There are opportunities for sailing, fishing, hiking, and bird watching.The park's Morro Bay State Park Museum of Natural History has exhibits covering natural features, cultural history, Native American life, geology, and oceanography.The park also has a marina and a public golf course. More info on this ride and others we've done at http://LocoJoe.com. This bike ride blows away anything down in SoCal, by a long shot. Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail: Best-known for the section that runs through Cannery Row, this paved trail runs 18 miles from Castroville in the north to Pacific Grove in the south, slicing . It's a short ride on not-too-busy streets to meet up with the trail just north of the Fort Ord section. How much elevation change is there on this trail? What restaurants are near Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail? Contact Field Offices. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. All dogs must be leashed on the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail. Access and parking: In Monterey, free parking is available on Del Monte Avenue between Camino Aguajito and Camino El Estero, on Pacific Street above Fishermans Wharf and on Lighthouse Avenue several blocks above Cannery Row. In the background is Point Cabrillo and the Hopkins Marine Station. It is a pedestrian trail for walking, running and pedaling. To learn more view our Privacy Policy. more, #81 of 312 things to do in Monterey County, Half-Day Whale Watching Tour From Monterey, 2.5-Hour Electric Bike Tour Along 17 Mile Drive of Coastal Monterey, Monterey, Carmel and 17-Mile Drive - Full Day Tour from San Francisco, Carmel-by-the-Sea 2.5 Hour Electric Bike Tour, Carmel Small Group Walking Food & Cultural Tour, Big Sur Monterey California Coast McWay Falls One Day Tour from San Jose, 1-Hour Monterey and Cannery Row Sea Car Tour. This rail-trail is what California dreams are made of. Scenic ride on paved bike trail separated from traffic. Get your choice of one of our 13 guidebooks with your support for the trails you love! Great coastal walking or running with a good amount of scenery. It is no wonder that it is near the top of Rails-to-Trails top 100 trails list. Also, same reviewer criticized a area that's not on the trail at all when mentioning Highway 1 north of Moss Landing and the road construction there. I have received no response from them. Always light traffic and never crowded. Have funit's great!! Highly recommend this portion of trail. Funded in cooperation with the Monterey County Board of Supervisors and the communities of Big Sur, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carmel Valley, Marina, Monterey, Moss Landing, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Salinas, Salinas Valley, Sand City and Seaside. Continue for 1 mile to Jewell Avenue. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. I love the trail, but Im not alone in loving the trail, chuckles Virginia Murillo, a transportation planner for the Transportation Agency for Monterey County. Be patient, especially in congested areas. Address: Monterey Bay Coastal Trail, Monterey, California. Also, there's great restaurants and brew pubs to be found. The multi-use rail trail is a great . North of the ocean views is a gap in the trail, but it is well signed on the road. ", TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails conservancy, We're a non-profit all about helping you enjoy the outdoors, Jewell Ave. and Ocean View Blvd. I had a hard time figuring out how to find parking from THIS site, but once I MapQuested "Monterey Bay Coastal Trail" I was able to stumble across some parking while following the MapQuest's navigation. Please do not walk or ride abreast in large groups so that you block the Trail for other users. Skate in a forward movement and not swagger. It is not difficult to continue to Pebble Beach and with all the ultra rich having multiple home in this community, road traffic is largely non existant if not on the marked 17-mile drive section. Getting to Castroville safely requires the use of a personal car. Use the QR code or link to participate in a survey to help the City in securing federal grant funding for our local Active Transportation Plan Improvement Projects. Beginning in Pacific Grove at Lovers Point Park (the southern end of the trail), you will want to take a picture of the beautiful rocky shoreline to the west. A great history lesson and easy on the eyes. I understand. Getting there: The closest major airport is the Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (1701 Airport Blvd., San Jose), which lies about 70 miles north of the trail. Several local businesses offer bicycle, kayak, surfboard, paddle board, in-line skate and surrey (canopied quadricycles capable of seating up to six people) rentals along the path. 96% of travelers recommend this experience. Download the See Monterey App to Plan Your Trip! We enjoyed a walk on the Recreation Trail. You come to Monterey State