Day Hikes On the California Central Coast

by Robert Stone

Overview

The Central California coast has some of the most spectacular scenery in the state. Rugged coastal terraces are backdropped by mountain ranges that run parallel to the Pacific coastline. Picturesque communities dot a landscape abundant with valleys, white sand beaches, cool forests, and natural preserves. The surf crashes onto craggy headlands and carved canyons along the Big Sur stretch of coast.

Day Hikes On the California Central Coast includes 120 hikes along 400 miles of coastline between San Francisco and Los Angeles. The hikes describe how and where to access the best trails and features from Highway 1, offering many opportunities to explore the beautiful landscape. Highlights include tidepools, off-shore rock formations, huge dunes, wildlife observation sites, expansive overlooks, canyons, waterfalls, and lighthouses. The best trails in the state and county parks are featured, as well as city trails that are often overlooked. A wide range of hikes accommodates amateur to avid hikers.

Companion guides include Day Hikes Around Monterey and Carmel, Day Hikes Around Big Sur, Day Hikes Around San Luis Obispo, Day Hikes Around Santa Barbara, and Day Hikes On the California Southern Coast.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781573420587
Publisher:	Day Hike Books, Inc.
Publication date:	12/30/2008
Series:	Day Hikes Series
Edition description:	2nd Edition
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	5.56(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.85(d)

About the Author

Since 1991, Robert Stone has been writer, photographer, and publisher of Day Hike Books. He is a Los Angeles Times Best Selling Author, and an award-winning author of Rocky Mountain Outdoor Writers and Photographers, the Outdoor Writers Association of California, and the Northwest Outdoor Writers Association. Robert has hiked every trail in the Day Hike Book series.

Read an Excerpt

"The Ewoldsen Trail in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park leads through a dense coastal redwood forest in McWay Canyon. The trail crosses several bridges as it heads up to the steep ridge separating McWay and Partington Canyons. From the grassy coastal cliffs are amazing overlooks perched on the edge of the cliffs. The views extend across the park and far beyond, showcasing the jagged coastline and endless mountain ridges and valleys. En route to the ridgetop overlooks is Canyon Falls, a long, narrow, two-tiered waterfall on the South Fork of McWay Creek. The 70-foot cataract cascades off fern-covered rock cliffs in a lush grotto at the back of a serene canyon." (followed by driving and hiking directions, map)

Table of Contents

Each hike includes a summary, driving directions, hiking directions, and a map. (1) Introduction and master map of all hikes (2) Santa Cruz County (3) Monterey County (4) Big Sur Coastline (5) San Luis Obispo County (6) Santa Barbara County (7) Index