Yes, it’s that time of year where the scarecrows come out!..
What is the Cambria Scarecrow Festival?
“Thirty scarecrows kicked off the first Cambria Scarecrow Festival in 2009. What those 30 scarecrows didn’t know then, was that they were initiating one of the most artful and unique scarecrow festivals in the US–and right here on the Central Coast. Over 420 scarecrows lined Cambria and San Simeon’s business districts in 2013.
This fall, enjoy a fun and relaxing get-away on the cozy California coast. For the entire month of October, hundreds of artfully crafted scarecrows are displayed throughout the seaside villages of Cambria and San Simeon. It is truly a case of whimsy running rampant.“
Despite Cambria’s amazing surf no one rents surfboards.
Not everyone gets ready for vacation by strapping their queen size bed on top of their mini van or buckles their cherry tomato plant into the front seat of their Honda. The good folks in Cambria realize you can’t bring all your worldly possessions on vacation. Fortunately the Bridge Street Inn offers queen size beds and it’s within walking distance of a grocery store that sells cherry tomatoes. Beginning this month Cambria offers a new service to the visiting guest, BICYCLE RENTALS.
Cambrian resident Dan along with Wally’s Bicycle Rentals offer a free delivery service anywhere in Cambria. Renting a bicycle is simple. The Bridge Street Inn guest calls Dan the night before their bike ride. In the morning Dan will drop off the bicycle at the Bridge Street Inn tuned, lubed and ready for that day’s adventure. Bicycle rates vary according to how many days and hours rented.
For the bicycle rider who loves leisurely rides that involve world class scenery and local culture Cambria’s location will amaze.
Santa Rosa Creek Road for the Skilled
Santa Rosa Creek starts in Cambria and meanders through the farm and ranch land of the Santa Lucia Mountains. The one lane windy road ends near the top of the highway 46 pass. Old Creek Road picks up on the other side of 46. Follow the road into Cayucos then take Highway 1 back to Cambria. This 42.2 mile loop is not for the laid back beach cruiser cyclist. Click here for loop details.
SANTA ROSA CREEK ROAD FOR THE CAREFREE
Bicycle riders with shorts that snug their buns super tight always go faster. However normal shorts can help the cyclist slow down to smell the roses.
The carefree Santa Rosa Creek adventure does not involve walking your bicycle or wearing padded shorts. The first 5 miles of Santa Rose Creek Road takes a cyclist through rolling farm/ranch land along a tree lined single lane road. Besides the beautiful natural landscape there’s plenty of cows, goats, sheep, pigs, raptors, horses, old farm houses, and barns to look at. Be careful a good looking pig can prove as distracting as texting.
Linn’s Original Farmstore is 5 miles up the road. Linn’s offers individual fruit pies and drinks. Linn’s will only serve their pies on disposable wear. This problem is easily solved by bringing a small camping plate and fork. The farmstore provides shade trees and tables. A perfect place to play cribbage.
Chet the friendly goat
On the way back into town stop by Stolo Family Winery and Tasting Room. This is the last stop before Cambria. It’s located only a couple miles out of town. Despite not having bike racks I felt comfortable leaning my bicycle against the building. A tasting costs $5. The tasting room has a wonderful open feel. Near the entrance facing west there are several chairs and tables, an ideal spot to soak up some sun rays, write a poem and watch the sunset. The Stolo family is a nontraditional family. No, two women do not head this family nor two kissing cousins. Instead, two members of the Stolo family are goats. Chet and Betty are fun to pet while drinking wine.
The Hearst Experience
Many parts of Highway 1 from Carmel to Big Sur are shoulderless, steep and narrow. A bicycle rider should not pedal through Big Sur if they pedal erratically, curse god when they break a sweat or do not have the mental capacity to handle near death scrapes with inexperienced RV renters. However the ease of the 7 mile stretch of Highway 1 between Cambria and the Hearst Castle might be the section of PCH pavement for you.
