Coastal estates, ocean-view decks, and farmstead stops along Highway 1. Updated for 2026.
North of San Luis Obispo, where Highway 1 runs along the edge of the Pacific through Cayucos, Cambria, and San Simeon, the SLO Coast takes on a wilder, more scenic character. This is some of California's most dramatically coastal wine country: vineyards within sight of the ocean, hilltop tasting rooms with pasture-and-Pacific views, an ocean-view deck across from Hearst Castle, and farmstead stops where wine comes with goat cheese made on the ranch. The wineries here are small, personal, and unhurried, a perfect complement to a Highway 1 road trip or a weekend in the charming village of Cambria.
Below are the north-coast wineries we think are most worth a stop, from the standout coastal estate near Cambria to a scenic San Simeon tasting room and a working ranch and creamery. These are a mix of walk-in and by-appointment tastings; reserve the appointment-only stops ahead. Current as of October 2026.
The coastal Cambria estate
A rare true-coastal estate just outside Cambria, with vines only a short distance from the Pacific, Stolo makes genuinely cool-climate Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and aromatic whites in a lovely garden-and-barn setting, the north coast's standout estate winery.
Good to know: Tastings; coastal estate and gardens. Cambria.
Our tip: Taste the estate cool-climate wines in the garden; the north coast's best estate stop.
Hilltop views above tiny Harmony
A friendly family winery founded in 1989 on a hilltop above the tiny town of Harmony, Harmony Cellars pairs approachable, fairly priced wines with sweeping Pacific-and-pasture views, an easygoing, welcoming stop on the drive between Cambria and Cayucos.
Good to know: Tastings; hilltop tasting room. Harmony.
Our tip: Come for the view as much as the wine; relaxed, friendly, and great value.
A walk-in Cambria village stop
Started by a winemaker who began in a garage overlooking Moonstone Beach, Moonstone Cellars pours a wide, story-driven range in Cambria's walkable West Village, an easy, welcoming walk-in tasting room right in town.
Good to know: Tastings; walk-ins welcome. Cambria West Village.
Our tip: An easy in-town walk-in; great for a relaxed tasting without a reservation.
Small-batch coastal Pinot and whites
A small Cambria producer pouring handcrafted, small-batch wines, from elegant cool-climate Pinot Noir to vibrant whites, Cutruzzola offers a personal, low-key tasting of genuinely coastal north-county fruit in the village.
Good to know: Tastings; small-batch producer. Cambria.
Our tip: Try the coastal Pinot and the whites; small-batch and personal.
Ocean-view tasting at San Simeon Cove
Set in historic San Simeon Cove on Highway 1, across from Hearst Castle, Hearst Ranch Winery offers one of the Central Coast's most scenic tastings, with ocean views from the deck and a lineup of bold reds like Syrah, Petite Sirah, and Tempranillo.
Good to know: Tastings; ocean-view deck. San Simeon.
Our tip: Taste on the deck above the cove; the setting across from Hearst Castle is unbeatable.
Wine and farmstead goat cheese
A family ranch near Cambria dating to 1871, Stepladder makes small-lot wine alongside its own handmade goat cheeses from a pasture-raised herd, a charming, genuine farm stop where you can pair wine with cheese made on site.
Good to know: Tastings; working ranch and creamery. Cambria area.
Our tip: Pair the wine with the farmstead goat cheese; a true farm-to-glass experience.
A by-appointment family winery
A small, owner-run family winery working out of a former dairy near Cayucos and Cambria, Cayucos Cellars offers low-key, by-appointment tastings with a personal touch, a quiet, authentic stop off the usual trail.
Good to know: Tastings by appointment; small family winery. Cayucos / Cambria.
Our tip: Book ahead; a quiet, personal, owner-run tasting away from the crowds.
These wineries string along Highway 1 and the little towns of the north SLO Coast, which makes them a natural fit for a scenic road trip. Base yourself in the walkable village of Cambria, where Moonstone Cellars and Cutruzzola pour right in town and Stolo's coastal estate is just minutes away, then work north to Hearst Ranch Winery's ocean-view deck at San Simeon (across from Hearst Castle) or south to Harmony Cellars' hilltop above tiny Harmony on the way to Cayucos. Several stops, including Stepladder and Cayucos Cellars, are by appointment, so book those ahead. This is true coastal country, cool, breezy, and often foggy, so bring layers even in summer, and give yourself time to enjoy the drive and the beaches between tastings.
Do not expect a dense, Napa-style tasting circuit here; the north coast is spread out and unhurried, so plan the drive and pick a few stops. Do not assume every winery is walk-in; farm and family wineries like Stepladder and Cayucos Cellars are by appointment, so reserve. And do not overlook the setting, the Pacific views and charming towns are half the experience, so leave time for the coast itself.
Which wineries are near Cambria and San Simeon?
Standouts include Stolo Vineyards (a coastal estate just outside Cambria), Moonstone Cellars and Cutruzzola in Cambria's village, Hearst Ranch Winery at San Simeon Cove (across from Hearst Castle), Harmony Cellars on a hilltop above Harmony, and the Stepladder ranch and creamery and Cayucos Cellars toward Cayucos.
Can you taste wine with ocean views near Hearst Castle?
Yes. Hearst Ranch Winery's tasting room sits in historic San Simeon Cove right on Highway 1, across from Hearst Castle, with ocean views from the deck, one of the Central Coast's most scenic places to taste. It is an easy stop before or after a castle tour.
Is there a winery with vineyards right by the ocean on the SLO Coast?
Stolo Vineyards, just outside Cambria, is a rare true-coastal estate, with vines only a short distance from the Pacific. The cool, foggy, breezy site produces genuinely cool-climate Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and aromatic whites, and the garden-and-barn setting is lovely.
Are north-coast SLO wineries walk-in or by appointment?
It is a mix. Moonstone Cellars in Cambria generally welcomes walk-ins, and Harmony Cellars and Hearst Ranch Winery have regular tasting rooms, while smaller farm and family wineries like Stepladder Ranch and Cayucos Cellars are by appointment. Check each winery and reserve the appointment-only stops ahead.
Can I combine north-coast wine tasting with a Highway 1 road trip?
Absolutely, it is ideal for one. The wineries string along Highway 1 and the towns of Cayucos, Cambria, and San Simeon, so you can fold tastings into a scenic coastal drive that also takes in beaches, Hearst Castle, the elephant-seal rookery, and the village of Cambria. Just plan the drive, bring layers, and book appointment-only stops.
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