One of my favorite places in SLO! I really appreciate the work the city workers (and/or volunteers)…read moredo to maintain this trail. I would say it's an easy to moderate hike to the top if you take the trail head near Meadow Park. I prefer the second trail on the left to the top of the main hill.

Hard to believe this open space hasn't been reviewed yet, unless everyone else is trying to keep it…read morea secret. ;-) I've been hiking and trail running through South Hills countless times since moving to SLO - if offers a peaceful serenity that borders on spiritual. It's also much farther from campus than any of the college kids are willing to go (LOL, but seriously). A great place to go if you want to get up high and get a gorgeous 360 view of SLO: Downtown, Bishop Peak, Cerro San Luis, Islay Hill, Laguna Lake, the airport, and south toward Pismo are all visible during from the footpaths in South Hills. Dogs are welcome, but it's worth nothing that the paths are considerably rockier in some places than the more traveled trails around SLO. You probably don't want to drag a 5-year-old on a "nature hike" up the more risky ones, but pick-up trucks have driven some flat frontage roads into the hillside that make for great running. Wildflowers, lizards, and red tail hawks run amok in the open space, and sunsets are truly gorgeous as the fog rolls in for the night. If you're looking for a relaxing walk or a place to clear your mind, check it out.

What a way to start the day after a good Starbucks experience. The views are breathtaking. We…read moreparked anf walked for 4.7 miles through many of the meandering trails at the Preserve. So amazing and the fresh air is nature's ambiance and so heavenly. Highly recommended

Parking is 5.55 and I was able to log on and use apple pay…read more This hike was very easy and moderate. The incline was slow, therefore you are not really able to feel it. But you can see it once you see other people hiking the same route. The view itself on the way up is beautiful, your able to smell the ocean smell, enjoy the view and just take it all in. Really green everywhere, watch out for the cow droppings because they do roam. If you lucky you can see them afar enjoy their grass and space. I would say it was maybe about 1.5 miles back and forth, I want to try the loop next time but these was just a quick little hike before we stuff ourselves with food!

Looked up things to do in Avila Beach and discovered the Bob Jones Trail, glad I did. After…read morestaying many times on short getaways in Avila Beach, this was a first. We were staying at the Sycamore Mineral Springs and the trail was just steps away. The path was easy, but as we got towards the end going at a slight incline, and in the full afternoon sun, we looped back to a nice shady spot next to the stream for a respite. We then ventured back to the cafe next to the trail and enjoyed some live music and pizza.

We decided to bring our bikes to take the Bob Jones Trail! We ended up parking along Avila Beach…read moredrive where the trail met the golf course and there was a spot to exit to the road. The trail did continue down to the beach, but we didn't want that whole distance for the time we had that day. There were some neat secret spots! A playground with swings, a spot for snacks... So cool! Many families were out and about when we were there, and everyone was respectful of the shared space.

Easy parking, easy trail, beautiful views. Would come back…read more Thanks to the Hiking Bucket List pack from Reach International Outfitters, I've been exploring more hiking trails around California. This was the first trail my bf and I have hiked from the bucket list, so I'd say we're off to a great start. The trail had plenty of free parking on both ends of the trail. You don't need to go from end to end. Once you reach the Coastal Point, you're technically at the highlight of the trail, which takes less than an hour to reach. The trail is flat with natural dirt and plants. Casual walking shoes would work just fine for this trail. Even during the summer, the overcast and the breeze from the ocean felt nice on our skin.

This is an amazing trail. There's free parking right before the start of the trail. The view of the…read moreocean is amazing and the breeze is refreshing. This is an easy hike that anyone can do without hiking gear! It's a long trail that goes all the way down along the coast before turning around and going back the same way. Theres benches to sit and enjoy the view along the way. As well as designated spots to enjoy the view over the cliff. There's also animals you could potentially spot! We saw deers and sea lions. I saw a sign about tidepool and all the animals they have but we didn't walk far enough to see it! Please note the sign says no pets.

As of Oct 17, 2020 this place is still temporarily closed due to the El Dorado fire…read more The road leading to the trailhead may close seasonally. Please DO NOT park in undesignated spots as you are likely to get towed. Adventure Pass or National Parks Pass is required for entry. Due to many search and rescue situations in the past, hikers may not venture past the waterfall at the end of this route. There is a large parking lot at the trailhead with BOTH free and PAID parking. The gravel lot to the left is free. The lined spots require a day pass which you can purchase at the general store a few miles down the road. Making it to the very top requires a little scrambling and rock climbing, but its doable. So many places to relax and enjoy nature. Overnight camping is no longer allowed, but if you want to hang out for the day and set up a little picnic there are spots and bathrooms. Upper Big Falls is currently closed until 5/21/21 due to public safety. The closure is from the observation deck up to the waterfalls itself. Do not hike or climb past the observation deck. Forest Adventure Pass Daily Pass--Costs: $5 per dayForest Adventure Pass Annual Pass--Costs: $30 Annually Forest headquarters 602 So. Tippecanoe Ave San Bernardino Ca 92408 Tel no (909) 382 2682 (800)735 2922

We decided to come here for a hike, we drove like 50 minutes from AG. The rode goes up a mountain…read morethen descents towards a series of creek passings (about 18). Luckily we took a pick up truck because the creek water level in some of them were about 3ft deep. No 4x4 is needed but definitely helps, car height is more important. When we actually got to the end of the road we went on a hike crossing a couple more creeks. When just about made it to the falls it was tough to get down if your a inexperienced hiker or kid. You have to climb down with a rope, pretty sketchy.. We just decide to hang out at one of the creeks we crossed by foot, very tranquil.

