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Central Coast

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Gems in Central Coast - 2

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gem 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
gem 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.
Difficult

High Peaks

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

Soledad, CA
Favorite Emerald waters!
Intermediate/Difficult

Molera Beach Super Loop

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

Carmel…, CA
Favorite Pinnacles National Park on the Balconies trail.
Intermediate

Balconies Cave Loop

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

Soledad, CA
Favorite Sunrise breakfast on the summit.
Intermediate

Bishop Peak Trail

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

San Lui…, CA
Favorite Sunrise along the Big Sur River at the Sykes Hot Springs location.
Difficult

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

Carmel…, CA
Favorite The trail continues through the forest along the creek.
Intermediate/Difficult

Soberanes Canyon Loop

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

Carmel-…, CA
Favorite Bluffs over the Pacific Ocean
Intermediate

Bluff - Rattlesnake Flats - Coon Creek Loop

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

Los Osos, CA
Favorite A juvenile california condor, as evidenced by the black head, glides on thermals around the High Peaks.
Intermediate

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

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

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

Soledad, CA

Central Coast Hiking

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

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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
0.8 mi 1.4 km #6North Shore Trail
Intermediate
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Intermediate
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
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
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

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