Trip Log for Shell Beach
   
Shell Beach Bluffs Walking Path
Cave Landing and Pirates Cove
More on Shell Beach

Driving Directions
Exit Hwy 101 at Avila Beach Drive (not San Luis Bay Drive)
Don't go right or left on Avila Beach Drive. Go across!
This turns into Shell Beach Drive.
Turn right at the first street, El Portal Drive.
Drive to the end and take a right on Indio Drive.
At the gated Bluffs Drive turn left down to parking.
For only the Cave Landing Hike
Take Cave Landing Road off San Luis Bay Drive.
Travel Notes
#55,57 Day Hikes in San Luis Obispo County, California - Robert Stone
It's not crucial to check the Tide Charts - Central Coast
The plan here is to combine Hikes #55 and #57.
Bluffs Drive walking trail parallels the bluffs and the $$$ homes!
At the end continue up the fire road to the end of Cave Landing Road.
To the right of the parking area is a nice view toward San Luis Bay
To the left take the 'top' trail to see the pelicans,comorants,and sea arch.
To the left take the trail around the left side to the 'Cave'.
Below the cave are some tidepools but be careful!
Notice the steps cut in the rock which lead off over the ledge!
Perhaps that landslide took away the rest of the steps to the landing?
Head back down toward Pirates Cove. The trail down has wooden steps.
Walk the beach and look for Sally's Seal Rock!
What kind of rock is that green one?
There's a 'clothing optional' part of the beach at the far end.
We saw scuba divers and a sailboat anchored in the cove, too!
Hiking back toward the parking area, we saw and heard a bunch of quail.
At the bottom of the fire road look back over the railing for one last look!




San Luis Obispo County
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July 22,2001