Old Coast Road

Total Miles
10.1

Elevation

354.60 ft

Duration

2 Hours

Technical Rating

3

Easy

Best Time

Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall

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Old Coast Road
4

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

Old Coast Road
Old Coast Road

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.

Technical Rating

3

Status Reports

Kip R
Nov 17, 2024
2018 Toyota 4Runner
Temporarily Closed
Closed Gate
Weather Event
Gate closed about 2miles in both North & South ends of trail.
Kim Sanderson
Nov 16, 2024
4x4
Permanently Closed
Posted Private Property
Gated shut at the south end by of trail one mile down .
Butilbenceno Yelober
Nov 02, 2024
2021 Jeep Gladiator
Open
Normal
Zachary W
Oct 17, 2024
4x4
Open
Dusty
No camping or fires allowed with signs everywhere especially along the private land sections in El Sur Ranch. Roads are generally well maintained with some divots, some sections with coarse gravel, and some sharp cutbacks. Signs along El Sur Ranch say no loitering.

Access Description

Take Hwy. 1 south from Monterey about 17 miles. Turn left immediately before crossing Bixby Bridge. There is an overlook on the right at this point. To start on south end, take Hwy. 1 north from Big Sur about 2.5 miles and turn right opposite the entrance to Andrew Molera State Park.

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