California Coastal Trail | KCET
From the carefree beaches of San Diego through the rugged, dramatic coastlines to the North, California has been building a trail, over 1,000 miles in length, within sight, sound, or smell of the ocean. It's a massive undertaking, and while work continues, much has been done. Follow KCET all summer long as we travel up the SoCal coast from the U.S.-Mexico border to Del Norte County. If you happen to also visit -- and we're sure you will -- let us know on social media with a thought, photo, or video by hashtagging it with #myCAcoast.
Clips & Segments
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California Coastal Trail
Along the Crescent City Harbor Trail, visitors can see two historic lighthouses, monitor the ocean for marine life and watch fishing boats enter the harbor.
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California Coastal Trail
What started as 157-acres of old-growth redwoods in 1925 has expanded into what is today the 31,000-acre Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park.
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California Coastal Trail
The Humboldt Bay Trail is a network of shared-use trails that will eventually connect the two largest cities in Humboldt County.
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California Coastal Trail
MacKerricher State Park has something for everyone, from world famous Glass Beach to a repurposed logging trestle that is today a recreational bridge.
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Explore California Coastal Trail
Doheny State Beach Trail
33.463509900000, -117.688105000000
Doheny State Beach is located in the city of Dana Point, California and is one of California's most popular state beaches and attracts almost one million visitors per year. Doheny has a day use surfing beach at its northern end and a five-acre lawn with picnic facilities and volleyball courts.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/san20clemente-beach20hikes-orange20county-california.jpg?itok=dEKiy8O5
- socal wanderer
- hiking
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Dockweiler State Beach
33.930844900000, -118.435063400000
This three-mile-long beach bears way more than its share of L.A.'s metropolitan weight.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/dockweiler-beach20camping-los20angeles.jpg?itok=VCuLaalP
- socal wanderer
- camping
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Malibu Creek State Park
34.099361200000, -118.729376200000
Okay, this isn't precisely within sight, sound, or smell of the coast, but as this park's eponymous name implies, there is an important connection to the ocean.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/malibu-creek-state-park-camping.jpg?itok=lajS8W-Z
- socal wanderer
- camping
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Leo Carrillo State Park
34.046571700000, -118.933716800000
Out here, 28 miles north of the Santa Monica Pier, and beyond the opulent communities of Malibu, are a surprising amount of unspoiled coast and wild lands.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/leo20carrillo-los20angeles-beach20camping-california.jpg?itok=kw0mqqUw
- socal wanderer
- camping
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Silver Strand State Beach
32.634682400000, -117.142186000000
Sorry tent campers, only those in RVs can soak up the best of beach and bay here, four-and-a-half miles south of the city of Coronado.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/silverstrand.jpg?itok=euNsnU3X
- socal wanderer
- camping
- CCT
- cctcamphike
San Elijo State Beach
33.021498700000, -117.284260200000
This campground 40 miles north of San Diego is another close-quartered affair sandwiched between bluff and highway.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/san20elijo-beach20camping-san20diego-california.jpg?itok=Bfua4pi8
- socal wanderer
- camping
- CCT
- cctcamphike
South Carlsbad State Beach
33.102314700000, -117.318270000000
Privacy and seclusion aren't necessarily on the menu at this popular spot three miles south of Carlsbad.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/south20carlsbad-beach-camping-san20diego-california.jpg?itok=zqjzJ-qk
- socal wandere
- camping
- CCT
- cctcamphike
San Onofre Bluffs Campground
33.363607800000, -117.542995400000
The park sees well over 2 million visits yearly and could hardly be closer to the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station and the 5 Freeway. Yet, somehow it is possible to feel as if you're alone on an untouched coastline.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/san20onofre-beach-camping-san20diego-california.jpg?itok=2FqpCRni
- socal wanderer
- camping
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Crystal Cove State Park Campgrounds
33.562593000000, -117.821531000000
Crystal Cove is a holistic, preserved chunk of coastal Southern California, complete with a seaside colony of cottages dating back to the '30s.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/crystal20cove-beach-camping-orange20county-california.jpg?itok=h76TCN4-
- socal wanderer
- camping
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Bolsa Chica State Beach Campgrounds
33.695127900000, -118.047052700000
This popular zone in Huntington Beach sees thick crowds, especially in summer. But nights and weekdays can belong to those who drop anchor at 59 RV sites, all with electrical hookups (there is no tent camping here).
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/bolsa20chica-beach-camping-orange20county-california.jpg?itok=m3ia4hzt
- socal wanderer
- camping
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Dana Point Hike | Salt Creek Beach
33.477555300000, -117.719538100000
The Dana Point headlands knuckle their way into the Pacific, creating a dramatic landform that has charmed visitors going back at least to Richard Henry Dana, who landed there in 1835. Today, the point makes for a refreshing place to amble along the beach.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/dana20point-beach20hike-orange20county-california.jpg?itok=bvTdmyi4
- socal wanderer
- hiking
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park
33.551321300000, -117.720442100000
The local name for Alta Laguna Park, "Top of the World," kind of says it all. And a trailhead from that perch gives access to hikes where, for miles on end, you will be treated to sweeping views of the Pacific and Catalina Island. Take the 4 mile trail or the more challenging 11 mile hike.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/aliso20and20wood20canyons-beach20hikes-orange20county-california.jpg?itok=xlKmWcrD
- socal wanderer
- hiking
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Oceano Dunes
35.072954400000, -120.625742300000
Some of the wildest terrain in this region -- oceanfront sand dunes that could be confused for the Sahara Desert -- belong to off-roaders.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/oceanodunes.jpg?itok=skIlQD7a
- socal wanderer
- camping
- cctcamphike
- CCT
Pismo State Beach
35.106520600000, -120.626877100000
Pismo State Beach has nearly everything visitors could want from the Central Coast, but with vast stretches of predominantly sandy beaches, rather than rugged shores.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/pismo.jpg?itok=sPJ-9ac1
- socal wanderer
- camping
- cctcamphike
- CCT
Morro Bay State Park
35.352693500000, -120.839265200000
The 141 sites here, mostly RV spots, sit on the bay, not the ocean, giving a coastal experience tempered by the marshes and the bay.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/morrostate.jpg?itok=bx3kEL3g
- socal wanderer
- camping
- cctcamphike
- CCT
Morro Strand State Beach
35.392820700000, -120.863758700000
Two miles south of Cayucos, this dune laden beach hides 85 campsites off of Trinidad Street.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/morrostrand.jpg?itok=GToNE6BX
- socal wanderer
- camping
- cctcamphike
- CCT
Carpinteria State Beach
34.393611300000, -119.524900900000
From this pleasant spot, you can look out at the Channel Islands and wonder what it was like to cross the channel in one, as the Chumash did.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/carpinteria.jpg?itok=mxVpfiAt
- socal wanderer
- camping
- CCT
- cctcamphike
El Capitan State Beach
34.459797600000, -120.024332500000
If heading north, this region seems to be where trees other than palms like to grow on the coast without too much coercion.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/capitan.jpg?itok=qwgzfrVA
- socal wanderer
- camping
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Gaviota State Beach
34.477826100000, -120.228566500000
Located 33 miles west of Santa Barbara, this is the last stop before the highway cuts inland south of Point Conception.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/gaviota.jpg?itok=3QozBU_d
- socal wanderer
- camping
- cctcamphike
- CCT
Jalama County Beach Park
34.510264100000, -120.500983700000
Even for this stunning region, there's something magical about Jalama.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/jalama.jpg?itok=Yw8sS2f6
- socal wanderer
- camping
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Point Mugu State Park
34.069753200000, -119.012254100000
Set along 3.5 miles of shoreline, Point Mugu State Park comprises an impressive array of bluffs, beaches, sand dunes, river canyons, grassy valleys, and mountains.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/pointmugu.jpg?itok=MieqGRFq
- socal wanderer
- camping
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Emma Wood State Beach
34.292843200000, -119.339062600000
Though the coast here is beautiful, this RV-only campground with about 100 sites is near railroad tracks and the freeway.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/emmawood.jpg?itok=C__rAol0
- socal wanderer
- camping
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Faria County Park
34.318279400000, -119.390297600000
Like Emma Wood State Beach, these neighboring RV campgrounds (both are part of Faria County Beach Park) are situated in a narrow coastal ribbon between the beach and the Pacific Coast Highway.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/faria.jpg?itok=twC676vH
- socal wanderer
- camping
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Hobson County Beach Park
34.338304400000, -119.411780100000
Hobson County Beach Park is another roadside-and-beachside RV campground.
