down, it was a bit cold, but overlooking the Pacific Ocean with just 30 – 40 feet of downhill and beach separating you from the mighty blue sea is pretty awesome.
I know my boss got great photos, too, with the sunset in the background, as she tied the knot.
The spot is a little tough to locate, and I want to stress this quite a lot …
If you are looking for directions online, follow the ones to LEFFINGWELL COVE. The Landing results send you right into the heart of the state park, which is a solid 4 – 5 miles away from this actual location.
Leffingwell Landing/​Cove is JUST north of Cambria, by maybe a couple blocks. You head west off PCH about 50 – 100 feet, then take what basically amounts to a frontage road right in between PCH and the water. The Landing is marked pretty clearly from there, but again, make sure not to head north to San Simeon — that’s the wrong spot.
If you’re driving through, this is worth a quick stop for a photo op with your special someone.

I go to a lot of parks. Especially the ones within 30 miles of my house. this park and Cambria is so wonderful. During the week I often have it to myself. It has a place you can sit facing south and watch the waves crash in. Wow when there’s a storm it is dynamic. there are picnic tables, restrooms, pathways to the beach, and just beauty as you see the sweeping coastline. Again don’t tell everyone just let it be our little secret.

The views are terrific and parking is easy. We came down to the beach which is not white sand but dark small pebbles (moonstone). We went to explore tide pools and climbed on the rocks. We enjoyed the beauty of the ocean and the the plants and flowers. Great view of sea birds and friendly squirrels. Great place to hang out and feel nature at it’s best. Serene. Not crowded. Perfect for meditation or a quiet picnic with family or friends.

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.