Hikes in San Luis Obispo
Below is a collection of trails around San Luis Obispo, California. These hikes are listed roughly 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, GPS maps, directions, and all other information needed to locate and enjoy these hikes. An interactive map is also provided.
Highlights of San Luis Obispo
Hiking San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, California is gaining notoriety as the happiest place in America. Some attribute this to the beautiful beaches, bustling downtown, and bountiful wineries, but we’re pretty sure the great hiking trails have something to do with it.
San Luis Obispo is famous for the Nine Sisters, or Morros, a stunning string of volcanic peaks stretching from Morro Bay across San Luis Obispo. There are hiking trails on five of the Nine Sisters: Black Hill, Cerro Cabrillo, Bishop Peak, Cerro San Luis, and Islay Hill. Bishop Peak is the tallest of the Morros at 1,559 feet, and is a must-do hike for anyone in the region. There are several other places to hike around San Luis Obispo, including Montana de Oro State Park and Morro Bay State Park, two gems on the California coast.
| Trail | Description | Distance | Latitude, Longitude |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Cerro Alto This semi-loop bags the 2,624-foot summit of Cerro Alto, plus a scenic ridge south of the peak. | 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 This loop in El Chorro Regional Park 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 |
 | Valencia Peak in Montana 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 Montana 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 This short scenic loop or longer out-and-back hike explores the beautiful coastline south of Montana 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 |
 | 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 |
View San Luis Obispo Hikes in a larger map
Loading ...
[...] at documenting them each week. i found a really neat site that shows the hikes in the area: http://www.hikespeak.com/central-coast/san-luis-obispo/ With this, and kelli and my hike books, i think we’ll be set for tomorrow afternoon! [...]