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Fiji

4 Days in Fiji

July 6, 2020
by Carrie
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Beach at low tide

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Batteries to Bluffs: A Stunning San Francisco Hike
Your Guide to an Epic Week in Charleston with Kids
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Exploring Pigeon Point in Pescadero
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marquezfiveadventures

Number 3 - Tahquitz Canyon Trail, Palm Springs Di

Number 3 - Tahquitz Canyon Trail, Palm Springs

Distance: 1.7 miles
Elevation: 328’
Our rating: Easy trail overall, but Moderate due to the summer heat
No dogs
Parking: Free, but there is an entrance fee to hike ($12/adult; $6/child 6-12; under 6 Free)
Restrooms: Yes at trailhead

We visited Palm Springs during the summer and did this hike at the end of June. IT. WAS. HOT. 🔥🥵The trail is accessible beginning at 7:30am. We were there at 8am (which is an amazing feat with two teens!) and it was already 90 degrees. The ranger station monitors that every hiker is carrying at least 32 oz of water. If you go in the summer - go early! - not only to avoid the hottest part of the day but also this is a well-trafficked hike and by the time we got to the star 🌟 THE FALLS 🌟there was already a decent number of people there. The waterfall creates a large swimming hole with cold water and we immediately jumped in with our clothes on! We swam all around under the falls. It was amazing! We also saw a few bighorn sheep along the way! This was Kate’s favorite hike of the year! 🌵🐏💦

I don’t like crowded hikes, but I think this one is worth it. Even though it was hot, starting the hike early and getting to experience the refreshing swimming hole was so fun & memorable. We were lucky the waterfall was still flowing - my advice is to check @Alltrails and read the recent reviews to make sure it’s flowing before you go. There’s nothing worse than promising your kids a waterfall and then not being able to deliver. In winter/spring the weather is cooler and the waterfall has a better chance of flowing, but it would be too cold to swim. Tradeoffs!!

For the last year, Ben has been my sidekick. He ha

For the last year, Ben has been my sidekick. He has gone on more runs, hikes, and adventures with me than I can count. While I’ve let the older kids opt out of some of some of these, he rarely gets that choice. And he always comes along (mostly) without complaining.

Today he turns 11 🥳and the day is all about him. We have given all 3 kids the day off of school and Ben has planned quite an adventure for us. It’s basically his favorite thing to do and this ropes course we did high in the redwoods in Felton with @mounthermonadventures last month is a good clue!

Last year I planned a very last minute birthday party for him on March 1st. We tried to squeeze it in before weekends got crazy with baseball & soccer games. Even at that point I had no idea what life would look like for the next year. I have patted myself on the back for that decision many times because it was one of the last times he hung out with his friends for months. Ben started out loving quarantine life actually. He loved being at home, doing zoom under a pile of blankets, and enjoying his downtime with all activities canceled. He had been stressed and I realized he had been extremely overscheduled. It wasn’t until the holidays that he started getting zoom fatigue and really missed life as he knew it before.

Now things are looking up. He has a plan to return to school in a limited capacity this month and baseball & soccer games are starting up again. This year is off to a much brighter start. I am hopeful that he can return to a “normal” life full of school, friends, family, sports, travel, and just being a kid who doesn’t have to worry about covid.

Happy 11th to the kid who completed our family! 🎈🎂🎉

Number 4 - Dipsea Trail, Mill Valley ⭐️Hands

Number 4 - Dipsea Trail, Mill Valley

⭐️Hands down this has been my favorite Bay Area hike since I was a kid.⭐️ If it was up to me alone this would be our top 2020 hike, but it’s not so it came in at number 4!
There are many variations of this hike depending on the difficulty and mileage you want to take on (ranging from a few miles to 15+). This summer I took the boys on a Dipsea introduction hike. I chose one of the easiest routes, but it’s still a moderate hike with many stairs and drop dead gorgeous views. It was warm and clear and we had amazing views. A few days later we hiked nearby Tennessee Valley and it was cold, windy & foggy, meaning weather is variable so always come prepared with layers.

