username
X
password
register
for free!
 help
 Home FAQ Contribute Camp Granada Surveys Shop
 TrailDEX Filter Areas A to Z Easy Hikes in Season Dog Hikes in Season
 MapRoute Editor Route Editor Route CloudRoute Scout Route Scout Foliage DEX Wildflower DEX
Publish a Guide
Trail/Hike Guide
 GPS Route
Recorded Track of a Hike
 Triplog
Review/Journal of a Hike
 Photoset
Photos of a Hike
help
  HAZ Forum
ArticlesGuidesRoutes
 
Photosets
 Recent Photosets
Liked PixelMASTERS
Avatars Tagged Notes
 
 Comments
triplogs   photosets   labels comments more
Partington Cove Trail - Big Sur Coastline - 1 member in 2 triplogs has rated this an average 5 ( 1 to 5 best )
2 triplogs
login for filter options
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
Aug 18 2014
avatar

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

65 male
 Joined May 14 2003
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Big Sur Coastline - August 2014, CA 
Big Sur Coastline - August 2014, CA
 
Backpack avatar Aug 18 2014
Randal_Schulhauser • Triplogs 1,009
Backpack49.08 Miles 2,040 AEG
Backpack49.08 Miles5 Days         
2,040 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   23 linked trail guides
Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
Shoreline Stroll Trail
Laguna Grande Park
Point Pinos Lighthouse
17 Mile Scenic Drive - Monterey Peninsula
Spanish Bay to Bird Rock Trail
Point Joe to Bird Rock
Big Sur Coastline - Malpaso Ck to Soberanes Ck
Garrapata Beach
Bixby Creek Bridge - Big Sur Coastline
Glen Oaks Big Sur Redwood Grove Loop
Partington Cove Trail - Big Sur Coastline
El Sur Grande - Ewoldsen Trail
McWay Waterfall Trail - Big Sur Coastline
Mill Creek Picnic Area - Big Sur Coastline
Pacific Valley Flats
Sand Dollar Beach
Point Sierra Nevada Beach - Big Sur Coastline
Elephant Seal Vista Point
San Simeon Bay Beach
Morro Rock Walking Tour
Avila Beach Walking Tour
Big Sur Coast Highway
Partners none no partners
Big Sur Coastline - August 2014
FitBit totals = 49.08 miles, 2040 AEG (204 floors)

BACKGROUNDER
I’ve had a couple of previous opportunities to visit the Big Sur Coastline of California. Pacific Coast Highway return trip home after Hannah's wedding in Oregon :next: [ photoset ] required a definite redux in the Big Sur area. I also had a chance to visit during a July business trip to Cupertino :next: [ popup triplog ]

With my August participation with a medical team in Leh Ladakh Kashmir India pushed out to October, had an opportunity to take my wife on a 30th wedding anniversary wish to the "Big Sur Coastline"...

Some things to consider;

1. Big Sur beaches :next: https://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/beaches.html
2. Kayaking in Monterey ? :next:
https://www.montereybaykayaks.com
https://www.seemonterey.com/things-to-d ... /kayaking/
https://www.adventuresbythesea.com
3. Monterey Bay Aquarium :next: https://www.montereybayaquarium.org
4. Whale spotting along Big Sur Coast
5. Giant redwood hike
6. Big Sur history :next: https://www.bigsurhistory.org
7. Dogs are pretty much NOT welcome anywhere in Big Sur...

