Coastal Hikes Guide
Local
FavoritesINCLUDES TIPS TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR TIME ON THE COAST! Adventure awaits along the idyllic coast of the San Francisco Peninsula, where cool ocean fog blankets giant stands of redwoods and whales spout offshore. It’s a place where you can escape the hustle of urban life and enjoy a stretch of coast with no traffic lights for over forty-five miles.
Since 1977, POST has been hard at work protecting our corner of the Golden State so generations can enjoy the coast’s rugged character and rich agricultural heritage. We’ve put together this guide to help you explore our favorite coastal trails.
Click the map’s icons to ALAMEDA SAN RAMON TRACY discoverSA Nthese FRANCISC O coastal treasures!SAN LEANDRO LIVERMORE HAYWARD SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
PACIFICA UNION CITY
SAN MATEO FREMONT MONTARA MOSS BEACH
EL GRANADA REDWOOD CITY HALF MOON BAY MENLO PARK
WOODSIDE PALO MILPITAS ALTO
PORTOLA MOUNTAIN VALLEY VIEW SANTA CLARA
SAN CUPERTINO SAN JOSE GREGORIO LA HONDA CAMPBELL
SARATOGA PESCADERO
LOS GATOS
MORGAN HILL BOULDER CREEK
BEN LOMOND
SCOTTS FELTON VALLEY
DAVENPORT GILROY
SANTA CRUZ APTOS
WATSONVILLE
SAN JUAN HOLLISTER POST protects and cares for open space, farms and parkland in and around Silicon Valley. BAUTISTA openspacetrust.org
MOSS LANDING Jean Lauer Trail Enjoy views of the world-famous Mavericks surf break as well as the tide pools of the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve. This trail is named in memory of Jean Lauer, a former POST staffer and dedicated conservationist.
LENGTH 3 miles round-trip
DIFFICULTY Easy
PRESERVE Pillar Point Bluff County Park
ALAMEDA SAN RAMON TRACY TrailSAN FRA NMapCISCO SAN LEANDRO
LIVERMORE HAYWARD SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
PACIFICA UNION CITY
SAN MATEO Local FREMONT MONTARA MOSS BEACH
EL GRANADA REDWOOD CITY Favorites HALF After your hike, enjoy a cold one at MOON BAY MENLO PARK
WOODSIDE PALO MILPITAS ALTO the Moss Beach Distillery. But be
PORTOLA MOUNTAIN VALLEY VIEW SANTA careful, locals say it’s haunted! CLARA
SAN CUPERTINO SAN JOSE GREGORIO LA HONDA CAMPBELL
SARATOGA PESCADERO
LOS GATOS Back to top
MORGAN HILL BOULDER CREEK
BEN LOMOND
SCOTTS FELTON POST protects andV AcaresLLEY for open space, farms and parkland in and around Silicon Valley. DAVENPORT GILROY
SANTA CRUZ openspacetrust.org APTOS
WATSONVILLE
SAN JUAN HOLLISTER BAUTISTA
MOSS LANDING Bird Trail This trail weaves through one of the most important sites for raptors in the Bay Area. Keep an eye out for hawks and harriers and, if you’re lucky, migrating whales off the coast (typically October through December).
