Hikes in California’s Central Coast

Below is a collection of trails in the Central Coast of California. These hikes are listed from west to east and north to south, but the table may also be sorted alphabetically or by distance to help you pick your next hike. Each trail links to its own report complete with photos, maps, directions, and all the other information needed to locate and enjoy these hikes. An interactive map is also provided.

Highlights of the Central Coast

Hiking California’s Central Coast

The Central Coast is home to some of the most scenic hiking in California, especially for those who enjoy ocean views. There are numerous small parks protecting the area’s green spaces and many are free to the public. The Los Padres National Forest is the major protective body of the coastal mountain ranges spanning across Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties.
The highest peak in the Los Padres, Mount Pinos, rises to 8,831 feet. Twenty miles to the south is the tallest waterfall, Rose Valley Falls.

An adventure pass is required to access most of the approximately two million acre of land protected by Los Padres National Forest. However, many trails begin outside the forest, and are free to hikers. Day passes for the Los Padres can be purchased for $5 per day or $30 per year. The passes are valid at other national forests in Southern California as well. Passes may be purchased within the park, at various local retailers, and online. Those without a pass may still enjoy several free entry points that are located outside the national forest boundary. An “America the Beautiful” National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass can also be used in lieu of an adventure pass.

Most of the trails listed below do not require any pass or permit. San Luis Obispo is a particularly great area for hikers, with a high number of free and scenic trails. Take a trip to the Central Coast today!