THE PLAN

Mon 8/18 - Ahwatukee AZ to Marriott base camp #1 in Monterey CA :next: https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ ... -marriott/
709 miles, 10 hours 25 minutes per Google Maps Confirmation 88321895, 80,000 points Monterey Marriott
350 Calle Principal, Monterey CA, 93940

Tue 8/19 - explore Monterey CA
Monterey Aquarium :next: https://www.montereybayaquarium.org
Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail :next: [ Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail ]
Shoreline Stroll Trail :next: [ Shoreline Stroll Trail ]
Should consider Point Lobos State Reserve, North Shore Trail :next: [ North Shore Trail ]

Wed 8/20 - Monterey to Glen Oaks base camp #2 along Big Sur River in the redwood forest :next: https://glenoaksbigsur.com
30 miles, 0 hours 44minutes per Google Maps Confirmation P433714A6627, $249.62 pre-paid on Visa Glen Oaks Big Sur Highway One, Big Sur, CA 93920 Hiking in Big Sur :next: https://www.hikinginbigsur.com The "must see trails" :next: https://www.hikinginbigsur.com/mustsee.html
McWay Waterfall Trail :next: https://www.hikinginbigsur.com/hikes_mcwayfalls.html
Ewoldsen Redwoods Trail :next: https://www.hikinginbigsur.com/hikes_ewoldsen.html
Partington Cove Trail :next: https://www.hikinginbigsur.com/hikes_pa ... ncove.html

Thu 8/21 - Glen Oaks Big Sur to Avila Beach Lighthouse Suites base camp #3 :next: https://www.avilalighthousesuites.com
116 miles, 2 hours 45 minutes per Google Maps Confirmation 211148994, $398.60 Avila Beach Lighthouse Suites
550 Front Street, Avila Beach CA, 93424

Fri 8/22 - Avila Beach CA to Ahwatukee AZ
575 miles, 8 hours 37 minutes per Google Maps Avila Beach Walking Tour :next: [ Avila Beach Walking Tour ]

THE TREK

Mon 8/18 - Ahwatukee AZ to Marriott base camp #1 in Monterey CA :next: https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ ... -marriott/
Arrived at base camp dinner time-ish by the ocean shore to a foggy Monterey Bay where I joined onto Hwy 1, Pacific Coast Highway.
Ok, so it really took almost 12 hours door-to-door. Stopped in a surprisingly active oil field near I-5 and CA46. Lost Hill Oil Well purchase :next: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_Hills_Oil_Field
Walked Fisherman's Wharf and Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail out to Lover's Point :next: [ Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail ]
Also saw cleanup from the weekend vintage car auction :next: https://www.rmauctions.com/results/resu ... eCode=MO14 Amazing to see six-figure cars all stored outside in the sea-mist waiting for pick-up! Finished up walking the dunes and shoreline trails and over to Laguna Park :next: [ Shoreline Stroll Trail ] and [ Laguna Grande Park ]

Fitbit Totals = 9.37 miles and 150 AEG
Tue 8/19 - explore Monterey CA
We picked up our Monterey Bay Aquarium passes at the front desk of the Marriott Hotel the night before. Pass is good for 2 consecutive days creating multiple options for us. https://www.montereybayaquarium.org
The Aquarium is awesome - hard to improve upon. Loved the modern blend of functional architecture with local history - the entire building is an ode to local cannery row lore. As each hour passed at the Aquarium, the crowd multiplied. We decided to check out for lunch. The Cannery Row Brewing Company was noted on the morning walk from the hotel to the aquarium. Much to my disappointment this is not a brewery. Although some craft brews are on tap, none were local (unless you call San Diego local for Monterey) :next: https://www.canneryrowbrewingcompany.com
This area could be called "ground zero" for John Steinbeck's "Cannery Row" :next: https://www.canneryrow.com/john-steinbeck.php
Lynn and I then headed to another "brew pub", Peter B's Brew Pub :next: https://www.portolahotel.com/#dining/brewpub/about
Crap, it doesn't open until 4pm daily. Ok, we had to settle for the faux English Pub (Crown & Anchor Monterey) across the road from the Marriott :next: https://crownandanchor.net Whale Watching up next from Fisherman's Wharf. The Princess Monterey took us to the Monterey Canyon off Moss Landing where we saw a couple dozen humpback whale breaches and many more surface grazings! Monterey Canyon is reported to be the undersea equivalent of the Grand Canyon matching depth and length and provides the diverse ecosystem to support the abundant marine life found in Monterey Bay :next: https://www.montereywhalewatching.com and https://www.montereycanyon.com After dinner walk out to Point Pinos Lighthouse :next: https://www.pointpinos.org and [ Point Pinos Lighthouse ]
Rooftop night long exposure shots? Did that plus a few around Fisherman's Wharf and Cannery Row. Wrapped up catching last call at Peter B's Brew Pub - excellent cherrywood barrel aged porter and buffalo chili topped with Monterey Jack cheese (of course).

