Best Coastal Hiking Trails in SLO County

Fall is the best season on the SLO County coast: clear skies, calm seas and warm afternoons. Four of the six trails below start in Montaña de Oro State Park, and two need planning ahead. Point Buchon asks you to sign in and is open Thursday through Monday, and the Pecho Coast Trail is guided only, by reservation.

Top Trails

Bluff Trail — Montana de Oro State Park

Distance 3.2 miles out-and-back | Difficulty: Easy | Elevation: Minimal

The Bluff Trail follows the rocky, wave-cut shoreline of Montana de Oro past sea caves, tidepools and blowholes. In winter and spring, wildflowers cover the bluffs in orange and yellow, and during the migration you can watch for gray whales offshore (our whale-watching guide has the months).

Trailhead Spooner's Cove parking lot, Los Osos

Valencia Peak — Montana de Oro State Park

Distance 4.2 miles out-and-back | Difficulty: Moderate | Elevation: 1,347 ft

Valencia Peak is the climb for the view. On clear days you can see from Point Conception to Piedras Blancas. From the summit you look down on Morro Bay, Morro Rock and the coastline running south.

Trailhead Same lot as Bluff Trail

Point Buchon Trail

Distance 7.5 miles out-and-back | Difficulty: Moderate | Elevation: Rolling

Access a stretch of wild coast that was left alone for decades and is now managed by PG&E. The trail crosses coastal scrub to high sea cliffs above the surf. Sign in at the trailhead: access is limited to protect the land, and the trail is open Thursday through Monday.

Trailhead South end of Pecho Valley Rd, Montaña de Oro State Park

Pecho Coast Trail

Distance 3.75 miles out-and-back | Difficulty: Moderate | Elevation: 500 ft

This one also needs advance reservations (through the Pecho Coast Trail Guides). The trail follows the coast to the historic Point San Luis Lighthouse, founded in 1890 and kept up by the nonprofit Point San Luis Lighthouse Keepers; of three lighthouses of its design built in California, it is the only one left. You must hike with a Pecho Coast Trail Guide; hikers meet at Port San Luis at 8:30 AM on Wednesdays and Saturdays (hike details).

Trailhead Port San Luis Harbor, Avila Beach

Coon Creek Trail — Montaña de Oro State Park

Distance 5 miles out-and-back | Difficulty: Easy-Moderate | Elevation: 250 ft

At the south end of Montaña de Oro, this trail leaves the parking lot near the mouth of Coon Creek and follows the creek inland up a quiet canyon.

Trailhead Coon Creek parking lot, end of Pecho Valley Rd

Bob Jones City to Sea Trail

Distance 2.6 miles one-way | Difficulty: Easy | Elevation: Minimal

A paved multi-use trail from Ontario Road to Avila Beach along San Luis Obispo Creek. The county is building the gap that will link it to San Luis Obispo. It's good for cycling or a flat coastal walk, it ends right at the beach, and all ages and abilities can manage it.

Trailhead Bob Jones park-and-ride, 7009 Ontario Rd

Planning Your Hike

Tide Awareness

Some coves and rocky points on this coast are only passable at low tide, and a rising tide can cut you off. Look up the low on the Port San Luis tide calendar before you go, and turn back with time to spare. What a minus tide is explains the numbers.

Key tide-dependent passages

• Some coves in Montana de Oro require low tide to pass safely
• Time any beach hike between cliffs around the tide height

Season & Conditions

• Spring (March–May) Best wildflower displays, active whale migration, occasional rain
• Summer (June–August) Frequent morning fog burns off by midday, good visibility in the afternoon
• Fall (September–November) Best overall conditions: clear skies, calm seas, warm afternoons
• Winter (December–February) Good storm watching from the bluffs; check for trail closures after rain

What to Bring

• Water (no potable water at most trailheads)
• Layers (coastal temperatures can drop 15–20 degrees when fog rolls in)
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Binoculars for wildlife
• Sturdy shoes with ankle support, since coastal trails are often rocky

Leave No Trace

The Central Coast's shoreline habitat is easy to damage. Stay on designated trails, pack out all trash, and keep dogs leashed where required. Many of these areas are federally and state-protected habitat for threatened species including snowy plovers and California red-legged frogs.