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.
May - June 2026 Outings
Sign-up for hikes in Meetup HERE
Newly opened Rinconada Trail
Sat. May 23, 2026, 9:00 a.m. to 3-ish.
Hike Description: Moderately paced, mildly strenuous due to incline, 11 miles, approximately 1,200 ft elevation gain.
We will hike to the summit, then head along the ridge to Hi Mountain Road, continue for along the High Mountain Road for about 2 miles until we get to the Big Falls Trail, then descend about a mile to see the falls. We will return mostly the same way. See a historic mine, beautiful back country vistas and a waterfall! Meet at the trailhead off West Pozo Road.
As this is a group hike all participants are expected to stay with the leader, no matter how slow she is. Rain or threat of rain, or extreme heat cancels.
What to bring: snack and lunch, 3 liters of water, non-slip shoes and dress for the weather. Polite dogs on a leash are allowed. All participants will need to sign a waiver.
Driving Directions: Take High way 101 north of San Luis Obispo to exit 211, Highway 58. Go 1.7 miles to turn right on Estrada Rd. Drive on Pozo Rd about 11 miles. Look for the Rinconada Trailhead on the right.
For more information: call Andrea at 805.934.2792.
Estero Bluffs State Park
Wednesday, May 27th, 9:30 am - 1:30 pm
Hike Description: 5 miles out and back, Easy. This pristine coastal trail follows the shore line with views of sheltered coves, small sandy beaches, and craggy rock formations where seals are often seen sunning themselves. This bluff trail is mostly flat following the contours of the coastline with views of Morro Rock and Cayucos. Turn-around point will be Swallow Creek. This will be a meandering hike to view sea mammals, birds and tide pools. Bring binoculars to view birds and sea mammals.
Driving Directions to meeting spot: Heading north on HWY 1, from San Luis Obispo, drive to the city of Cayucos. Take the last city exit, Cayucous Drive. Driving left towards the ocean you will intersect with N.Ocean Ave. Turn rt. and follow N. Ocean Ave. out of town about 1/2 mile. Before Ocean Ave. intersects with HWY 1 you will see an unmarked dirt road on your left that winds down into a dirt parking lot. This is our meeting point.
What to bring: Snacks/lunch, 1.5 liters of water, sturdy shoes and sun hat. No dogs due to presence of birds and sea mammals. All hikers will need to sign a liability waiver.
For more information: contact Lorrie at 805-980-8824
Limited to 20 people.
Stenner Creek and Poly Canyon Loop Hike
Wednesday, June 3rd, 9 am -1:30 pm
Hike Description: Stenner Creek and Poly Canyon Loop: approx. 7 miles. 700 feet elevation gain. Moderate.
This is a lovely walk with beautiful views from which to appreciate the beauty of Poly Canyon. From the parking area we will follow the course of the creek and curve uphill to across the railroad tracks passing through oaks and a small waterfall to a large eucalyptus grove. From the grove we will follow a narrow dirt trail that will descend through open grasslands to cross the railroad tracks reaching Poly Canyon Road. At the intersection where the road intersects with the Poly Canyon Design Village we will walk through aged, architectural works joining an upper trail that will meander through the rolling hills making a loop back to Stenner Creek Rd.
Driving Directions: From Hwy 1 going north out of San Luis Obispo turn right in about 2 miles onto Stenner Creek Rd. Follow the road to the parking area near a locked gate. From here the hike will begin. Limited parking, consider car pooling.
What to bring: Bring snacks/lunch, 1 1/2 liters of water, sturdy shoes, sun hat and glasses. No dogs due to presence of small animals and fast moving cyclists. Participants will be asked to sign a liability waiver before hiking.
For more information contact: Lorrie Erno: 805-980-8824
Limited to 20 people.
Rattlesnake Flats-Coon Creek-Bluff Trail Loop
Wednesday, June 17th, 9 am - 2 pm
Hike Description: Rattlesnake Flats-Coon Creek-Bluff Trail Loop. 7.5 miles Moderate to Difficult due to steep inclines and descents. Elevation gain 550 ft.
This beautiful trail begins from the Montana de Oro State Park Visitor Center where we will meet. The trail offers spacious coastal views and allows the hiker to experience the diverse geography of the park. We will begin by traversing along the Valencia Peak trail to meet Rattlesnake Flats trail which leads to a 550-ft climb to the north ridge of Coon Creek Canyon. From here the trail descends into Coon Creek with 15 switchbacks leading to the Coon Creek trail and on to the Coon Creek parking lot and Pecho Valley Road. Crossing the road we will reach the Bluff Trail which takes us along the majestic coast and back to the Visitors Center.
Driving Directions to Meeting spot: From Hwy 101, south of San Luis Obispo, take Los Osos Valley Rd. exit and drive approx. 11 miles, through Los Osos to the State Park entrance sign (Los Osos Valley Rd. becomes Pecho Valley Rd). From the entrance sign, continue 2.6 miles to the visitor center and parking area on the left. The meeting point is in front of the visitor center.
What to bring: Bring snacks, lunch and a minimum of 1 1/2 liters of water. Dress in layers with sturdy shoes and sun hat. State Parks do not allow dogs. Participants will be asked to sign a liability waiver before hiking.
For more information contact: Lorrie: 805-980-8824
Limited to 20 people
Cerro Alto and West Cuesta Ridge Loop Trail
Wednesday, July 1st, 9 am - 1:30 pm
Hiking Description: Cerro Alto and West Cuesta Ridge Loop Trail: approx. 7 miles. 1,050 ft. elevation gain. Moderate to difficult.
This hike allows you to enjoy beautiful views of the Los Osos Valley displaying the Sisters Mountains.The Canyon Trail at the east end of the parking area will take us through a lush narrow canyon with oak, sycamore and cottonwood trees. The Canyon Trail will intersect with the AT&T Cable Road and lead us to the West Cuesta Ridge Trail. The ridge trail traverses the mountain ridge with views of the coastline and the string of morros. Continuing through a beautiful eucalyptus grove the trail descends to the Boy Scout Trail and drops into the Cerro Alto Campground through a canopy of massive oaks.
Driving Directions: From Highway 101 in Atascadero, take highway 41 West/Morro Bay exit. Head 8.7 miles West to the Cerro Alto Campground turnoff. Turn left and continue 0.9 miles up the winding road to the parking lot at the end of the road. A $10 parking fee is required. Carpooling recommended.
What to bring: Dress in layers with sturdy shoes. Bring food and a minimum of 1 1/2 liter of water. Participants will be asked to sign a liability form.
For more information call: Lorrie: 805-980-8824
Rain, excessive heat or smoke will cancel the hike. `
Limited to 20 people
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.