Magical Monterey

We will meet and our vehicles will remain at a group camping site located in Monterey Veterans Memorial Park. We will shuttle to the start of our hikes and their return. Hikes can experience a vertical change of 700 ft. While most of the hike is along packed dirt, there are some uneven areas with protruding rocks, roots, and minor obstructions. Each day, you have the option of doing the longer hikes or walk less and spend more time in chosen areas. We will provide options for both breakfast and lunch. If you have any special requests regarding diet -please let your Walk Leader know. Dinners will be prepared by volunteer “food angels” who support Coastwalk. We ask that you bring any personal food or drug items in well-marked sturdy containers to be placed in one of our ice chests. To all, please bring a marked container for leftovers. (They are equally great along the trail the next day). Do bring along a camp chair for a comfortable time around the campfire. You will have your vehicles nearby each day so transporting items should not be an issue.

 TRIP INCLUDES:

Camping & parking fees; guided hiking; nightly dinners; shuttle transportation; evening programs, hot water/coffee, Tea or Cocoa. An assortment of breakfast and lunch items will be available but please do let us know if you have any needs or preferences. Also available will be leftovers from the previous evening so we suggest you bring sturdy resalable containers. Coastwalk cannot sell alcoholic beverages.

FACILITIES: You will be camping out each night so you will need appropriate gear including sleeping bag, mattress or pad, and tent with rain fly. Since seating at some of the camp sites is minimal, we recommend you bring a camp chair. Your vehicle will remain at our camp. You will need only a day pack each day. Dinner will be presented each evening at our camp with a campfire-like session to follow. Note: there are no campfire rings at this group campsite; Power is available in camp to re-charge your cell phones.

 CAMPGROUNDS:

All nights we will camp at Monterey Veterans Memorial Park. Potable water, restrooms, and showers are available.

 AVERAGE DAILY HIKING:

5 to 11 miles per day

 TYPES OF HIKING SURFACES:

Coastal bluffs on small tracks and wide trails; sandy beaches. Some hilly trails one day. Uneven terrain may be encountered

 ELEVATION GAINS & LOSSES:

fairly level except one day. (700 ft. change.)

 FITNESS REQUIREMENTS:

This Coastwalk is rated as Moderate: 

Daily hiking averages 5-9 miles. Expect some elevation and/or sand walking.

PARKING:

We will be meeting no later than 1 PM at Monterey Veterans Memorial Park Group Campsite.

CLIMATE & CLOTHING

The ocean is our climate control (water temperatures are in the lower 50s year around) so you can expect relatively cool temperatures with highs mainly in the mid-60s during the middle of the day and lows in the low 50s during the evening and early morning. There may be some morning fog that will burn off by about 10:00 am. Rain is not likely but is a possibility- we should have a fair handle on this at the time of the walk – a lightweight windbreaker is advised. It does get windy on the bluffs and beaches. You’ll want a sweater and/ or jacket in the evenings and mornings; layering is usually best. Fleece is a warm, comfortable option. Otherwise, you can use your judgment about clothing when temperatures are in this range (the humidity can be high which can affect how the air temperature affects your comfort). Bring sturdy hiking shoes that are comfortable and in good condition. A trekking pole provides excellent stability while crossing tricky terrain and rocks and can offer good support while tide pooling.

WATER!!

Potable water is readily available at our base camp and opportunities to replenish are generally available along the trail.  You will need to carry you own daily fluids during our hikes.

TRANSPORTATION:

Your vehicle will be present at our camp for the entire hike so you may keep what you wish in them.

FOOD:

Coffee, Tea, Cocoa, juice, and milk, (dairy and non-dairy), will be available each morning, as well as a variety of breakfast foods. We brew a large pot of coffee, but decaf can be prepared upon request. A variety of lunch items such as breads, (whole grain and gluten free), almond butter, honey, spreads, cheeses, cold cuts, and condiments will be available as well as leftovers. Soft drinks will be available each day.  Dinners are provided each evening. You will only need to carry lunch items and water while hiking.

