Best Beach Spots and Hikes near SLO to Beat the Spring Heat

Spring quarter is the perfect time to take in the outdoors, with sunny weather and various landscapes surrounding Cal Poly. Whether it’s swimming, hiking, bike rides or tanning, there’s a hidden gem for every activity. The number of beaches and trails can become overwhelming when deciding how to fill your free time, so here is a breakdown of a couple of the top spots and my favorites!

Big Falls

About an hour from campus is Big Falls Trailhead, a 5.3-mile out-and-back trail considered moderately challenging according to AllTrails. Although you can visit this hike anytime, its waterfalls are especially enjoyable as the weather warms. 

Big Falls Trail begins at a trailhead on Upper Lopez Canyon Road and winds into the heart of the Santa Lucia Wilderness, surrounding you with lush shrubbery and scenic streams. The walk is a little rocky, but doable. The first waterfall can be reached after a short half-mile hike, while the second, larger waterfall lies just over a mile from the starting point.

The first waterfall is smaller, but still provides a suitable space for swimming and hanging out. With rocks caving in to form a wall and trees overhead, this spot provides the ideal natural swimming hole. The second waterfall calls for a large shower of water seeping into an 80-foot pool. With steeper rocks surrounding the pool, this is the fall for cliff jumping.

Some things to watch out for before heading out are the accessibility of the trail, poison oak and creek elevation. To get to the trail requires some off-roading, so if you don’t have a 4-wheel drive system, make sure you’re not visiting during the rainy season! There is a parking lot about 3.7 miles out from the dirt road that will guide you to the trail. Once on the trail, be on the lookout for the poison oak surrounding and brace yourself for creek crossing shin deep.

Reservoir Canyon Trail/Obispo Mansion

If you’re an avid hiker looking to embrace nature while dealing with the heat, this trail offers the perfect challenge. The Reservoir Canyon trail is a 5.5-mile loop near San Luis Obispo. This popular spot offers great views and a waterfall at the start, giving you a chance to cool down before the journey. 

The trail begins in a shaded canyon and follows a stream past lush vegetation and seasonal wildflowers, in addition to the 3 foot waterfall. As you ascend, the hike opens up to panoramic views of the city and rolling hills of San Luis Obispo. The real challenge comes with the steep inclines along the way, with an elevation gain of up to 1,300 feet. 

The hike starts at a trailhead within the Reservoir Canyon Natural Reserve, just off Highway 101 and at the base of the Cuesta Grade. From the parking area, the main trail continues straight past the green gate, while an alternate path branches off to the right, offering a different route into the reserve.

Pirate’s Cove Beach

Spring quarter calls for typical beach days at Avila or Pismo Beach, where most students tend to migrate. If you’re looking for a more secluded and relaxing area that is still a hot spot, Pirate’s Cove is the place to be. 

Tucked between Avila Beach and Shell Beach, this hidden cove is perfect for soaking up the sun or playing a game of beach volleyball, all while enjoying views of rocky cliffs and neighboring beaches. Its secluded nature makes it feel like a private escape, so much so that some visitors treat it like a nude beach!

The Pirate’s Cove parking area sets the tone overlooking the sea and surrounding shrubbery. After parking along the dirt road, a short trail leads you to the beach. From there, you can choose to head left down a brief path that leads directly to the beach, or go right toward a graffiti-covered tunnel that opens up to stunning views of the coastline below.

Shell Beach

Located along the northern bluffs of Pismo Beach, Shell Beach is known for recreational activities like kayaking and surfing. With its smaller pools of water and shells of sea life that wash up onto the shore, it’s great for beachcombing and tidepooling as well. Being less crowded than the other nearby beaches, this makes it easier to explore. 

Although rocky, the water is clear enough to navigate around the rocks. The reefs and rocks stop the break of the waves, making the ocean calm enough to walk out onto the sand. The only thing to watch out for is swimming too deep, where it becomes rocky.

With Dinosaur Caves Park on the way, you can even stop for sunset views of the coastline and cliffs before heading to Shell Beach, making for a scenic beach day.

Whether you’re looking for waterfalls, steep trails or to soak up the sun, the Central Coast has something for everyone during this peak season. These local gems offer an escape from the classroom and a chance to reconnect with nature right in Cal Poly’s backyard. It would be worth it to get outdoors and explore these spots or discover new ones before the Spring quarter comes to a close!