We began at the Pantoll parking area and hiked the Old Mine to Dipsea to Steep Ravine loop. I was not used to starting from this area so we actually hiked it backwards which works, but I recommend going in the order above. The Dipsea trail is exposed with little shade which makes it better for the downhill portion. This way you also hike facing the Pacific rather than with your back to it ☀️🌊Steep Ravine is like taking a step back into time with redwoods, ferns, and waterfalls 🌿💦There are a ton of steps, bridges and even a ladder to climb. As a kid, this ladder always stood out to me - I loved it and looked forward to it. When I had the kids rank our hikes, the boys asked “is that the hike with the ladder?”

I’m looking forward to going back this year and hiking more - maybe starting from Stinson Beach and making a larger 6 mile loop. One day, I’ll conquer the Double Dipsea. Who’s with me? 😜

Distance: 3.6 miles
Elevation: 948’
Our rating: Moderate
No dogs
Parking: $10 at the Pantoll parking area
Restrooms: Yes at trailhead

Number 5 - Kehoe Beach Trail, Point Reyes Distanc

Number 5 - Kehoe Beach Trail, Point Reyes

Distance: 2.5 miles
Elevation: Flat
Our rating: Easy
Dogs on leash ✔️
Parking ✔️Free on side of road
Restrooms ✔️Yes at trailhead

Kate, Ben and I did this hike on a weekday in July. I had grand plans to hit several stops in Point Reyes (the cypress tree tunnel, the shipwreck), but in reality we only made it to this beach because I forgot what a trek it is to get here! We chose this one because the trail and the beach at the end are dog friendly. We picked up sandwiches at Whale of a Deli in Point Reyes Station and brought them to the beach. The trail was very easy - the hardest part was climbing over a sand dunes at the end to reach the beach. Kehoe Beach was huge and mostly deserted aside from 3-4 other groups. I love the beaches up here as they feel so rugged - we saw lots of kelp, seaweed, jellyfish and crabs all over the beach. The kids loved running around the beach and chasing waves with our dog. The trail was nice and we felt like we had it to ourselves, but the beach was the real winner here. I was a little surprised this hike ranked so high, but our kids have asked several times to come back here so I guess I shouldn’t have been! 🦀🐚🌊

Another great day skiing in Tahoe! I definitely pr

Another great day skiing in Tahoe! I definitely prefer sunny warm weather, but I’ve been trying to embrace the cold wet weather this year. The kids had a mid-winter break last week and the one thing they unanimously wanted to do was go skiing!

This winter I’ve learned that ski day trips are exhausting, but totally doable! There have been a few years when we haven’t gone to the snow at all because we always had a weekend commitment that kept us at home. But there’s no reason we can’t sneak up for just a day here & there! We’ve been lucky with great snow, few crowds and minimal traffic. Hoping to get in at least one more day before the end of the season.

Have you done any day trips to the snow? Would love to hear any of your tips/tricks and your favorite places to go!

Number 6 - Lands End Trail, San Francisco Distanc

Number 6 - Lands End Trail, San Francisco

Distance: 3.5 miles
Elevation: 500’ gain
Our rating: Moderate (there are a lot of stairs, especially if you take the Mile Beach offshoot)
Dogs on leash
Parking: Free
Restrooms: Yes (but the ones at Lands End Lookout were closed the last time we were there)

If you’ve been following me for awhile then it should be no surprise Lands End made our list! We LOVE this hike right in the middle of San Francisco! Kate & I first hiked it in July 2019 on a cold foggy overcast day. Ben, Mike & I came back in November 2020 on a gorgeous sunny 70 degree day. The weather can be hit or miss, but the views and history of this trail are fantastic anytime.

This trail has so many engaging features and something of interest for all from amazing views of the Golden Gate Bridge & Marin Headlands, a rock labyrinth, beach access, shipwrecks, the old Cliffhouse Railway to the Cliffhouse and Sutro Baths pictured here. You could easily spend an entire day here. For an even more challenging hike, keep going at Eagle Point Overlook through the Sea Cliff neighborhood, pick up the coastal trail at Baker Beach and take it all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge! We’ve done these two hikes separately, but I’m eager to combine them! This would make the entire hike about 8 miles roundtrip.