- socal wanderer
- camping
- CCT
- cctcamphike
La Jolla Canyon
34.088626700000, -119.040453700000
Point Mugu State Park's La Jolla Canyon offers a smorgasbord of hiking trails and loop options.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/lajolla.jpg?itok=etbd9AdB
- socal wanderer
- hiking
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Mugu Peak
34.093311600000, -119.055566700000
Point Mugu State Park is also home to 1,200-foot Mugu Peak, a prominent mountain in a landscape of canyons, grasslands, and coastal scrub.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/mugu_peak-ventura_county-beach_hikes-california.jpg?itok=tWBAc1h7
- socal wanderer
- hiking
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Ventura Promenade
34.275483400000, -119.295587500000
Strolling the Ventura Promenade, like the boardwalks in L.A. or San Diego, is a means to instantly get the get the local flavor, people watch, and meander along the beach.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/venturaprom.jpg?itok=ohug6TXa
- socal wanderer
- hiking
- CCT
- cctcamphike
La Jolla Cove
32.850481400000, -117.272914500000
While you’re in La Jolla, don’t end your spelunking with just one cave – because there are seven sister caves in La Jolla Cove that are accessible by kayak, and several tour companies that will take you in on a guided tour.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/la_jolla_2.jpg?itok=b1nYnN8f
- socal wanderer
- hiking
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Palos Verdes
33.767945000000, -118.348728800000
The Palos Verdes peninsula has a huge amount of protected land, a welcome refuge in the sprawl of the South Bay and the nearby ports of San Pedro and Long Beach.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/palosverdes.jpg?itok=_Y2WWZwH
- socal wanderer
- hiking
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Santa Monica Boardwalk
34.010088300000, -118.496141100000
There's hardly a stretch of coast in California packed with more landmarks and people-watching opportunities than here.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/santamonica.jpg?itok=Z4U-o8m_
- socal wanderer
- hiking
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Paseo Miramar
34.046798600000, -118.556294700000
The objective of this hike is attaining an incredible lookout point high above the Pacific Palisades, where views stretch as far as downtown Los Angeles and past Catalina Island, much farther out into the Pacific Ocean.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/paseomiramar.jpg?itok=vO6kHLPC
- socal wanderer
- hiking
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Tuna Canyon
34.107698300000, -118.614810000000
With viewpoints at an elevation of 1,500 feet, Tuna Canyon offers some of the best views of the Malibu coast and Santa Monica Bay.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/tunacanyon.jpg?itok=uXf8A0Ef
- socal wanderer
- hiking
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Corral Canyon
34.039597000000, -118.731394000000
Corral Canyon resides in a nearly unblighted, 100-acre coastal stretch of Malibu, cleaved by a natural creek draining to the ocean.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/corralcanyon.jpg?itok=Y_LnVh1i
- socal wanderer
- hiking
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Solstice Canyon
34.038993000000, -118.755154000000
Make a satisfying loop by combining the Solstice Canyon and Rising Sun trails on National Park Service land.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/solsticecanyon.jpg?itok=x542jgqf
- socal wanderer
- hiking
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Zuma Canyon
34.044626000000, -118.814725300000
The name of the trail, Ocean View Trail, says it all: views of the Pacific from the hills above Point Dume and Zuma Beach.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/zumacanyon.jpg?itok=DpVzZrzM
- socal wanderer
- hiking
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Point Dume
34.001201000000, -118.806442000000
The point offers a wilder Malibu beach experience than most.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/pointdume.jpg?itok=2-1kFmrW
- socal wanderer
- hiking
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Border Field State Park
32.543470100000, -117.122577400000
Border Field State Park has a network of horse and hiking trails through the largest coastal wetland in Southern California.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/borderfield.jpg?itok=rFWuHZqn
- socal wanderer
- hiking
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Sunset Cliffs
32.726340600000, -117.251421800000
The name "Sunset Cliffs" gives an idea of what might draw visitors to this undeveloped stretch of coast along Point Loma. But the truth is the cliffs and beaches are gorgeous any time of day or night.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/sunset20cliffs-beach20hikes-san20diego-california.jpg?itok=nsUqG8nu
- socal wanderer
- hiking
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Pacific Beach
32.802539400000, -117.235529200000
Take a cue from the locals and grab a skateboard, bike, or rollerblades and cruise the boardwalk between Pacific Beach and Mission Beach.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/pacific20beach-beach20hike-san20diego-california.jpg?itok=yTNW5X-T
- socal wanderer
- hiking
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
32.916560400000, -117.249574900000
This park's lovely namesake trees are a must-see for anyone in the area.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/torrey20pines-beach20hikes-san20diego-california.jpg?itok=kQI-XjlK
- socal wanderer
- camping
- CCT
- cctcamphike
South Carlsbad
33.102314700000, -117.318270000000
This region of San Diego County, from San Elijo to San Clemente, offers some of the best beach backpacking in Southern California because of the abundance of appropriately spaced campgrounds.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/san20elijo20state20beach-beach20hikes-san20diego-california.jpg?itok=fHXh2Grw
- socal wanderer
- hiking
- CCT
- cctcamphike
San Elijo Lagoon
33.015535900000, -117.250002700000
Rather than walking along the beach, the idea here is to explore a 1,000-acre coastal wetland, the type of which many did not survive the 20th century.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/san20elijo20state20beach-beach20hikes-san20diego-california_0.jpg?itok=bwRY3x5R
- socal wanderer
- hiking
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Cave Landing
35.176989500000, -120.719677800000
