Santa Lucia Chapter Hiking Trails of California's Central Coast

Sierra Club San Luis Obispo

One Earth, One Chance

Morro Rock, Home of the Peregrine Falcon

Hiking Trails of
California's
Central Coast

Introduction

Trail Conditions

Hiking Trails

Who to Contact

Introduction

Welcome to the Hiking Trails on California's Central Coast. The purpose of this page is to raise the awareness of our surrounding trail system and to give you ideas on where to explore in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Monterey Counties. This is not complete list of all trails in our area. In addition, this only brief descriptions of the trails covered. The list will continue to grow as time permits.

For more detailed information on trails in our area, pick up one of the many hiking guides for these counties, visit the Natural Wonders of the Central Coast Page, Ventana Wilderness Alliance, or contact the appropriate agency for more detailed information.
If you prefer to explore with others check out the Sierra Club's List of Scheduled Outings and Activities.

Trail Conditions

We are trying to keep up with current trail conditions whenever possible. Current or last know trail conditions are posted at the end of each trail description. If you have information on a particular trail you can send it to me via e-mail gfelsman@thegrid.net. We post updates regularly.

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Hiking Trails

Monterey County	San Luis Obispo County	Santa Barbara County

*Trail Crew working on the* *Arroyo Seco Trail,* *in the Ventana Wilderness*	*Selby Rock near the* *Guy L. Goodwin* *Education Center* *in the Carrizo Plains*	*Historic Dabney Cabin on Manzana Creek.* *The cabin is maintained by the* *Los Padres Chapter of the* *Sierra Club*

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Trails of Santa Barbara County

The Historic Dabney Cabin, located on Manzana Creek.
The cabin is maintained by the
Los Padres Chapter of the Sierra Club

Figueroa Mountain Recreation Area

The Fiqueroa Mountain Recreation Area has lots to offer the outdoor enthusiast. From Camping high on the mountains slopes to many hiking trails. Including: Ballard Trail down to Ballard Camp. Davy Brown Trail to Sunset Camp, and many others

Figueroa Mountain Zaca Ridge Loop

This hike is spectacular for the experienced hiker. Starting At Tunnel and Figueroa Mountain road, turning left onto Catway Road, then continuing to Zaca Peak Road. This portion of the hike offers great views of the San Rafael Wilderness, the Santa Ynez Valley, Mount Pinos, Hurricane Deck and the Sierra Madre Range. Turning left on Zaca Peak Road, you travel about 1/4 to 1/2 mile and look for a trail on the left. If you reach the base of Zaca Peak you have gone to far. If you find the trail, it descends 1000 feet to an open meadow making it a great lunch spot. from there the trail descends another 1000 feet to Old Ballard camp Trail junction. Turn left here and Hike two miles and climb 1200 feet back to your starting point.

Directions to trailhead: From San Luis Obispo drive south on Highway 101 sixty miles. Turn left on to Highway 154 and drive about three miles to Los Olivos. Turn left onto Figueroa Mountain Road and drive about 13 mile to the junction of Tunnel Road and Figueroa Mountain Road. The trail down to Ballard Camp is on the north side of the road.
A $5.00 Adventure Pass is required to park at this trailhead.

NOTE: As of August 1998, the 1/2 mile of trail from upper Ballard Camp to lower Ballard Camp Trail Junction is still almost completely washed out. The trail from lower Ballard Camp Trail junction until you start climbing up to Zaca Peak Road is also washed out. Follow the creek beds to stay on the trail and out of the Poison Oak.

Call the Santa Maria U.S. Forest Service at (805)925-9538 for the latest information and ask them to repair the trail.

Manzana Creek to Dabney Cabin

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Who to Contact

Los Padres National Forest Monterey County

Los Padres National Forest San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties

U.S. Forest Service
Santa Lucia Ranger District
1515 Carlotti Drive
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805)925-9538

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Back to Santa Lucia Chapter.

Back to Sierra Club home page.

	Santa Lucia Chapter of the Sierra Club P.O. Box 15755 San Luis Obispo, CA 93406. Telephone 1-805-543-8717.
	Sierra Club National Office 85 Second St., Second Floor San Francisco, CA 94105-3441, USA. Telephone 1-415-977-5500 (voice), 1-415-977-5799 (FAX). Last updated 1 July 2001.

Explore, Enjoy and Protect - Santa Lucia Chapter hike in Machesna Wilderness

Machesna Wilderness hike
April 2002
Photo by Gary Felsman