Fitbit Totals = 10.90 miles and 260 AEG
Wed 8/20 - Monterey to Glen Oaks base camp #2 along Big Sur River in the redwood forest.
Morning redux of Monterey Bay Aquarium (pass is good for 2 consecutive days). After pulling out base camp #1, headed out 17 mile scenic drive from Point Pinos Lighthouse to Spanish Bay to Pebble Beach to Carmel-By-The-Sea. https://independenttravelcats.com/2013/ ... alifornia/ and https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/17-Mile_Drive and https://media.pebblebeach.com/images/st ... -drive.pdf Search for the "Lone Monterey Cypress :next: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cupressus_macrocarpa
Also need to find the pullout between Carmel and Rocky Creek Bridge for tide pool exploration :next: [ photo ] and https://hikearizona.com/map.php?LAT=36. ... 2&Z=15&M=6 (found it! - dubbed this a new HAZ mini-description "Big Sur Coastline - Malpaso Creek to Soberanes Creek"). Poked in the tide pools - almost like an extension of the touch pools at Monterey Bay Aquarium. Stopped at Garrapata State Park Beach :next: https://www.californiasbestbeaches.com/ ... beach.html Access from the west side of Hwy 1. There is a fairly new set of wooden stairs leading to the beach. The surf is considered hazardous here and we could see why with some spectacular waves hitting the shores today! Did the obligatory stop at Bixby Bridge and headed non-stop to base camp #2. Checked into room 15 at Glen Oaks in Village of Big Sur to establish base camp #2. Settled in and then hiked down to the redwood grove beside Big Sur River.

Fitbit Totals = 11.10 miles and 530 AEG
Thu 8/21 - Glen Oaks Big Sur to Avila Beach Lighthouse Suites base camp #3 Checked out Pfeifer Big Sur State Park (north) and Julia Pfeifer Burns State Park (south) :next: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=570 and https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/570/file ... ut2013.pdf
Note that these are two different parks albeit reasonably close together. 2008 Basin Fire has closed many of the trails in the north park, so we headed south. First stop of the day was in a Hwy 1 pullout because Lynn thought she saw whales - turns out plural was very correct as we saw about a dozen humpbacks in coordinated feeding mode. This would mark just the beginning of our whale sightings for the day. Think every stop today that had an ocean view that featured whale sightings!
Partington Cove Trail :next: https://www.hikinginbigsur.com/hikes_pa ... ncove.html
McWay Waterfall Trail :next: https://www.hikinginbigsur.com/hikes_mcwayfalls.html
Ewoldsen Redwoods Trail :next: https://www.hikinginbigsur.com/hikes_ewoldsen.html
Mill Creek picnic lunch (after $20+ purchase at Lucia General store) :next: [ Mill Creek Picnic Area - Big Sur Coastline ]
Pacific Valley Beach - IMO this was the best beach along Big Sur Coastline (Orca sighting topped it off! Throw in some dolphins for extra measure...). Although this was our first visit to this beach, there was an “air of familiarity” to this beach. Don’t know why – location for commercials/movie scenes perhaps?
Pacific Valley Beach (just north of Pacific Valley Flats noted on HAZ) :next: [ Pacific Valley Flats ] and https://www.hikinginbigsur.com/hikes_pacval.html
Sand Dollar Beach :next: https://www.hikinginbigsur.com/hikes_sanddollar.html
For what we originally thought was Sand Dollar Beach, turned out to be Point Sierra Nevada Beach (part of San Simeon State Park) :next: https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/590/file ... re2009.pdf
Elephant Seal Vista provided multiple wildlife options with some Blue Whales offshore and the namesake Elephant Seals on the beach :next: [ Elephant Seal Vista Point ]
Drove through San Simeon and stopped at the local beach before heading to Morro Bay.
Morro Rock Vista :next: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morro_Rock
After establishing base camp #3, did an evening stroll of Avila Beach. Avila Beach walking tour :next: [ Avila Beach Walking Tour ]

