All Blog Posts (77)

Great place to swim would be Ocean Beach before you leave the coast to go inland. We had a great time, great waves:) We did exit this area where the book says and then you end up along come cliffs overlooking the ocean. We didn't exit that area where the book says, we continued along the Sunset Cliffs Blvd to enjoy the overlooks and then navigated our way inland to our hotel. Lots of available eateries at OB. We ate at Bravo Mexican Food and it was okay. We're getting unseasonably hot, humid…

Save big bucks, take the bus, 993, from the airport.  Only 1 bus exchange gets you to LA Jolla to begin one of the sections. Only $5 total if you're under 60.

SLO CSF FOUNDER MARGIE HURD WALKS THROUGH SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TO CELEBRATE AND REFLECT ON RETIREMENT                        

Hurd explained, “To get my head wrapped around retirement, I decided an Inn to Inn trek through the towns of my childhood would help.  The trip was inspired by a Sunset Magazine article from last fall which highlighted the books by Tom Courtney.  They are par t of a Walkabout California…

When will this book be available? I plan on walking from Mexico border to Laguna Beach and I'm sure this book will help me route it out. Thanks, Janene

This one day, 23.8 mile “bridge hike” connects two multi-day walkabouts. There are no inns or restaurants, but the inn-to-inn hiker is rewarded with the longest stretch of accessible uninterrupted, undeveloped shoreline for over 200 miles. Hike miles of plateau between coastal mountains and the sea. Walk through Camp Pendleton where you will experience an active Marine Corps base at two miles an hour. This is a challenging hike. Be sure to bring your driver’s license. They will check it as…

This easy three day, 23.5 mile walkabout starts on the beautiful island of Santa Catalina. Enjoy the slow pace of island life. Explore Catalina’s shoreline by kayak, and hike its rugged mountains. Then take the ferry to Long Beach and hike three days to Newport Beach, strolling on classic Southern California surfing and swimming beaches. Along the way, sample the delights of interesting seaside towns – good food, fun bars, live

music, and unique inns.…

This moderate three-day, 38 mile adventure hikes a Pacific shoreline that varies from wide Southern California swimming beaches, to paths along coastal bluffs, to boulder hopping under steep cliffs where few hikers venture. It passes through sections of deep urban development as well as untouched wilderness where your only company will be sea mammals and shore birds. Along the way you’ll visit delightful beach towns, a luxurious resort, and the beautiful island of Santa Catalina.…

There’s nothing better than exploring the gorgeous Yosemite area than by hiking through it to get closer to nature and the spectacular surroundings. With guided Wawona hiking tours from the Redwoods in Yosemite, you’ll be able to learn about area wildlife, history, riparian meadows and natural…

Hi,

This past weekend, Memorial Weekend, my husband and I did the Mt. Tam Circumabulation Inn to Inn.  Fantastic.

One quick comment, on the hike from Stinson Beach to Olmea, we encountered some difficulty on the final 1.5 miles.  The distinct trail is no longer and after wandering up a hill following the fence, we found a crag outlayer. We turned around and proceeded down the highway into Olmea.  Fortunately we stayed at the Point Reyes Seashore Lodge which is located at the…

There is a string of resorts down the eastern Sierra.  Lee Vining to June Lake to Mammoth Lakes to Convict Lake for example.   Walkabout, have you considered finding a route over there?  Or, do trail (not direct enough) and lodging (booked a year in advance or several-night minimums) limitations make that route unrealistic for now?

The Santa Monica Mountains soar to the sky.  The wild beauty of the Pacific and its shoreline fills the senses.  Hike rocky shores below steep cliffs, unpopulated secluded beaches, and popular Southern California strands on this 3-day, 32-mile Walkabout. 

Start this Walkabout at Leo Carrillo State Beach near…

Hi - Any recommendations regarding this hike? How difficult is it? We're planning to do it in two weeks.

Thanks! Katie

The American River starts high in the peaks of the Sierra Nevada. It winds and crashes through deep canyons down to the foothills where it eventually is tamed to form Folsom Lake. Released again, it flows wide and powerful to meet the Sacramento River. The discovery of gold on the American in 1848 brought a stampede of thousands to mine its banks and create a new…

The guidebooks warn of the fierce weather in Galicia.  Storms blow in from the Atlantic bringing wind, cold, rain, and snow.  But, the weather for us, in late October, is ideal for hiking - crisp, cool mornings; warm, sunny afternoons.  In fact, I had only taken my rain jacket out twice during the six week pilgrimage because of slight drizzle.  Now, with the short autumn days, the leaves of oaks, maples, and chestnuts are turning yellow and orange.…

Leaving the plains of north-central Spain, the pilgrim climbs and decends through the mountains of eastern Leon and into Galicia.  As each day passes and the Atlantic Coast draws nearer,  the terrain becomes more lush and verdant.  Ascending out of Rabanal for 1,000 feet, we reached the highest peak on the Camino, Cruz de Ferr, at 4,938 feet.  The trail passes through dense forests of oak, eucalyptus, birch, chestnut, and pine. Climbing out of Villafranca, the trail ascends 1,200 feet, drops…

Spain has deep Roman Catholic roots, going back, legend tells us, to Christ´s apostle, St. James, Santiago.  The pilgrim passes through perhaps a half a dozen village each day, almost all dominated by an ancient stone and wooden church.  We often stop to sit in the cool, dark sanctuaries for a moment of contemplation and to experience the beauty and devotion  represented by centuries old statues and paintings of the saints and Holy Family.  We have occasionally attended services in churches…

I entered the narow, winding streets of the old city of Leon.  It was the day of the festival of San Froilan y las cantaderas and a grand medieval faire filled the plazas with hundreds of booths selling roasted meats and octopus, pastries, sweets, jewerlry, soaps, perfumes, clothes, wood carvings, and tarot readings.  People were dressed in renaissance costumes.   There were…

After hiking the verdant foothills of the Pyrenese and through the lush vineyards of La Rioja, the Camino enters the meseta, flat tabletop land that covers 40% of Spain.  For the next 120 miles the pilgrim ascends long mesas and descends into broad valleys.  Wheat fields stretch for as far as the eye can see, now freshly harvested in early October.  Rivers, lined with cottonwoods, meander through the plain.  Small medieval villages along the rivers, break up the sameness of the terrains.…

The ancient city of Burgos was founded in 884 as a defensive fortress for the Kingdom of Navarra against the Muslims to the south.  Today´s pilgrim hikes several kilometers through stark, modern Burgos before passing through 14th century walls, under Arco de Santa Maria, and into the magical old city.  Here the streets are narrow and winding, there are few cars, but the lanes are busy with foot traffic.  People crowd the shops and sidewalk cafes.

After 13 days of hiking and 180 miles,…