Beach, with its impressive sand dunes and, farther down the trail, a eucalyptus forest that separates the trail from the road.The next few miles become a bit more commercial as the trail follows the coastline toward the shopping centers at Sand City and a few more miles to the city of Marina. Second Section: Started again at Casa Verde Way heading south to end of trail at Lovers Point and return. Maybe it gets better the further north you go, but if you don't have much time, stick with the coastal trails in Pacific Grove. document.write(new Date().getFullYear()); Monterey Bay Coastal Trail moderate (106) Castroville, California Photos (1,034) Directions Print/PDF Map Share Experience this 17.9-mile point-to-point trail near Castroville, California. Have ridden the entire length many times in the past. Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail . By continuing to browse this site you permit us and our partners to place identification cookies on your browser and agree to our use of cookies for marketing. We rode to the trails Northern end-point just shy of Castroville. 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Amenities (food/restaurants/shops) - Great Trail Condition - Great (asphalt and concrete) Parking - You just have to MapQuest like I say and find it. It gets pretty crowded.. We walked down Cannery Row and through shops. Laura Stark is a lead writer and editor for Rails to Trails magazine, responsible for highlighting trails and the people working hard to support them across America. Please be considerate and patient, especially in congested areas. That road is much wider and nicer to ride. The new park, established in 2009, preserves the coastal areas of the former Fort Ord Army post. Visit Website. Two of the Nine Sisters chain of volcanic peaks, Black Hill and Cerro Cabrillo, are within the . Zoom in to see details. From the series HIDDEN STORIES OF MONTEREY, highlighting lesser known, people, places and things in Monterey.What is the story behind the waterfront recreati. Tiring but worth it! It's also not very well marked. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. This views on this trail seemed to be taken away by the city since it wasn't hugging the coastline. The Ocean views are breathtaking!! I have ridden this trail many times and would recommend it to just about any level of rider. Be COURTEOUS and CAUTIOUS of others. Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail User Survey Do you use the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail? Photo by: acewickwire MBCT Uploaded: 1/29/2019 Over the dunes Photo by: dina.northcutt Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail Uploaded: 9/10/2017 Walkers, joggers, bicyclists, and skaters are permitted. Lots of great stops, at Fisherman's Wharf, Cannery Row, Lovers Point, etc. Two Routes, One Great Trail. The trail continues toward a smaller beach, where you can view sailing and fishing boats scattered throughout the bay. Well also biked to the end of the trail toward Pebble Beach to watch the sunset. The northern terminus is at Del Monte Blvd and Lapis Road on the north side of Marina. I was traveling north on Highway 1 when my artist's eye led me down to the beach. That expansive view of the coastline was really striking, says Barry Bergman, trail development manager for RTCs Western Regional Office, who toured the trail last month as part of the California Trails and Greenways conference. Easy to intermediate ride - a couple of small hills. The Monterey-Salinas Transit hub is there for those that want to take mass transit rather than continue pedaling. Recognized as one of the best in the world, the aquarium exhibits a wide array of sea creatures, from a giant octopus to nearly two dozen species of shark. The wharf is probably the most popular destination on the trail because of its location, scenery and historical displays, including several generations of fishing craft. At the 2-mile mark you come to Fisherman's Wharf, with its restaurants, shops and great views of the ocean. If youre coming from San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, Phoenix or Las Vegas, another option is to fly into Monterey Regional Airport (200 Fred Kane Drive, Monterey), which is only 10 minutes from Monterey. We rode this in two sections. Went this past weekend and it was amazing . Some parts still are. We had drinks from a food truck that was parked there and then headed back.It is a really nice trail that takes you through the dunes with nice views of Monterey Bay. It has free parking and port-a-potty. 