Sun, sea and chic: White Water, Cambria

What’s the vibe? Sleepy seaside charm and laid-back comfort, tucked away on Moonstone Beach in Cambria, a charming town set along Central California’s fabled Highway 1. The boho beach-lodge look, created by L.A. interior designer Nina Freudenberger, mixes pale wood and curvaceous furniture with woven baskets, jute rugs, and custom artwork by Block Shop Textiles, all set to the soft sound of the shoreline. In the library, old-school board games and playing cards cater to solo travelers and couples alike, redolent of an analog past when nothing but relaxation was on the agenda.

Talk to me about the bed… King-sized, with a handsome mid-century Baltic birch slatted headboard and a soft-as-cloud mattress, dressed with Fili D’Oro linens. Leave the window open and let the sound of crashing waves lull you to sleep.

I’m starving… In the morning, a picnic basket is delivered to your door, filled with fresh orange juice, local pastries, and coffee from Honey Co., kept warm in a cute green Thermos flask. Still peckish? The minibar is stocked with Torres potato chips, Dick Taylor chocolate and assorted Erewhon nuts. Light bites such as Niman Ranch organic hot dogs, smoked-salmon tartines, hummus and an artisanal cheese board can be ordered to your room, enjoyed in the lobby (from noon until 8pm) or packed and taken to the beach. 

And the bathroom? Spacious and spa-like, with two-toned blue tiles inspired by the bathroom’s blissful ocean views, and a terrazzo vanity topped with Aēsop bath products (also available for purchase). Enjoy a deep soak in the standalone tub, framed by a picture window, or lather up in the walk-in shower. Bamboo toothbrushes are available on request if you forget to pack the essentials.

Jet-lagged? Keep those circadian rhythms in check with Honey Co.’s aforementioned morning coffee delivery, or drop by the lobby lounge for a caffeine kick with views of Moonstone Beach. There are also coffee sachets in the room.

The best bit: Being the sole venue with a liquor license along Moonstone Beach, the hotel’s lively lobby bar is ideal for cocktails (dirty martinis and negronis are both recommended) and local wine labels, such as Scar of the Sea Pinot Noir and Una Lou Rosé. 

Should I bring the kids? While children are welcome, the hotel is better suited for teens who don’t require too much entertainment, beyond a beach stroll, hike or bicycle ride. 

The Instagram moment: Order a glass of local wine from the lobby bar and slip onto the patio to toast the famed California sunset from your Adirondack chair: The golden evening light dovetails with oversized cypress trees, rare Monterey pines, and vast Pacific Ocean views. Your in-room welcome note on arrival details when sunset is, so you can get that photo moment prepped.  

Any swag? In the lobby, a general store stocks an array of Salt and Stone toiletries, Norden cabin candles, Hawkins New York throw blankets, small-batch chocolate from Valerie confections, and the hotel’s signature ceramic mugs, socks and hats. 

White Water

6736 Moonstone Beach Dr., Cambria, CA

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Kate Donnelly

Writer

Kate Donnelly is a travel, food, and lifestyle writer based in New York City. Her work has appeared in T: The New York Times Style Magazine, The Wall Street Journal Magazine, Vogue, Architectural Digest, Town & Country, New York magazine, and Robb Report.