PLEASE NOTE THIS ITINERARY MAY CHANGE AS NEW TRAILS AND OPPORTUNITIES DEVELOP ON THIS ADVENTURE.

Day 1: Meet at Veterans Park at 1 p.m.

Hike: Presidio View – Summit – Huckleberry Hill Loop 1.9 miles and Quarry Park loop 1.0 miles.

Hike description: Orient to the park where you will be camping for the next 4 nights. This hike begins with a long set of steep stairs. Your reward for the short climb is views of Monterey Peninsula, including Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, and Monterey Bay. It’s heavily forested lovely, and a piece of nature much appreciated by the locals. Then take a short walk from the Veterans Park to the Quarry Park Loop.

Distance: 2.9 miles

Elevation gain: 300′

No shuttles – hike is to/from camp.

Day 2: Shuttle to Whaler’s Cove parking lot in Pt Lobos State Natural Preserve.

Hike: Whaler’s Cove to Bird Rock via the coastal trails

Hike Description: From the parking lot, hike an out and back to Granite Point. Returning to the Cove we shall visit the Whaler’s cabin, observe its displays and learn much of the history of this area from its docents. We shall circle the peninsula via the North and South Shore Trail, with diversions looping the Cypress Grove Trail and Sea Lion Point. Our destination at Bird Rock Parking Lot will provide access to the Bird Island Trail and Gibson Beach.  You have the option of joining the longer hike along the coastal trails or shuttle to various sites with us.

Distance: 8 – 10 miles

Elevation Gain: Minimal change but trail can be uneven with protruding rocks, roots, and other minor obstructions.

Shuttle will pick up at the Bird Rock Parking Lot

Day 3: Shuttle to Monastery Beach.

Hike: Monastery Beach to Carmel Beach and onto Bird Rock, (different from the one at Pt. Lobos) on the CCT, with diversion through Morse Botanical Reserve.

Hike description: Hike leaves from Monastery Beach to Carmel Beach on the historic Redondo Real Beach Trail, leaving the CCT at the end of Redondo Real Beach Trail we will proceed right for a diversion through Del Monte Forest. The CCT proceeds as single-track through the residential neighborhoods and past the golf courses of Pebble Beach, returning to the coastline at Bird Rock.

Distance: ~8 miles

Elevation Gain: Maybe 700′

Shuttle will pick up at Bird Rock.

Day 4: Shuttle to Bird Rock

Hike: Bird Rock to Fisherman’s Wharf

Hike description: Hike the CCT as it follows the coastline of the Monterey Peninsula, from Pebble Beach to Monterey. The first section of this hike is on Coastal Trail alongside the famous 17-Mile Drive and past many of its way points (Bird Rock, China Rock, Point Joe, Spanish Bay), then diverts off 17-Mile Drive to continue along the coast on the Spanish Bay boardwalk. We continue to Asilomar Beach, along the Asilomar coastline (boardwalks and trail) and on Coastal Trail from Point Pinos to Lovers Point, where we pick up paved coastal recreational trail to Fisherman’s Wharf near historic Cannery Row.

Distance: ~8.5 miles.

Elevation Gain: <50′.

Shuttles will pick up at Fisherman’s Wharf.

 Day 5:

Hike: Veterans Park to “Path of History” in Old Town Monterey

Hike description: Take trail to Paraiso Park, just downhill from Veterans Park and then walk a few city blocks to explore the “Path of History”. Hike back up to Veterans.

Distance: >3 miles

Elevation gain: ~400′

No shuttles – hike is to/from camp.