LENGTH 2 miles round-trip
DIFFICULTY Easy
PRESERVE Wavecrest Preserve
ALAMEDA SAN RAMON TRACY TrailSAN FRA NMapCISCO SAN LEANDRO
LIVERMORE HAYWARD SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
PACIFICA UNION CITY
SAN MATEO Local FREMONT MONTARA MOSS BEACH
EL GRANADA REDWOOD CITY Favorites HALF Try the delicious sandwiches at the MOON BAY MENLO PARK
WOODSIDE PALO MILPITAS San Benito Deli in downtown Half ALTO
PORTOLA MOUNTAIN VALLEY VIEW Moon Bay after you’ve worked up SANTA CLARA
SAN CUPERTINO SAN JOSE an appetite. GREGORIO LA HONDA CAMPBELL
SARATOGA PESCADERO
LOS GATOS Back to top
MORGAN HILL BOULDER CREEK
BEN LOMOND
SCOTTS FELTON POST protects andV AcaresLLEY for open space, farms and parkland in and around Silicon Valley. DAVENPORT GILROY
SANTA CRUZ openspacetrust.org APTOS
WATSONVILLE
SAN JUAN HOLLISTER BAUTISTA
MOSS LANDING Cowell-Purisima Trail Get a taste of everything the coast has to offer: productive farmland, pristine beaches and stunning ocean views. Keep an eye out for harbor seals, pelicans, hawks and wildflowers along the way
Availability/Hours: Weekends and holidays only
LENGTH 7.2 miles round-trip
DIFFICULTY Moderate
PRESERVE Cowell-Purisima Trail
ALAMEDA SAN RAMON TRACY TrailSAN FRA NMapCISCO SAN LEANDRO
LIVERMORE HAYWARD SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
PACIFICA UNION CITY
SAN MATEO Local FREMONT MONTARA MOSS BEACH
EL GRANADA REDWOOD CITY FavoritesLooking for a secluded beach? HALF MOON BAY MENLO PARK WOODSIDE PALO Make a stop at the Cowell Ranch MILPITAS ALTO
PORTOLA MOUNTAIN VALLEY VIEW State Beach, accessible from this SANTA CLARA
SAN CUPERTINO SAN JOSE trail’s northern trailhead. GREGORIO LA HONDA CAMPBELL
SARATOGA PESCADERO
LOS GATOS Back to top
MORGAN HILL BOULDER CREEK
BEN LOMOND
SCOTTS FELTON POST protects andV AcaresLLEY for open space, farms and parkland in and around Silicon Valley. DAVENPORT GILROY
SANTA CRUZ openspacetrust.org APTOS
WATSONVILLE
SAN JUAN HOLLISTER BAUTISTA
MOSS LANDING Sequoia-Audubon Trail Discover the Pescadero Marsh, the largest freshwater marsh on the Peninsula. Be sure to bring your binoculars as this coastal wetland is home to more than 250 species of birds, including great blue herons, double-crested cormorants and great egrets.
LENGTH 1.5 miles round-trip
DIFFICULTY Easy
PRESERVE PescaderoS ANMarsh RAMON State Natural Preserve ALAMEDA TRACY
SAN FRANCISCO SAN LEANDRO
LIVERMORE HAYWARD SOUTH SAN Trail FMapRANCISCO
PACIFICA UNION CITY
SAN MATEO FREMONT MONTARA MOSS BEACH
EL GRANADA REDWOOD CITY Local HALF MOON BAY MENLO PARK
WOODSIDE PALO MILPITAS ALTO
MOUNTAIN Favorites PORTOLA A trip to the marsh isn’t complete VALLEY VIEW SANTA CLARA without a stop at the Arcangeli SAN CUPERTINO SAN JOSE GREGORIO LA HONDA CAMPBELL Grocery Store in nearby downtown SARATOGA PESCADERO Pescadero for fresh artichoke bread. LOS GATOS
MORGAN HILL BOULDER CREEK
BEN LOMOND Back to top
SCOTTS FELTON VALLEY
DAVENPORT GILROY
SANTA CRUZ APTOS POST protects and cares for open space, farms and parkland in and around Silicon Valley. WATSONVILLE openspacetrust.org
SAN JUAN HOLLISTER BAUTISTA
MOSS LANDING Año Nuevo Point Trail Massive northern elephant seals congregate every year on the rugged beaches of Año Nuevo. If you plan to visit during their mating season (December through March), you’ll need a reservation to witness these giants.
