Day Hikes Around San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo County is located where the white sand beaches of central California merge with the dramatic Big Sur coastline. Inland from the Pacific Ocean are oak-studded hills, verdant farmland, pristine mountain lakes, and the Santa Lucia Range of the Los Padres National Forest.

Day Hikes Around San Luis Obispo includes 128 day hikes throughout this central California coastal county. These trails take the hiker along the scalloped Pacific coastline to secluded coves and tidepools, to rocky promontories along the chain of volcanic morros, through wetland sanctuaries, and up cool interior valleys. Highlights include waterfalls, bluffs, sand dunes, lakes, rivers, swimming holes, canyons, extraordinary rock formations, and panoramic views. Many hikes are found in or near the college community; most are located in undeveloped tracts of land, state and county parks, and national forests which are home to an extensive network of hiking trails.

Easy to moderately strenuous hikes accommodate all levels of experience, ranging from urban pathways to wilderness retreats. All hikes can be completed during the day. Map sources and references are listed for extending the hikes.

Each hike includes:
Detailed map
Accurate driving and hiking directions
Distance, time, and elevation statistics
Summaries to help hikers find a trail appropriate to their ability and desire
Several overall maps to show the hikes in the greater area