15 Best Hikes On The California Central Coast

15 Best Hiking Trails On The Central Coast In California:

1. Ventura Botanical Gardens

Hike Details:

• Length: 2.1-mile long loop
• Elevation Gain: 370 feet
• Difficulty: Easy
• Dogs allowed?: On leash on Wednesdays and Fridays
• Google Map Location: Ventura Botanical Gardens
• AllTrails Route: Ventura Botanical Gardens Trail

Ventura Botanical Gardens is one of my favorite places to go hiking in Ventura County. Situated on a hillside behind downtown Ventura, this botanical garden is a wonderful place to enjoy fresh air along with stunning ocean views.  

The Ventura Botanical Gardens Trail is only 2 miles long with gradual elevation gain. The hike travels up switchbacks the entire time until it ends at an overlook at the summit.

Over the years more than 120,000 plants have been planted within this 107-acre garden. I recommend hiking this trail in the spring and early summer when the flowers are in full bloom!

2. Carpinteria Bluffs Trail

Hike Details:

• Length: 2.5 miles out and back
• Elevation Gain: 100 feet
• Difficulty: Easy
• Dogs allowed?: Yes
• Google Map Location: Carpinteria Bluffs Trailhead
• AllTrails Route: Tar Pits and Carpinteria Bluffs Trail

Carpinteria Bluffs Trail is an easy 2.5-mile-long hike along the beach. You can start the hike at Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve to the east or Carpinteria State Beach to the west. The trail follows a wide path next to rugged ocean bluffs.

Along the hike, you can stop by the Carpinteria Seal Sanctuary Viewpoint to see harbor seals lounging on the beach. Tar Pits Park is another interesting beachfront site where you can see oil oozing out of the ground.

This area offers multiple access points to the beach where you can go for a walk along the sandy shoreline and dip your toes into the water.

3. Cold Spring Trail In Santa Barbara

Hike Details:

• Length: 2.1-mile long loop
• Elevation Gain: 700 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Dogs allowed?: Yes, this trail is very dog-friendly
• Google Map Location: Cold Spring Trailhead
• AllTrails Route: Cold Spring Loop

Cold Spring Trail Loop is a popular hike in Santa Barbara that’s perfect for a quick escape into nature. This short, yet challenging hike leads to a viewpoint of the Santa Barbara coastline passing a river with a small waterfall along the way.

Parts of the route travel along an exposed ridgeline so this area can get very hot in the summer. Be sure to bring extra water bottles, sunscreen, and a hiking hat to battle the burning California sun.

4. Spring To Spring Trail In Pismo Beach

Hike Details:

• Length: 3.8-mile long loop
• Elevation Gain: 488 feet
• Difficulty: Easy
• Dogs allowed?: Yes
• Google Map Location: Pismo Preserve
• AllTrails Route: Spring to Spring Trail

Located less than 10 minutes from downtown Pismo Beach, Spring To Spring Trail is a great hike to do for those visiting Pismo Beach for the weekend. This trail has some elevation gain but is fairly easy. Plus, the views of the coastline from the top are hard to beat!

Pismo Preserve has over 10 miles of hiking trails that travel through rolling hills and California oak woodlands. This loop is one of the most popular trails to do here so it can get pretty crowded.

Plan to hike this trail early in the morning or during the weekday to get a parking spot in the visitor lot. Most of the trail is exposed to the sun so bring plenty of water and try to complete it before the hottest parts of the day.

5. Ontario Ridge To Shell Beach Bluff Trail Loop

Hike Details:

• Length: 2.8-mile long loop
• Elevation Gain: 740 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Dogs allowed?: Yes
• Google Map Location: Shell Beach Bluff Trail
• AllTrails Route: Ontario Ridge to Shell Beach Bluff Trail Loop

Tucked away between Pismo Beach and Avila Beach, this hidden gem is one of the best hikes on the Central Coast.

Ontario Ridge To Shell Beach Bluff Trail is less than 3 miles long but has nearly 800 feet of elevation gain. While it’s fairly short, it can be difficult due to the steep uphill climb.

During this hike, you’ll see some pretty great views of the Pacific Ocean, Avila Beach, and Pirate’s Cove from up top. On a sunny day, the ocean can look sparking blue reflecting the sunlight in the water.

After the hike stop by the nearby Smugglers Cave where you can see views of rugged ocean cliffs from the other side of the cave.

