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South Shore Trail - 2 members in 4 triplogs have rated this an average 3.5 ( 1 to 5 best )
4 triplogs
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Jul 25 2024
avatar

 Guides 94
 Routes 840
 Photos 22,055
 Triplogs 1,993

52 male
 Joined Sep 18 2002
 Tempe, AZ
Point Lobos Loop, CA 
Point Lobos Loop, CA
 
Hiking avatar Jul 25 2024
chumley • Triplogs 1,993
Hiking5.45 Miles 602 AEG
Hiking5.45 Miles   2 Hrs   13 Mns   2.62 mph
602 ft AEG      8 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Linked   8 linked trail guides
North Shore Trail
Sea Lion Point Trail
Cypress Grove Trail
South Shore Trail
Bird Island Trail
South Plateau Trail
Carmelo Meadow Trail
Granite Point Trail
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
As always, the weather here is 100% unpredictable and can't be forecast. I picked this day and stuck with it, despite the thick marine layer. It was breaking up a mile away on the ride to the point, but did not relent during my 2 hour loop until the last half mile. Even then, I decided to ride back out to revisit the roadside viewpoints I had walked to earlier, but alas, just a quarter mile and these spots were still socked in.

Despite the clouds and fog, the scenery here is second to none. Coastal geology, magnificent cypress trees, colorful wildflowers and succulents, pelicans and other sea birds, otters and seals, tidal pool critters, and deer on shore ... 10/10 would do again. :)

If you're ever on the central coast, make this one a mandatory stop.

I found the north shore to Cypress Grove to be the most scenic and interesting. The south shore and Bird Island just a fraction less so, and the south plateau and carmelo meadow just the required coastal forest meh to complete the loop.

It's $10 to drive a vehicle in, but bikes and pedestrians are free. There's ample parking along the highway outside of the park if you don't mind adding a half mile to your day. And you might be forced to do so anyway as the gates close once the lots fill up. It's a nice feature that actually keeps this super popular spot from ever feeling too overrun.
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Monterey Cypress
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Blacktail Deer  Brown Pelican  Harbor Seal  Striped Shore Crab
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Bird Island  Bluefish Cove  China Cove  Cypress Cove  Cypress Grove  Granite Point  Headland Cove  Pinnacle Cove  Point Lobos  Sand Hill  Sand Hill Cove  Sandy Beach  Sea Lion Cove  South Point  The Pit  Whalers Cove
_____________________
I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.
  1 archive
Aug 23 2015
avatar

 Guides 71
 Routes 98
 Photos 9,967
 Triplogs 1,009

65 male
 Joined May 14 2003
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Big Sur Coastline CA Redux - August 2015, CA 
Big Sur Coastline CA Redux - August 2015, CA
 
Backpack avatar Aug 23 2015
Randal_Schulhauser • Triplogs 1,009
Backpack59.93 Miles 3,300 AEG
Backpack59.93 Miles7 Days         
3,300 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   25 linked trail guides
Big Sur Coast Highway
Avila Beach Walking Tour
Pecho Coast Trail
Point San Luis Lighthouse Trail
Oceano Dunes Preserve Trail & SVRA
Point Buchon Trail
Morro Bay Sand Spit Montaa de Oro State Park
Moonstone Beach Trail
Elephant Seal Vista Point
Sand Dollar Beach
Pacific Valley Flats
Mill Creek Picnic Area - Big Sur Coastline
Lucia Lodge Lookout
Hermitage - Big Sur Coastline
McWay Waterfall Trail - Big Sur Coastline
Pfeiffer Beach
Partington Cove Trail - Big Sur Coastline
Point Sur Lightstation Historic Park
Bixby Creek Bridge - Big Sur Coastline
Bird Island Trail
South Shore Trail
Sea Lion Point Trail
Cypress Grove Trail
North Shore Trail
Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
Partners none no partners
Big Sur Coastline CA Redux - August 2015

For my 1000th triplog on HAZ, needed something extraordinary (within reason). Saddened by our recent loss of Skippy our Springer Spaniel, maybe trip along Big Sur Coastline with a loop thru Yosemite would set things right...

