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Cambria, California: Nitt Witt Ridge

RoadsideAmerica.com Team Field Report

Address:
881 Hillcrest Drive, Cambria, CA
Directions:
Highway 1 to Cambria Drive. Left onto Main Street. A sign on Main Street directs you the rest of the way. Private property; visible from the street.
Hours:
Tours by appt only. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:
805-927-2690
Admission:
Donation $10.
RA Rates:
Worth a Detour
Save to My Sights

Captain Nitt Witt.

Nitt Witt Ridge

Captain Nitt Witt, aka Art Beal, built and lived in this ramshackle folk art environment. Has its own historical marker.

Roadsideamerica.com Report...

Visitor Tips and News About Nitt Witt Ridge

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.

Sign for Nitwit Ridge.

Nitt Witt Ridge

There's a sign out front that tells you what time the next tour is. It looks old, but don't let that dissuade you. Awesome tour started at the time posted! Loved it. I took more pictures here than I did on the beach! Bring some cash ($10 suggested) to give to the nice man after he shows you around.

Side note: it's a short walk up the hill from the free public parking lot, to avoid some tricky parking out front

[Josh, 07/24/2021]

Nitt Witt Ridge.

Nitt Witt Ridge

This California State Landmark is well worth the visit and the $10 suggested donation.

After visiting Nitt Witt Ridge, my husband and I could not agree on our favorite aspect of the tour. The overall architectural design? The "time capsule" quality of the kitchen cabinets' contents? The tour guide and owner, Michael O'Malley?

In the end, we agreed that Nitt Witt Ridge contained what we value most: beautiful folk art and pure human intention. Our tour guide, Michael, effused positive energy when he described Art Beal, the home, and its grounds. The home contained quirky, dusty, and endearing structures and daily household items. We visited Hearst Castle earlier that day.

Both Hearst and Nitt Witt Ridge are the castles of the men who created them. Nitt Witt Ridge was our clear favorite of the day.

[Nina, 07/22/2017]

Toilet seat as picture frame.

Nitt Witt Ridge

Spent our first anniversary exploring Cambria and nearby cities and attractions. Found this spot using Roadside America app. Happy I did.

[Lindsay Gurley, 12/11/2015]
Nitt Witt Ridge

Easy to find, with signs from Main Street in Cambria. Art Beal was clearly a great Roadside character, and the tour honors his creativity. Make sure to check out the "picture frames."

[Heather, 09/13/2014]

Art died in 1992, but his home still draws a crowd. He would've liked that.


Nearby Offbeat Places

O'Man the OllalieberryO'Man the Ollalieberry, Cambria, CA - < 1 mi.
Scarecrows and Harvest FestivalScarecrows and Harvest Festival, Cambria, CA - < 1 mi.
Cows of HarmonyCows of Harmony, Harmony, CA - 6 mi.
In the region:
California's Loneliest Spanish Mission, Jolon, CA - 32 mi.

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