Fitbit Totals = 12.49 miles and 1050 AEG
Fri 8/22 - Avila Beach Lighthouse Suites base camp #3 to Ahwatukee AZ Morning walk on the beach followed by a leisurely breakfast on our oceanfront patio before the 600 mile sprint home. It was very fitting that a giant sea weasel (aka sea otter) made an appearance in the Avila Beach surf just as we were wrapping up our walk before heading home.

THE FITBIT TOTALS
Monday = 9.37 miles, 150 AEG (15 floors)
Tuesday = 10.91 miles, 260 AEG (26 floors)
Wednesday = 11.10 miles, 530 AEG (53 floors)
Thursday = 12.56 miles and 1050 AEG (105 floors)
Friday = 5.14 miles and 50 AEG (5 floors)
TOTALS = 49.08 miles and 2040 AEG

THE HAZ DESTINATIONS

1. HAZ Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail :next: [ Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail ]
2. HAZ Shoreline Stroll Trail :next: [ Shoreline Stroll Trail ]
3. HAZ Laguna Grand Park :next: [ Laguna Grande Park ]
4. Point Pinos Lighthouse :next: [ Point Pinos Lighthouse ]
5. HAZ 17 Mile Scenic Drive :next: [ 17 Mile Scenic Drive - Monterey Peninsula ]
6. HAZ Spanish Bay to Bird Rock Trail :next: [ Spanish Bay to Bird Rock Trail ]
7. HAZ Point Joe to Bird Rock Trail :next: [ Point Joe to Bird Rock ]
8. HAZ Big Sur Coastline - Malpaso Creek to Soberanes Creek :next: [ Big Sur Coastline - Malpaso Ck to Soberanes Ck ]
9. HAZ Garrapata Beach :next: [ Garrapata Beach ]
10. HAZ Bixby Bridge - Big Sur Coastline :next: [ Bixby Creek Bridge - Big Sur Coastline ]
11. HAZ Glen Oaks Big Sur Redwood Grove Loop :next: [ Glen Oaks Big Sur Redwood Grove Loop ]
12. HAZ Partington Cove Trail :next: [ Partington Cove Trail - Big Sur Coastline ]
13. HAZ Ewoldsen Redwoods Trail :next: [ El Sur Grande - Ewoldsen Trail ]
14. HAZ McWay Waterfall Trail :next: [ McWay Waterfall Trail - Big Sur Coastline ]
15. HAZ Mill Creek Picnic Area :next: [ Mill Creek Picnic Area - Big Sur Coastline ]
16. HAZ Pacific Valley Beach :next: [ Pacific Valley Flats ]
17. HAZ Sand Dollar Beach :next: [ Sand Dollar Beach ]
18. HAZ Point Sierra Nevada Beach :next: [ Point Sierra Nevada Beach - Big Sur Coastline ]
19. HAZ Elephant Seal Vista :next: [ Elephant Seal Vista Point ]
20. HAZ San Simeon Bay Beach :next: [ San Simeon Bay Beach ]
21. HAZ Morro Rock :next: [ Morro Rock Walking Tour ]
22. HAZ Avila Beach :next: [ Avila Beach Walking Tour ]

I'll post some photos when I get the chance. Enjoy! :)
121 on iPhone
297 on 6D
214 on 7D
42 on Rebel XT
TOTALS = 674

Sent from my iPad
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Harbor Seal
 Geology
 Geology [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Beach
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Old Glory
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  McWay Falls  Point Pinos  Point Sierra Nevada
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
_____________________
 

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.

FAQ
helpcommentissue

end of page marker