LENGTH ALAM4-mileEDA loopSAN RAMON TRACY
SAN FRANCISCO SAN LEANDRO
DIFFICULTY Moderate LIVERMORE HAYWARD SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
PACIFICA PRESERVE Año NuevoUNION CIT Y State Park
SAN MATEO FREMONT MONTARA MOSS BEACH
EL GRANADA REDWOOD CITY Trail MapHALF MOON BAY MENLO PARK
WOODSIDE PALO MILPITAS ALTO
PORTOLA MOUNTAIN VALLEY VIEW SANTA CLARA
SAN CUPERTINO SAN JOSE GREGORIO LA HONDA Local CAMPBELL
SARATOGA PESCADERO
LOS GATOS POST-protectedFavorites Pie Ranch is just minutes from this trailhead. Stop at
MORGAN HILL BOULDER CREEK their farmstand to try a delicious pie BEN LOMOND made with seasonal, local ingredients. SCOTTS FELTON VALLEY
DAVENPORT GILROY
SANTA CRUZ APTOS
WATSONVILLE Back to top
SAN JUAN HOLLISTER BAUTISTA
MOSS LANDING POST protects and cares for open space, farms and parkland in and around Silicon Valley. openspacetrust.org Ohlone Bluff Trail The Ohlone Bluff Trail is a particularly picturesque section of the California Coastal Trail that cuts through the historic Wilder Dairy Farm. Whales and dolphins are often visible from this trail in the
ALAMEDA SAN RAMON spring and late fall. TRACY SAN FRANCISCO SAN LEANDRO
LIVERMORE HAYWARD SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
PACIFICA LENGTH 10 miles round-trip UNION CITY
SAN MATEO FREMONT MONTARA DIFFICULTY Moderate MOSS BEACH
EL GRANADA REDWOOD CITY HALF MOON BAY PRESERVEMENLO Wilder Ranch State Park PARK
WOODSIDE PALO MILPITAS ALTO
PORTOLA MOUNTAIN VALLEY VIEW SANTA CLARA SAN Trail Map CUPERTINO SAN JOSE GREGORIO LA HONDA CAMPBELL
SARATOGA PESCADERO LOS GATOS Local MORGAN HILL BOULDER CREEK BEN LOMOND TheFavorites Swanton Berry Farm is just SCOTTS FELTON VALLEY up the coast, so stop by if you’re DAVENPORT GILROY
SANTA CRUZ APTOS in the area during berry season in
WATSONVILLE spring and summer.
SAN JUAN HOLLISTER BAUTISTA
MOSS LANDING Back to top
POST protects and cares for open space, farms and parkland in and around Silicon Valley. openspacetrust.org Bean Hollow Beach Trail
Bean Hollow is one of the few state beaches that allows dogs, making this section of the California Coastal Trail a perfect hike for the whole family. The tide pooling here is also world-class!
LENGTH 2 miles round-trip
DIFFICULTY Easy
ALAMEDA SAN RAMON PRESERVE Bean Hollow State Beach TRACY SAN FRANCISCO SAN LEANDRO
LIVERMORE HAYWARD SOUTH SAN Trail FMapRANCISCO PACIFICA UNION CITY
SAN MATEO FREMONT MONTARA MOSS BEACH
EL GRANADA REDWOOD CITY HALF MOON BAY MENLO Local PARK
WOODSIDE PALO MILPITAS ALTO
PORTOLA MOUNTAIN VALLEY VIEW Favorites SANTA CLARA Warm up after your hike at Downtown
SAN CUPERTINO SAN JOSE GREGORIO LA HONDA Local in Pescadero with a cup of hot CAMPBELL
SARATOGA PESCADERO coffee and a dose of nostalgia.
LOS GATOS
MORGAN HILL BOULDER CREEK BEN LOMOND Back to top SCOTTS FELTON VALLEY
DAVENPORT GILROY
SANTA CRUZ APTOS
POST protects and cares forWA TopenSONVILLE space, farms and parkland in and around Silicon Valley. openspacetrust.org SAN JUAN HOLLISTER BAUTISTA
MOSS LANDING Devils’ Slide Trail This paved trail offers world-class views of the California coastline and is a popular nesting site for many seabirds. It follows an old section of Highway 1 that opened for recreational use in 2014.
