Coastal Walks of Monterey County

Coastal Walks in Monterey County

Taking a walk has proven health benefits. And taking a walk along the coast of Monterey County—well, that will add years to your life … and life to your years! Here are a few to keep you glowing through the fall.

Carmel-by-the-Sea's Moveable Feast: Maybe you've walked the cobblestone streets and admired the whimsical architecture of Carmel-by-the-Sea. But have you really gotten a taste of Carmel? Get the full flavor on the Carmel Food Tour—ranked the #1 activity in Carmel by TripAdvisor. The 3-hour walking tour through Carmel is a true palate pleaser as you experience unique restaurants and specialty food shops and enjoy wines that have emerged as best in class.

From Big Sur to Point Lobos: Some of Monterey's best coastal hikes are just steps or minutes away from beautiful places to stay. Hilton Garden Inn Monterey, located adjacent to Highway 1, is just minutes to hiking trails in Big Sur and the bluffs at Point Lobos Natural Reserve, where teal-tinted coves rival those of the Caribbean.

Pebble Beach to Asilomar: Pebble Beach is best known for its world-class golf and romantic 17-Mile Drive, but it's also a coast-walker's haven. Take a stroll on an ocean-side boardwalk from Spanish Bay, passing through protected sand dunes to Point Joe. Unwind at Asilomar, an oceanfront retreat cradled by pine forest and white sand beaches. Spend the evening sipping local wines by the fireplace in the Phoebe A. Hearst Social Hall (this fall, rates start from just $149 per night at Asilomar).

See what else is new in Monterey this fall. SeeMonterey.com/Fall

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Hidden Botanical Garden

    Forget a dozen roses. Give your love a botanical garden. Hidden on the western slope of Sonoma Valley’s Mayacamas Mountains, Sonoma Botanical Garden has one of the Bay Area’s best displays of Asian flora—and it’s a brilliant place for a quiet picnic and some calming contemplations.

    View
  2. Sunnyvale and Salty

    For up-close bird watching, it’s hard to beat a walk along the San Francisco Bay. This 5-mile loop on the Sunnyvale coast is a favorite of local wildlife photographers.

    View
  3. A man takes a break at a temple spot on a hike at Dragon Mountain in Milptas

    Dragon Quest

    The newly reopened, 4-mile out-and-back hike at Dragon Mountain in Milpitas mixes the physical with the spiritual for a serene hiking experience.

    View
  4. woman hiking Buck Gulch Falls Novato

    Buck Wild!

    Tucked back beyond the residential ranch-style homes and golf courses of Novato in the North Bay is a wild and wondrous 30-foot waterfall that springs to life in the rainy season. Buck Gulch Falls in Novato’s Ignacio Valley Preserve is in peak flow right now, and it’s a short and Middle-earthy hike to reach it.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. A woman stands at Dante's View in Death Valley, looking out to Telescope Peak and Manly Lake, Badwater Basin below.

    Sunset Hike at Dante's View

    It’s one of the world’s best places to watch a sunset. Dante’s View is a 5,476-foot vantage of the whole southern basin of Death Valley from the top of the Black Mountains. Right now there's a banner and bonus view of a rare lake formation that appears only after big rains.

    View
  2. Keough's Hot Springs

    Soaking Up History

    When you slide into the soothing water of Keough’s Hot Springs, you’re bathing in a piece of Owens Valley history.

    View
  3. It's a Waterfall Life

    Tahquitz Canyon’s crystalline stream and lush stands of desert lavender, honey mesquite, and leafy sycamores is home to an easy day hike with a big bonus: a 60-foot waterfall that runs with remarkable gusto after winter rains.

    View
  4. Grover Hot Springs

    State Park Soaker

    Set in an alpine meadow at 6,000 feet and surrounded by the 10,000-foot granite peaks of the Sierra, Grover Hot Springs State Park—just outside the town of Markleeville—has its very own hot springs.

    View