Ahwatukee to Avila Beach CA is 575 miles, 9 hrs, 34 min per Google Maps
Avila Beach to Lucia CA is 91 miles, 2 hrs, 30 min per Google Maps
Lucia CA to Monterey CA is 54 miles, 1 hrs, 45 min per Google Maps

Monterey to Yosemite Village is 201 miles, 4 hrs, 2 min per Google Maps
Yosemite Village to Bishop CA is 139 miles, 2 hrs, 57 min per Google Maps
Bishop CA to Ahwatukee home is 584 miles, 8 hrs, 42 min via Palm Springs
Itinerary goes here...
Big Sur CA – August 2015

Saturday 8/22 – prep day…

Sunday 8/23 – Avila Lighthouse Suites, Avila Beach CA – confirmation number 244101678, King Master Suite Deluxe Ocean Front Patio Room. https://www.avilalighthousesuites.com Drive from home to Avila Beach is 575 miles, 8 hrs 43 min per Google Maps

Monday 8/24 – Avila Lighthouse Suites, Avila Beach CA – beach day, explore San Luis (Avila) Lighthouse :next: https://www.sanluislighthouse.org/ NOTE: hike permit required. Point Buchon Trail an alternative. https://pge.modwest.com/pgereservations ... .php?pid=4 Reservations Thursday to Monday. Located north of Diablo Canyon nuclear plant, north of Point San Luis lighthouse

Tuesday 8/25 – Lucia Lodge, Lucia CA - confirmation number (12103) and your reference number (IRS007831008560). Room #10 – Honeymoon Cottage https://www.lucialodge.com Avila Lighthouse Suites to Lucia Lodge is 90 miles, 2 hrs 1 min per Google Maps. Monastery :next: https://www.hermitagebigsur.com

Wednesday 8/26 – Lucia Lodge, Lucia CA - confirmation number (12105) and your reference number (IRS007831086695). Room #2 – Partial Ocean View Room https://www.lucialodge.com

Thursday 8/27 – Monterey Marriott, Monterey CA – confirmation number 93332298. Bay view, king bed room.https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ ... -marriott/ Lucia Lodge to Monterey Marriott is 54 miles, 1 hr 22 min per Google Maps. Point Sur Lighthouse tours @ 10am on Thursdays :next: https://www.pointsur.org/ (1st come, 1st served, no reservations).

Friday 8/28 – Monterey Marriott, Monterey CA – Monterey Aquarium day, evening whale watch cruise https://www.montereybayaquarium.com

Saturday 8/29 – check out Monterey Marriott, Monterey CA – drive home is 709 miles, 10 hrs 50 min per Google Maps

Sunday 8/30 – recover at home…

Sunday August 23rd - Ahwatukee to Avila Beach CA
Fitbit distance = 6.67 miles, AEG = 250 feet (25 floors)
Early morning getaway on I-10 to CA210 @ Redlands onto CA101 @ I-405 in Sherman Oaks. Continue along CA101 (Pacific Coast Highway) to Avila Beach turnoff before San Luis Obispo...

Avila Lighthouse Suites base camp (Martin Resorts) :next: https://www.avilalighthousesuites.com/? ... 23011848:s and https://www.martinresorts.com

HAZ hikes
1. Avila Beach Walking Tour :next: [ Avila Beach Walking Tour ]
2. Pecho Coast Trail :next: [ Pecho Coast Trail ]
3. Point San Luis Lighthouse Trail :next: [ Point San Luis Lighthouse Trail ]
4. Oceano Dunes & Preserve :next: [ Oceano Dunes Preserve Trail & SVRA ]
5. Big Sur Coastline Highway :next: [ Big Sur Coast Highway ]
Monday August 24th - Avila Beach CA and Surrounding Area
Fitbit distance = 14.97 miles, AEG = 859 feet (85 floors)
Early morning stroll along Avila Beach. Headed over to Montana de Oro State Park to explore what is called the "southern most stretch of Big Sur Coastline". Back at our Avila Lighthouse Suites base camp to eat dinner and watch the sun set from our room balcony patio...

HAZ hikes
1. Avila Beach Walking Tour :next: [ Avila Beach Walking Tour ]
2. Point Buchon Trail :next: [ Point Buchon Trail ]
3. Sand Spit Beach (Montana de Oro State Park) :next: [ Morro Bay Sand Spit Montaa de Oro State Park ]
Tuesday August 25th - Avila Beach CA to Lucia CA
Fitbit distance = 9.22 miles, AEG = 660 feet (66 floors)
Early morning stroll along Avila Beach. Debated about putting Salmon Creek Falls on the itinerary but talked ourselves out of it given the dry/fire conditions. Hung out most of the afternoon at Sand Dollar Beach - one of my fav Big Sur spots! 31st wedding anniversary at honeymoon suite at Lucia Lodge room #10 :next: https://www.lucialodge.com Lucia Lodge recommendations :next: https://www.lucialodge.com/activities.html Watch the sun set from Lucia Lookout after watching 3 humpback whales cruise by between the kelp beds and being swooped by California condors...

