Hikes in Big Sur

Big Sur is a charming town in Monterey County, 140 miles south of San Francisco. The name also applies to the fifty miles of coastline between Big Sur and San Simeon, which is as beautiful as any in the world. Big Sur is defined by dramatic and beautiful landscapes. Tall green mountains drop to rugged shores and mesmerizing blue waters. [wp_ad_wide_page] Salmon Creek Falls Big Sur The drive up Highway One is so scenic that many people don't get out to hike at all, but they should! ... Read more.
Latest reports on the Central Coast (page 3)
Los Angeles

Oak Creek Canyon Loop Trail
in Los Robles Open Space

Los Angeles | Trails | Ventura
Trail Rating:
Oak Creek Canyon Loop Trail in Los Robles Open Space
Oak Creek Canyon Trail is a rather special trail in Los Robles Open Space that is designed for the blind as well as the sighted. The all-access nature trail has a dozen and a half signs in English and Braille. While blind hikers will probably want to turn around at the end of the guide fence, for a 0.55 mile hike with 50 feet of elevation change, others may continue on to a loop trail for a 0. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Free Trails · Los Robles Open Space · Nature Trails · Thousand Oaks · Dog-Friendly Trails · Mountain Biking Trails · Santa Monica Mountains
Distance: 0.8 miles · Elevation change: 100 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: March 10, 2017 Last updated: December 5, 2025
Central Coast

Oso Flaco Lake Trail in Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area

San Luis Obispo | Trails
Trail Rating:
Oso Flaco Lake Trail in Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area
Oso Flaco Lake Trail in Oceano Dunes SVRA offers a hike with easy-going appeal. The nearly level trail takes a boardwalk over a 75-acre birdlife-boasting lake and across sand dunes to a tucked-away beach and a viewpoint overlooking the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes. These are the largest dunes on the coast of Southern California, but Oso Flaco Lake Trail is a short hike at just 2-miles round trip. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Arroyo Grande · Beaches · California State Parks · Lakes · Nipomo · Ocean Views · Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area · Sand Dunes · Wheelchair-Friendly
Distance: 2 miles · Elevation change: 25 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: September 21, 2016 Last updated: April 9, 2026
Central Coast

Chumash Trail – Crespi Trail – Hutash Trail Loop
in Morro Bay State Park

San Luis Obispo | Trails
Trail Rating:
Chumash Trail – Crespi Trail – Hutash Trail Loop in Morro Bay State Park
While it is one of the more inland hikes in Morro Bay State Park, the loop formed by connecting Chumash Trail, Crespi Trail, and Hutash Trail delivers ample coastal views as it leads to a lovely grove of coast live oaks. This lollipop loop covers 2.9 miles with 420 feet of elevation change. Hutash Trail can be trimmed from the circuit to lower the round trip distance to 2. ...Read more.
Tagged with · California State Parks · Free Trails · Morro Bay · Morro Bay State Park · Ocean Views
Distance: 2.9 miles · Elevation change: 420 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: August 8, 2016 Last updated: April 9, 2026
Central Coast

Terrace Hill Open Space
in San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo | Trails
Trail Rating:
Terrace Hill Open Space in San Luis Obispo
An interesting chain of conical volcanoes, or volcanic plugs called the Morros, graces San Luis Obispo County. Terrace Hill is one of the smaller and harder to identify Morros within the city of San Luis Obispo County. Unlike the other Morros, Terrace Hill has a broad flat summit. The top of the hill was removed for use as construction material in the 1920s, leaving behind a flat mesa-like mountaintop. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Free Trails · Morros
Distance: 0.55 miles · Elevation change: 110 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: August 5, 2016 Last updated: December 6, 2025
Central Coast

Rattlesnake Flats Trail – Badger Trail – Bluff Trail Loop in Montaña de Oro State Park

San Luis Obispo | Trails
Trail Rating:
Rattlesnake Flats Trail – Badger Trail – Bluff Trail Loop in Montaña de Oro State Park
Completely resurfaced to be wheelchair-friendly, the Bluff Trail in Montaña de Oro State Park is one of the most pleasant coastal trails in California. Once you have hiked the Bluff Trail, you will probably want to see it again (and again and again). Revisit the Bluff Trail and get just a bit more elevation by creating a loop with Bluff Trail, Badger Trail, and Rattlesnake Flats Trail. ...Read more.
Tagged with · California State Parks · Free Trails · Los Osos · Ocean Views · Tide Pools · Montaña de Oro State Park
Distance: 1.65 miles · Elevation change: 150 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: March 16, 2016 Last updated: December 5, 2025
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