Surfrider Shoreline Tour

29 ECHOES

Location: Pacific Grove, California, United States

Juan Ramirez

A guided walk on the recreational trail between Monterey and Pacific Grove, focusing on natural history. For the best experience, click the button with the downward arrow to download the audio before starting the walk!

Cannery Row

Originally serving as a sardine-canning factory, Cannery Row is one of Monterey County's oldest tourist locations. It was even used as the setting for John Steinbeck's popular novel, "Cannery Row". Nowadays, Cannery Row is a great place to grab a bite to eat, shop local businesses, and have great family-friendly fun.

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Monterey Plaza Hotel - Otters

Guests at the Monterey Plaza Hotel have the rare and unique opportunity to spot Monterey Bay's famous sea otters directly from their balcony! These sea otters live in kelp forests and estuary habitats which make them easy to spot for those watching from the coast. Sea otters are so popular that they are even California State University, Monterey Bay's mascot!

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The Caboose - Monterey Bay Aquarium Info

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of the most popular tourist destinations you can find in Monterey County. Here you'll be able to closely interact with sea animals like sharks, penguins, jellyfish, and countless others that are native to the area. Exhibits change periodically so make sure you check the Monterey Bay Aquarium website before planning your visit! The Cannery Row Caboose was built by Western Pacific Railroad in 1916. Originally a boxcar, it was converted into a Cupola Style Caboose in 1940 and retired in 1950. It is one of only a few remaining wood exterior siding railroad cars in existence today. It is 14 feet tall, 10 feet wide, 45 feet long, and weighs 20 tons! The Cannery Row Caboose is only visible from the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail.

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Monterey Bay Aquarium - Conservation Efforts

Apart from being a popular tourist destination, The Monterey Bay Aquarium serves as an advocate for protecting ocean wildlife. Sea otters, white sharks, steelhead trout, and seabirds are all a part of major conservation efforts by the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Visit them today and contribute towards protecting our ocean's ecosystems!

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Hopkins Marine Station - Harbor Seals

Originally named "Hopkins Seaside Laboratory", Hopkins Marine Station serves as the marine laboratory of Stanford University. Stanford students, faculty, and scientists use this laboratory for a range of fields such as biochemistry, developmental biology, ecology, and many many more. While Stanford University is located almost 100 miles north, the reason for Hopkins Marine Station's location is due to the area's diverse set of organisms and resources.

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Cypress Trees

Also known as the "Monterey Cypress", these unique trees can be seen all throughout the Pacific Grove coast. With their distinct appearance that varies from inland trees, Cypress Trees are some of the most admired and celebrated aspects of vegetation that Monterey Bay has to offer.

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14th - Birds

Fork-tailed storm petrels, Black oystercatchers, and California condors are just a few of the birds you may come across on this trail. Although Pacific Grove's coast is populated with dozens of other birds these are some of the most prevalent. Be sure to listen to their descriptions and try to snap a picture if you see one!

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Perkins Park - Cats

While you're not likely to see any mountain lions or bobcats on your walk along the Pacific Grove Coastal Trail, Monterey County is full of these big cats. These cats can adapt to multiple habitats that can be found around the area. Make sure to exercise caution if you happen to be inland and find yourself in bobcat or mountain lion territory!

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7 Gables - Coastal Upwelling

Coastal upwelling is essentially the process through which surface water gets pushed offshore and is replaced by water sitting on the ocean floor. Although this doesn't sound important, this process actually contributes to many things that affect the surrounding environment. Coastal upwelling is even responsible for delicious wine, and healthy fisheries!

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Berwick Park

Berwick Park is a one-acre park spanning from 9th St. to Carmel Ave. on the Monterey Coastal Trail. Berwick Park offers a great combination of beautiful scenery, wildlife views, and natural vegetation. Berwick Park can even be reserved for weddings!