6. Bluff Trail At Montaña de Oro State Park

Hike Details:

• Length: 4-mile long loop
• Elevation Gain: 215 feet
• Difficulty: Easy
• Dogs allowed?: No
• Google Map Location: Bluff Trail Montana De Oro
• AllTrails Route: Montaña de Oro Bluff Trail

Montaña de Oro Bluff Trail is an easy 4-mile-long hike that is mostly flat. This hike starts at Spooners Cove and follows next to rugged ocean cliffs in a loop.

We like to hike this trail while camping at Islay Creek Campground just south of Morro Bay. This area is a bit out of the way from Highway 1 so it doesn’t get as crowded offering a quiet camping and hiking getaway on the Central Coast.

This area is a great location to see a bit of wildlife such as whales, sea lions, birds, deer, and bunnies hopping around. Keep in mind that while Islay Creek Campground does allow dogs, the trail itself does not.

7. Elfin Forest Natural Area In Los Osos

Hike Details:

• Length: 1-mile long loop
• Elevation Gain: 60 feet
• Difficulty: Easy
• Dogs allowed?: Yes
• Google Map Location: El Moro Elfin Forest
• AllTrails Route: Elfin Forest Natural Area Trail

Hidden within the small town of Los Osos, Elfin Forest Natural Area features an easy mile-long hike with only 60 feet of elevation gain. This trail is made of a wooden boardwalk so it is also wheelchair and stroller accessible.

While on this hike, you can enjoy views of the nearby Morro Bay Estuary and many native California plants. There are also several viewpoints including Siena’s View that overlook the ocean.

Covering over 90 acres of land, this nature preserve is home to over 200 plants and animal species. My favorite part of the Elfin Forest is a small seating area surrounded by twisting Coastal Pygmy Oaks that look very magical.

8. Black Hill Trail In Morro Bay

Hike Details:

• Length: 2.5 miles out and back
• Elevation Gain: 620 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Dogs allowed?: Yes
• Google Map Location: Black Hill Trail
• AllTrails Route: Black Hill Trail

Situated within Morro Bay State Park, Black Hill Trail is one of the best hikes on the Central Coast. This trail starts at the Morro Bay State Park Campground and travels up a steep hill to an overlook of Morro Bay.

This hike is great for those who want a short trek with rewarding views at the end. From the summit, you can enjoy sweeping views of the adjacent Morro Bay Estuary and the towering Morro Rock in the distance.

This hike is best done on a sunny afternoon or when the morning haze has burned off offering miles of coastal views. If you go on a cloudy, overcast day, you might not be able to see much from the top.

Hiking tip: This trail has a lot of poison oak. I recommend wearing long hiking pants and packing poison oak cleanser in case you accidentally get any on you.

9. Bluff Trail At Fiscalini Ranch Preserve

Hike Details:

• Length: 4-mile-long loop
• Elevation Gain: 300 feet
• Difficulty: Easy
• Dogs allowed?: Yes
• Google Map Location: Fiscalini Ranch Preserve
• AllTrails Route: Ridge, Bluff, Arch, and Dolphin Trail

Fiscalini Ranch Preserve is one of the most scenic places to go hiking on the Central Coast in California. This park covers 430 acres of terrain with forest sections, wooden boardwalks, and views of 200-foot-tall ocean bluffs.

There are lots of trail options to choose from within this preserve. For first-time visitors, I recommend following the Ridge, Bluff, Arch, and Dolphin Trail from the AllTrails hiking app.

This route starts in a Monterey pine forest and travels down to the ocean passing different park sections. Along the way, you can see various plants, wild animals, and birds. There are over 430 bird species that reside at this preserve!

10. Moonstone Beach Boardwalk In Cambria

Hike Details:

• Length: 2.6 miles out and back
• Elevation Gain: Flat
• Difficulty: Easy
• Dogs allowed?: Yes, but only on the boardwalk and not on the beach itself
• Google Map Location: Moonstone Beach Boardwalk
• AllTrails Route: Moonstone Beach Trail

Moonstone Beach Boardwalk is a scenic walkway that travels next to the beach in Cambria. This boardwalk is flat and built of wooden slats so it’s wheelchair and stroller accessible.

The boardwalk is only 2.6 miles long round trip so it’s the perfect place to go for a family walk with little kids and dogs. There are many entrances along Moonstone Beach Drive where you can access the boardwalk in Cambria.

Here you can enjoy stunning views of the coastline or walk down to the beach to explore tide pools. There are plenty of benches placed along the pathway where you can rest and enjoy views of the ocean crashing against the shoreline.

