Santa Lucia Chapter Outings/Hikes
All are welcome! Our hikes and activities are open to Sierra Club members and the public.
Join our Meetup Group to see SLO Sierra Club Outings and reserve your spot! Join our Meetup here: San Luis Obispo Sierra Club Meetup Group (San Luis Obispo, CA) | Meetup (Or go to Meetup and search for "San Luis Obispo Sierra Club Meetup Group")
Sign-up for hikes in Meetup HERE
Meetup is a free app and website. You can signup for hikes there, get notifications when new Sierra Club hikes are posted, and get notifications for day-of changes/updates.
Upcoming Outings
Sign-up for hikes in Meetup HERE
Guadalupe/Paradise Beach
Monday, October 12, starts at 9:30 am
Hike Description: Very strenuous and moderately paced 6-mile hike along pristine Guadalupe Beach to Mussel Rock, then down (and eventually up!) a huge dune to remote Paradise Beach. About 5-6 hrs. Possibility of lunch at Guadalupe restaurant afterwards.
Directions to Meeting Point: Main St./Hwy 166 to end at Guadalupe Beach. Meet near picnic tables.
What to bring: hat, at least 3 liters of water, sunscreen, snacks and dress in layers. No dogs allowed at state beaches. Chance of rain, extreme heat, thick smoke may cancel hike. This is a group hike. All participants need to plan to stay with the group and sign a liability waiver before the hike starts.
For More Information Contact Leader Andrea Ortiz, 934-2792
Cerro Cabrillo; Portola Hill-Eastern portion of Morro Bay State Park.
Tuesday, October 13, 9 am - 1pm
Hike Description: 6-mile loop trail, Easy
This winding trail weaves through the rolling grasslands of the Eastern section of Morro Bay State Park with lovely views of Morro Bay, Cerro Cabrillo and Hollister Peak. We will be hoping to see some spring flowers. Beginning on an unmarked trail entrance off Turri Rd the trail loops through a small canopy of coastal live oaks and several meadows to reach Portola Point. This will be our turn-around point heading back to Turri Rd. on the Chumash Trail.
Driving Directions to Meeting Point: From Highway 101, south of San Luis Obispo, take the Los Osos Valley Rd. exit and drive 9.6 miles west to South Bay Blvd. Turn rt. and drive 1-2 miles to Turri Rd. Turn right on Turri Rd. and drive 1 mile to a dirt parking turnout on the left side of the road. There will be an unmarked trail leading up a small bank with a small “Warning” sign with instructions to avoid entry when it is wet and muddy. This will be our meeting point to begin the hike..
What to bring: Snacks, minimum of 1 1/2 liter of water. Dress in layers with sturdy shoes and sun hat. Participants will be asked to sign a liability waiver before hiking. No dogs allowed in the State Park.
For more information, contact: Lorrie at 805-980-8824
Duna Vista Trail including Duna Vista Spur
Tuesday, October 27, 9 am-1 pm
Hike Description: 8-9 miles round trip. Moderate.
Duna Vista is a 1,178 ft summit overlook with a 360-degree view that includes Lopez lake, the Pacific Ocean, Oceano Dunes and the Santa Lucia Mountains. This is a narrow dirt trail with some steep sections. The trail winds through oak-forested bluffs curving along the contours of the hills overlooking Lopez Lake. Every turn presents a beautiful view. At the halfway point we will reach the Duna Vista knoll where we can enjoy the vista. From the vista we will connect with the Duna Vista Spur taking us out and back to another vista point overlooking the lake before returning by making a circular loop back to the start. It is almost spring and we are hoping to see early wild flowers.
Driving directions: Access to the hike is through Lopez Lake Recreation Area entrance station. There is a $10 entrance fee per car. We will first meet at Strother Park at 9 am to car pool. Strother Park is located at 1150 Huasna Rd. Arroyo Grande, about 2 miles east of the Arroyo Grande village. We will meet near the bathrooms in the parking area. From there will will drive to the park entrance. After paying and passing through the entrance station, drive 1.3 miles from the entrance to the end of the road and park on the right before the locked gate. This is where the hike will begin.
What to bring: Enthusiasm and good cheer. Wear sturdy shoes and bring 1 1/2 liter of water and snacks. Dogs on a leash are permitted. Participants will be asked to sign a liability waiver.
For more information: call Lorrie @ 805-980-8824
Rain, chance of rain, heat or smoke cancel the hike.
Gibralter Reservoir and Sunbird Quicksilver Mine Hike
Saturday, November 14, 10 a.m. to ? (All day hike with maybe some eats after)
Hike Description: Moderately strenuous and moderately paced 12-mile hike. Hike from Paradise Rd to Gibraltar Dam and then to the abandoned Sunbird quicksilver mine to see fall colors, Los Padres mountain vistas, river pools, rock formations and cool abandoned mine structures. We might be able to collect mistletoe!
Creek crossings are a possibility. If the road is closed due to high water we will adjust accordingly. This is a group hike. All participants need to plan to stay with the group and sign a liability waiver before the hike starts. Chance of rain, extreme heat, thick smoke may cancel hike.
Directions: from Hwy. 101, take Rt.154 past Cachuma Lake, left on Paradise Rd. for 10 miles to road end. It is 1.5 hours from Madonna Inn to the trailhead. Meet at restrooms close to parking lot entrance. There is very limited cell service on this hike. If you want to carpool, you can use Meetup site to independently connect with other participants.
What to bring: hat, water, sunscreen, snacks and dress in layers.
For More Information: Contact Leader Andrea Ortiz, (805) 934-2792
General rules & what to bring
- You must register in advance through Meetup.
- Bring drinking water to all outings and optionally a lunch or snacks.
- Sturdy footwear is recommended.
- Pets are generally NOT allowed.
- A parent or responsible adult must accompany children under the age of 18.
Any Questions?
If you have any suggestions for hikes or outdoor activities, questions about the Chapter’s outing policies, or would like to be an outings leader, contact Outings Chair Art Westerfield at awwesterfield@gmail.com. For information on a specific outing, please contact the listed outing leader.
National Outings
Environmentally friendly outdoor adventures around the world are available to people of all ages and abilities, whether you’re seeking lodge-based explorations or supported treks, backpack journeys or vacations nearly anywhere in the world. Go to sierraclub.org/outings, or call 415-977-5522, or contact national.outings@sierraclub.org.