Hikes on California’s Central Coast

This short, level hike in Big Sur's Los Padres National Forest ventures to the end of a grassy point topped by a crown of spiked boulders. The bluff offers fantastic views of the coves and rocky sea stacks up and down the rugged coastline of Big Sur. The trailhead is conveniently located along Highway One, and at 1.1 miles round trip with 50 feet of elevation change, the views far outweigh the effort. ...Read more.

Since so much of the coastline of Southern California has been developed upon, it comes as a relief to find a 230-acre estuary that has been set aside and preserved as a vital ecosystem for shorebirds. Carpinteria Salt Marsh Nature Park offers a level 1.2-mile round trip hike through part of El Estuaro past several observation areas and benches. While this might not appear to be the most picturesque park on the Central Coast, it is one of the area's most important wetlands and you have a good chance of seeing great egrets and other interesting waterfowl. ...Read more.

The hike up and down Hazard Peak Trail delivers a heavy dose of ocean views. While it could be argued that this 6-mile round trip hike is the finest trek to the summit of Hazard Peak, you may wish to consider elongating that hike to a 9.2-mile loop that returns to the coast via Islay Creek Trail in the adjacent Islay Creek Canyon. Sacrificing a second helping of ocean views, the loop explores the secluded interior of Montaña de Oro State Park and finishes with a cool down on a wide, gradual trail in a canyon flanked by thousand foot peaks (including the 1,076-foot Hazard Peak). ...Read more.

Montaña de Oro State Park is packed with so many picturesque places that it can be difficult to settle on just one day hike. However, if you are looking for broad, unobstructed view over Morro Bay, you should feel compelled to set out for the top of Hazard Peak. Looking north from this coastal 1,076-foot summit, you won't see anything even half as tall as Hazard Peak for about 15 miles, giving you a full view of the dune-lined coast backed by the iconic Morro Rock. ...Read more.

Montaña de Oro State Park has a couple lengthy level hikes. If you desire ocean views, you can't do any better than the Bluff Trail. If you would rather hike up a canyon flanked by thousand foot peaks along a creek that even has a small waterfall, the fitting trail is Islay Creek Trail. The rolling 3-mile long dirt road has 300-feet of easy elevation change. ...Read more.