Hearst-San Simeon State Park has several parts - the original park area near Cambria, the W.A.Hearst Memorial State Beach at San Simeon, and the 13 miles of land north of San Simeon recently transferred from the Hearst Ranch.
The largest block of land includes the Monterey pine forest bordering the town of Cambria, two campgrounds, a wetlands area, and several strips of beach. In addition to its intrinsic value as open space and nature preservation, the campgrounds here make an excellent base for trips north to Hearst Castle and Big Sur, and south to Cayucos and Morro Bay.
Hearst San Simeon State Park![]() | Marsh boardwalk at San Simeon Creek A trail and boardwalk connects the campground with the day use area and baech at San Simeon Creek.San Simeon State Park, north of Cambria, California Date photographed: April 5, 2012See location in Google Maps | |
![]() | Snowy plover nesting at San Simeon Creek Beach Sections of many beaches in California are roped off to protect eggs of the ground-nesting snowy plover.Hearst San Simeon State Park, Cambria, California Date photographed: March 9, 2012See location in Google Maps | |
![]() | North from Washburn Campground The ridgetop Washburn Campground has a view of the Santa Lucia mountains, the Hearst Ranch rangelands, and the coast north to Point Piedras Blancas.San Simeon State Park, north of Cambria, California Date photographed: April 5, 2012See location in Google Maps | |
![]() | Willow Marsh and Pine Ridge at San Simeon Creek There is a strip of wetlands and willow thicket along below the Washburn Campground.San Simeon State Park, north of Cambria, California Date photographed: April 5, 2012See location in Google Maps | |
![]() | Willow marsh boardwalk at San Simeon park Great birding in the willow thicket wetlands at San Simeon Creek.San Simeon State Park, north of Cambria, California Date photographed: April 5, 2012See location in Google Maps | |
![]() | Pine Ridge Monterey pine forest near Cambria The very limited in its natural distribution, Monterey pine (Pinus radiata) is the most widely planted pine in the world.San Simeon State Park, north of Cambria, California Date photographed: April 5, 2012See location in Google Maps | |
![]() | Pine Ridge at San Simeon State Park Since 1994 Monterey pine groves have been decimated by pitch canker, especially the groves around Cambria,San Simeon State Park, north of Cambria, California Date photographed: April 5, 2012See location in Google Maps | |
![]() | Pine Ridge Trail at San Simeon park This is one of only three natural groves of Monterey Pines in California, the others are at Ano Nuevo and the Monterey Peninsula.San Simeon State Park, north of Cambria, California Date photographed: April 5, 2012See location in Google Maps | |
![]() | Highway One bridge at San Simeon Creek Under the highway bridge on the path from the campground to the beach at San Simeon Creek.Hearst San Simeon State Park, California Date photographed: April 21, 2016 | |
![]() | San Simeon Creek Beach San Simeon Beach is best reached from the day use and campground area at the state park.Hearst San Simeon State Park, California Date photographed: April 21, 2016 | |
![]() | San Simeon Beach wetlands A small estuary and extensive seasonal wetlands along San Simeon Creek.Hearst San Simeon State Park, California Date photographed: April 21, 2016 | |
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