Explore the best rated trails in Santa Maria, CA, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Santa Maria Valley Multi-Purpose Trail and Cloister Walk . With more than 7 trails covering 18 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
We started at the beginning of the trail where parking is and walked all the way to Avila, had lunch and went back. So beautiful!!!
Not a good trail for recumbent bikes! All entrances are either impossible to enter or the ride is too short before entering confusing pathways and blocked off areas. This is really a walking path for locals, and should be removed from this app?
This is an easy trail with plenty of room for two lanes headed in opposite directions. It's very nice on a bike, or just for walking!
WOW! For spectacular, breathtaking coastal views, this trail is hard to beat!
It's been a few years, but over a period of thirty years or so, whenever my wife and I visited the Central Coast from SoCal we always made a point of hiking or biking this short but impressive trail.
California golden poppies, wildflowers, deer, California valley quail, sea otters, rattlesnakes, and a perfectly pleasant hard packed, bike friendly trail make this a can't miss experience!
BTW ~ Since you'll already be in the neighborhood, consider hiking the Point Buchon Trail directly south of Montana de Oro to make a full day of it and for even more incredible, scenic coastal views!
(Last time I checked, Point Buchon Trail is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays)
I accessed the trail from Nipomo as a means to bicycle over the river. All the gates were padlocked. I wasn’t able to exit. Thankfully a guy helped me lift my bike over the fence while I crawled under.
The Bob Jones trail has become dangerous. Electric vehicles now seem to outnumber bikes. Walkers, some elderly, some pushing strollers, some with small children or dogs of all sizes, and regular bicyclists now have to compete for passage with electric vehicles. I have seen: electric bikes, electric scooters, electric skateboards (some with beach chairs mounted on them), a moped, and one speeding electric unicycle whose rider used ski poles for balance. Sometimes the scooters and bikes come in packs of half a dozen, rented by a group, the bikes blaring good-times music. The electric bikes come in various sizes, and at you at various speeds. With my dog on a tight lead, I have been yelled at to get out of the way. With pleasure. Soon someone is going to get hurt seriously and the city will be sued.
Jan 2022: Parked at the Broadway (exit 173) access. Tight entrance gate to get bike through. The levee is very wide with a gravel surface. We only rode from our access point to the West end of the trail where the levee is fenced and signs indicate end of access. Returned to our access point and called it quits. Saw no reason to go further. Nothing special about this trail, flat and wide.
Jan 2022: We parked at the Hagerman Sports Complex and rode both directions from there. Trail surface is paved smooth and wide enough. Heading south trail signage indicates end of trail but trail picks up again after crossing Skyway Dr. Okay ride to end. There is a stop with three information panels about military and aviation history of the area.
Such a beautiful walk. Add a walk along the pier and lunch in Avila and you have a fantastic day.
Location: San Luis Obispo (North Segment) and Avila Beach (South Segment), CA
Parking: Pardo Road area (SLO segment) and parking area off of Ontario Road for Avila Beach segment. The Ontario Road parking lot is large and well used…a lot of cars parked on Friday afternoon.
Trail Condition: Surface is good throughout the trail. SLO segment had a couple areas of repair work and crack sealing. SLO is wide enough for riding two abreast. The Avila Beach segment trail width varies with two abreast wide and two lane road wide. Trail surface is smooth.
Signage: Usual regulatory signage on both sections. Along the SLO segment there were a number of signs explaining the sewage plant process and variety of equipment used. The Avila Beach segment had interpretative signage explaining geology, plants, and history. The Avila Beach segment had sufficient directional signs.
Comments:
SLO segment – Don’t be surprised…starting from Prado Road within a very short distance will encounter an encampment right on the edge of the trail. The encampment is up close and in the face. Once passed that the trail follows along the sewer plant fence line (a number of signs on the fence explain the process and equipment used) on one side and the creek on the other. Plenty of trees and greenery away from traffic. Further on the trail twists through grassy area, trees, marsh land and ends at Los Osos Valley Road. We completed this segment and no need to return.
Avila Beach Segment – Many trail users, mostly walkers with a few bikes. Trail is away from traffic, through the trees, along the creek, past some quiet housing developments, and crosses a golf course before arriving about a block from the beach. A lengthy section of the trail is a two-lane road leading to a gated residential area, no cars were encountered on this part of the trail. This was a nice trail and worthy of a visit if in the area.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Scan the QR code to get TrailLink on your phone