90% of travelers recommend this experience. The Monterey Bay Coastal Recreational Trail has two lanes, just like a regular street. . Continue on to into Pebble Beach (no gate fee for cyclists.) Good Walk in Monterey on the Recreation Trai. Loved the wide, uncrowded Fort Ord area and enjoyed the ocean views in the Sand City area, though some of that sand on the trail was pretty thick. Hotels near Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail: Restaurants near Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail: You can see a great deal of the coast by renting a bike (there's a bike shop by fisherman's. The map below shows a parking area with . Walk/ride/skate on the RIGHT HAND SIDE of the Trail in the direction you are going. This last time we started from a large shopping center in Sand City and turned around at Lovers Point, making the ride about 10 miles round trip. The beauty of the white sand beach and wind swept trees prompted me to pitch my tent and make a painting. The next 1/2 mile stretch is very treacherous. Name: Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail, Used railroad corridor: Southern Pacific Railroad, Start point/end point: Jewell Avenue and Ocean View Boulevard (Pacific Grove) to Haro Street and Merritt Street/SR 183 (Castroville). North of this tourist hotspot, the trail veers inland, traversing sand dunes and a eucalyptus grove before skirting the boundary of Fort Ord Dunes State Park, a former military base that now offers miles of shoreline and pristine natural areas. We parked at Fort Ord Dunes State Park, Marina, CA. Just as on the street, please stay to the right whenever possible. 161' 49 m High 10' 3 m Low 427' 130 m Up 430' 131 m Down 1% Avg Grade (1) 10% Max Grade (5) Toolbox Plan in onX Backcountry . With the Monterey Bay trail as its coastal spine, the FORTAG network will add paved looping pathways to connect the coast to inland communities. What is the difference between Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail and Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail? From Castroville to Carmel, it just keeps getting better. We rented bikes for a half-day ride along the trail. Farther north, the existing Monterey Bay trail is planned to connect with a proposed 32-mile pathway that will continue along the bay in neighboring Santa Cruz County. Walk/ride/skate on the RIGHT HAND SIDE of the Trail in the direction you are going. My wife and I have taken this trail several times, the first being about 15 years ago with 6 children in tow and the last being this month. Fairly easy ride, with a few hills. From there one crosses multiple intersections until out of the city. The Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District came up with the inspired idea to transform the abandoned lines into a public trail. It is a little on the narrow side, so those on foot need to keep an eye out for bikers as there isn't much room. Once you cross the fence just under Highway 1.the fun begins. My ride began in Marina, CA at Reservation Road. MONTEREY BAY COASTAL RECREATION TRAIL DETAILS The trail one-way will take you 1.5 hours, 18 miles. While the Monterey Recreation Trail is the prototype, other off-road locations are being mapped by Google"s tricycle riders. Grade: The rail-trail is relatively flat with the exception of a steep climb over the sand dunes at the border between Monterey and Seaside. I have urged Monterey County to either fix this section of the trail it or close it. Many others were there Some were on surrey bikes taking the family out. The Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District saw the potential of this abandoned railway right away and, with financial assistance from the Coastal Conservancy and aid from the cities of Pacific Grove, Monterey and Seaside, began transforming it into the much-loved Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail in 1986. The trail is very well kept with slight inclines here and there surrounded by great restaurants and shops (The Old Wharf and Cannery Row) with one of the most beautiful views of the ocean that you'll ever see. Google Map. Join TrailLink (a non-profit) to view more than 40,000 miles of trail maps and more! The movement to create this 30-mile trail system received a boost last November when a sales tax measure to provide $20 million in funding for the project was approved by Monterey County voters. Big downside, the Pacific Grove portion of the trail does not allow bicycles :( however, a road runs parallel with it. For tips prepared by a 30-year resident and local cyclist--including information from and links to the best Monterey County bicycle shops, services, clubs, and other resources--you may refer to http://www.BicyclingMonterey.com - Welcome! Beyond the wharf, the pathway runs close to the usually busy Del Monte Avenue. National Headquarters: 15.1 Miles 24.3 KM Point to Point. During the development of the citys master plan, residents were surveyed on their recreational activities, and a whopping 70 percent indicated that they use the trail at least once a week. We rented bikes for a long weekend from the shop at Lover's Point. Map Key Favorites Check-Ins. http://www.railstotrails.org/trailblog/2017/may/12/california-s-monterey-bay-coastal-recreation-trail/, Reflecting on 2022: Capturing Once-in-a-Generation Opportunities for Trails, Walking and Biking, Record-Breaking Investments in