This might be our favorite place in the world. Our dog, Penny the Pointer, agrees. You know those beautiful, rolling, grassy hills and headlands so characteristic of Central Coastal California? We always yearn to get out and walk them with Penny running her characteristic, joyful circles around us. We travel to Cambria because of Fiscalini Ranch.

Fiscalini is where we can all get out and climb the headlands, look out over the ocean and breathe deeply...with Penny. Harmony Headlands just south of Cambria offers a similar experience, but dogs are not allowed.

During the winter the mushrooms bloom in the Fiscalini pine forest. The foggy mornings are such a relief from the summer heat. The only time Fiscalini is dangerous (for Penny) is foxtail season (~May-July), but somehow she seems to know to stay to the trails, and skunk season (late summer, foggy mornings) during which she's avoided a direct encounter!

There is some controversy in Cambria about off-leash dogs in Fiscalini; the original intent for the open space was as a retreat for walks and hikes with well-behaved, off-leash dog companions. So we make sure when Penny is off-leash, she's also voice-responsive and well-behaved when meeting other people and dogs on the trails. The boardwalk along the ocean (where you can see otters, seals and other sea life) is on-leash-only.

There is something magical for me about the coast of California above Santa Barbara. Here in Cambria there is a trail to walk that give you a sense of the grandeur of it all, and the beauty. And there are several opportunities to sit and enjoy the view along the way