Cambria Nursery's Secret Garden

Tucked into the pines off of Highway 1, Cambria Nursery is a welcome and unexpected surprise. Rooted on four beautiful coastal acres, Cambria Nursery's inviting aisles and unexpected nooks encourage visitors to explore the plant selection, attend a class in their outdoor amphitheater, or simply enjoy a picnic amidst the beautiful surroundings. Becki Smith, the nursery's manager, says, “It’s not your average nursery; it’s more of a destination.”

Becki is a gardener not by accident, but more like by reluctance. "I made it as a nurse up to the point of interning at a hospital, but I couldn't go through with it. I didn't have a passion for it." Passion is an essential ingredient to working with plants, she says, and it's a love she inherited--grudgingly--from her folks. "My parents used to make us identify plants by their botanical names as we drove around town," Becki says. Now she puts this knowledge and motivation to good use, maintaining the nursery's appearance and eclectic selection.

Not only does Cambria Nursery boast an extensive number and variety of plants (plus a handful of charming outbuildings full of products and gifts from local artisans), but they also illustrate how the plants will grow in their naturally elegant demonstration gardens. When you visit, make sure you give yourself enough time to enjoy all the nursery has to offer. Pack a snack and enjoy a visit with the koi, or walk the meandering paths through established native trees and shrubs. Explore their website at www.cambrianursery.com or chat with them on Facebook at Cambria Nursery & Florist.