Monterey Bay: Santa Cruz to Carmel Trek
Description
Overview:
This 6 day/5 night California Central Coastal Vacation highlights one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the world. From the iconic surfing town of Santa Cruz to the famous storybook village of Carmel-By-The-Sea, this trek will delight you with stunning vistas of the mighty Pacific Ocean, an old-growth redwood forest and villages perfect for exploring, dining and shopping. Golfing enthusiasts can add on extra days to golf on the Monterey Peninsula or at the world-famous Pebble Beach or Spanish Bay Resorts.
Details
This Wine Country trek includes 4 days of walking from 5 - 8 miles (8-13 km) along the Pacific Ocean beach and bluffs traversing beautiful rocky coves with endless ocean views of the Monterey Bay coastline. You may even see a whale breach! You will walk through the crown jewel of the California State Parks, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve and into the chic enclave of Carmel-By-The-Sea. You will see some iconic golf holes from Pebble Beach and Spanish Bay golf courses. It also includes 1 day of hiking in a beautiful old-growth redwood forest and 2 wine tastings at delightful wine tasting salons. The trek starts in Santa Cruz with the magical Beach Boardwalk and a haven for surfers, and continues to the quaint villages of Capitola, Aptos, Carmel-By-The-Sea and Pacific Grove for exquisite dining and shopping.
Day 1: Santa Cruz
Your trek begins in the central California coast city of Santa Cruz. It’s long wharf with eateries and shops, stretches into Monterey Bay. The iconic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s vintage rides include the 1911 Looff Carousel and the 100 year old Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster. Santa Cruz is home to the wetsuit inventor, Jack O’Neill, and has been a surfing haven for 60 years. Your hotel is perched over the ocean and every room has stunning ocean views, often with surfers just below.
Hiking today: No planned hikes. Your personal Trail Guide will suggest local walks and sights to see.
Day 2: Nisene Marks and Capitola
A short transport will take you to the beautiful Forest of Nisene Marks. You’ll be in awe of the towering redwoods along the bubbling creek with many special places to stop and gaze at these giants of the forest. After visiting the forest you will enjoy your first wine tasting of the trek at a small tasting room with delicious local wines. After your tasting a short transport will bring you to the village of Capitola where you will stay in an old railway depot converted to a lovely Bed and Breakfast. Enjoy strolling the village with it’s shops and restaurants all perched on a swath of beautiful beach. For a special treat you can take an old fashioned yellow cab to Shadowbrook Restaurant for dinner. This iconic restaurant has beautiful gardens and a gondola that descends you down to dinner.
Hiking today: 6 – 8.5 miles (9.5 – 13.5 km ) with 800 feet (244 m) of elevation gain and loss.
Day 3: Capitola to Aptos
Today’s walk is all about the beach. You’ll leave your inn on foot and walk along Brighton Beach and other State Park beaches where you will stroll along the beach with shorebirds, swimmers and surfers – a quintessential California beach experience. You’ll have time to stop at a cafe/deli to purchase lunch and enjoy it along the way. A short walk from the beach, along a curving garden path, is a wonderful seaside resort with a good restaurant where you will stay this evening. You can ask the front desk to pack you a s’mores kit and light a beach bonfire to extend your beach activities into the evening and night.
Hiking today: 5.5 miles (9 km) with 200 feet (61 m) of elevation gain and loss.
Day 4: Pt. Lobos to Carmel
Today you will move further south along the coast to the world-renowned village of Carmel-By-The-Sea. Your transport will drop you south of Carmel at Pt. Lobos State Natural Reserve which has been called “the greatest meeting of land and water in the world”. As you walk along the bluffs above the rocky coves you will be in awe of the crashing waves and clear blue water. Often there are whales frolicking in the distance. You will exit the park and traverse down to two beaches where you walk with close up ocean views. The hike ends in the utterly charming village of Carmel-By-The-Sea. Admire the storybook cottages and modern California mansions as you walk along the bluff. You will end the day at your second wine tasting at a lovely wine tasting room that specializes in sparkling and still wines from the appellations of Santa Cruz and Monterey. After your wine tasting you will walk to your classic California inn that has Hollywood history.
Hiking today: 6 miles (9.5 km) with 1,000 feet (300 m) elevation gain and 800 feet (244 m) of elevation loss.
Day 5: Spanish Bay to Pacific Grove
The final day of your trek you will be transported a short distance along the famous 17 mile drive where you will see the elegant homes that line the iconic Pebble Beach Golf Course. You will begin the hike on the shores of the Pebble Beach Resort and walk along the bluffs to the charming town of Pacific Grove. You will have the opportunity to take a short detour to the famous Spanish Bay Resort hotel. Here you can enjoy lunch or just a beverage with views over the golf course and the ocean. You will see golfers on a few holes today. At the end of your walk you’ll see your lodging perched over the ocean – a beautiful Victorian house that has been converted to a luxury bed and breakfast.
Hiking today: 6 miles (9.5 km) with 500 feet (150 m) of elevation gain and loss.
Day 6: Trek Conclusion
Your Wine Country Trek comes to an end.
Extend your California vacation with a visit to the award winning Monterey Bay Aquarium, tour the famous Highway 1 through Big Sur or golf at the Pebble Beach Resort.