Hello, friends. We’ve had spring weather and lovely hiking days here on the Northern California coast. I just returned from three days in Montara, Half Moon Bay and the sandy shores of the Pacific Ocean and Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
If you’re attending the 2018 American Pilgrims on the Camino National Gathering in Menlo Park, you’ll be about an hour or two away from beautiful beaches and trails. There are also International Hostels on Highway One, as well as many state beaches. Check out my January entry to help you plan a beach hiking and training day outing or longer trip, Training for a Camino or love a long walk? Links and maps for California Coastal Trails and Hostels.
My first day’s hike was in Montara in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, across from the beach and off of Highway One. The Montara Lighthouse Hostel is down the highway. Great views and walking trails, it reminded me of the Camino, with lots of trees, wildflowers and puddles after a rain.
We hiked on the trail and walked through a private horse ranch. Then closer to the view of the Pacific Ocean, my favorite place to just chill.
The next day we hiked on the California Coastal Trail in Half Moon Bay, that I highlighted in the January blog. A warm, sunny day with hikers, bikers, dogs and sun lovers sharing the trail. There are places to picnic or you can stop at some cafes along the way. Bring water, a snack, hat, sunscreen and be prepared for amazing views.
The three pictures above were taken on a cool, cloud day in January in Half Moon Bay.
One more sunny March day and one last short walk, again in Half Moon Bay, about two hours and I said good-bye to the coast. I loved the reminder:
You can walk off the trail and down to the beach. Watch for signs that lead you to safe trails. Year round this is an amazing coast for an outing, a vacation, a training day or a walk. I’m grateful to live so close to paradise. And happy to pay my taxes for these public hiking trails and beaches, well-maintained and safe places to walk, swim, surf, fish, boat and play.
And only about an hour or two away from the Pilgrim Gathering in Menlo Park. What a great opportunity for a walk by the sea.
Buen Camino, Irene
Walking through the ages 