Trail	Description	Distance	Latitude, Longitude
	High Peaks - Condor Gulch Loop This loop crosses the roof of Pinnacles National Monument on an incredible trail.	5.35 - 6 miles 1,325 feet	36.481924, -121.198905
	Bear Gulch Reservoir This out and back hike passes through a talus cave to reach a reservoir on the east side of Pinnacles National Monument.	1.5 miles 275 feet	36.472868, -121.187575
	Partington Cove in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park This out and back hike visits a tunnel-accessed cove and a secluded beach along the scenic Big Sur coast.	1.5 miles 230 feet	36.175267, -121.696075
	McWay Falls in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park This out and back hike looks out on a stunning Big Sur waterfall that pours 80 feet right on to the beach.	0.6 miles	36.15776, -121.672406
	Jade Cove and Plaskett Rock Point This loop across ocean bluff visits a prominent peninsula and a small cove.	1.5 miles 150 feet	35.917096, -121.469079
	Salmon Creek Falls This out and back hike visits a fine 120-foot waterfall near the start of Salmon Creek Trail.	0.6 miles	35.816032, -121.356699
	Cerro Alto This semi-loop bags one of the highest peaks in San Luis Obispo County.	5.35 miles 1,600 feet	35.424271, -120.738988
	Turtle Rock in Morro Bay State Park This easy out and back hike reaches a short rise between Black Hill and Cerro Cabrillo in Morro Bay State Park.	2.1 miles 200 feet	35.346512, -120.825198
	Cerro Cabrillo in Morro Bay State Park This tough out and back hike summits the highest mountain in the park, a 911-foot member of the Nine Sisters.	2.5 miles 900 feet	35.346512, -120.825198
	Portola Point in Morro Bay State Park This loop explores a short hill just east of Morro Estuary with an easy-to-reach ocean overlook.	2 miles 315 feet	35.346512, -120.825198
	Eagle Rock Nature Trail in El Chorro Regional Park This loop climbs to Eagle Rock Viewpoint for an overview of the valley between San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay.	2.4 miles 450 feet	35.33567, -120.727234
	Elfin Forest Natural Reserve This easy boardwalk loop explores a pygmy forest on the edge of Morro Bay.	1 mile 80 feet	35.331678, -120.82539
	Morro Dunes Ecological Reserve This lollipop loop serves up panoramic views over Morro Bay as it climbs from Los Osos to Montaña de Oro State Park.	2.6 miles 800 feet	35.308454, -120.843157
	Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve This short hikes explores a pygmy forest of coast live oaks, providing a shady level stroll on overlapping loops.	0.75 - 1.5 miles 25 feet	35.306274, -120.813509
	Hazard Canyon Reef in Montaña de Oro State Park This short hike descends an oceanfront ravine to a rocky shoreline graced with engaging tide pools.	1 mile 100 feet	35.285512, -120.881105
	Valencia Peak in Montaña de Oro State Park This out and back hike summits a 1,347-foot peak with panoramic views.	3.7 miles 1,275 feet	35.263302, -120.872056
	Bluff Trail in Montaña de Oro State Park This level out and back hike passes tide pools and beaches along a picturesque rocky coastline.	1.2 - 3.4 miles 100 feet	35.272858, -120.888755
	Point Buchon Trail This short scenic loop or longer out-and-back hike explores the beautiful coastline south of Montaña de Oro State Park.	1.33 - 6.8 miles 75 feet	35.255302, -120.898669
	Poly Canyon Design Village This lollipop loop hike visits an architectural village designed by Cal Poly students at the base of the Santa Lucia Mountains.	2.5 miles 300 feet	35.304484, -120.658447
	Bishop Peak This out and back hike summits the tallest of the Nine Sisters for excellent views over San Luis Obispo.	3.5 miles 950 feet	35.30219, -120.696942
	Reservoir Canyon Trail to Murray Hill This steep hike passes a waterfall and a collection of junk sculptures en route to a treeless summit overlooking San Luis Obispo.	5.35 miles 1,350 feet	35.290749, -120.627751
	Cerro San Luis This hike summits one of the Nine Sisters just west of downtown San Luis Obispo.	4 - 5 miles 1,100 feet	35.282605, -120.681045
	Cerro San Luis from Laguna Lake Park This out and back hike summits one of the Nine Sisters just west of downtown San Luis Obispo.	5.7 miles 1,150 feet	35.282632, -120.680573
	Lemon Grove Trail This easy loop visits a historic lemon grove on the eastern slopes of Cerro San Luis.	2.2 miles 300 feet	35.275065, -120.672333
	Sydney Street Trail to Murray Hill This out and back hike climbs a steep rugged trail to a stone seating area at a panoramic summit.	2.8 miles 1,275 feet	35.27307, -120.641322
	South Hills Ridge Trail This out and back hike visits the top of a cluster of hills near downtown San Luis Obispo, offering fine views over the city and surroundings.	1.5 miles 450 feet	35.260149, -120.657535
	Morro View in the Irish Hills This out and back hike in Irish Hills Natural Reserve delivers panoramic views over Los Osos Valley and the full chain of Morros.	3.15 miles 850 feet	35.262195, -120.711949
	Froom Creek Trail in the Irish Hills This loop loop explores a canyon on the east side of the Irish Hills before ascending to a nice view over Laguna Lake, Cerro San Luis, and Bishop Peak.	3 miles 500 feet	35.254311, -120.69525
	Islay Hill This out and back hike summits San Luis Obispo's easternmost Morro.	1.8 miles 550 feet	35.243296, -120.627131
	Johnson Ranch Loop This loop explores rolling hills in a grassy open space just south of San Luis Obispo.	2.5 - 3.7 miles 200 feet	35.223448, -120.693313
	Sycamore Crest Trail This out and back hike ascends the north slope of Ontario Hill to a scenic ocean view perch.	1.75 - 3.25 miles 575 feet	35.18595, -120.714558
	Shell Beach Bluff Trail - Ontario Ridge Trail This loop explores the coast between Shell Beach and Avila Beach, on and below a 700-foot ridge.	2.8 miles 675 feet	35.176427, -120.719601
	Cave Landing This short out and back hike descends to a natural rock bridge at the end of a headland east of Avila Beach.	0.5 miles 100 feet	35.17425, -120.717187
	Nojoqui Falls This short out and back hike visits an 80-foot tall fern-lined waterfall.	0.65 miles 165 feet	34.528556, -120.172473
	Gaviota Peak This loop mounts a 2,458-foot summit two miles from the Pacific then descends Trespass Trail to explore the wilds of the Santa Ynez Mountains.	6.5 miles 2,150 feet	34.501667, -120.198805
	Gaviota Hot Springs This short hike visits a warm hot springs along the trail to Gaviota Peak.	1 mile 400 feet	34.504598, -120.2259
	Tunnel View and Trespass Trails Loop This loop steals views over the 101 Freeway and the Gaviota Tunnel from Gaviota State Park.	2.6 miles 600 feet	34.496371, -120.2264
	Gaviota Wind Caves This 2.5-mile hike just off the 101 visits wind-carved caves with great ocean views.	2.5 miles 650 feet	34.482657, -120.238502
	Tequepis Trail This out and back hike delivers views of Lake Cachuma as it climbs the Santa Ynez mountains to a saddle overlooking the Pacific.	8.4 miles 2,300 feet	34.551893, -119.955904
	Knapp's Castle This easy hike visits the scenic ruins of an estate home built atop the mountains behind Santa Barbara.	0.8 miles 50 feet	34.518155, -119.793234
	Lizard’s Mouth This short out and back hike visits a unique rock formation with amazing views over Santa Barbara and the Pacific.	0.5 miles	34.502263, -119.867721
	Tangerine Falls This out and back hike crosses a lush canyon to a beautiful waterfall on the edge of Los Padres National Forest near Santa Barbara.	2.5 miles 900 feet	34.46978, -119.65893
	Montecito Peak This partial loop climbs to a panoramic summit in Los Padres National Forest overlooking Montecito and Santa Barbara.	7.1 miles 2,450 feet	34.472069, -119.639318
	McMenemy Overlook This hike uses four trails to form a loop through the mountains behind Montecito, California.	3.7 miles 1,000 feet	34.452363, -119.629206
	Sespe Creek to Willett Hot Springs This out and back hike follows Sespe Creek to a relaxing hot springs.	19 miles	34.5765, -119.050698
	Rose Valley Falls This out and back hike leads to the lower tier of this two-tier 300 foot waterfall. From there one can scramble off trail to the much taller upper tier.	1 - 3 miles	34.528041, -119.180816
	Wheeler Gorge This loop explores the creek and forest around this 70-site Campground.	1 mile	34.518444, -119.271208