Cambria in San Luis Obispo County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Nitt Witt Ridge

Photographed by Michael Kindig, November 28, 2002

1. Nitt Witt Ridge Marker

Inscription.
Nitt Witt Ridge, one of California's remarkable Twentieth Century Folk Art Environments, is the creation of Arthur Harold Beal (Der Tinkerpaw or Capt. Nitt Witt), a Cambria Pines pioneer who sculpted the land using hand tools and indigenous materials, remarkable inventiveness, and self-taught skills. A blend of native materials and contemporary elements, impressive in its sheer mass and meticulous placement, it is a revealing memorial to art's unique cosmic humor and zest for life.

Erected 1986 by The State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with Saving and Preserving Arts and Cultural Environments and the Art Beal Foundation, Non-Profit and Educational Corporations. (Marker Number 939.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Environment. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list.

Location. 35° 34.066′ N, 121° 5.848′ W. Marker is in Cambria, California, in San Luis Obispo County. It is on Hillcrest Drive, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 881 Hillcrest Drive, Cambria CA 93428, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Central Coast

and specifically on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this

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marker: Piedras Blancas Lighthouse Lens (approx. 0.2 miles away); Cambria Veterans' Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); The Guthrie-Bianchini House (approx. 0.9 miles away); Greenspace Creekside Reserve (approx. 0.9 miles away); California Native Plant Garden (approx. 0.9 miles away); Restored Chinese Temple (approx. 0.9 miles away); Restoration of Land and Culture (approx. one mile away); Santa Rosa Creek (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cambria.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Preserving a Bit of History (was approx. one mile away but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . . Nitt Witt Ridge on Wikipedia. (Submitted on April 25, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Additional commentary.
1. Permanently closed(?)
I visited Nitt Witt Ridge in late March 2026, with little expectations of it - having heard the uncertainty of its future. It is now permanently closed to the public, as there is a fence and "No Trespassing" signs. The marker is not visible from the front of the building. There is not much information online about the current state of NWR, but I did ask someone at the Cambria Visitors Center and they said it had been closed for a few years.

Nitt Witt Ridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, November 28, 2002

2. Nitt Witt Ridge

Marker can be seen behind the gate at the top of the stairs.

One would think, because of it being designated a CHL, it would continue to be preserved. I do not know of any future plans, like if it will ever be open to the public again.

— Submitted April 25, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, November 28, 2002

3. Nitt Witt Ridge

Photographed by Jason Voigt, March 25, 2026

4. Nitt Witt Ridge

The place is now closed to the public, as it was sold in 2022. (see Comments)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 16, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. This page has been viewed 1,932 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 16, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 4. submitted on April 25, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.