I decided to explore Harmony Headlands after several days of storms that were replaced with…read moreperiodic showers, su shine, and gusting winds. I have to say, with the right gear (boots, waterproof clothing, hat), it was still worth it. What was enjoyable about this mid-February hike was the varied scenery and sounds as you journey towards the coast. There were rolling green hills, cows, falcons, frogs, ducks, grasses blowing in the wind....the sceneries changed over the 1.5 mile trek and it was serene. With the storms, the trail did turn muddy early. Even with rain, I highly recommend this hike for the scenery during the walk and the calming effect that comes from the journey.

Finally getting around to doing this hike (more like walk) and it did not disappoint! Just a little…read moreover 4 miles, I would consider this a nice easy out and back hike with just under 300 feet of elevation gain. Once you get to the ocean, the views are magnificent! You get a chance to walk along the coast for about a mile each way. Once you reach the end you can either sit on a bench or get up close with the waves on the rocks. Will definitely be making this a regular spot we go to, as we loved it!

In the area celebrating our 13th anniversary, my wife and I happened upon this docent-led…read more(reservation-only) trail tour to the Point San Luis Lighthouse. The hike was easy enough for us (it is noted as moderately strenuous) and not overly long. The highlight of the trail (aside from the extraordinary views of SLO Bay) were the docents: knowledgeable, funny, and paced the hike for everyone to enjoy. There are some steep steps, but the scenery was gorgeous. We learned a great deal about the history of the area. At the lighthouse, we took the tour, which again was beyond our expectations. The lighthouse, long abandoned until the late 1990s, has been incredibly restored and the stories of the people who lived there were interesting. The original 4th Order Fresnel Lens is on display. We had a great time!

Shh, don't tell anyone, but this well-kept secret is one of the best experiences in SLO county. We…read morestumbled onto this place while researching the area and lucked out with a spot on one of the free, docent-led tours. (Be sure to make a reservation online.) This was so much fun and informative, from start to finish. The docents were knowledgeable and easygoing, and guided our group along the coast, pointing out the variety of flora and fauna native (and non-native) to the area. The hike is about 2 miles each way, with some ascent and, conversely, descent, though nothing was too intense. The midway point is at the lighthouse, where there's an optional tour, which provides more stunning views. Speaking of, the views throughout the hike are absolutely stunning; we lucked out and a bit of the marine layer was still in place on our return to the starting point. The roundtrip takes about four hours (9am-1pm), though it all went by in the blink of an eye.

A fun jaunt amongst hike-lovers. The terrain is reasonably safe, with lots of mud and cow pies…read more During these atmospheric rivers, I'd urge you to wear, at minimum, mid-height water proof hiking shoes. Bring water, because there will be lots of beautiful sun exposure. Great spots to take pictures of the rolling green hills against a cloud lit backdrop and the historic Waddell Ranch Estate. Will return with the kid's and plan to hike the entire loop. (As long as the crest side isn't fully flooded.)

What a great location…read more First, it couldn't be easier to find as it is at the end of Madonna Road (at Devaul Ranch Rd) in between two houses, with Laguna Lake Park across the street. Residential parking is easy to find. You can even watch someone's TV while you stretch. Second, there is a variety of hikes. Check the a map out front. Take a picture of that. You will have some forks and decisions to make and that will help. We climbed UP the Maricopa trail. The first half is a steady incline under a shady canopy. Shady in both senses of the word: a) it shields you from the sun, b) it's a sneaky place for a mountain lion to hide. You will cross some teeny-tiny bridges. The second half is under the sun. There are at least three stretches steeper than 45 degrees, so stretch first. We made it to the fork and decided to go down. We were close to the 600' elevation gain, or so I'd like to think. I'm mid-40s with premature arthritis and I'm 20-30% heavier than I should be, so it wasn't too hard, but I didn't want to push it. We went down King trail. King trail has no shade as it zigs and zags through an open meadow of knee-high fire bait. That will do a number on your calves. The decline is much more consistent that the Maricopa, and is longer. You could go UP the King and DOWN the Maricopa, but I feel Maricopa's uneven terrain is better suited for climbing. Plus, going up the King, backwards in my eyes, you would be zagging and zigging.