Read Next: 13 Of The Most Scenic Boardwalks In California

11. Salmon Creek Falls

Hike Details:

• Length: 0.3 miles out and back
• Elevation Gain: 25 feet
• Difficulty: Easy
• Dogs allowed?: Yes, but not in the water due to harmful seasonal algae
• Google Map Location: Salmon Creek Falls
• AllTrails Route: Salmon Creek Trail to Salmon Creek Falls

This is a short and easy hike to do while traveling through Big Sur. This trail offers visitors up-close views of the 120-foot-tall Salmon Creek Falls plunging down a cliff into a pool below it.

The hike to the waterfall starts at the Salmon Creek Trailhead off Highway 1. Visitor parking can be found along the highway.

To reach the waterfall, you will need to climb over large boulders with ropes set up for assistance. I recommend wearing waterproof hiking shoes with good grip so you can reach the waterfall safely.

The best time of year to hike Salmon Creek Falls Trail is late winter or spring when the waterfall is at it’s fullest.

12. Overlook Trail To McWay Falls

Hike Details:

• Length: 0.4 miles out and back
• Elevation Gain: Flat
• Difficulty: Easy
• Dogs allowed?: No
• Google Map Location: McWay Falls
• AllTrails Route: Overlook Trail to McWay Falls

At only 0.4 miles in distance, Overlook Trail to McWay Falls is as easy as it gets! If you’re planning a trip to Big Sur, this is one of the must-do hikes on the Central Coast.

This destination can get very crowded during the peak summer season. The trail ends at a small viewpoint that overlooks the 80-foot-tall McWay Falls, one of the only two beachfront waterfalls in California.

13. Cypress Grove Trail Via South Shore Trail

Hike Details:

• Length: 1.7-mile long loop
• Elevation Gain: 120 feet
• Difficulty: Easy
• Dogs allowed?: No, dogs are not allowed
• Google Map Location: Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
• AllTrails Route: Cypress Grove Trail via South Shore Trail

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is a great place to visit for families. The trails at this park are easy and pass through lots of unique natural features keeping it interesting for everyone.

The Cypress Grove Trail via South Shore Trail combines two popular trails into one longer loop so you can see all of the top attractions in less than 2 miles.

Along the way, you will pass by Sea Lion Point where you can see and hear sea lions lounging on the rocks in the ocean. The trail will continue through a serene cypress grove with views of turquoise coves.

It costs $10 per vehicle to visit Point Lobos State Natural Reserve for the day. Dogs are not allowed at this nature preserve, not even in the car.

14. Aptos Rancho Trail At The Forest Of Nisene Marks State Park

Hike Details:

• Length: 2.5 miles out and back
• Elevation Gain: 250 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Dogs allowed?: Yes on a leash
• Google Map Location: Aptos Rancho Trail
• AllTrails Route: Aptos Rancho Trail

The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park is a hidden little gem in the town of Aptos near Santa Cruz. Here you can go on hikes through a dense redwood forest that is rarely crowded.

If you’re looking for a shorter and easier route, I suggest hiking the 2.5-mile-long Aptos Rancho Trail. You can start the hike by the park’s entrance station and take it all the way up to George’s Picnic Area.

This is a quiet trail where local residents take their kids and pups for a walk in the forest. The trail travels next to the Aptos Creek passing giant redwoods along the way.

It costs $8 to enter and visit The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park for the day.

15. Redwood Grove Loop Trail

Hike Details:

• Length: 1-mile long loop
• Elevation Gain: 40 feet
• Difficulty: Easy
• Dogs allowed?: Not on this trail
• Google Map Location: Redwood Grove Loop Trail
• AllTrails Route: Redwood Grove Loop Trail

Redwood Grove Loop Trail is an easy mile-long trail and one of the most popular attractions within Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton.

This trail passes through an old-growth forest that is home to some of the oldest and biggest redwood trees in California. Some of the trees here are over 270 feet tall and 1500 years old!

This redwood hike is a great option for families with kids, as it’s fairly short and flat. It passes next to many unique trees including a tree that you can go inside of.

It costs $10 to park at Cowell Redwoods State Park for the day.

Read Next: 12 Wonderful Things To Do In Felton, California

Map Of The Best Hikes On The Central Coast In California:

Map Tip: Click on each location to see more details!

Looking for more Central Coast travel inspiration? Here are a few other popular posts that you may like:

• 15 Amazing Redwood Hikes Near Santa Cruz
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• 26 Best Things To Do In Ventura, California
• 13 Wonderful Things To Do In Carpinteria, California
• 13 Incredible Things To Do In Cambria, California

This post is written by Laura Sausina. Hi, I’m a California local and the founder of the California Wanderland travel blog. I currently live in Ventura County and help 30,000 readers a month discover things to do in Central California! Read more about me here.

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