HAZ hikes
1. Avila Beach Walking Tour :next: [ Avila Beach Walking Tour ]
2. Moonstone Beach :next: [ Moonstone Beach Trail ]
3. Elephant Seal Beach Vista :next: [ Elephant Seal Vista Point ] and https://www.hikinginbigsur.com/other_elephantseals.html
4. Point Sierra Nevada Beach :next: [ Point Sierra Nevada Beach - Big Sur Coastline ]
5. Ragged Point :next: [ Ragged Point - Cliffside Trail & Nature Trail ]
6. Willow Creek (jade and gold prospecting) :next: [ Willow Creek - Big Sur Coastline ] and https://www.hikinginbigsur.com/hikes_willowcreek.html
7. Jade Cove Beach :next: https://www.hikinginbigsur.com/hikes_jadecove.html
8. Sand Dollar Beach :next: [ Sand Dollar Beach ] and https://www.hikinginbigsur.com/hikes_sanddollar.html
9. Pacific Valley Flats :next: [ Pacific Valley Flats ]
10. Mill Creek Picnic Area :next: [ Mill Creek Picnic Area - Big Sur Coastline ]
11. Lucia Lookout :next: write a HAZ description for 1000th trip logged
Wednesday August 26th Lucia CA and Local Surroundings
Fitbit distance = 6.78 miles, AEG = 440 feet (44 floors)
Early morning whale watching through the fog at Lucia Lookout while sipping on Starbucks coffee brewed in our room. Need to move our gear from Room#10 to Room#2 - thanks to housekeeper Rindy for making us a priority. Headed to the Hermatige near Lucia and arrived at the Book Store and Visitor Center @ 11:30am just as it is closing for 1 1/2 hr lunch break. Oh well, off to Pfeiffer State Beach for the afternoon (found the hidden entrance for Sycamore Canyon Road -hint; its paved and unsigned just north of the Shell Gas Station/Market) followed by some mega-whale watching at Partington Cove. Gassed up in Big Sur - yikes - $5.59 per gallon! I don't think I've ever paid that much for a gallon of gas, even in Europe! Cobbled up a picnic dinner at Lucia Lodge watching the sunset sans whales...

HAZ hikes
1. Lucia Lookout :next: write a HAZ description for 1000th trip logged
2. Hermitage :next: [ Hermitage - Big Sur Coastline ] and https://www.contemplation.com
3. McWay Falls Trails :next: [ McWay Waterfall Trail - Big Sur Coastline ]
4. Partington Cove Trail :next: [ Partington Cove Trail - Big Sur Coastline ]
5. Pfeiffer Beach via Sycamore Canyon Road (the only ungated paved road the west side of PCH between Big Sur post office and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park) :next: https://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/beaches.html and [ Pfeiffer Beach ]
Thursday August 27th Lucia CA to Monterey CA
Fitbit distance = 12.18 miles, AEG = 690 feet (69 floors)
Early morning whale watching sans fog at Lucia Lookout. Headed to the Hermatige near Lucia and arrived at the Book Store and Visitor Center @ 8am just as it is opening! On the PCH before 9am to head to the first-come-first-served tour of Point Sur Lighthouse :next: https://www.pointsur.org Tom was our outstanding volunteer docent for the 3 hour "behind the scenes, step back in history" tour. After the tour, headed to Point Lobos :next: https://www.pointlobos.org where we saw humpback whales, otters, more humpback whales, deer, and even more humpback whales in full body breach - awesome! After grabbing dinner in Sand City, checked into our Monterey Marriott room#710 base camp :next: https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ ... -marriott/

HAZ hikes
1. Lucia Lookout :next: write a HAZ description for 1000th trip logged
2. Hermitage :next: [ Hermitage - Big Sur Coastline ]
3. Point Sur Lighthouse :next: write a HAZ description for 1000th trip logged
4. Bixby Bridge :next: [ Bixby Creek Bridge - Big Sur Coastline ]
5. Point Lobos (China Cove, Whalers Knoll, etc) :next: [ Whaler's Knoll Trail ]
[ South Shore Trail ]
[ North Shore Trail ]
[ Cypress Grove Trail ]
[ Sea Lion Point Trail ]
[ Bird Island Trail ]
6. Monterey Walking Tour :next: [ Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail ]
Friday August 28th Monterey CA
Fitbit distance = 7.21 miles, AEG = 290 feet (29 floors)
Spend the day at Monterey Aquarium :next: https://www.montereybayaquarium.org chatted with the BBC/PBS film crew shooting clips for "Big Blue Live" that will air this Monday 8/31 :next: https://www.pbs.org/big-blue-live/home/
Happy hour at Peter B’s Brew Pub :next: https://www.portolahotel.com/peter-bs-brewpub/ (Stout Resistance with Buffalo Chili and Monterey Jack Cheese highly recommended) where we caught the Jays game (totally smoked the Tigers). Full moon walk along Cannery Row and the waterfront...