Number 7 - Devil’s Slide Coastal Trail, Pacifica

Number 7 - Devil’s Slide Coastal Trail, Pacifica

Distance: 2.6 miles (out & back)
Elevation: 436’ gain
Our rating: Easy
Dog/Bike/Stroller/Equestrian Friendly
Parking: Free at both the northern & southern trailheads
Restrooms: Yes

If you have lived in the Bay Area for awhile then you likely remember hearing traffic reports announcing: “Highway 1 closed at Devil’s Slide”. Highway 1 which hugs the California coastline is arguably one of the most beautiful drives in the world. The views along the bluffs are stunning and the hair-raising turns on the edge of the cliff are nerve-wracking. This part of the highway first opened in 1937 and 3 years later was buried under fallen rocks. From this point on, at least once a decade, the road would close due to landslides and erosion. Devil’s Slide is made up of sedimentary rock which is extremely unstable and prone to crumble. In 1995 the road closed for 6 months which prompted a call to action: divert the highway by boring two new tunnels through San Pedro Mountain. When this was completed in 2013, the old Devil’s Slide segment became a multi-use trail.

All 5 of us hiked this in July on a gorgeous clear day. We loved the unique aspect of hiking down the old roadway and taking in all the views. We all found the history of this roadway fascinating and loved seeing all the visible layers of mud and sand lifted up from the ocean floor over millennia by shifting tectonic plates. Additionally, there are multiple informational signs describing the geology, marine & plant life and various lookout points with telescopes. Dog-friendly, under 3 miles, easy with minimal elevation gain, gorgeous views and educational - this hike was a winner all around!

Top 10 Hikes of 2020 Countdown…. Number 8 - Cow

Top 10 Hikes of 2020 Countdown….

Number 8 - Cowell-Purisima Trail, Half Moon Bay

Distance: 7.2 miles (out & back)
Elevation: Flat
Our rating: Easy
Dog Friendly: No
Parking: Free at both the northern & southern trailheads
Restrooms: Yes
Note: This trail is only open on the weekends & holidays.

Ben & I did this hike in December - we loved it and can’t wait to bring the rest of the family back to this trail. We parked at the northern trailhead at Cowell Ranch Beach. The lot is small and we ended up along the side of Highway 1. Take the path about a half a mile towards the beach, just before the overlook there’s a gate to the left where the trail begins. The trail is wide, flat and gravel - it’s great for jogging strollers & bikes. It meanders along a coastal bluff where there are pastures on one side and sweeping ocean views on the other. We crossed several pedestrian bridges and kept a look out for seals, whales, and hawks. About 2 miles into the hike, the trail briefly turns to dirt as it descends into a little valley and crosses Purisima Creek. Here we saw quite a few banana slugs along the trail! We turned around after 2.5 miles as we started the hike later in the day, but next time we’ll hike the entire way. Save time at the end to hang out at Cowell Ranch Beach!

Our kids are on two different school calendars, bu

Our kids are on two different school calendars, but they all have this week off school. In the past we’ve taken advantage of this mid-February break to travel. Last year we went skiing in Lake Tahoe ❄️⛷ (our last trip before everything locked down), in previous years we’ve sought out the sun in Hawaii, Costa Rica & Panama ☀️🌴. This year we are sticking around and exploring locally - it will be a mix of day trips and projects around the house 😜. I’m excited to try out a couple of new hikes, take another day trip to Tahoe for skiing, and I finally rebooked an adventure we had to cancel last spring that everyone is super excited about!

While I planned a lot this week, I told my teens they had to pick a minimum of 3 adventures to go on. I started this concept during the summer and it has been working out well. It gives them control to pick the activities that are most appealing to them or works best with their schedule. They can pick a 3 mile hike over a 7 mile hike, sleep in on a day when the rest of us need to get up early, make their own plans with friends, etc. And I tell them all the time, I am open to and appreciate suggestions! If they suggest a hike or some type of adventure I will make it happen - that’s why we have skiing on our list this week!

