Monterey County lies along an incredibly beautiful and scenic coastal
stretch of the Pacific Ocean in Central California. The rugged,
weathered shoreline is fronted by the Santa Lucia Mountains, separating
the coast from the rich agricultural land. Carmel, Pacific Grove,
Monterey, and other picturesque communities dot a landscape abundant
with green valleys, woodlands, beaches, parks, natural preserves, and
secluded bays along the oceanfront. This completely updated edition of
Day Hikes Around Monterey and Carmel includes 128 hikes from the north
end of Monterey Bay to the Big Sur coastline. Many hikes are found along
the amazing coastline; other hikes explore the interior mountains and
hillsides. The routes have been chosen to offer a great selection of
shoreline excursions, beaches, residential paths, wilderness hikes, cool
canyons, and panoramic overlooks while including a range of hiking
levels. Coastal walks include blufftop terraces, tidepools, coves,
massive sand dunes, whale-watching locations, tidal marshes along the
Pacific Flyway, and breath-taking hillside routes along dramatic
headlands carved by the pounding surf. Scenic neighborhood walks link
piers, boardwalks, and natural areas. Some trails include atmospheric
forests of old-growth redwoods, rare stands of Monterey cypress, or
California condor nesting sites amongst craggy rock pinnacles. Other
highlights include lighthouses, historic sites, long-spanning bridges,
ridgetop overlooks, sweeping coastal views, and paths alongside the
Monterey Bay Aquarium and marine refuge. Hikes take from one hour to all
day. A range of hikes is included to accommodate every level of
experience. All trails can be accessed from Highway 1, including many
beach access points.Companion guides include Day Hikes Around Big Sur
and Day Hikes On the California Central Coast.
