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Beach Access at Ragged Point Inn, The Ragged Point Inn Beach Trail (Top) |
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Ragged Point Inn's nature trail to the beach begins
at the Ragged Point Inn Gazebo. The Ragged Point Nature Trail drops
more than 300 feet in less
than
1/8th mile zigzagging back and forth across Ragged Point. The trail
starts out steep then gets steeper and has many switch-backs. The
rough and rugged trail to Ragged Point's private beach is only for
the fit and adventurous but it is worth the short hike if you are
up to it. The beach is fun and wonderful and often a great place
to get some solitude. Sorry, you must accept responsibility for your
own safety; the surf, beach, and trail can all be dangerous. |
 If you want
to get to the beach from Ragged Point this is the only way, beach
access is a rare commodity
in this area. There is much native flora and fauna to enjoy and from
this trail are the best views of Ragged Point's Black Swift Falls.
The real reward of the hike is Ragged Point's private black sand
beach and
being
close to
the big beautiful Pacific Ocean. |
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Beach Access from the San Carpoforo Creek area south...
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The San Carpoforo Creek Beach pictured left (that's the real Ragged Point jutting out behind the cove) is the closest easy access to the beach near the Ragged Point Inn. There is excellent hiking, fishing, beachcombing and surfing at this locale. The areas beaches offer coves of grey gravel broken up by rocks and sections of solid rock pocketed with interesting tide pools; these types of beaches are typical of the Central California Pacific Coast. To park off the highway there are pull offs across from the old ranch house adjacent to San Carpoforo Creek or just down the highway to the real Ragged Point.
 Aerial Photograph of San Carpororo Beach from the California Coastal Records Project
Public Access to Beaches South of Ragged Point on the Scenic Pacific Coast Highway 1.
You sometimes have to cross fences and climb gates to get to the beaches in this area but please be respectful of both property and nature when accessing and enjoying Central California beaches. Almost all beach property from San Carpoforo Creek south for many many miles is accessible to the public because either it is Hearst Ranch Property or Government property, both which allow public access by regulation.
The 14 or so miles between San Carpoforo Creek Beach and William R Hearst Memorial State Beach (the very best of the rare to this area sandy beaches) is peppered with pull outs for scenic ocean viewing and beach access (much of it very rocky); some visitor parking areas are very large and developed like the one at the Piedras Blancas Seal Rookery and others are just dirt pull out areas for one or two cars. None of the public beach or parking areas have and Restrooms except Ragged Point Inn on the north and William R Hearst Memorial State Beach on the south. You should feel free to park in any unmarked place off the highway (don't block gates or other cars) and enjoy public access to the beach. The
Piedras Blancas Motel
(10 miles south of Ragged Point Inn) is closed but the parking lot is open and available for people who are accessing the nice beach area there.
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My #1 choice for beaches near Ragged Point Inn and Resort is 15 miles south, the William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach near the old town of San Simeon. It has an incredible expansive sandy beach, sheltered cove, long pier and public restrooms. This day use area offers 24 picnic sites, 150 parking spaces, water faucets, barbecue grill stands and easy beach access. Visitor activities include picnicking, swimming, fishing, boating, kayaking and sunbathing. There is a kayak and boogie board concession with equipment for rent.
William R Hearst Memorial State Beach - www.parks.ca.gov...
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Beach Access: Arroyo Laguna Beach
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The Arroyo Laguna Beach pictured above is about 12 miles south of the Ragged Point Inn and about 3 miles north of Hearst Castle San Simeon CA. Arroyo Laguna Beach is a popular windsurfing and kitesurfing spot but it is a sandy beach (the majority of our Central California Coast Beaches are grey looking gravel); this sandy beach is great for all the other usual beach activities too, like building sandcastles, beachcombing and enjoying nature. Elephant seals often come to this location; give them some space. As always when visiting Central California's beaches respect the nature and owners property (Hearst) as well. There is a large dirt pullout off the highway with plenty of parking; it is easy to spot and there are more often than not a few cars there. Beach access is through a fence and over a small piece of Hearst property. You can hike all the way to Hearst's San Simeon Point from here if you want.
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public accessible beaches north of the ragged point inn and resort
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Books about Big Sur
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When you leave Ragged Point Resort and head north on the Pacific Coast Highway 1 accessible public beaches become a rare commodity, high rugged cliffs drop directly into the Pacific Ocean leaving no beach except at lower tides or beach access is often restricted by private property. The first public available beach property 13.5 miles north of the Ragged Point Inn is Willow Creek Beach ( Willow Creek day use area
). Willow Creek is a nice free day use area with a parking lot, picnic tables, and another rare commodity on the Big Sur Coast, public restrooms. There is no turn off or parking lot for the next beach north, Jade Cove 15 miles north of Ragged Point Inn, just look for the Los Padres National Forest Jade Cove Sign on the Pacific Coast Highway and park off of the highway. Jade Cove offers nice low coastal bluff hiking and beachcombing only beyond the mean high tide mark. Unless you scuba dive the chances of finding any jade is slim to none. One mile north of Jade Cove is Sand Dollar Beach which offers the longest stretch of sandy beach on the Big Sur Coast, a fee day use area for picnics and barbecues and public restrooms. The picnic areas and restrooms are on the cliff top; there is a nicely developed steep trail and stairway to get down to the beach. Sand dollar offers excellent picnicking, exploring, surfing and fishing; the tall cliff is a favorite hang-glider jump off point and the flyers often land on the coastal bluffs by Jade Cove.