HAZ hikes
1. Monterey Bay Aquarium :next: write a HAZ description for 1000th trip logged
2. Monterey Walking Tour :next: [ Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail ]
Saturday August 29th Monterey CA to Ahwatukee AZ
Fitbit distance = 3.81 miles, AEG = 120 feet (12 floors)
Get away home day aborting route through Yosemite. Plotted route from Monterey to Paso Robles to Bakersfield to Barstow via Tehachapi Pass and onto Needles via I-40, then CA95 to Parker AZ with connecting road onto I-10 at Vicksburg and onto Phoenix - 731 miles per Google Maps, 10 hr 48min drive time...
Found Tobin James Cellar Winery in Paso Robles (curious combo for our daughter Tobyn and her boyfriend James :next: https://m.tobinjames.com/history.php ).

HAZ hikes
1. Monterey Bay Aquarium :next: write a HAZ description for 1000th trip logged
2. Tehachapi Mountain Pass Trail :next: [ Tehachapi Mountain Trail ]
3. Parker Dam :next: [ Parker Dam ]

TOTALS
Sunday 8/23 = 6.67 miles, 250 AEG
Monday 8/24 = 14.07 miles, 850 AEG
Tuesday 8/25 = 9.22 miles, 660 AEG
Wednesday 8/26 = 6.78 miles, 440 AEG
Thursday 8/27 = 12.18 miles, 690 AEG
Friday 8/28 = 7.21 miles, 290 AEG
Saturday 8/29 = 3.81 miles, 129 AEG
TOTAL = 59.93 miles, 3300 AEG
170 Avila Beach iPhone photos
148 Lucia iPhone photos
136 Monterey iPhone photos
241 Canon 7D photos
320 Canon 6D photos
167 Canon Rebel XT photos
TOTAL = 1182 photos
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Northern Elephant Seal
 Geology
 Geology [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Beach
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Light
_____________________
  1 archive
Jul 04 2013
avatar

 Guides 177
 Routes 249
 Photos 10,213
 Triplogs 2,215

74 male
 Joined Feb 12 2002
 Gold Canyon, AZ
North Shore TrailCentral Coast, CA
North Shore Trail
Central Coast, CA
Hiking avatar Jul 04 2013
AZLOT69 • Triplogs 2,215
Hiking8.95 Miles 1,345 AEG
Hiking8.95 Miles
1,345 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   12 linked trail guides
Cypress Grove Trail
South Shore Trail
Pine Ridge Trail
Whaler's Knoll Trail
Cabin Trail
Lace Lichen Trail
Carmelo Meadow Trail
Mound Meadow Trail
Granite Point Trail
Sea Lion Point Trail
Bird Island Trail
South Plateau Trail
Partners none no partners
Perfect day at the ocean. This park is outstanding.
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Black Oystercatcher  Black Turban Snail  Blacktail Deer  Brandt's Cormorant  California Gull  Harbor Seal  Sea Otter  Solitary Green Anemone  Striped Shore Crab
 Geology
 Geology [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Natural Bridge
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Wooden Dwelling
_____________________
It's best for a man to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open his mouth and remove all doubt.
--Mark Twain
 
Jun 08 2013
avatar

 Guides 4
 Photos 436
 Triplogs 46

45 female
 Joined Dec 03 2009
 Tucson, AZ
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, CA 
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, CA
 
Hiking avatar Jun 08 2013
lP14 • Triplogs 46
Hiking
Hiking
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   linked  
South Plateau Trail
Pine Ridge Trail
South Shore Trail
Partners none no partners
Before my brother's wedding in Carmel, I took a quick spin of several of the trails in Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. The property is located just 2 miles south of beautiful Carmel. Taking my brother's advice, I parked along Highway 1 to avoid paying the $10 entrance fee (which also gains you admittance to Big Sur). I did pay $2 for a map of the park. There are no parking signs all along the highway, but there were already cars parked there, so I joined the crowd along a stretch just opposite the park where I did not immediately see no parking signs. I was not ticketed during my 2 hours in the park.

I didn't have a lot of time, so I did a loop of the park taking the South Plateau Trail, using the Pine Ridge Trail to get to the South Shore Trail. The South Shore Trail takes you for about a mile down the coastline. It was overcast the morning I was there, but the views were still amazing. I wish I had more time to really take it all in. I returned quickly via the 0.7 mile South Plateau Trail.

I highly recommend this small park, you get a nice range of flora within a handful of short, easily accessible trails.
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  California Wild Rose  Western Poison-oak
_____________________
 
average hiking speed 2.62 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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