Do your kids have this week off? What are your plans?

Top 10 Hikes of 2020 Countdown continued…. Numb

Top 10 Hikes of 2020 Countdown continued….

Number 9 - Headlands Trail (Devil’s Punchbowl), Russian Gulch State Park, Mendocino

Distance: ~1 mile
Elevation: negligible
Our rating: Very Easy
Dog Friendly: No
Parking: $8 entrance fee to the park
Restrooms: Yes

At the end of September, we spent a long weekend in Mendocino which is approximately 3 hours north of San Francisco. There were two hikes I really wanted to do while we were there, both in Russian Gulch State Park: Fern Canyon which was closed for restoration at the time and the Headlands Trail.

After passing through the park Entrance Station and paying an $8 fee, we took the first right towards the Headlands Trail and parked in the first dirt lot. This let us out right by the overlook to the Panhorst Bridge. There were lots of picnic tables here (we should have brought lunch) and we just admired the bridge for awhile. Then we followed the path west along the bluff past another parking area out onto a bluff with GORGEOUS views and extremely steep drop offs. Aside from the ocean views there was also a huge sinkhole (Devil’s Punchbowl) which was protected by a fence so we couldn’t get too close.

Mike, Ben & I rated this hike quite high. In fact, this was Mike’s favorite hike of the year. For such a short hike it packed a huge punch with the views, bridge, rugged coast, and the sinkhole. Kate said she would have rated it higher, but it was too short. There are other nearby trails within the park if you want to extend the hike. Instead we drove down to the beach at the base of the bridge where we tossed around a football & frisbee and searched for treasures in the sand.

Since we went on a record number of hikes in 2020,

Since we went on a record number of hikes in 2020, I decided to have the entire family rank each hike we went on and come up with a “Top 10 Hikes of 2020” list. Not all 5 of us went on every single hike, but at least one kid was present. Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll share our countdown and give you all the details starting with….

Number 10 - Rancho Corral de Tierra, Moss Beach

Distance: 4 miles
Elevation: 1500’ gain
Our rating: Moderate
Dog Friendly: Yes
Parking: Free on the side of the road (no designated lot)
Restrooms: No (secluded bushes: yes)

4 of us did this hike on a beautiful day in late December. The trailhead is a little bit tricky to get to. We parked in the designated area at the intersection of Etheldore Street and Ranch Road in Moss Beach. Then we walked up Ranch Road past an equestrian center, at the end of the road we went through a gate and veered right through a little farm area with horses, llamas & goats, and followed the small signs towards Spine Ridge Trail. Once on the trail, we headed straight up and before long we were able to see the iconic golf ball at Pillar Point in Half Moon Bay. The views were gorgeous and I’ve heard that on a foggy day this trail takes you above the fog.

I enjoyed this hike because of the great workout and we had it entirely to ourselves. The kids liked it because it was dog friendly, they liked walking by the horses & farm at the beginning, but the big draw of this hike was the swing at the top (obviously). We did not know about the swing until we came upon it and who knows if it will still be there when we go back. There was a bit of complaining about the elevation on the way there, but they seemed to forget all about that once they saw the swing. And of course, the way back down was a breeze!

Afterward stop at @mossbeachdistillery which has a dog-friendly firepit patio, gorgeous ocean views, great food & a haunted past! 👻

A friend of mine is planning a trip to Myrtle Beac

A friend of mine is planning a trip to Myrtle Beach this summer for her son’s baseball tournament and she asked me about some of our favorite places to visit in the Carolinas. We have spent a fair amount of time there: Mike went to school in Chapel Hill, I worked in Charlotte, my dad has lived in the Greenville/Spartanburg area for the past 20 years and we have lots of family & friends in the area. So I had lots of recommendations for her but realized as we were talking that I have never posted about any of our trips to the Carolinas and they are some of our favorites! ❤️

Our most recent trip was to Charleston 🌴 a couple of summers ago. It’s one of my favorite cities - so much history, excellent food, great shopping, nearby beaches, and it oozes southern charm! It’s also an extremely walkable town, we spent a week there in August and got around entirely on foot or by ferry. We learned a lot about history and I loved how much of it tied back to and reinforced what the kids had recently learned in school. Here were our favorite things to do in Charleston:

Eat - We kicked off the week with a Savor the Flavors of Charleston food tour with @bulldogtours where we learned about the history & culture of the Lowcountry while sampling southern staples like grits, barbeque, sweet tea, and fried green tomatoes. We ate at so many great restaurants during our stay!

