Cambria’s “Tin City” business/industrial park has over the years has grown from metal storage units by the creek into Cambria’s commercial, industrial and retail center.  

With a generous grant from Richard and Shirley Lee and other funding, we have begun an enhancement project at the hilltop (rendering above). Plans to landscape with native and drought-tolerant vegetation and a welcome sign has been in the works for three years. The project was delayed by lack of funding and last year’s installation of the new guardrail, which would have damaged any landscaping.

With permission of landowner Chuck McMillan and County public works, the area was cleared by Cisco Greco and his crew from Sands Trucking. Forty yards of Cal Poly mulch was used to amend the clay soil.  One ton of rocks was hauled in to create a natural retaining wall to protect the topsoil from washing down the embankment.

The proposed welcome sign design evokes the “tin” history of Tin City. The sign will feature a painting by local artist Phil Hauser, depicting a tin building among the pines. Lettering will be offset metal. The sign will be fixed to a galvanized spiral post and bordered by powder-coated steel over a redwood base.