This is one of those hikes with a very high effort-to-reward ratio.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/cave20landing-montana20de20oro-beach20hikes-san20luis20obispo-california.jpg?itok=57YSLSy4
- socal wanderer
- hiking
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Bluff Trail
35.265034200000, -120.891016100000
The famously enchanting rocky Central Coast coastline is on full display here, on the headlands between Avila Beach and Morro Bay. The Bluff Trail gives hikers a lovely taste of it all.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/bluff20trail-montana20de20oro-beach20hikes-san20luis20obispo-california.jpg?itok=6Jvv-lDH
- socal wanderer
- hiking
- cctcamphike
- CCT
Valencia Peak
35.267117500000, -120.877229800000
Valencia Peak serves up enchanting coastal views during the hike to its 1,347-foot summit.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/valencia20peak-beach20hikes-san20luis20obispo-california.jpg?itok=T0JBc-po
- socal wanderer
- hiking
- cctcamphike
- CCT
Hazard Peak
35.281936800000, -120.862596000000
At 1,076-feet, Hazard Peak is twice as tall as surrounding peaks, making it the ideal perch from which survey the coast and mountains.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/hazard20peak-beach20hikes-san20luis20obispo-california.jpg?itok=KmWcMU09
- socal wanderer
- hiking
- cctcamphike
- CCT
Hazard Reef
35.288623400000, -120.881943700000
The rocky point known as Hazard Reef hosts the best of both worlds -- rocky and sandy -- that make up most of the coast in this region.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/hazard20reef-beach20hikes-san20luis20obispo-california.jpg?itok=RRsDlxqV
- socal wanderer
- hiking
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Morro Strand Trail
35.392820700000, -120.863758700000
Beginning from Cloisters Park in Morro Bay, this 3.5-mile round trip walk will lead you through wetlands, sand dunes, onto the beach and ultimately to the hulking mass that makes this stretch of coast so iconic.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/morro20beach-beach20hikes-san20luis20obispo-california.jpg?itok=qV8s_2TD
- socal wanderer
- hiking
- cctcamphike
- CCT
Headlands Trail
35.477466500000, -121.005131100000
While not the most dramatic coastal landscape in the county, Harmony Headlands State Park embodies the rolling coastal terrain that makes up parts of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/harmony20headlands20state20park-beach20hikes-san20luis20obispo-california.jpg?itok=SVXlQP05
- socal wanderer
- hiking
- cctcamphike
- CCT
Moonstone Beach Boardwalk
35.574434800000, -121.112635300000
This path is a portal to the Cambria coast, another appealing mix of rocky shore and sandy beaches, easily accessible by this flat, 3-mile round-trip trail and boardwalk.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/moonstone20beach20boardwalk-beach20hikes-san20luis20obispo-california.jpg?itok=53cVNMaz
- socal wanderer
- hiking
- cctcamphike
- CCT
Piedras Blancas Rookery
35.612316100000, -121.144951000000
Wildlife is a defining factor of the Central Coast, from the Peregrine falcons of Morro Rock to the whales, dolphins, and the honking, stinking elephant seals of San Simeon.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/piedras20blancas-elephant20seal-beach20hikes-san20luis20obispo-california.jpg?itok=LRrpMmyy
- socal wanderer
- hiking
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Carpinteria Bluffs
34.386605400000, -119.501344700000
This protected stretch of bluffs in south Santa Barbara makes for a convenient, easy, and lovely outing.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/carpinteria20bluffs-santa20barbara-beach20hikes-california.jpg?itok=mSlsIuun
- socal wanderer
- hiking
- cctcamphike
- CCT
Inspiration Point
34.472165200000, -119.714730600000
Rest assured this lookout point, the 1,800-foot summit of a peak in Los Padres National Forest, will live up to its name.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/inspiration20point-santa20barbara-beach20hikes-california.jpg?itok=ERESoEVs
- socal wanderer
- hiking
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Arroyo Burro Beach
34.402844400000, -119.743206200000
Also known as Hendry's Beach, Arroyo Burro Beach is another classic bluff-and-beach area.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/arroyo20burro20beach-santa20barbara-beach20hikes-california.jpg?itok=Ka8QuQ1o
- socal wanderer
- hiking
- cctcamphike
- CCT
Lizard's Mouth
34.502233700000, -119.867943700000
This reptile-shaped sandstone formation basks in the sun above Santa Barbara, with its mouth agape.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/lizards20mouth-beach20hikes-santa20barbara-california.jpg?itok=tCTR8QCz
- socal wanderer
- hiking
- cctcamphike
- CCT
Refugio State Beach
34.464147200000, -120.066534400000
Again, this is the type of beach Santa Barbara it littered with: bluffs, intermittent stretches of rocky and sandy beaches, and serene ocean views.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/refugio20state20beach-beach20hikes-santa20barbara-california.jpg?itok=x_LMcItw
- socal wanderer
- hiking
- cctcamphike
- CCT
Bill Wallace Trail
34.465562300000, -120.025484200000
If you like hiking high above the beach, into easy-to-reach backcountry with spectacular views of the coastline and the Santa Ynez Mountains, then this trail will be your cup of tea.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/bill20wallace20trail-beach20hikes-santa20barbara-california.jpg?itok=UxGrVAKA
- socal wanderer
- hiking
- cctcamphike
- CCT
Gaviota Peak
34.504010000000, -120.206432200000
Ocean views hardly get more dramatic than from the 6-mile Trespass Trail.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/gaviota20peak-beach20hikes-santa20barbara-california.jpg?itok=6XAQfTHq
- socal wanderer
- hiking
- cctcamphike
- CCT
Gaviota Wind Caves
34.477826100000, -120.228566500000
The hills above Gaviota State Beach are a wind-sculpted sandstone dreamscape.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/wind20caves-gaviota20state20park-beach20hikes-santa20barbara-california.jpg?itok=asmh1Fhj
- socal wanderer
- hiking
- cctcamphike
- CCT
Jalama County Beach Park
34.510264100000, -120.500983700000
This might be the mother of all Southern California beach walks.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/jalama20beach-beach20hikes-santa20barbara20county-california.jpg?itok=XsQodPbN
- socal wanderer
- hiking
- cctcamphike
- CCT
Montaña de Oro State Park
35.272311100000, -120.886781400000
Learn about human history at Montaña de Oro State Park by chatting with a ranger or docent at the Spooner Ranch House Museum and General Store (circa 1892).