Experiences - We walked the streets for hours just admiring the architecture and quaintness of it all. We loved the colors of the homes along Rainbow Row 🌈as well as the stately homes along the Battery. We also took an early morning kid-friendly walking tour through Charleston’s Old Town & Historic District with @walking_skip. Check out the Pineapple Fountain 🍍Visit Patriots Point and Fort Sumter 🇺🇸Shop at the Historic City Market & King Street. Visit museums. Explore the nearby beaches 🏖

My most recent blog post goes into much more detail about everything we did including more activities, everywhere we ate, and where we stayed! Link in Bio.

Pillar Point Bluffs in Half Moon Bay lies at the s

Pillar Point Bluffs in Half Moon Bay lies at the southern end of the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve. Did you know that this area is one of the most biodiverse in the state? A wide variety of marine life, like octopus, giant green anemone, crabs, and purple urchins call the extensive shale reefs found here home 🐙🦀It’s also a breeding ground for harbor seals 🦭25 species of plants and animals, that were new to science at the time, were discovered in this State Marine Reserve.

The beach & tide pools at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve in Moss Beach have been closed since the pandemic started, but the beach at Ross’ Cove at Pillar Point is open. We love hiking along this bluff and plan to make it to the northern end of the reserve as soon as it’s open again! We’re also thinking about heading down to Año Nuevo to see the elephant seals. This has been on my list every year and we’ve never made it! Have you been?🌊

"San Francisco has only one drawback: 'tis hard to

"San Francisco has only one drawback: 'tis hard to leave." Rudyard Kipling

This is one of my favorite spots on Earth 🌁It always has been. I spent the majority of my childhood living in the Berkeley Hills with a view of SF and the Golden Gate Bridge. Later I moved to SF and always found myself down at Crissy Field, running and biking out to Fort Point or across the bridge. Now we live just outside the city, but I still can’t seem to stay away. One might think after all these years that I would be unphased, but the sight of this bridge elicits a strong emotional response in me and brings me to tears almost every time I see it.

The great thing about the GG Bridge is there are so many vantage points from which to view it. This lookout point is a popular one. You could just park at the Visitor’s Center and walk 30 seconds to this spot, but we hiked from Baker Beach along the Batteries to Bluffs trail, which has stunning views of the bridge, Marin Headlands, and the Pacific the entire way, to this lookout point.

I feel so lucky to live in the Bay Area with acces

I feel so lucky to live in the Bay Area with access to so many diverse landscapes. We can be skiing in the mountains one day and hanging out at the beach the next. California has redwood forests, deserts, lakes, rivers, ocean, coastal bluffs, watersheds, and 9 National Parks. It’s not a bad place to have been “stuck” for the last year!

I love taking my kids out on adventures to expose them to all these natural wonders and teach them outside of the classroom. Hands-on experiential learning is my favorite - it’s why I love these adventures too - because I learn right along with the kids!

Our visit to the Pescadero Marsh last month was no exception. In a short 1.5 mile walk we experienced several different habitats including a tidal estuary, where plant & animal communities have adapted to brackish water; a riparian woodland which provides abundant food, cover, and breeding habitat for wildlife; and northern coastal scrub which consists of plants that have evolved and adapted to the coast’s salty, abrasive conditions. And I remembered to bring our binoculars so we were able to get a good look at some of the many birds calling this area home. 🦅🌱

When we’re exploring at home, one of my goals is

When we’re exploring at home, one of my goals is to constantly look for new trails & adventures with some kind of “hook”: a great view, a hidden swing, a waterfall, swimming hole, cool bridges, a captivating story, etc. I also really don’t like crowds so we typically look for places that aren’t as popular. I love to walk/run/bike across the Golden Gate Bridge and I think Alcatraz is a must-see when visiting San Francisco, but in general, we’re looking for treasures hidden deep within the Bay Area. This year I’ve discovered towns, parks, trails, and hidden gems I never knew existed, plus I’ve learned so much about this area from its mining/whaling/Ohlone past to geology and wildlife.