Californias Trails Amid Major Demand, Transportation Agency for Monterey County, Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport, Swap Out a Car Trip for a Trail Trip With These Tips and Tricks (08/31/22), Slow Down and Enjoy the Trail With These E-bike Tales and Tips from IZIP (04/14/22), A Tale of a Tour: Traveling by Trail in Wisconsin (02/25/22), Californias Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail. America's Trails, Trail Use. Hotels near Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail, Monterey on Tripadvisor: Find 35,912 traveler reviews, 29,230 candid photos, and prices for 325 hotels near Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail in Monterey, CA. Maybe this trail gets quieter and more protected from traffic as you get further from Monterey, but I decided to turn around and ride part of the 17 Mile Drive instead when I hit the busy intersection at Seaside. Lots of harbor seals and boats. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. 1.This is an excellent trail for beginners and those who enjoy distance sports. 98% of travelers recommend this experience. If you want the nicest route, views and clean space, start at Lovers Point. The return trip is hilly towards the end, but great cardio training. ", "This trail is actually LONGER than what is posted on this site. Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail (Monterey County) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. Become a member and wear your FREE T-Shirt with pride. find trail maps, reviews, photos & driving directions on traillink.com 15.1 Miles 24.3 KM Paved Path 161' 49 m High 10' 3 m Low 427' 130 m Up 430' 131 m Down 1% Avg Grade (1) . I keep reporting them and only one so far has been cleaned. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Formerly located on the Southern Pacific Railroad Right-of-Way, the trail has separate walking and cycling paths. If I lived on the peninsula, I'd be somewhere on that trail every day! Some is free, others you pay. Several businesses along the trail offer bicycle, kayak, surfboard, scuba, and paddle rentals. San Carlos is a popular destination for diving, and you might see some shore divers preparing for an underwater adventure. Trail of the Month is made possible by the generosity of trail advocates like you. Donate today or join our community by becoming a member to help make featured stories like this possible! Monterey Map; Monterey Travel Guide; All Monterey Hotels; Monterey Hotel Deals; Last Minute Hotels in Monterey; By Hotel Type . 2021-22 Board and Committee Agendas and Minutes, FY2022-23 Board and Committee Meeting Agendas and Minutes, Monterey Car Week & Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Do not step into the flow of traffic on the other side of the Trail without looking to see if it is safe. The Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail is one of 1600 rail-trails supported by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that is working to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors. We are a couple in our late 50s with road bikes. Laura Stark I'd start it from my apartment in Pacific Grove and access it at Lover's Point, then ride through the wharf area, the marina, all the way into Seaside. What a trail. In Monterey, the beach is now over-run with tents and garbage. 91% of travelers recommend this experience. Bird Rock is a good place to stop and picnic with clean tables and restrooms. I rode part of this trail last week, from Pacific Grove up to the town of Seaside. The trail actually is 18 miles long, but you can pick a section and just walk a portion of it as we did. The trailhead is near the corner of Ocean View Boulevard and Jewell Avenue. Thrumming with life today, its hard to envision the railroad corridor that had become empty, overgrown and rundown by the 1970s. Enjoy views of Fort Ord, dunes, paragliders, wonderful seascapes and rolling farmlands. From there, the pathway grew slowly north through the 1990s and 2000s. See the City of Monterey's page on the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreational Trail for more detail on rules and regulations. The Recreation Trail is a PEDESTRIAN/BICYCLE Trail. Many thanks to the California Coastal Records Project for the excellent aerial photographs included in this story map. This is a fantastic, scenic trail that is very protected for bikes. Do not impede the rights of other Trail users. The trail is our most used recreational amenity, says Kim Bui Burton, Community Services Director for the City of Monterey. A beautiful ride, on our list of places to go again. The wide, double-lanes makes it easy to pass and avoid the obvious foot tourists. It makes us feel connected to our community and the natural beauty, she says. Instead I would start near Lovers Point, there is lots of free parking either along the road or various pullouts just past it, then head back towards monterey. We did divert off of this trail to ride the parallel Beach Range Road trail in Fort Ord Dunes State Park. This part of the trail is relatively flat and is extremely scenic, with stunning views of sand dunes, rocky coast lines, marinas, and Monterrey's tourist areas including Fisherman's Warf and Cannery Row. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Ohlone Loop Trail and Umbarger Road Parkway. The Lansing River Trail is 17+ miles of paved trail in Lansing following the banks of the Grand River, the Red Cedar River and Sycamore Creek with multiple boardwalk sections skirting out over the river and wetland areas. All the while, you will enjoy beautiful views of Monterey Bay, where you can watch sea lions and sea otters in their natural environment. You can continue south around Ocean View Blvd and Sunset Drive past the Asilomar Beach on to the 17 mile drive which allows bikes at no charge. After a string of street crossings, you arrive at Monterey Bay Aquarium. The views are simply stunning, from end to end. (You do run into a number of formidable hills, though.) A must see place. Definitely do this ride on a clear day -- which can be a challenge in the summertime. Continue on Lighthouse Avenue for 1.4 miles, turn right on David Avenue and soon after turn left on Ocean View Boulevard. Longer-term paid parking is available at the City of Montereys Downtown East Garage on Del Monte Avenue, Waterfront Lot at Figueroa Street and Del Monte Avenue, and the Cannery Row Parking Garage at Wave Street. With more than 30 trails covering 127 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Summer excursions dont come much better than this: 18 miles of smooth, paved trail ringside to Californias stunning Monterey Bay, in some places so close to waters edge that waves occasionally wash over it. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 15 min to complete. The latest is expanding parking along the Seaside/Fort Ord area, The dunes are nice but the wind is always blowing here, so you get to see a variety of terrain. Be patient, especially in congested areas. Rentals: Bicycle rentals are available at multiple locations along the trail in Monterey at Adventures by the Sea (831.372.1807, sales@adventuresbythesea.com) and Bay Bikes (831.655.2453, info@baybikes.com). Heading south through rolling sand dunes, I saw very little to no mid-morning foot or bike traffic, until I reached the Seaside/Monterey boundary, at Dennis the Menace Park. The Monterey Trail is a perfect, safe route to bike to dinner or brunch. Hotels near Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail, Monterey County on Tripadvisor: Find 42,587 traveler reviews, 224 candid photos, and prices for 331 hotels near Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail in Monterey County, CA. On the trail, I found wonderful views of the ocean and live sea life. Just beyond the aquarium, roughly 1.5 miles into the journey, you reach Fisherman's Shoreline Park and San Carlos Beach. The trail connects you to beaches, landmarks and Monterey attractions like Cannery Row . Stop and look both ways before crossing a street intersection. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. Filadelfo said Google recently has added views of two locations in. 3.5 miles. Lots of hills and wind to give you a workout. Do not impede the rights of other Trail users. Between the two, the Beach Range Road Multi-Use Trail offers a parallel route as it passes through Fort Ord Dunes State Park. Explore the best rated trails in Monterey, CA. If I try it again, I think I'd rather start in Castroville, at the northern end, and ride south. San Francisco anyone? Then at Lapis Road & Hwy 1 the trail appeared to end at this intersection (no directional signage), could have explored down the highway at little to find remainder of trail but by then had ridden about 15 miles, so called it at that point. till its terminus north of Marina at Del Monte Blvd. Washington, DC 20037Phone: 202.331.9696 Plan your next trail adventure right from home! We loved biking along the Monterey Bay Coastal trail! With aid from the Coastal Conservancy and the cities of Monterey, Pacific Grove and Seaside, the railway transformed into the beautiful and popular trail many enjoy today. It ends and turns into the bike trail. Swap Out a Car Trip for a Trail Trip With These Tips and Tricks (08/31/22), 3. Stunning views of the coast. Even though there are many street crossings, the trail surface is excellent and the scenery is beautiful until you get to Seaside. Location: Monterey Jazz Festival, 2004 Fairground Rd, Monterey, CA. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. To reach the Pacific Grove trailhead from State Route 1: Take the Del Monte Avenue (402B) Exit toward Pacific Grove. Made famous by John Steinbeck, this area offers many restaurants, as well as shopping, lodging and entertainment for all ages. Beaches and picnic spots along the route. The trail follows the former Southern Pacific Railroad line, which was once used to transfer goods between the historic fishing town of Monterey and the rest of northern California. 