LENGTH 3 miles round-trip
DIFFICULTY Easy
PRESERVE Devil’s Slide Trail
Trail Map
ALAMEDA SAN RAMON TRACY
SAN FRANCISCO SAN LEANDRO
LIVERMORE HAYWARD SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO Local
PACIFICA UNION CITY
SAN MATEO FREMONT FavoritesAfter your hike, grab a beer MONTARA MOSS BEACH
EL GRANADA at Devil’s Slide Taproom in REDWOOD CITY HALF MOON BAY MENLO PARK Pacifica—named after this iconic
WOODSIDE PALO MILPITAS ALTO stretch of coast. PORTOLA MOUNTAIN VALLEY VIEW SANTA CLARA
SAN CUPERTINO SAN JOSE GREGORIO LA HONDA CAMPBELL
SARATOGA PESCADERO Back to top LOS GATOS
MORGAN HILL BOULDER CREEK POST protects and cares for open space, farms and parkland in and around Silicon Valley. BEN LOMOND
SCOTTS openspacetrust.org FELTON VALLEY
DAVENPORT GILROY
SANTA CRUZ APTOS
WATSONVILLE
SAN JUAN HOLLISTER BAUTISTA
MOSS LANDING Four Mile Beach Weave through coastal bluffs to a secluded beach and a popular spot for Santa Cruz surfers. On your way down to the beach, keep an eye out for harbor seals and sea otters in the surf below.
ALAMEDA SAN RAMON TRACY
SAN FRANCISCO SAN LEANDRO
LIVERMORE HAYWARD SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
PACIFICA LENGTH 2.5 miles round-trip UNION CITY
SAN MATEO FREMONT MONTARA DIFFICULTY Easy MOSS BEACH
EL GRANADA REDWOOD CITY HALF MOON BAY PRESERVEMENLO Wilder Ranch State Park PARK
WOODSIDE PALO MILPITAS ALTO
PORTOLA MOUNTAIN VALLEY VIEW SANTA CLARA SAN Trail Map CUPERTINO SAN JOSE GREGORIO LA HONDA CAMPBELL
SARATOGA PESCADERO LOS GATOS Local MORGAN HILL BOULDER CREEK
BEN LOMOND FavoritesHead to Whale City Bakery in SCOTTS FELTON VALLEY DAVENPORT GILROY Davenport after your hike, known for
SANTA CRUZ APTOS their mouth-watering fresh pastries.
WATSONVILLE
SAN JUAN HOLLISTER BAUTISTA
MOSS LANDING Back to top
POST protects and cares for open space, farms and parkland in and around Silicon Valley. openspacetrust.org Mels’ Lane to Pistachio Beach
Mel’s Lane provides stunning views of Pigeon Point Lighthouse and one of the most iconic stretches of the California coast. Lengthen your hike by heading north to Pistachio Beach, then relax and soak in some scenery.
LENGTH ALAM2.5EDA mile round-tripSAN RAMON TRACY
SAN FRANCISCO SAN LEANDRO
DIFFICULTY Easy LIVERMORE HAYWARD SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
PACIFICA PRESERVE Pigeon PointUNION CITY Light Station State Historic Park
SAN MATEO FREMONT MONTARA MOSS BEACH
EL GRANADA REDWOOD CITY Trail MapHALF MOON BAY MENLO PARK
WOODSIDE PALO MILPITAS ALTO
PORTOLA MOUNTAIN VALLEY VIEW SANTA CLARA
SAN CUPERTINO SAN JOSE GREGORIO LA HONDA Local CAMPBELL
SARATOGA PESCADERO LOS GATOS WantFavorites to extend your experience at Pigeon Point? Make a reservation at MORGAN HILL BOULDER CREEK the local hostel and stay the night. BEN LOMOND
SCOTTS FELTON VALLEY
DAVENPORT GILROY
SANTA CRUZ APTOS
WATSONVILLE Back to top
SAN JUAN HOLLISTER BAUTISTA
MOSS LANDING POST protects and cares for open space, farms and parkland in and around Silicon Valley. openspacetrust.org POST protects and cares for open space, farms, and parkland in and around Silicon Valley.
openspacetrust.org
©2018 Peninsula Open Space Trust