When we travel, these are the same types of things we seek. I do want to sit on the beach with a fruity cocktail, but I also want to explore deeper and learn more about the people who live there: how are they different than me? how are they the same? what is it like to live there? We love finding a local guide to take us through the backstreets and we’ve also fallen in love with food tours, eating in restaurants we probably wouldn’t have tried, and learning the history of an area through the food they serve.

One of the most memorable tours we ever did was with @humanconnections in Bucerias near Punta de Mita, Mexico. Their goal is to connect local people with international audiences to empower local communities while fostering conversations that shift perspectives and increase understanding. We spent the morning visiting three local artisans, learning about their trades, and listening to their stories. We did this almost exactly 3 years ago, yet it’s still an experience we talk about often.

Our second stop was to visit Teresa, a jewelry maker. She welcomed us into her home, told us how she worked hard to learn everything on her own and then taught us how to make bracelets using a loom. Working with those tiny beads was really tough! We met her daughter and got to play with her dog and all its newborn puppies too. It was a very memorable day! Highly recommend!

As I sit here listening to the rain fall, it’s h

As I sit here listening to the rain fall, it’s hard to believe that a couple of weekends ago, we had beautiful springlike weather.☀️We took the kids to Pescadero to hike the Sequoia Audubon Trail through the marsh, grab sandwiches at our favorite deli @arcangeligroceryco & spend some time at the beach. The Pescadero Marsh is the largest watershed in San Mateo County and is home to over 200 species of birds, as well as some species listed on the Endangered Species Act like the San Francisco garter snake and California red-legged frog. 🦅🐍🐸

Sequoia Audubon Trail:
🌿Free parking at the Cabrillo S lot on Hwy 1
🌿From the lot, take the stairs to the pedestrian path leading north along Hwy 1 across the bridge. Access the trail by walking on the beach and back under the bridge which avoids crossing Hwy 1 on foot.
🌿The trail is 1.5 miles very easy & flat. Several bridges to cross, benches & lookout points, some cool trees to climb on, posted signs with info on the marsh, birds & animals you might see.
🌿Great for any age
🌿Bring your binoculars!
🌿No dogs & not stroller friendly

While I love just getting outside and discovering new trails, my kids are tougher critics. If you do this trail (especially with older kids who will power through 1.5 miles in less than an hour) it’s a good idea to couple it with something else. My kids didn’t think the hike was worth the hour drive to get there. Had my original sandwich/beach plan worked I think they would have liked it better. But, the line for sandwiches at the deli was super long and then we couldn’t find another parking spot back at the beach. In hindsight, I should have predicted the crowds and either left home earlier & picked up sandwiches before the hike or brought food from home to eat on the beach at the end of the hike.

Not every adventure I plan is amazing. Ben got stung by a bee on a hike recently and now he doesn’t like that hike anymore. I get frustrated when I plan something and am met with complaints, but I don’t let it stop from planning another adventure. Keep at it. We are building memories together as a family and I hope to instill a love of the outdoors in my kids. They will thank me one day 😉

California is currently getting drenched by an atm

California is currently getting drenched by an atmospheric river bringing much needed rain to the Bay Area and snow to Tahoe! ❄️

Last weekend we took our first ever ski day trip and I’d say it was a huge success! We chose @sugarbowlresort because it’s one of the first ski resorts you hit on the way to Tahoe (saving about 45 minutes of driving each way). I don’t think we’ve ever skied here with the kids, but it was such a great experience!

