Central Coast

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Gems in Central Coast - 2

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Favorite

Though you'll have to navigate tight clearances, Bear Gulch Cave provides both a respite from the sweltering heat and the unique opportunity to explore a talus cave.

Bear Gulch Cave

(16) Soledad, CA

Favorite

A juvenile california condor, as evidenced by the black head, glides on thermals around the High Peaks.

High Peaks Viewpoint

(7) Soledad, CA

Recommended Routes in Central Coast - 28

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Favorite

A juvenile california condor, as evidenced by the black head, glides on thermals around the High Peaks.

High Peaks

5.1 mi 8.2 km • 1,444' Up 440.22 m Up • 1,447' Down 440.95 m Down

Favorite

Emerald waters!

Molera Beach Super Loop

7.0 mi 11.3 km • 1,142' Up 348.01 m Up • 1,143' Down 348.3 m Down

Favorite

Pinnacles National Park on the Balconies trail.

Balconies Cave Loop

2.6 mi 4.3 km • 400' Up 121.84 m Up • 399' Down 121.74 m Down

Favorite

Sunrise breakfast on the summit.

Bishop Peak Trail

1.7 mi 2.7 km • 830' Up 252.93 m Up • 44' Down 13.44 m Down

Favorite

Sunrise along the Big Sur River at the Sykes Hot Springs location.

Pine Ridge Trail to Sykes Hot Springs

19.5 mi 31.4 km • 3,811' Up 1161.56 m Up • 3,810' Down 1161.27 m Down

Favorite

The trail continues through the forest along the creek.

Soberanes Canyon Loop

4.7 mi 7.6 km • 1,752' Up 533.86 m Up • 1,751' Down 533.82 m Down

Favorite

Bluffs over the Pacific Ocean

Bluff - Rattlesnake Flats - Coon Creek Loop

7.5 mi 12.1 km • 703' Up 214.18 m Up • 707' Down 215.54 m Down

Favorite

A juvenile california condor, as evidenced by the black head, glides on thermals around the High Peaks.

High Peaks Loop from West Chaparral Parking

4.2 mi 6.8 km • 1,259' Up 383.62 m Up • 1,258' Down 383.57 m Down

Favorite

A juvenile california condor, as evidenced by the black head, glides on thermals around the High Peaks.

Balconies and High Peaks Loop

9.0 mi 14.4 km • 1,718' Up 523.76 m Up • 1,718' Down 523.74 m Down

Central Coast Hiking

765 Miles 1,231 Kilometers of Trail
28 Recommended Routes
2 Gems
89 Easy Trails
262 Intermediate Trails
62 Difficult Trails

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Areas Within Central Coast

Andrew Molera State Park

Arroyo Grande & Pismo Beach

Carmel-By-The-Sea

Carrizo Plain National Monument

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

Laguna Mountain Recreation Area

Limekiln State Park

Los Padres National Forest

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

Pinnacles National Park

San Luis Obispo

Weather Averages

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Trails in Central Coast - 385

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0.2 mi 0.4 km #1Bear Gulch Cave Trail Intermediate Soledad, CA	Intermediate	Soledad, CA	13
2.1 mi 3.4 km #2Bluff Trail Easy Los Osos, CA	Easy	Los Osos, CA	16
5.0 mi 8.1 km #3High Peaks Trail Difficult Soledad, CA	Difficult	Soledad, CA	10
4.7 mi 7.5 km #4Cerro Alto Intermediate/Difficult Atascadero, CA	Intermediate/Difficult	Atascadero, CA	14
0.6 mi 1.0 km #5Cypress Grove Trail Easy/Intermediate Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA	Easy/Intermediate	Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA	8
0.8 mi 1.4 km #6North Shore Trail Intermediate Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA	Intermediate	Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA	8
0.5 mi 0.8 km #7Moses Spring Trail Intermediate Soledad, CA	Intermediate	Soledad, CA	13
0.4 mi 0.6 km #8Balconies Cave Trail Intermediate Soledad, CA	Intermediate	Soledad, CA	8
5.0 mi 8.1 km #9Kirk Creek Trail #4E17 Intermediate/Difficult King City, CA	Intermediate/Difficult	King City, CA	10
1.3 mi 2.1 km #10Soberanes Point Main Trail Easy/Intermediate Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA	Easy/Intermediate	Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA	4

Photos of Central Coast - 472

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Bluffs over the Pacific Ocean

Apr 16, 2015 near Los Osos, CA

Emerald waters!

Jul 1, 2015 near Carmel…, CA

Sunset on the hillside at about the midpoint of the Vicente Flat Trail.

Nov 10, 2015 near King City, CA

Sunrise breakfast on the summit.

Jan 21, 2016 near San Lui…, CA

Beautiful views on High Peaks Trail!

Jan 27, 2016 near Soledad, CA

Looking back toward the trailhead, we can see we're starting to gain elevation above the stream valley.

Jun 29, 2017 near Los Olivos, CA

A juvenile california condor, as evidenced by the black head, glides on thermals around the High Peaks.

Dec 1, 2018 near Soledad, CA

Grass Mountain in the spring!

Apr 5, 2023 near Los Olivos, CA