Monterey Bay Coastal Trail, Pacific Grove

4 more images

There is a nice, wide, paved recreation trail along Monterey Bay. In Pacific Grove, the path is separated into a paved bicycle-only path and an adjacent packed-dirt trail for walking, jogging, strolling, strollering, crutching, or just general BSing. Unlike the trial through Monterey, here there are no bums, but they are replaced by an even greater number of old people. From Lover's Point to Asilomar State Beach, the paved bike path becomes part of the road and the dirt trail follows the cliffs on the edge of the water. This stretch is narrow and often close to the cliffs, so not as good for jogging.

In Monterey, just east of Pacific Grove, the trail runs through Cannery Row then follows Del Monte Ave along the beach, dunes, and an old railroad grade. The foundations of some of the old train depots are still visible in some locations. Near the Naval Postgraduate School, the trail passes through an impressive old grove of eucalyptus trees which were imported from Australia. The path is very popular for joggers, bikers, walkers, and bums/bag ladies.

From Asilomar Beach you can jog or bike into Pebble Beach without paying the outrageous $9 vehicle entry fee!

BTW, this trail is part of the California Coastal Trail, a work in progress that will eventually consist of a trail along the entire 1,100-mile California coast from the border of Oregon to the border of Mexico. Today about 50% of the coastal trail is open and accessible to the public.

The Monterey County Weekly "Best Of 2006 Readers' Picks" named the Coastal Trail from Pacific Grove to Marina as the best Place to Bike in Monterey County!