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/montanodeoro_2.jpg?itok=jXkuIzx1
- socal wanderer
- hiking
- cctcamphike
- CCT
Ventura
34.275589700000, -119.290886400000
The protection of these unobstructed landscapes is crucial to residents, so much that Ventura has one of the strictest sprawl control measures in the United States.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/cct_venturaopenspace_950.jpg?itok=DBYwsLmF
- cctvideo
- CCT
Watch
Refugio to El Capitan
34.463780300000, -120.069147200000
This is the type of beach Santa Barbara it littered with: bluffs, intermittent stretches of rocky and sandy beaches, and serene ocean views.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/refugio_state_beach-beach_hikes-santa_barbara-california.jpg?itok=-8KcMpeW
- cctcamphike
- CCT
Pismo Beach
35.138971200000, -120.643012600000
Pismo Beach is set to become a major destination for those yearning to experience some of the best outdoor recreation on the Central Coast.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/136368194_5768566612001_4447324645001-vs.jpg?itok=N_xoTZWv
- cctvideo
- CCT
Watch
Gaviota Coast
34.472318000000, -120.215814000000
It is Southern California's largest stretch of undeveloped coastline, containing approximately 50 percent of its remaining rural shores.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/gaviota_0.jpg?itok=QC2YAJl4
- CCT
- cctvideo
Watch
Tijuana Estuary
32.574825300000, -117.126457200000
Visit the Tijuana Estuary and, whether you know it or not, you're experiencing what it may have been like to stand on the beach in Southern California hundreds of years ago.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/tijuana_river_estuary.jpg?itok=kQIMJyUM
- CCT
- cctvideo
Balboa Island
33.606673700000, -117.889701300000
It is hard to believe that a little over a century ago this Mayberry of vacation homes and sunshine was just a mosquito infested mudflat, which one Newport Mayor unceremoniously referred to as a "dump." <a href="http://www.kcet.org/shows/california_coastal_trail/content/history/the-little-island-that-could-balboa-island-now-and-then.html" target="_blank">Read more</a>.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/balboa-island-marine-avenue.jpg?itok=1So9GtIi
- CCT
- ccthistory
Related Article
Newport Bay
33.645475300000, -117.882267900000
Known to locals as the "Back Bay," Upper Newport Bay provides both wildlife and its human fans one of Southern California's largest coastal wetlands to enjoy.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/upper-newport-bay-5-18-15-thumb-630x472-92676.jpg?itok=kY_-AZ3M
- CCT
- cctnature
Related Story
Least Tern Natural Area
33.632071900000, -117.959067100000
The Least Tern Natural Area offers about 13 fenced-off acres provide the federally endangered little birds with a place to nest more safely.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/least-tern-natural-area-5-18-15-thumb-630x475-92678.jpg?itok=RUm7hIW8
- CCT
- cctnature
Bolsa Chica
33.695619500000, -118.046400500000
the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve is one of the most popular such reserves in Southern California, with about 30,000 visitors a year.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/bolsa-chica-sunset-5-18-15-thumb-630x354-92680.jpg?itok=YsV1tKNL
- CCT
- cctnature
Coronado Island
32.693970500000, -117.190118200000
Coronado is home to some fascinating history, the longest open portion of the the Bay Shore Bikeway (as well as a nugget of the Pacific Coast Bicycle Route), and the longstanding Hotel del Coronado, where a beachside rarity can be had: food and drink service while lounging on the sand, a stone's throw from the waves.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/download_0.jpg?itok=K8NhYw67
- CCT
- cctvideo
Newport Beach Pier
33.608083100000, -117.928680500000
Newport Beach's coastal center is undoubtedly around its namesake pier, found on the four-mile-long sand spit known as Balboa Peninsula.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/newport-beach-1.jpg?itok=UftwaNLm
- CCT
- cctvideo
Scripps Institution of Oceanography
32.869967300000, -117.251989000000
The Scripps Institution of Oceanography was established over 100 years ago as the Marine Biological Association. Today, as part of the University of California system, it still honors those origins, not only as a research institution and school, but with the Scripps Coastal Meander Trail.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/download_1.jpg?itok=P3RaWj9J
- CCT
- cctvideo
Cabrillo National Monument Visitor Center
32.674885500000, -117.239527100000
Like so many other details about Cabrillo's personal life and famous voyage are long on legend and short on facts.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/cabrillo-san-diego-bay-arrival-painting.jpg?itok=4SvW0TTs
- CCT
- ccthistory
Old Point Loma Lighthouse
32.670623200000, -117.239967500000
The town of San Diego was growing impatient with delays, knowing that without a quality lighthouse, their commercial potential could not be met.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/point-loma-lighthouse-history-cabrillo-nm.jpg?itok=p1H2jX6D
- CCT
- ccthistory
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
36.964493000000, -122.018684000000
The <a href="https://www.kcet.org/shows/california-coastal-trail/when-santa-cruz-became-the-west-coast-coney-island" target="_blank">Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk</a> emerged as the dream of a magnetic, brash young showman who wanted to turn the seaside town into the next great tourist destination.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/arcadeexterior_1920.jpg?itok=Nz9d8PPm
- CCT
- ccthistory
4 of Santa Cruz County's Best Campgrounds
36.933456000000, -121.863327000000
From sand dunes to majestic waterfalls, Santa Cruz County offers diverse camping opportunities for those looking for an adventure in northern Monterey Bay.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/bigbasinredwoodstatepark.jpg?itok=l_gKiC1u
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Wilder Ranch State Park
36.987913700000, -122.099960800000
Some 35 miles of trails at Wilder State Park wind up into the scenic Santa Cruz Mountains and along coastal terraces that have remained unchanged for thousands of years.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/wilderparl.jpg?itok=UpBQ6iaO
- CCT
- cctvideo
West Cliff Drive
36.953530400000, -122.048365100000
West Cliff Drive is one of the most beautiful features of the California Coastal Trail in Santa Cruz. This area is also the site of where surfing was first brought to North America, introduced by three young Hawaiian princes in 1885.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/westcliff.jpg?itok=2H1Vm724
- CCT
- cctvideo
Steamer Lane
36.953719900000, -122.032853100000
The origins of surfing in North America can be traced back to three young Hawaiian princes who introduced the sport in Santa Cruz, California in 1885.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/steamerlane.jpg?itok=MQ2IgA4B
- CCT
- ccthistory
4 of Santa Cruz County's Best Hikes
37.040021700000, -122.136532400000
From ancient coastlines to abandoned limekilns crouched in redwood forests, Santa Cruz County has a wealth of hiking destinations for any taste or experience level.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/fallsatbarrycreek.jpg?itok=Er_29I81
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Half Moon Bay
37.433734200000, -122.401419300000
Half Moon Bay is a tranquil community known for its charm, small town friendliness and one of the most beautiful coastlines in the Golden State. The Half Moon Bay Coastside Trail, initiated by citizen activist John Hernandez, offers sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, access to several beaches, and a peaceful passage along ocean bluffs. This oasis bordering the sea is a cherished segment of the California Coastal Trail, regularly traversed on foot, bike, and horseback by residents, visitors, and commuters alike.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/halfmoonbayhero.jpg?itok=iiJi2kuI