1. Let's just wait some more and see where that gets us. This part of the trail was well maintained and crosswalks well defined. The trail itself supports walking, jogging, and biking. We took a total of 4 hours with stops for snacks. Travel 2 miles west on Del Monte Avenue, then veer right onto Lighthouse Avenue. All dogs must be leashed on the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail. This is also the area where you start having to cross busy intersections and dodge tourists--avoid it like the plague on weekends. We have only ridden the southernmost part of the trail. You can enjoy all Monterey attractions along the waterfront trail, including Fisherman's Wharf, Cannery Row and the Monterey Bay Aquarium, beaches, parks, historic sites and Downtown Monterey. We used the free parking lot across from the entrance to the Naval PostGraduate School at Del Monte Ave and Cunningham Rd and walked all the way to the Aquarium, about 5 mile round trip, taking about 3 hours because we stopped and read all the markers along the way and took lots of pictures. I did this trail from south to north and back again. Will definitely do again . Veterans Memorial Park at the top of the hill gives riders the opportunity to ride into Historic Monterey. The section of Hwy 1 through Moss Landing has been very dangerous thanks to the state road work for the past 45 years and nothing has changed and it is as dangerous now as ever. While on my walk to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, I discovered the trail. The trail also connects to multiple beaches, and passes many local restaurants and businesses. I was lucky that day getting the warm sun to accompany me. It is truly a beautiful place and urge people to come see this place themselves. Joining up on the south end of the Lansing River . The trail technically "ends" in Pacific Grove, at Lover's Point - but I continued on the road, via Ocean View Blvd, to Asilomar(Sunset Drive). Problem spots to be on the alert for: Marina to Seaside is seeing an abundance of homeless encampments and trash. This portion of trail has many more walkers and bikers but trail is wide enough for all and in very good condition. Read about the protection of Arcadia Dunes in the Coastal Campaign chapter from our 25th . . We packed all of our beach stuff in the bike trailer (along w/ the kid) and enjoyed the beautiful sunshine at Lover's Point beach. The wharf is the go to spot for for panhandling. The trail follows a railroad but is not actually on the railroad bed so there is some climbing. Unfortunately we only were able to experience a very small section of the overall Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail. We didn't like the thought of leaving our car at the Castroville end loaded with stuff for a weekend trip, so we drove a short ways to Marina State Beach and started there. Good public restroom stop on right near London Bridge Pub, just past Monterey Kayaks. But the scene soon changes as you continue north. The ocean views were amazing!!! Riding or jogging this path was my favorite activity when I lived here. Email :) Difficulty - Easy to Moderate. Along the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail, visitors can rent bikes and surreys (canopied quadricycles capable of seating up to six people), in-line skates and kayaks from several local businesses including Adventures by the Seaand Monterey Bay Kayaks. The Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail extends for about one mile from the Monterey Bay Aquarium to Lovers Point. The Pacific Grove section of the trail is part of the recreation trail network which runs from Marina to Pacific Grove. Previously an unused railroad corridor, this "rail-trail" is now a great place to walk Fido in Monterey! We decided to get away from the throngs of people along Cannery Row and head back to Wave Street where we parked our car. The trail continues north from Seaside along Highway 1 through the former Fort Ord to Marina where it then follows the old Sothern Pacific Rail line along Delmonte Blvd. Our Monterey Bay Coastal Trail, from Castroville to parts of Pebble Beach, is 29 miles long. The former Southern Pacific Railroad on which the rail-trail is built once carried canned fish from here north to markets in the San Francisco Bay area. The Monterey Bay Coastal Recreational Trail runs some 18 miles from Castroville to Pacific Grove passing through Fisherman's Wharf, Cannery Row, the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Downtown. I have ridden this from Monterey north, don't know about the southern rout from Monterey to Pacific Grove. I turned around at Seaside because I got tired of the traffic noise, hilly terrain, and exhaust fumes. Monterey California Coastal Trail Guide | Coastwalk California Take a Hike Around Monterey Bay Use this story map to find the California Coastal Trail around Monterey Bay, or to plan your hike. It