Our scenic county is located approximately 220 miles north of Los Angeles and 240 miles south of San Francisco. It is bordered by Monterey County to the north, Kern County on the east, Santa Barbara County to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. The incorporated cities of San Luis Obispo County include: San Luis Obispo, Atascadero, Paso Robles, Morro Bay, Pismo Beach, Grover Beach and Arroyo Grande.

San Luis Obispo County enjoys a broad and diverse economic base with a relatively stable employment factor. The industries of greatest economic importance: Government Agencies, Retail Trade and Tourism, Public and Visitor Services, Agriculture and Education.

Cambria where the pines meet the sea on California's Central Coast is perhaps the most scenic locale mixed with a Mediterranean type of climate for year round comfortable living. Located approximately 35 miles north of San Luis Obispo and 6 miles south of Hearst Castle, Cambria is conveniently located on the ocean between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Our full time population is approximately 6,500 including outlying ranches and farms.

Cambria has three banks, a high school, an intermediate and a grammar school, plus a private Montessori school. A well stocked supermarket, gourmet grocery store, weekly open-air Farmers Market and several convenience stores serve our daily needs. Cambria has many fine elegant restaurants as well as family restaurants for dining out. Numerous auto services and two well-stocked hardware stores are available for keeping things running.

Many crafts/artists galleries, theater groups, bookstores and a local weekly newspaper are here to stimulate the senses of Cambrians. For the physically active we have garden clubs, native and exotic plant nurseries, tennis courts, kayaking, surfing, beach-combing and enjoyment of nature.

Originally subdivided over 70 years ago, over the years Cambria was developed into small, average quality vacation homes. Recent trends have been toward higher quality, custom full time homes. The terrain varies from flat/moderate sites to steep/difficult sites. Views range from ocean to forest to mountain and valley. Some neighborhoods are nearing full development. At present the residential community, in total, is approximately 40 percent developed.

San Luis Obispo County and the California Coastal Commission regulate and oversee building development within the community. Building size and height are regulated as well as adapted to environmentally sensitive areas in the community. The local water district, Cambria Community Services District (CCSD) issues water and sewer permits. Due to the countywide Growth Management Ordinance the wait for building can be as long as 20 years, unless one purchases a vacant lot already on the CCSD water/sewer wait list. Cambria is located in the County of San Luis Obispo, Supervisorial District #2.

Known over the years as Santa Rosa, Rosaville, San Simeon and Slabtown, Cambria still entertains a mild controversy over the origin and pronunciation of its current name. The town became Cambria (the Latin word for Wales according to Funk & Wagnalls) in 1869, on the recommendation of a local committee. One story has it that a committee member had recently been to Cambria County, Pennsylvania, and that woodsy mining area reminded him of home. The story on Cambria's pronunciation is equally unclear: One faction calls it "Came-bria", another "Cam-bria", and a vociferous minority "Cahm-bria".

Cambria began as a fishing and quicksilver mining town, then later became important for its dairy and lumber exports. Today, the pine covered hills and rugged shoreline attracts artists and tourists. A number of interesting buildings remain from Cambria's early days, including the Santa Rosa Church, the Squibb-Darke house, the 100 year old Brambles (now a restaurant), Santa Rosa School, the Hoosegow, the Gordon Howard home, as well as the Lull house which is now a part of the Bluebird Motel.