- CCT
- cctvideo
Devil's Slide Trail
37.573602600000, -122.517655500000
Devil’s Slide was a treacherous section of Highway 1, plagued by countless accidents, casualties, and road closures. It re-opened in 2015 as a paved multi-use trail featuring dedicated lanes for bicyclists, pedestrians, and equestrians alike.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/devilslides.jpg?itok=ZKZNy42g
- CCT
- cctvideo
Sweeney Ridge
37.607062200000, -122.458195200000
Unimpressed by his first sight of the Bay in 1769, Spanish expedition leader Gaspar de Portolá had unknowingly stumbled upon one of the greatest natural harbors in the world.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/pacificfromsweeneyridge.jpg?itok=3Tng9Vvw
- CCT
- ccthistory
3 of San Mateo County's Best Campgrounds
37.288177000000, -122.213811000000
Encompassing part of the San Francisco Peninsula and bordered by the Santa Cruz Mountains, San Mateo County offers a wealth of rural forests and beaches south of the densely populated Bay Area. From landscapes of coastal scrub to fern grottos, there is an array of enchanting worlds to set up camp.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/butanostatepark.jpg?itok=OJa5TM-c
- CCT
- cctcamphike
4 of San Mateo County's Best Hikes
37.558073600000, -122.514525400000
From the sweet scents of sycamore forests to unbeatable views of the San Francisco Bay, San Mateo County hosts an assortment of experiences for any hiker looking for an escape from the city.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/graywhaletrail.jpg?itok=t-7gAq1u
- CCT
- cctcamphike
The Ocean Shore Railroad
37.433734200000, -122.401419300000
Designed to connect San Francisco and Santa Cruz, the incomplete Ocean Shore Railroad offered one of the most scenic rides in California. But it did not last long.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/oceanshorelead.jpg?itok=xARNFsEu
- CCT
- ccthistory
Pelican Bluffs
38.898543900000, -123.687454000000
The two-mile Pelican Bluffs Trail has recently opened along the beautiful sandstone bluffs of Mendocino County.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/pelicanbluffs.jpg?itok=w2-dkqgc
- CCT
- cctvideo
The Forgotten Fight for Civil Rights at San Francisco's Sutro Baths
37.781042900000, -122.513705500000
The Sutro Baths stood as a testament to the Gilded Age, but it also harbored an injustice hidden within this lavish gift to the people of San Francisco.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/sutrobaths_5.jpg?itok=hGcmyEPt
- CCT
- ccthistory
Five of Marin County's Best Campgrounds
38.027953000000, -122.724325700000
Just across from the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin County beckons every city dweller north to its open spaces, pristine beaches, and scenic drives.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/kirbycove.jpg?itok=whED3kTF
- CCT
- cctcamphike
California's National Parks Were First Protected by Buffalo Soldiers
37.799816700000, -122.464470200000
Overseeing Sequoia, Yosemite and Kings Canyon National Park in the early 1900s, African American men in "Buffalo Soldier" regiments were some of the state’s first National Park Rangers.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/buffalo_soldiers_1920.jpg?itok=BbcpW5MI
- CCT
- ccthistory
Palos Verdes Peninsula
33.766603600000, -118.353545500000
The Peninsula's rich geographic beauty and abundant resources have caused it to be rediscovered, time and time again, over the centuries by colonists from all over the world.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/palos-verdes-helicopter-shot_0.jpg?itok=lvPwgwW9
- CCT
- ccthistory
Rancho Palos Verdes
33.743191500000, -118.405721800000
Palos Verdes Peninsula is host to a bounty of human history. It's also home to fascinating natural history, some of it noticeably playing out before our very own eyes.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/palos-verdes-cct-card.jpg?itok=kfoBmYCp
- CCT
- cctvideo
Laguna Beach
33.542693000000, -117.785750000000
Laguna Beach was officially designated as an artist colony. This beach town is also known for its popular Sawdust Art Festival, which has been around since the '60s.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/laguna-beach-cct-card.jpg?itok=KsFvuz9f
- CCT
- cctvideo
Oceanside Transit Center
33.193044200000, -117.379214400000
Multiple trains come and go, with some traversing as far as 300 miles north to California's Central Coast.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/pacific_surfliner_at_oceanside_2_july_2011.jpg?itok=JAeFJ5oi
- CCT
- cctvideo
Ocean Discovery Institute
32.796177000000, -117.224536200000
San Diego County's economy is booming. But do residents, namely students of color and low-income communities, have the opportunities to get the education needed to compete in those fields?
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/20181007-odi-living-lab-grand-opening-60.jpg?itok=r4wbJ1fr
- CCT
- cctvideo
Mission Bay
32.795839600000, -117.230508100000
Located just minutes from downtown is San Diego's water wonderland, Mission Bay Park. The 4,600-acre aquatic playground is the largest of its kind in the world. Surrounded by 27 miles of meandering shoreline, with a variety of waterways, inlets and islets to explore, Mission Bay is bordered by several beach communities, each with their own distinct vibe. You will quickly discover that this bustling bay area is action packed from sun up to sun down.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/download_2.jpg?itok=Uwd4yHpi
- CCT
- cctnature
Batiquitos Lagoon
33.091774200000, -117.293283000000
Six miles north of San Elijo another California Fish and Wildlife-managed coastal wetland, the Batiquitos Lagoon Ecological Reserve in Carlsbad, has another two-miles of trails (also open to leashed dogs) from which you can watch wildlife using this 610-acre stretch of open water.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/batiquitos-lagoon-ecological-reserve-thumb-630x420-92384.jpg?itok=H8kGJMgx
- CCT
- cctnature
Tijuana River
32.551153900000, -117.114509700000
Between the Regional Park and the Pacific, a complex of reserves and parks operated by a handful of agencies offer opportunities to study and appreciate the Tijuana River's outflow to the sea.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/tijuana_river_estuary_0.jpg?itok=y6rzdpGV
- CCT
- cctnature
Agua Hedionda
33.143450200000, -117.322890800000
Five more miles north in the next valley meeting the sea, the California DFW's Agua Hedionda Lagoon Ecological Reserve protects 186 acres of land, including salt marsh and riparian willow forest at the head of its namesake lagoon. The 400-acre lagoon itself has been used in one way or another for decades by human industry, including aquaculture.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/agua-hedionda-lagoon-ecological-reserve-thumb-630x472-92386.jpg?itok=Imj5C_Pf
- CCT
- cctnature
Buena Vista Lagoon
33.167621600000, -117.350492300000
Just a little ways north of Agua Hedionda lies the freshwater Buena Vista Lagoon along the city limits of Carlsbad and Oceanside. Buena Vista is protected by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Buena Vista Lagoon Ecological Reserve -- the northernmost of DFW's lagoon reserves along the San Diego coast. The 206-acre reserve, established in 1968, is DFW's oldest Ecological Reserve, and it's also got a long tenure as a bird sanctuary: firearm discharge into the marsh was banned in 1939.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/buena-vista-lagoon-ecological-reserve-thumb-630x420-92388.jpg?itok=o66re3jP
