hikespeak

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.

Pack the tent and your flip-flops when you visit the campground at Gaviota State Park. Each site is ambling distance from a sandy beach along the scenic coast west of Santa Barbara. A railroad trestle, pier, and hiking trails are close to the campground, which is just off Highway 101, making it a convenient place to camp near the ocean. Gaviota State Park is about 30 miles west of Santa Barbara in the area around the Gaviota Tunnel. ...Read more.

East Cuesta Ridge Road, also known as Mount Lowe Road, is a dirt road that crosses the dominant ridgeline in the Santa Lucia Mountains northeast of San Luis Obispo. Views from the trail extend over San Luis Obispo and its surrounding peaks toward the ocean to the west at Morro Bay and to the south by Oceano Dunes. The hike starts just off Highway 101 at the top of Cuesta Grade. ...Read more.

Mount Maunganui is an extinct volcano crowning the tip of a peninsula at the mouth of Tauranga Harbour in the Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand. The mountain has stunning sea views from its base all the way up to the summit, so it is a delight to hike. Next to Mount Maunganui, a beach city with the same name covers the flat part of the peninsula between sandy strips and is a popular spot for summer visitors. ...Read more.

Papamoa Beach Resort (formerly Papamoa Beach Top 10 Holiday Park) has an ideal location alongside a Bay of Plenty beach on New Zealand's North Island. The oceanfront resort has great grounds, a variety of accommodations (including many with ocean views), and access to a beautiful beach. Papamoa Beach Resort is a well-above-average holiday park (probably why it's now called a resort) and is a relaxing place to stay near Tauranga and Mount Maunghanui. ...Read more.

Fiscalini Ranch Preserve (previously called East West Ranch) is a 434-acre park right in the middle of Cambria, a coastal town at the north end of San Luis Obispo County. Bordered by neighborhoods to the north and south, the preserve provides public access to a mile of beautiful coastline spared from development except for trails with boardwalks, bridges, and whimsical benches made out of driftwood. ...Read more.

It is pretty unusual to hike to a peak from a trailhead at a higher elevation. In the case of Mesa Peak, the lofty trailhead along Corral Canyon Road treats hikers to summit-worthy views right from the get-go. While the elevation profile is atypical, the hike along Mesa Peak Motorway to Mesa Peak in Malibu is quite enjoyable. Ocean overlooks appear all along the wide dirt road, which also passes some very impressive sandstone formations. ...Read more.

Montaña de Oro State Park has dramatic ocean bluffs and summits with sweeping views. The park covers over 8,000 acres and has 7 miles of undeveloped coastline, making it a rare treasure on the California Coast. One road leads into the park, entering from the town of Los Osos to the north, which is just west of the city of San Luis Obispo. Visitors can stay overnight at a 50-site campground at the center of the park. ...Read more.

Discover a tucked-away oasis of Sargent cypress straddling a ridge in the Santa Lucia Mountains north of San Luis Obispo. The evergreens are accompanied by coastal views that could have you imagining you're somewhere farther north in California. The hike to Cuesta Ridge Botanical Special Interest Area is 6 miles round trip up a partially paved road with 950 feet of elevation change. ...Read more.

Located in the Santa Ynez Mountains, 1,800-feet above the Santa Barbara Coast, Inspiration Point attracts hikers with panoramic views over city and sea. Two routes lead to this picturesque perch. If you want to make a day of it, you can approach the viewpoint from the west on a moderate 7.55-mile round trip trek up Jesusita Trail to Inspiration Point from San Roque Road. ...Read more.