Old Coast Road

Trail Overview

This winding dirt road meanders downhill through cool wooded valleys with large sycamore and redwood trees, then climbs steeply to scenic rangeland high above the Pacific coastline. Take binoculars to see every detail below, including the historic Point Sur Lighthouse. Old Coast is for street-legal vehicles only, and may be driven in either direction. Andrew Molera State Park, at the south end, offers great hiking.

Photos of Old Coast Road

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Difficulty

Easy: Suitable for passenger cars when dry, but you'll want 4-wheel drive if you get caught in the rain. Road can even be impassable in very wet conditions.

History

Towards the end of the trip on a clear day, you can look down and see the Point Sur Lighthouse perched atop a large rock dome along the shore. The lighthouse was a manned facility from 1889 to the early 1960s. Today it is automated and maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard as part of Point Sur State Historic Park. Call (831) 625-4419 for information on guided tours.

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