- CCT
- cctnature
Crystal Cove State Park
33.575301300000, -117.841444900000
The history of Crystal Cove is as fanciful and seemingly unreal as the place itself.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/crystal-cove-vintage-postcard.jpg?itok=bqI_GaBT
- CCT
- ccthistory
San Diego Bay
32.638848700000, -117.110634300000
A few miles north along the coast, the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge's two units encompass a bit more than 2,600 acres of the Bay's southern shore. The 300-plus-acre Sweetwater Marsh Unit, along the bay's southeast shore, preserves yet another of San Diego County's precious salt marshes and is a good spot to try to spot a federally Endangered light-footed clapper rail. This unit also hosts the Refuge's visitor center.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/san-diego-bay-national-wildlife-refuge-thumb-630x472-92376.jpg?itok=bJt9VbLq
- CCT
- cctnature
Little Corona Del Mar Beach
33.590606200000, -117.869077300000
Little Corona del Mar Beach may not be expansive, but it makes up for its size in what you can find there: a bounty of tide pools. This coastal spot (also referred to as Little Corona Beach) in the city of Newport Beach is a usual suspect on those "best of" lists for tide pooling.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/download_3.jpg?itok=dT1-suWi
- CCT
- cctvideo
San Onofre Wetlands
33.389032400000, -117.588436300000
One of Southern California's wildest coastal watersheds can be glimpsed at the Trestles Natural Wetlands Preserve at San Onofre State Beach. San Mateo Creek may well be unique among coastal creeks in Southern California in that it has escaped almost all of the channelizing, watershed development, and ecological degradation that has afflicted other SoCal streams.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/trestles-natural-wetlands-thumb-630x418-92390.jpg?itok=NS32imIF
- CCT
- cctnature
San Clemente Beach Trail
33.419645000000, -117.619733000000
To sum up San Clemente's coast in numbers, you would list its two accessible train stations, the 2.3 miles of beautifully constructed trail, and 11 -- yes, 11 -- beaches. And, of course, there's more to come for this Spanish village by the sea, as its slogan goes.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/download_4.jpg?itok=_dpnJHeW
- CCT
- cctvideo
Carpinteria Bluffs
34.396958900000, -119.521063200000
Matt Moore, owner of Rincon Designs Surf Shop in Carpinteria, CA, attracts surfers from around the world, inspired by his fine craftsmanship.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/carpinteria_0.jpg?itok=0pYA5w5m
- CCT
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Watch Now
Point Buchon Trail
35.233659800000, -120.877860300000
This three-mile long section of the California Coastal Trail in San Luis Obispo County has only been open to the public since 2007.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/buchon.jpg?itok=ofbWfjQG
- cctvideo
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Watch Now
Santa Barbara
34.402844400000, -119.743206200000
There's no better way to follow in the footsteps of Santa Barbara history than to travel the California Coastal Trail.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/santabarbara.jpg?itok=Hyt91PzL
- cctvideo
- CCT
Watch Now
Bici Centro
34.422223600000, -119.689422300000
Working to make bicycling safe and accessible to community members, Bici Centro is pushing to make Santa Barbara a model bike-friendly city.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/bici.jpg?itok=LBRH516Z
- cctvideo
- CCT
Watch Now
Moonstone Beach
35.569700800000, -121.109121200000
Just adjacent to the town of Cambria, the California CoastalTrail leads visitors to a world-renowned elephant seal rookery on Moonstone Beach.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/moonstone.jpg?itok=LsJTh4dJ
- cctvideo
- CCT
Watch Now
Morro Bay
35.364862800000, -120.852898400000
From a distance, Morro Bay is unbelievably picture perfect. It's known for its towering rock, large trees, and serene inlet dotted with anchored sailboats.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/morrorock.jpg?itok=_m3Z4ULn
- ccthistory
- CCT
Diablo Canyon
35.211120500000, -120.856157100000
Run by Pacific Gas and Electric, better known as PG&E, it is the lone remaining active nuclear plant in California.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/diablo.jpg?itok=PGwwEkN-
- ccthistory
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San Nicolas Island
33.244631400000, -119.491134700000
This isolated isle had once been home to a thriving group of native people known as the Nicolenos.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/juanamaria3.jpg?itok=Hds6pkph
- ccthistory
- CCT
The Gap
34.485446100000, -120.228698100000
The public shore at Gaviota State Park sits off a lonely, winding, mountainous stretch of the 101-highway in Santa Barbara County, just south of the Gaviota Gorge Tunnel.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/s3733_gaviota_photocredit_californiastateparks.jpg?itok=6q3QUKMa
- ccthistory
- CCT
Refugio Bay
34.463780300000, -120.069147200000
One can only hope that there is more contraband treasure to be uncovered, perhaps by a little camper digging in the sand of what is now idyllic Refugio State Beach.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/ct_refugio3.jpg?itok=6J_9o4xt
- ccthistory
- CCT
Big Sur
36.271000300000, -121.808674700000
One of the most spectacular stretches of coastline in the world, Big Sur is a precious jewel that remains pristine, rugged and remote.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/bigsur.jpg?itok=Ky_Nb7qm
- cctvideo
- CCT
Watch Now
Carmel-by-the-Sea
36.555961800000, -121.923446200000
The soul of this famous art colony can be found in the artists who have been and continue to be inspired by its natural beauty.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/carmelartists.jpg?itok=73nwEy_3
- ccthistory
- CCT
5 of Monterey County's Best Coastal Campgrounds
36.288880500000, -121.849051700000
From coastal bluffs to towering redwood groves, there is a unique camping opportunity to be experienced for all ages.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/bigsur_juliaburns.jpg?itok=gpB2kWkM
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Monterey Bay Sanctuary
36.800741300000, -121.947311000000
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary offers some of the best wildlife viewing in the world, much of it visible from the California Coastal Trail.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/mont.jpg?itok=oMMWA0XM
- cctvideo
- CCT
Watch Now
Cannery Row
36.615187500000, -121.902128900000
Before it was a tourist destination, Monterey's Cannery Row was home to a tight knit, multi-cultural community of fish factory workers and the Pacific Biological Lab, a hub of local artists and writers.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/can.jpg?itok=BtD_2-XN
- ccthistory
- CCT
3 of Monterey County's Best Hikes
36.521045300000, -121.945014500000
From a rugged coast adorned with pine trees to highlands hosting lush canyons and exceptional vistas, Monterey County is a hiking destination like none other.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/pinnaclespark.jpg?itok=HQLFhztC
- cctcamphike
- CCT
Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
36.594248300000, -121.903529000000
The Monterey Bay Coastal Recreational Trail runs some 18 miles from Castroville to Pacific Grove passing through Fisherman’s Wharf, Cannery Row, the Monterey Bay Aquarium and downtown Monterey.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/monttra.jpg?itok=VYzbVt6r
- cctvideo
- CCT
Watch Now
Pleasure Point
36.957806800000, -121.977681300000