Aerial Photo Willow Creek Beach Big Sur Pacific Coast day-use area.
Aerial Photo of Jade Cove, Los Padres National Forest.
Aerial Photo of Sand Dollar Beach Big Sur Pacific Coast day-use area.
These Beaches and day use areas north or the Ragged Point Inn and Resort, Willow Creek
13.5 miles, Jade Cove 15 miles, and Sand Dollar Beach 16 miles are managed by
Parks Management Company. |
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The Los Padres National Forest and Silver Peak Wilderness Area
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California Hikes
Coast Hiking Books
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This hike also starts at Ragged Point. Bordering Ragged Point on the East Side of the highway is part of the Los Padres National Forest. Approximately 326,000 acres of public wilderness land, the Silver Peak Wilderness Area, are there for your exploration and enjoyment on foot or on horseback.
A gate across from Ragged Point Inn's Restaurant leads to a trail that heads south. Follow the trail a short ways until it intersects a dirt fire road leading up the mountain. Follow the road as far as you like, hiking yards up the hill to get an even better view of a sunset or miles into the wilderness for a true adventure, whatever is your pleasure." The Road eventually intersects with back country trails leading to numerous established primitive campsites and unlimited opportunities to explore newly acquired and yet undeveloped unspoiled pristine wilderness.
For more information call Pacific Valley Station: (805) 927-4211.
Los Padres National Forest's Silver Peak Wilderness Area; www.fs.fed.us...
The Sierra Club or the Forest Service has good maps; before you go you should check for current trail conditions at the Ventana Wilderness Alliance's web site.
http://www.ventanawild.org/trails/trailconditions.html
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Salmon Creek Trail Hike |
Soda Springs Trail Hike
Another short hike close to the Ragged Point Inn is similar to although not quite as awe striking as the Salmon Creek Trail hike can be made on the Soda Springs trail. The trailhead for the Soda Springs Trail is a small pullout on the Pacific Coast Highway 1 about a mile and half north of Salmon Creek falls. There are wonderful sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and California Coast as the trail winds in out of canyons of coastal oaks, pine, firs, lots of poison oak and grassy hillsides.  |
The trail head is at Hwy 1, 3 miles north of Ragged Point. The trail begins at the bend in the road; you will likely see some other hiker's cars parked there. There is a short trail to Salmon Creek Falls which is nice mini hike if you just traveling the Pacific Coast Highway and want to stretch your legs and commune with the magical Salmon Creek Falls.
Of the many developed hiking trails available on the Big Sur Coast, this is probably the most traveled. It wanders through thickly forested canyons, chaparral hillsides, spotty grasslands as well as on rocky buttes and provides nice views of California coastal canyon watersheds.
To get started take the trail to the right as you face the waterfall. The trail climbs past an abandoned ranger station, then up behind the falls. Stay on the trail northeast up to the beautiful Lion Den Springs Botanical Area." If you want to spend some time, there are six campsites on the route. Take Salmon Creek Trail to Spruce Creek Trail, Spruce Creek Campground (2 miles in), and Estrella Campground (3.25 miles in) are nice.
The Sierra Club or the Forest Service both have good printed maps available, below you will find some links for online maps and resources for the Salmon Creek Big Sur Trail:
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The Pacific Valley Station, USDA Forest Services Pacific Valley |
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The store, restaurant and tavern at Pacific Valley burned down years ago but the area remains a little bastion of civilization and activity which provides sort of a hub for exploration for both the Big Sur coast and Pacific Coast Range Mountain backcountry. The Pacific Valley Station, USDA Forest Services Pacific Valley (805-927-4211) located just about a mile north of the Plaskett Creek Campground can help with visitor information; answer questions, provide maps and any required permits. There is much to do and see in this area. You should pack what you need but for supplies Gorda would be just south and Lucia is a few miles to the north.
Jade Cove,
Pacific Valley, and
Sand Dollar Beach
all offer wonderful costal bluff hikes. Almost every appreciable creek has a trail associated with it
Willow Creek and
Cruickshank Trail to Villa Creek Camp are two of my favorites. The backcountry fire roads and trails are too numerous to mention but if you want to four wheel, mountain bike, hike or horseback this is a prime area.
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