San Simeon Bay

A worthwhile stop after visiting the Castle.
There’s ample parking and plenty of things to do on this beach access site. A nice stroll along a pier, perhaps a walk along the beach and some small tide pool exploration, or if you’re lucky a chance to visit their discovery center. So stop by and stretch your legs out a bit.
Bathrooms — Yes

Well the bay is beautiful and stunning! Just dropped in while I was in Cambria and it is not only breathtaking but surprisingly uncrowded. I mean it is Labor Day Weekend and there were maybe 2 dozen other people on the beach! Wide open spaces, a long pier, sweeping panorama and warm sand. Now you can pay to enter the park if you want or drive down a hundred yards and there is an opening to the beach and easy parking. Maybe I should’t tell, but I will! Enjoy! I love this place.

Pretty beach area with picnic tables and a great pier for watching the wildlife (cannot comment on how good the fishing is). Today was great entertainment with three humpback whales cruising endlessly very close to the pier to the delight of the large crowd. Conveniently located across Hwy 1 from the entrance to the Hearst Castle.

Areas like this are why you travel to the Central Coast. Highly recommended.

San Simeon Bay is a picturesque sheltered beach along California’s central coast. Just north of Cayucos, Morro Bay, and San Luis Obispo, it is one of several sandy stretches along what becomes more and more a rocky shoreline as one heads northward.
There are picnic facilities, restrooms, a small interpretive center, and a fishing pier. In the winter, you may see northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) resting on the sand. There are larger concentrations of them a bit farther north… No matter where you see these beasts, keep your distance and give these wild creatures space… Yes, that means you with the $ 149 camera fancying yourself a nature photographer.
There is a payment booth, but I’ve never seen it open in the winter when we visit.
The stands of eucalyptus trees occasionally serve as resting spots for migrating monarch butterflies.
The pier is a great place to spot sea birds in the quiet waters of the bay. Anglers target anchovies, mackerel, smelt, and in season, surfperch, Sharks, and the occasional striped bass. It’s not the best fishing pier, but it’s usually a pretty good spot to jig up some baitfish. Look out to sea to spot migrating gray whales.

Beautiful area! Stunning vistas. The beaches are great and the elephant seals are awesome!

My favorite beach on the central coast! Gogeous beach, gorgeous pier, gorgeous scenery all the way around. Catch a glimpse of pelicans diving into the water, sea otters swimming near the shore, or watch the sunset behind the beautiful wooded area. PERFECT spot.

Awesome spot to walk out on the Pier and take in the view after visiting Hearst Castle.

What can I say… I love this place. I love this whole area. San Simeon Bay is magical. There are so many things to do here. You can fire up one of the built-​in BBQ’s.You can hike the point for some great views and photo ops. You can fish off the pier, no license needed if you stay on the pier. You can body surf, catch some rays. My parents actually met each other back in 1954 at the big rock just under the base of the pier. Please pick up after yourself but come and enjoy our little piece of magic.

Great kids place! Can I borrow your kid?
This is state property with a toll booth that was unmanned the day we came through. Great little picturesque bay with clean beaches, surrounded by eucalyptus and pines, and a large, very long fishing pier. Even sinks to clean your catch. That means it must be promising for you fishermen, young and old.
There are plenty of places to picnic and play on the beach. There is a small creek that flows into the ocean that the little ones can splash around in without getting out in the waves.
Kayak rentals too. And great bathrooms.
This is a nice stopping place as you work your way down the road on Hwy 1. Nearby are vistas for seeing the languishing elephant seals, mostly young adolescents by this time of the year (March), and the Piedra Blanca lighthouse. True to form, the Piedra Blanca lighthouse was closed by the time we arrived, so we missed out on an interesting tour.
Sebastian’s Store is a short hike away. This too is a quaint stop, with a little adult imbibing of wine at the wine tasting room, and a tasty lunch opportunity.
There is also a small discovery museum in a brightly painted mobile home that is open on the weekends.

Really a fabulous place.