02 Sep
Taking a Coastal Walk Along Highway 101 Trails
Description: Many people enjoy coastal walks because they get to see more of the area than they would if they were driving their car. There is 1,200 miles of cost to explore and you can start at any point.
If you are someone who likes hiking you will find that coastal walks along Highway 101 can be interesting and fun. There is a lot to see and you can elect to just walk part of it or the entire 1,200 miles. Those who have done these trails say that the best time to go is during the summer or fall; the winder gets a bit dicey and difficult to travel as a hike.
One of the hikes you can take is the Montara Mountain North Peak hike. People who take this one like it because you can see many great views of the Pacific Coast. You can use this trail easily and it is allowable for walking bikes and dogs. As you continue up the trail you will be awed by the various views as you go up the trial — not only will you see the Pacific Coast but there will be great views of Pacifica, The Golden Gate Bridge, and Marin Headlands. Be sure to take your camera!
If you like to hike in a more primitive setting you might try some of the state parks along the way. One that many people don’t know about is the Andrew Molera State Park. This is a smaller park next to the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park which is more popular. Because of this you will see that Andrew is less populated but just as beautiful. However, this may because it is less developed than other parks and more primitive. You can take long hikes here though and this may suit the taste of many hikers.
Another interesting hike may be to Angel Island State Park and you can take the Ferry over to the Island. There are several hiking trails that take you around the Island and the trails will take you though some of the most interesting historical sites like the Chinese Immigration Center.
This Center will give you a tour of the various buildings that were used in the Civil War and WWI and WWII. You will also find a visitor’s center at Ayala Cove and lots of sandy beaches to explore. Hiking along Highway 101 can give you a variety of experiences.
By: Larry Minikes
About the Author:
I have served on the TCC Board since 1993 and have served as previously as president in 2004-06. I have also served as Corresponding Secretary for several years representing our interests at many public meetings. I currently serve as the president of the Bay Area Trails Preservation Council where I have been board member since 1992. In 1999/2000 I founded the MMWD Watershed Citizens Advisory Committee which successfully developed our 50-year watershed protection plan. Our new website can be viewed at http://www.tamalpais.org