Because we had to plan this trip several days in advance and the snow situation was looking a little grim at the time, I was worried the skiing would not be great. However, Sugar Bowl received about 6 inches of fresh powder the night before so we had great conditions! In fact, I didn’t realize that Sugar Bowl receives the most annual snowfall in North Lake Tahoe! Not all the lifts were open due to limited coverage at the peak, but I imagine that will change after this week!

Skiing lends itself well to social distancing & wearing masks - here’s what I thought the resort did so well!
⛷LIFT TICKETS - Advance ticket purchase required to limit the number of skiers on any given day. No day-of sales. We walked right up to a kiosk and printed our lift tickets (no contact). We can just reload these cards from home next time and go straight to the lift.
⛷LIFTS - Aside from one intermediate lift right by the main lodge, we never waited for more than a few minutes to get on a chairlift. There were ground markers to keep parties 6-feet from each other and automatic gates that read lift tickets in our pockets and opened to let us through to the lift. Attendants did not pack the lifts and let everyone sort into proper household groups on their own - even allowing single or double riders on a quad despite a line. Even so, the lines moved quickly.
⛷MASKS - Required at all times except when actively skiing or eating. Though most people had them on when skiing anyway. There were lots of signs to remind skiers when they were entering a “mask required zone” and attendants who reminded anyone who forgot to pull up their mask.

*continued in comments*

**PILLAR POINT, HALF MOON BAY** We hiked here onc

**PILLAR POINT, HALF MOON BAY**

We hiked here once during the summer on a warm beautiful day and again late in December. I loved this trail so much more in winter!!! The day we went, the coastline was exceptionally moody and I was struck by the colors: gray, blue & pink. It was also during King Tides so the tide was extra low exposing even more rock than usual.

If you’re short on time, this is a great option! There are several different routes to take along the bluff, but most are about 2 miles or so and quite easy with minimal elevation gain. I highly recommend parking in the trailhead lot on Airport Road (NOT the one on W Point Ave). Both lots are small, but there is plenty of overflow parking on Airport Road. We take Pillar Point Bluff Trail heading north → Jean Lauer Trail south along the bluff all the way to Ross’ Cove (from here you can head down to the beach if you want) → and then back to the Jean Lauer Trail → Pillar Point Bluff Trail creating a big loop.

This is another trail that hugs the edge of a bluff so while it’s kid-friendly, keep little ones close! Some of the trails are wide & smooth enough for jogging strollers, but not all. It’s also bike & dog-friendly (although dogs are not allowed on the beach at Ross’ Cove). 🌊

Fun Fact: The famous "golf ball" that sits atop Pillar Point Bluff is an iconic part of the coastline but hasn't always been there. The hard shell that protects radar equipment was first installed in 2006 and is a part of a U. S. Air Force Station that has been in place since WWII. On a clear day, it’s visible from many miles away!

For more details on the coastal hikes I shared this week, plus two more great ones, check out my newest blog post (link in bio).

**COWELL-PURISIMA TRAIL, HALF MOON BAY** Cowell-P

**COWELL-PURISIMA TRAIL, HALF MOON BAY**

Cowell-Purisima is another great winter hike in Half Moon Bay with fantastic coastal views. The trail is only open on weekends and holidays 8am to sunset. It’s 7 miles out-and-back mostly flat with a gravel trail which makes it a great option after the rain when other trails might be muddy.

There are two small parking lots at either end of the trail with overflow parking along Highway 1. We parked at Cowell Beach and walked half a mile to the coastal trailhead. The views never stop! Coastal views on one side and pasture/farmland views on the other - there are some informational signs along the way that provide some history and explain what to look for. We crossed several bridges and spotted some banana slugs near Purisima Creek where the trail briefly switches to a shady dirt trail.

This hike is great for all skill levels and is bike accessible, but not dog friendly. We turned around shortly after the creek for about a 5 mile round trip hike. I’d love to hike the entire way next time! After finishing the hike, stop at Cowell Ranch Beach (pictured above) for lunch. This is a great beach because it’s only accessible by walking half a mile from the parking lot making it less crowded than some of the others!

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