Sand City, California
Sand City, California is a must-visit spot for outdoor adventures. One of the top attractions is the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail. It's a scenic, paved path that stretches for 18 miles, providing ample opportunities for walking, jogging, and biking. For the more adventurous, the trail includes a challenging hiking route with a variety of terrain. Along the path, you'll find stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, unique rock formations, and the chance to spot local wildlife. Another must-visit is the Fort Ord Dunes State Park, a former military base turned into a state park. It offers a 4-mile stretch of beach, a boardwalk, and a scenic overlook of Monterey Bay. The best Trails and Outdoor Activities are all in and near Sand City, making it a top destination for outdoor activities.
Top Spots in and near Sand City
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Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Secluded Beach Near Soberanes Point
5.00.32 mi / 121 ft gainWhen we stumbled upon this beach we were thrilled to have such great views with no crowds. There is plenty of room to lay out in the sun, you can swim in the ocean to cool off, and the beach is surrounded by beautiful landscape. If you decide to swim be very careful as the waves and currents can ...Read more -
Moss Landing, California
Whale Watching off Moss Landing
The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is home to some of the most diverse and rich waters in our oceans, and you have the chance to see it up close and personal! The big prize is getting to see a whale, but these waters are teeming with other wildlife from dolphins to otters to sea lions. F...Read more -
Moss Landing, California
Kayak with Humpback Whales in Monterey Bay
5.0Disclaimer: Please keep a respectful distance from the whales and other sea wildlife for their protection and your own. Note, changing the animal's natural behavior is a violation of federal law.Every year, humpbacks whale migrate north from their winter and breeding grounds down in southern Mex...Read more -
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Calla Lily Valley
4.60.31 mi / 46 ft gainParking for Calla Lily Valley is available along the dirt pullout at Gate 19 for Garrapata State Park, near mile-marker 63. Signs are small and difficult to see. Follow the path between the guide wires and take the right fork, heading north to the bluff overlooking the beach. Continue north and f...Read more -
Moss Landing, California
Kayak in Elkhorn Slough
4.7Elkhorn Slough is located in Moss Landing, which is in the dead center of Monterey Bay, California. Elkhorn Slough is one of California's largest wetlands and part of a National Estuarine Reserve located in central Monterey Bay, California, just a short trip from the Monterey Peninsula and the Sa...Read more -
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Garrapata Beach
4.5A wonderful roadside beach and state park. Easy parking on both sides of Hwy. 1 with short access trails. There are almost 2 miles of coastline trails heading north and south from the parking area. The north end of the beach is great for swimming and surfing when the sea is calm and the south ...Read more -
Monterey, California
Bixby Bridge
4.7You can't miss this bridge if you are driving north on highway one. The best time for capturing sunsets behind the bridge is December. The positioning of the sun will better coincide with the location of the bridge.There are four main angles to capture the bridge: The first two are up close on ...Read more -
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Pat Springs via Skinners Ridge
3.513.18 mi / 3645 ft gainBackpacking to Pat Springs is a way to see Big Sur and the San Lucia mountains from a perspective that few get to experience. The Ventana Wilderness is rugged and remote, yet Pat Springs is one of the most beautiful campgrounds around that will allow you to take in this amazing terrain. To get ...Read more -
45500 California 1, California
Andrew Molera State Park Loop
4.58.39 mi / 1309 ft gainThe loops starts at the Andrew Molera State Park parking lot (4.5 miles north of the entrance to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park along Highway 1). Begin by crossing the Big Sur River using the seasonal bridge. If the bridge has been removed, you will need to cross the water by foot. Usually the water...Read more -
Big Sur, California
Camp at Andrew Molera State Park
4.51 miAndrew Molera is about 27 miles south of Carmel and one of the first State Parks you'll hit heading down the coast. There will be signs for the Park as you approach and the main parking lot is only a couple hundred yards from Hwy 1. There are a number of hiking trails and activities to do around ...Read more -
Big Sur, California
Molera Beach via Creamery Meadow Trail
2.31 mi / 82 ft gainEntrance to the parking lot is a day-use fee per car, and once you get in be sure to use the restroom before you head for the trail, since you will likely spend a good amount of time out there. Look for the sign that says Creamery Meadow Trail. You'll know it's right when the very first thing yo...Read more -
Big Sur, California
East Molera Trail
3.24 mi / 1434 ft gainHoused in Andrew Molera State Park, the East Molera Trail is easily accessible from Highway 1 with parking and restrooms available to hikers. A day-use entry fee is required (see below) but also provides entrance to Pfieffer Big Sur State Park just a few miles down the road. The trail head is lo...Read more -
Big Sur, California
Camp at Ventana Campground, Big Sur
4.6This campground is a gem when it comes to Big Sur camping, book here. Each site includes a parking spot, a campfire ring with grill, a picnic table, and plenty of space for 1-2 tents. There are multiple immaculate restroom facilities with showers, clean trash enclosures (emptied and sanitized dai...Read more -
Santa Cruz, California
Surf Pleasure Point
4.0Pleasure Point is located on the east side of Santa Cruz, California. It is a right hand point break that breaks year round. It is a popular surf spot for many people that live in the San Francisco Bay Area. There are 3 different peaks that break at Pleasure Point. Sewers, which is the furthest ...Read more -
Santa Cruz, California
Surf the Hook
4.0The hook is a surf spot found on the east side of Santa Cruz, located along East Cliff drive. If you keep driving past Pleasure Point, you'll get to it. It's a right hand point break that is usually smaller in size than Pleasure Point. It's a very crowded spot due to the easy access parking lo...Read more -
Santa Cruz, California
Lighthouse Field State Beach
4.0This beach is less crowded compared to other beaches in Santa Cruz. I got there early on a Saturday and found easy street parking. There was plenty of space to spread out on the soft sand. Later in the day I saw dolphins several times! This is close to the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum. It’s al...Read more