• Hiking shoes, boots or sturdy walking shoes
• Waterproof sandals
• Spare walking shoes & laces
• Comfy camp shoes
• Hiking poles
• Water-proof windbreaker/ or parka for cold nights
• Long pants and long sleeve shirt (protection against sunburn, poison oak, and bugs)
• Layers for upper body
• Hat for sun protection that ties under chin
• Beanie for cold, windy conditions
• Other clothing – underwear, T-shirts, lots of socks, etc.
• Bandana
• Sunglasses with UV protection
• Sunscreen (minimum 30 spf)
• Natural bug repellant
• Personal first aid kit (band aids, blister pads)
• Personal medicines
• Day pack
• Plate, cup, bowl, and eating utensils
• Sturdy Tupperware for leftovers
• Flashlight & headlamp with new batteries
• Spare batteries
• Folding camp chair
• Tent & Ground Cloth
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping pad
• REUSABLE Water Bottle
• Trail snacks (power bars or jerky)
• Credit Card & cash for camp showers and treats
• Solar shower if there is no shower at campsite
• Shower towel

What’s Included:

Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided.

Breakfast:

• Coffee: (Regular in percolator with caffeine free available upon request), Teas, Cocoa, Juice, Milk (1/2 & 1/2, 2% Milk, Soy & Almond Milks)
• Sweeteners- (sugar, honey)
• Yogurt
• Biscotti
• Hot Cereals (Instant Oatmeal, and prepare it yourself steel cut oats available)
• Granola
• Walnuts or assorted nuts
• Fruit (fresh)- (Blueberries, Bananas, Apples, Oranges / Cuties)
• Fruit (dried)- Raisins & Craisins

Lunch:

• Breads- (Multi Grail & Gluten Free)
• Almond Butter
• Fruit spreads
• Cold Cuts
• Cheeses (sliced)
• Condiments, (Mustard, Mayonnaise)
• Butter, (Regular and dairy free)

Dinner: 

• Dinners are included unless otherwise noted and will be provided by Coastwalk’s Volunteer Food Angels. 

Our Chuckwagon wrangler will do their best to accommodate you but if you have special dietary needs please bring your food in a small cooler and we will be sure to provide you with ice throughout the trip.

Path of History: https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/575/files/MontereySHPFinalWeb080814.pdf

Gail Williams:

Gail is a retired Air Quality Planner who loves the coast and hiking and found Coastwalk a natural fit.  Gail has volunteered with Coastwalk for many years in various capacities including food angel, shuttle driver, camp host and walk leader. Gail has enjoyed hiking many Coastwalks over the years including Santa Catalina, San Francisco, Marin, San Mateo and Jug-Handle at Fort Bragg.  It is Gail’s dream to walk as many miles on the California Coastal Trails as time allows, especially with fellow Coastwalkers.

Donna Barnett:

Donna is a resident of Forest Ranch. For the past 30 years she helped create cultural videos while trekking with her husband who was a Trek leader in Nepal. This love of walking through the world has shifted to the California Coast where she has volunteered with Coastwalk for the past several years.  “Coastwalk has allowed me an opportunity to slow down and participate with our beautiful California Coast.”

Volunteer Hike Support: L-R: Linda Schawberow and Donna Lockhart

Bob Adams: I was born to a mom that loved taking her dogs for long walks. It was the 50’s & 60’s and San Francisco was a much less “developed” area, offering large areas to hike or drive to one of the many open coastal properties nearby for a daily 4-6-mile walk.

My dad would arrange family gatherings and camping adventures throughout the Western United States. I then spent 24 years flying Air Force Cargo Aircraft around the world which afforded me access to hiking and camping opportunities throughout the globe so that I was able to hike on every continent-including Antarctica!

Alone, with family or like-minded groups I have spent my years with a love of the outdoors. I spent 20 years as a RN at medical, surgical, oncology hospitals units.

I joined Coastwalk several years ago for another opportunity to discover new hiking and camping experiences and have been a Chuckwagon Wrangler supporting Coastwalks in almost every coastal county. This is my first year as a Walk Leader & organizer and I look forward to sharing some of my favorite hiking areas with like-minded friends & coastal enthusiasts”.