East Cliff Drive is one of the newest sections of the California Coastal Trail. After years of erosion, what at first seemed like a problem has recently been transformed into a one-way street for pedestrians, bicycles and cars providing safe and scenic passage.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/pp.jpg?itok=G9mxz9tX
- cctvideo
- CCT
Watch Now
Angel Island
37.863616500000, -122.430355300000
For 30 years, arrivals to this Pacific gateway to the American Dream were subject to invasive medical exams and intense interrogations.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/arrivalsangelisland2_0.jpg?itok=ACXJYtL7
- CCT
- ccthistory
Fort Ross
38.515361200000, -123.243489300000
Suspicions of Russian influence in North America go back over 200 years, when Russia sought to dominate the West Coast.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/fortrosscanonns.jpg?itok=pwYPPHxB
- CCT
- ccthistory
Wright's Beach
38.401195500000, -123.094455800000
Sonoma County is home to some of the state's most stunning coastal terrain -- from cloistered coves to pygmy forests.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/wrightsbeach_0.jpg?itok=fie4u9Ps
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Four of Sonoma County's Best Hikes
38.418323000000, -123.104346000000
One of the original counties established when California became a state in 1850, Sonoma is home to some of the state's best coastal trails.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/blufftoptrail.jpg?itok=6XHYPfZm
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Exploring the Sutro Baths and the Natural Beauty of San Francisco's Lands End
37.783663800000, -122.503278400000
Today, Lands End is a popular hiking destination at Golden Gate National Recreation Area, but at the turn of the 20th century it was home to the Sutro Baths, an amusement center with seven swimming pools owned by former San Francisco Mayor Adolph Sutro.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/sutro_baths.jpg?itok=Nudtserr
- CCT
- cctvideo
Celebrating the Rich Biodiversity at the Marin Headlands, San Francisco's Backyard
37.827112400000, -122.499235800000
Along the California Coastal Trail in the Marin Headlands, you’ll find ecologists from Golden Gate National Recreation Area hard at work to preserve these important species. In the past, many conservationist have also worked tirelessly to protect this area from development.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/marin.jpg?itok=pRmeW5Vy
- CCT
- cctvideo
Experiencing the Wild Sonoma Coast Along the Kortum Trail
38.418795000000, -123.106204000000
The Kortum Trail, named after the legendary activist and part of the California Coastal Trail, offers stark views of the shore and rolling hills of the Sonoma coast.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/kortumtrail.jpg?itok=ZkItZgJW
- CCT
- cctvideo
Discovering Russian History on the California Coast
38.514953100000, -123.248100100000
Many people don't know that Russians had a settlement just two hours north of San Francisco.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/fortross.jpg?itok=8cVd8fWV
- CCT
- cctvideo
Kashia Coastal Reserve
38.651814000000, -123.398686600000
The creation of the Kashia Coastal Reserve in Sonoma County restored ownership of tribal land to the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians, decades after it was taken away from them.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/kashialands.jpg?itok=BcWk06HJ
- CCT
- cctvideo
The Sea Ranch
38.715494000000, -123.455670000000
The Sea Ranch community is renowned for it's unique architecture and for being the first development to fully embrace the concept of "living lightly on the land."
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/searanch.jpg?itok=OrTX9nLZ
- CCT
- cctvideo
Has Falconry Saved Endangered Falcons From Extinction?
38.898610000000, -123.690468100000
The surprising role that the ancient sport of falconry has played in the conservation of the peregrine falcon.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/falconer.jpg?itok=G-Y-I8Tq
- CCT
- ccthistory
Five of Mendocino County's Best Hikes
39.379395400000, -123.815279000000
This northern realm offers some of the most refreshing hikes in the state.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/fern_2.jpg?itok=EtfGQa33
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Noyo Headlands Park
39.431581500000, -123.811016000000
In Fort Bragg, a new park has replaced an industrial mill site that had cut off the coastline from residents for 150 years.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/noyoheadlandspark.jpg?itok=2SC9bKQv
- CCT
- cctvideo
Five of Mendocino County's Best Campgrounds
39.177322400000, -123.690683400000
Home to breathtaking rivers, breezy beaches, and refreshing state parks and conservation areas, Mendocino County is a natural fit to host some of the most pleasant campgrounds in the state.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/navaroriver.jpg?itok=1WlqhedC
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Noyo Headlands Park
39.434309700000, -123.815686500000
It would be 13 years and millions of dollars until a former mill site was transformed into what Fort Bragg considers its crown jewel, Noyo Headlands Park.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/georgia_pacific_7.jpg?itok=ha-u8I8F
- CCT
- ccthistory
MacKerricher State Park
39.489292600000, -123.787332800000
MacKerricher State Park has something for everyone, from world famous Glass Beach to a repurposed logging trestle that is today a recreational bridge.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/mackerricherstatepark.jpg?itok=gdQK6vUQ
- CCT
- cctvideo
When Native Americans Were Forcibly Removed From a Mendocino Indian Reservation
39.485940900000, -123.781338000000
In the mid-1800s, Native Americans were forcibly removed from what is today MacKerricher State Park in Mendocino County. It was one of a series of forced marches of Indigenous Californians.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/whites-killing-native-american-women-and-children.jpg?itok=zNStjKyr
- CCT
- ccthistory
Five of Humboldt County's Best Hikes
41.393371700000, -124.067045400000
Host to outstanding coastal and forest habitats, Humboldt is a paradise of hiking destinations.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/praireiecreekbridge.jpg?itok=XvLnetia
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Five of Humboldt County's Best Campgrounds
40.023726900000, -124.068203300000
It really can't be overstated how vigorous the beauty is inHumboldt County. Whether lapped by coastal fog in the summer or soaked by persistent rains in the winter, this North Coast kingdom casually stuns no matter your location.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/sheltercove_.jpg?itok=F_Pao084
- CCT
- cctcamphike
The Humboldt Bay Trail
40.856357600000, -124.090541200000
The Humboldt Bay Trail is a network of shared-use trails that will eventually connect the two largest cities in Humboldt County.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/humboldtbay_4.jpg?itok=86sgiSIi
- CCT
- cctvideo
Almost Complete, The Humboldt Bay Trail Realizes a Community's Dream
40.809956800000, -124.113957300000
For over 20 years, Humboldt Bay residents have been chasing the dream of a complete 14-mile trail around the Bay. They have four miles to go.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/bikingtrail.jpg?itok=h33tdcax
- CCT
- ccthistory
Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
41.671037900000, -124.113662900000
What started as 157-acres of old-growth redwoods in 1925 has expanded into what is today the 31,000-acre Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/delnortetree.jpg?itok=OvkL5HhE
- CCT
- cctvideo
The Race to Save the Last Old-Growth Redwood Forests on Earth
41.799292500000, -124.084337200000
Can estoration efforts fix the mistakes of the past?