The one small hill allows the inexperienced bicycle rider to enjoy the couch up until the day of their adventure. A bicycle rider with one hand on the handlebar and the other on their smart phone can update their Facebook and text while navigating the wide PCH shoulder. The zebra missed because of digital distractions, can be recaptured with a scenic postcard purchased at the Hearst Castle gift shop.
Mick Jagger with his big enough mouth would be intimidated by the size of these monstrous vegetable packed sandwiches.
On a serious note no matter what type of bicycle rider you are Sebastian’s General Store will amaze you with their large Hearst beef sandwiches piled with delicious veggies. Also located in the general store is the Hearst Wine tasting room.
45.7 miles of Bicycle fun between Cambria and Pismo Beach
The wind blows North to South along the PCH. Cambria is the second to last stop for the RTA bus heading North. A bicycle rider can pedal the 45.7 miles from Cambria to Pismo Beach with the wind at their back. If a cyclist doesn’t want to pedal back to Cambria against the wind he or she can put their bicycle on the bus. RTA BUS SCHEDULE
Bob and Jan’s Bottle Shop is a block away from the Bridge Street Inn. The store has a fine selection of alcoholic beverages plus other essentials like toothpaste. Forgot half and half for your morning cup of coffee? Need some Haagen Dazs ice cream at 10:55 PM? Run to Bob and Jan’s. When the rest of the East Village shops are closed you might find what you need at the liquor store. It’s open from 9AM till 11PM Mon-Sat and 8PM on Sun.
Bob and Jan’s business culture exemplifies a section of the current book I’m enjoying, “Let My People go Surfing” by Yvon Chouinard the founder of Patagonia. The chapter that describes the type of people Patagonia seeks to hire reminds me of Bob and Jan’s employees. Yvon writes, “Of course we do hire some people strictly for their technical expertise. We have employees who never sleep outside or who have never peed in the woods. What they all do share, as our organizational development consultant noted, is a passion for something outside themselves, whether for surfing or opera, climbing or gardening, skiing or community activism.”
Bob and Jan’s Bottle Shop employees are an example of this type of hiring practice. Here are two employees at Bob and Jan’s who do more then drink wine, eat ice cream or brush their teeth.
New art by Maury Schallock that features aliens and the Bridge Street Inn.
Cambrian motorists happily share the road with bicyclists and Noreen the horse rider.
“Thirty scarecrows kicked off the first Cambria Scarecrow Festival in 2009. What those 30 scarecrows didn’t know then, was that they were initiating one of the most artful and unique scarecrow festivals in the US–and right here on the Central Coast. Over 420 scarecrows lined Cambria and San Simeon’s business districts in 2013.
This fall, enjoy a fun and relaxing get-away on the cozy California coast. For the entire month of October, hundreds of artfully crafted scarecrows are displayed throughout the seaside villages of Cambria and San Simeon. It is truly a case of whimsy running rampant.“
When I opened the Bridge Street Inn e-mail I was pleasantly surprised. Linda Kessler, a professional fine arts pregnancy, baby, children, and family portrait photographer sent some photos she had taken while staying at the Bridge Street Inn. Linda’s work has been show cased many places including Pregnancy Magazine. Check out Linda’s portfolio at her website Focus Pocus. Thank you Linda!!!
Bridge Street Inn photo by Linda Kessler
Bridge Street Inn cottage photo by Linda Kessler
Brandon Follett, BSI owner, photo by Linda Kessler
Ginna loves making unique Christmas cards at the Bridge Street Inn. Ginna feels, “Christmas is always more fun with lace even if it happens to be on cards.”
Here’s a Christmas message from your BSI host, Brandon Follett
You Can't Hide an Elephant in an Omelet has been picked up by Bangkok Books. For those who have been wanting to read a cleverly written book about eating omelets in South East Asia here's your opportunity.
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Kindle,
