Day Hikes Around Monterey & Carmel: 127 Great Hikes

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.