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/maxforster_pcrsp_drury_grove_another_big_dbh-large.jpg?itok=4HiQScER
- CCT
- ccthistory
Del Norte County Hiking Trails
41.595010200000, -124.099861400000
From historic trails through secluded forests to loops that offer vistas of remarkable sea stacks, Del Norte County is a vital destination for hikers seeking a rare California.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/jedediahsmithredwoodstatepark.jpg?itok=-zL-7wbM
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Five of Del Norte County's Best Campgrounds
41.814601100000, -124.135438200000
Del Norte County nurtures excellent camping experiences at the profusely-forested edge of California.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/delnortetree_1.jpg?itok=U6uLgHxQ
- CCT
- cctcamphike
How a Deadly Tsunami and Mysterious Boat United Two Cities Oceans Apart
41.755572700000, -124.200622700000
The tragedy at Crescent City, CA not only led to better protective measures, but forged a bond with a Rikuzentakata, a Japanese city that was also recovering from the 2011 tsunami disaster.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/crescentcity.jpg?itok=bUyRLDwZ
- CCT
- ccthistory
Crescent City Harbor Trail
41.778928800000, -124.253783200000
Along the Crescent City Harbor Trail, visitors can see two historic lighthouses, monitor the ocean for marine life and watch fishing boats enter the harbor.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/crescentcity_0.jpg?itok=R1lyHY-j
- CCT
- cctvideo
The Strand
33.862701900000, -118.402203800000
It's hard to imagine Hermosa Beach without The Strand. This bike path straddling the beach was originally shot down when it was first proposed as a meandering route.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/hermosa-beach.jpg?itok=vTi5ejBd
- CCT
- cctvideo
Manhattan Beach
33.885829000000, -118.412309900000
Manhattan Beach is one of the several cities along the Marvin Braude Bike Trail.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/manhattan-beach-cct-card.jpg?itok=NmX_hWl9
- CCT
- cctvideo
Santa Monica
34.011597000000, -118.498967000000
From the city's iconic 100-year-old pier to Muscle Beach to its role as the backdrop of the television series, "Baywatch," Santa Monica is one of the most viewed beaches in the world.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/santamonicapier_950_2.jpg?itok=nD4BD8de
- CCT
- cctvideo
Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge
33.737708400000, -118.071576200000
Enclosed within the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station, the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge is a 911-acre marsh complex that's home to some of Southern California's most endangered coastal birds.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/seal-beach-nwr-5-18-15-thumb-630x482-92682.jpg?itok=14tWzj5H
- CCT
- cctnature
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
34.102911000000, -118.707564900000
Many Angelenos are unaware of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area’s existence, but almost all of us have enjoyed it.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/santa-monica-mountains-history.jpg?itok=8jF41bnm
- CCT
- ccthistory
Ormond Beach
34.136891000000, -119.173091900000
Oxnard's Ormond Beach is considered to be the most important wetland restoration opportunity in Southern California.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/cct_ormandbeach.jpg?itok=qy_99DCe
- CCT
- cctvideo
Santa Barbara Channel
37.090240000000, -95.712891000000
"From birth to death, a reverence and connection with thenatural world -- particularly the sea -- tied the many distinct tribes of the Chumash together."
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/chumash1.jpg?itok=T7Rs6sNr
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Surfers Point at Seaside Park
34.274266000000, -119.299230900000
At Surfer's Point, the rebuilding of the California Coastal Trail and other restoration projects serve as a testament to the community's efforts to maintain this thriving coastal center.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/surferspoint_primary.jpg?itok=6zgwgSkp
- CCT
- cctvideo
Park Number Three
34.318279400000, -119.390297600000
Park Number Three is situated in a narrow coastal ribbon between the beach and the Pacific Coast Highway.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/faria_county_park-beach_camping-ventura-california.jpg?itok=tWFMHEts
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Sandstone Peak
34.119837000000, -118.926128900000
Sandstone Peak (a.k.a. Mt. Allen) is the highest summit in the Santa Monica Mountains – but it’s technically located in Ventura County.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/sandstone_peak-ventura_countyu-beach_hikes-california.jpg?itok=dJTVx1Di
- CCT
- cctcamphike
Ventura
34.273060200000, -119.284498300000
Ventura prides itself on its relaxed lifestyle, walkable streets, and, of course, its pristine views
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/cct_ventura.jpg?itok=9uyMKpa9
- CCT
- cctvideo
Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
33.741593200000, -118.376831800000
The Palos Verdes Nature Preserve is owned by the city of Rancho Palos Verdes, and managed in partnership with the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/abalone-cove-6-29-15-thumb-630x355-94726.jpg?itok=1teEio8z
- CCT
- cctnature
Nicholas Flat Natural Preserve
34.051892200000, -118.935763800000
The Nicholas Flat Natural Preserve occupies 600 acres in the northeast corner of Leo Carrillo, roughly a mile from the coast, with elevations ranging from around 1,000 feet above sea level to just over 1,800 feet at the Preserve's high point.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/nicholas-pond-6-29-15-thumb-630x421-94720.jpg?itok=focxeA7Z
- CCT
- cctnature
Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve
33.966697800000, -118.440538000000
The Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve, about 600 acres of what was once the much larger Ballona Creek estuary, are habitat for El Segundo Blue butterflies and other sensitive wildlife, such as the endangered Belding's savannah sparrow, so take some binoculars and a field guide or two.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/ballona-1-6-29-15-thumb-630x472-94724.jpg?itok=XCbSahfL
- CCT
- cctnature
Point Dume Nature Preserve
34.001201000000, -118.806442000000
This 32-acre bit of preserved coastal Malibu blufftop at the very tip of Point Dume is hemmed in to the north by the ostentatious homes of the local elites, but that still leaves about 270 degrees of unimpeded view to the east, south, and west.
https://www.kcet.org/sites/kl/files/styles/kl_image_small/public/thumbnails/map/point-dume-6-29-15-thumb-630x420-94722.jpg?itok=ZF3A0qAk
- CCT
- cctnature
Articles
-
California Coastal Trail
The tragedy at Crescent City, CA not only led to better protective measures, but forged a bond with Rikuzentakata, a Japanese city that was also recovering from the 2011 tsunami disaster.
-
California Coastal Trail
Del Norte County nurtures excellent camping experiences at the profusely-forested edge of California.
-
California Coastal Trail
From historic trails through secluded forests to loops that offer vistas of remarkable sea stacks, Del Norte County is a vital destination for hikers seeking a rare California.
-
California Coastal Trail
Can restoration efforts fix the mistakes of the past?
-
California Coastal Trail
For over 20 years, Humboldt Bay residents have been chasing the dream of a complete 14-mile trail around the Bay. They have four miles to go.
-
California Coastal Trail
Sleep, dream and recreate at these five campgrounds that grace Humboldt's northern kingdom.
- 1 of 8
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