was amazing! This wonderful coastal rail-trail currently extends 18 miles from Pacific Grove to Castroville and is regarded as one of the most scenic long trails in California. Its no doubt the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail is considered an asset not only on this grand, regional scale, but on a personal level for residents, too. Continue to Lovers Point. Just south of Roberts Ave, take the turn up and over the dunes instead of going straight and then having to use the road to continure on the trail. (Past Marina, there is a mile or so where you share a frontage road with some 18 wheelers, which is a little . Once the Southern Pacific Railway train tracks, the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail is an 18-mile paved path that winds along scenic Monterey Bay. The trail continues just behind crowded Fisherman's Wharf and Cannery Row. 94% of travelers recommend this experience. The cities of Monterey and Pacific Grove, working with the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District, began acquiring pieces of the corridor in 1976, and the trails first section opened in 1980. Do not be in a hurry on this one; frequent stops for taking in the views and snapping pictures of the bay, sailboats, seals, sea otters, and the like are a must and will turn your ride into the relaxing casual event you'll never forget. One of the most unique features in Monterey County is the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail. Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail Description View Trail Itinerary View Trail Map Winding along the Pacific coast, the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and a great way to tour Monterey and adjacent communities while enjoying the outdoors. Kim Bui Burton, who lives in Pacific Grove, enjoys walking the trail into Monterey with her husband every week. Virtual Tour of Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail. Fantastic trail for running, walking, cycling, sightseeing, or anything pedestrian! The Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail is truly immersed in its seaside environment, providing access to sandy beaches, fishing piers and marinas bustling with small boats bright white against the deep blue water. Walkers, joggers, bicyclists, and skaters are permitted. I just noticed another post lamenting that the rider had to drive to the start in Castroville. (Pacific Grove) to Haro St. and Merritt St./SR 183 (Castroville). Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews. Every mile offers scenic vistas and wildlife viewing, including harbor seals, sea otters, sea lions, birds and sometimes even whales! The trail gets fairly crowded as you get into Monterey so we only took it as far as the wharf, about 10 miles from Marina Beach. There is both beauty and history here. Winding along the Pacific coast, this scenic 18-mile paved path stretches from Castorville to Lovers Point Park in Pacific Grove along the beautiful Monterey Bay shoreline. Zoom in to see details. Out and back was 20.5 miles and took about 3 hours of riding (Note: I averaged 7 mph with loaded panniers, my ultra fit husband could ride it much faster). Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 5 h 41 min to complete. Description: Whether you prefer jazz, blues, folk, or American song, the discerning jazz music fan is sure to find both old favorites and visionary new artists to love at the Monterey Jazz Festival. Monterey is an extremely pedestrian friendly place and the views and wildlife on this trail are second to none! There are also grassy areas and tables for picnics at various points along the trail. Google Map. I parked in Sand City to start my ride, I used the Costco parking lot, I wouldn't do that again. Winding along the Pacific coast, the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and a great way to tour Monterey and adjacent communities while enjoying the outdoors. . The movement to create this 30-mile trail system received a boost last November when a sales tax measure to provide $20 million in funding for the project was approved by Monterey County voters. There is a very short section of bike path from Castroville going to the first highway at which point one is on country roads with heavy trucks and speeding vehicles until one gets to the edge of the city of Marina. Distance from hotel: 1.67 miles. With the Monterey Bay trail as its coastal spine, the FORTAG network will add paved looping pathways to connect the coast to inland communities. Details. This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail Itinerary California At a Glance Name: Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail Length: 18 Miles Trail activities: Bike, Inline Skating, Fishing, Wheelchair Accessible, Walking Counties: Monterey Surfaces: Asphalt, Concrete State: California View detailed map More info on this trail Attractions & Amenities Together, the two trails will provide 50 seamless, paved miles of scenic