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Cambria, California
Aug. 29 through Sep. 2, 1999
This past Fall we took a short trip up the coast to Cambria, visited
my sister's home in Berkeley, and checked out a small Swedish village called Kingsburg, in central California, on the way home.
We've been to Cambria several times before, and once again
stayed at The Bluebird Motel, which has become one of our favorite getaway places. Cambria, a short drive north from Morro Bay on Highway 1, is always a pleasure. We enjoy the fresh sea air on the west side of town, and the wonderful mountain air on the east. The downtown area is full of interesting places to see, with many fine gift and antiques shops, art galleries, and restaurants. The beach is rocky, and often the surf is wild, but it's a beautiful place for a walk in the sand, or to sit and watch the sun set (bring a jacket). Hearst Castle at San Simeon is just a few miles up the road. |
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Out of this world!
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John and Shannon Lawrence
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Above, a small section of downtown Cambria.
Below, the rocky beach during daylight hours. At left, the sun sets on a cold, windy beachfront. |
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The once thriving Swedish Mill Restaurant and Gift Shop
(above) is now out of business and for sale, like many other businesses in town. Below, Swedish and American patriotism is in evidence along Draper Street and adjacent avenues. |
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Kingsburg's water tower, disguised as
a giant coffee pot, welcomes visitors. |
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Click on the
Flamingo for
Florida Vacations |
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The comfortable lobby of
The Bluebird Motel has it's own homey charm. |
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Kingsburg, California
After a brief stop in Berkeley to see my sister Donna and her family,
we headed toward Highway 99 and south to Kingsburg, a small Swedish community not far from Fresno. I had heard about Kingsburg many times, and have wanted to visit there for a long time. After having been there, I'm a little disappointed, but glad I got to see it anyway. I had hoped it would be something on the scale of Solvang, the Danish village north of Santa Barbara, but it is much smaller. There are approximately three short blocks along Draper Street lined with gift shops, restaurants, etc., a la Solvang, with plenty of Dala horses and blue and gold "Valkommen" banners to decorate things up. We enjoyed a breakfast of Swedish pancakes with lingonberries (more sauce than berry) at the Dala Horse Restaurant. If you appreciate older Craftsman and Victorian-style homes, they are in abundance here. Selma, to the northeast, is the home of Sun Maid raisins. |