San Simeon State Park is one of the oldest units of the
California State Park System. The coastal bluffs and promontories of the scenic
park offer unobstructed views of the ocean and rocky shore. The park includes
the Santa Rosa Creek Natural Preserve, the San Simeon Natural Preserve
and the Pa-nu Cultural Preserve were established in 1990.
A 3.3 mile trail runs through parts of the San Simeon Natural Preserve and the
Washburn Campground. The trail includes scenic overlooks, rest-stop benches and
interpretive panels with information on wildlife and habitat. A portion of the
trail along the seasonal wetland is wheelchair accessible.
- Santa Rosa Creek Preserve is an area which includes valuable
riparian forests and coastal wetlands, that provide habitat for endangered
Tidewater Goby.
- San Simeon Natural Preserve consists of vast wetlands, riparian
areas, and several undisturbed native plant communities including unique
mima mound topography. The Preserve is also the wintering site for monarch
butterfly populations.
- The 13.7 acre Pa-nu Cultural Preserve contains the most
significant archeological site within San Simeon State Park. The site has
been dated to 5850 years before the present, and it contains significant
evidence documenting prehistoric technology, subsistence practices and
social organization over the course of several centuries.
Location and Reservation Information
San Simeon State Park is located 35 miles north of San
Luis Obispo on Highway 1, and 5 miles south of the Hearst San Simeon State
Historical Monument Visitor Center. The community of Cambria is located 2 miles
to the South and offers gas stations and grocery stores.
San Simeon, CA - Latitude/Longitude: 35.6438 / -121.1897
San Simeon Creek Campgrounds
The San Simeon Creek Campgrounds offers 115 campsites for
tent camping or recreational vehicles. The maximum length for a RV is 35 feet.
Each campsite has a fire ring and picnic table. Water spigots are available
throughout the campground. Restrooms with flush toilets and coin operated
showers, a dump station and water fill-up for RV's, and pay phones are also
available. Firewood is for sale from the campground host.
Recreational activities include camping, picnicking, hiking, fishing, surfing,
beachcombing, bird watching and whale watching. The Junior Ranger Program is a
regularly scheduled interpretive program for children. Interpretive walks of the
San Simeon Trail may also be available.
Washburn Campground
This primitive campground is approximately 1 mile inland
from the beach on a plateau overlooking the Santa Lucia mountains as well as the
Pacific Ocean. Washburn campground can be accessed from the San Simeon Creek
Campground enterance station. Facilities here include a fire ring and picnic
table at each campsite, water spigots, chemical flush toilets and use of the
dump station and water fill-up.
Junior Ranger Program
This is a special program for kids that provides the
chance to partake in a variety of fun and educational nature-oriented activities
at San Simeon State Park. Parents should bring their kids to the Camfire Center
at the San Simeon Creek Campground for fun regularly scheduled programs about
the Central Coast. Reservations:
Campground Reservations can be made from March 15 to September 30 by calling
1-800-444-PARK.
The rest of the year the campground is open on a first come, first serve basis.
Telephone:
San Simeon District
805-927-2020
Address:
Van Gordon Creek Road at San Simeon Creek Road
Cambria CA, 93428 |