coastal trail. Help defend and expand trails nationwide. Thousands of residents, visitors and commuters use the trail every day but this popular segment of the California Coastal Trail almost didn't happen. The Monterey Bay Coastal Recreational Trail runs some 18 miles from Castroville to Pacific Grove passing through Fisherman's Wharf, Cannery Row, the Monterey. This is really a very diverse trail with the urban area thru Monterey in the south, the ocean views in the middle and then road views up north. This paved path stretches 18 miles from Castroville in the north to Pacific Grove in the south. This trail used to be so incredible. Sign up for eNews to get monthly updates on trail news, events and success stories from across the country. Good trail signage, just know to make a Right hairpin turn under the freeway interchange. Take that trail downhill to enter Monterey from the east. Vision, Mission, Value Drivers, & Strategic Initiatives, Meeting Agendas, Official Documents & Records, https://www.railstotrails.org/trailblog/2017/may/12/california-s-monterey-bay-coastal-recreation-trail/?tag=Trail+of+the+Month, CHAPTER 23, Article 1 - General Regulations. Using existing trails, networks and new connections, the Iron Belle Trail extends more than 2,000 miles from the far western tip of the Upper Peninsula to Belle Isle in Detroit, with a route of bicycling, and a route of hiking. Bike or walk through gorgeous scenery, with views of Monterey Bay and wildlife viewing, harbor seals, sea otters, sea lions, and whales. Local councils of the Boy Scouts of America The Ideal Scout, a statue by R. Tait McKenzie in front of the Bruce S. Marks Scout Resource Center, the former headquarters of the Cradle of Liberty Council in Philadelphia Scouting portal The program of the Boy Scouts of America is administered through 272 local councils, with each council covering a geographic area that may vary from a single city . Your donation will help us to continue connecting more people to trails around the country. Dont be surprised to see kayak crossings in the pathway, whales splashing in the distance or sea lions basking on the rocky shoreline. If you are biking from Monterey through Seaside and Marina to the northern terminus at Highway #1 and Del Monte Blvd. Trail map of the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail from Jewell Ave. and Ocean View Blvd. Uses: Biking, walking, inline skating and fishing; wheelchair accessible. Often there is only a single lane for bicyclists and cars and heavy trucks with trailers to use and the odds of being hit and killed is very very high as this is the busiest two lane highway in the United States. Commuters, residents, and visitors to avoid busy roads, get exercise or enjoy a scenic trip. This portion of the trail is most certainly perfect for visitors and walking enthusiasts. 2121 Ward Court, NW, 5th Floor (Pacific Grove) and Haro St. and Merritt St./SR 183 (Castroville). Whenever we visit the Monterey Peninsula, we always make sure to ride our bikes or walk multiple times on the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail. Pass at slow speed always aware that others unknowingly may move in your direction. I got some advice from Adventures By the Sea, an outfitter located at the beginning of the trail, that was very helpful given the relative lack of signage. The Monterey Bay Coastal Recreational Trail has two lanes, just like a regular street. Its condition and quality is excellent with the following editorial comments. Standard response is: priority, resources, safety, etc. If you're rollerblading, the section from the Naval Post-Graduate School down to the wharf can be kinda rough, as the asphalt isn't in the greatest condition. A lot of the main attractions are in the first couple of miles, and you hit some of the more remote and beautiful beaches further north - so it' really depends on however much you want to bike! and Higway 1. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. It reminds us of why we live here and why we love it., Best Of The rec trail is a great way for families to reach the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cannery Row, the American Tin Cannery shopping and outlet mall, Fisherman's Wharf, and much more - avoiding busy roads and parking hassles. $$ - $$$ Italian Steakhouse Seafood, $$ - $$$ American Seafood Vegetarian Friendly, $$ - $$$ Italian Seafood Vegetarian Friendly. Stop at the Choke Truck in Castorville for a half-way point lunch before returning to the coast. After 0.3 mile you come to a mural portraying the history of the area around the trail. I estimate the total additional trail to be about 10 miles from Seaside to its terminus north of Marina. Back then, the canneries were derelict buildings and the aquarium, now an anchor in the community, had not yet made its debut (and would not until 1984). Trail Map Download; Arcadia Dunes: Camp Arcadia Trails - St. Pierre Trailhead. 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