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Custom House

Also known as "The Old Custom House", this is the oldest landmark in California! After being built in 1827, The Custom House served as the site where U.S. Commodore John Drake Sloat raised the American flag after declaring California officially a part of the United States. The Custom House now serves as a museum, as well as a popular tourist attraction.

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Monterey Pine

The Monterey Pine is one of the most common pieces of greenery you'll see throughout your walk along the shore. In California, the Monterey Pine can only be found in three areas, Santa Cruz County, Monterey County, and San Luis Obispo County. This unique tree is littered throughout Pacific Grove and Seaside and is a staple of the foliage that can be seen throughout the area.

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Kissing Rock

Pacific Grove's iconic Kissing Rock has been around for centuries. This unique rock formation can be easily seen from your walk and is one of the most popular local landmarks. The Kissing Rock has even been named "Most Romantic Spot in America" by Life Magazine in 1970!

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Acropolis St. - Monterey Canyon

Although you can't see it below the ocean, the massive Monterey Canyon is the deepest canyon off the Pacific Coast in North America. This submarine canyon measures just about a mile deep, which is deep enough to compare to the iconic Grand Canyon in Arizona. Nowadays, the Monterey Canyon is regularly studied by scientists as part of research for geohazards like tsunamis.

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San Carlos Beach - Kayaking

Kayaking in San Carlos Beach is one of the most fun and popular activities to do here in Monterey Bay. By kayaking, you can explore the local caves, coves, and rock formations in the area. Just remember to go before the wind picks up!

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West Mermaid - Monarchs

Monarch Butterflies are a staple insect that can be found all throughout Monterey Bay. These beautiful creatures are even the focal point of Pacific Grove's annual Butterfly Parade in October. Make sure to be gentle if you happen to spot one on your walk!

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Perkins Park - Otters

Sea otters are some of the best creatures you can come across on your walk along the trail. While their population has been slowly diminishing, they can still be commonly seen in the shallow waters along the shore. Keep an eye out and make sure to snap a picture if you see one!

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Lovers Point - Ocean Safety

Lover's Point is one of the most popular places to visit in Pacific Grove. Visitors can enjoy a well-maintained beachfront that can be used as a launching point for kayaking and surfing, or just as a relaxation destination. No matter what you're doing, always remember to exercise safety precautions when enjoying the ocean and all it has to offer. Originally serving as a Methodist retreats camp, Lover's Point was originally known as "Lover's of Jesus Point". Fast forward to 2022, and now Lover's Point has been a popular tourist destination for all types of activities like surfing, boating, and kayaking. This beautiful beach and park area features some of the best views on the coastline. Make sure to stop by if you have the time!

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Perkins Park - Purple Carpet

The "Magic Purple Carpet" is one of the most beautiful parts of Pacific Grove's Shoreline Trail. Every Spring, pedestrians can see these stunning purple wildflowers grow all throughout the area. If you're looking for that picture-perfect backdrop on your walk, look no further!

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Harbor Seal Overlook - Brush Rabbit

The brush rabbit is one of the most common mammals seen throughout California, especially here in Coastal Monterey County. These adorable creatures are herbivores and known to be shy around humans, so make sure to keep your distance!

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Beach St. - Estuaries

Some of the most interesting sea critters can be found along the coasts' tidepools. Creatures like crabs, mussels, starfish, sea anemones and octopuses can all be seen when the tides are low. Just make sure to exercise caution when tidepooling as the rocks are known to get slippery!

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Sea-Level Rise

Rapid sea-level rise is a problem being felt around the world, but it is being felt particularly hard on the Monterey Coast. According to research from the Ocean Science Trust, scientific evidence suggests that portions of the Monterey County coastline could be submerged in water within the next 10 to 15 years. Facts like this are a stark reminder that climate change is real and everyone must do their part to stop it before it's too late. You can contribute by doing things like reducing waste, recycling, and using renewable energy!

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Squid Fishing

Squid fishing is Monterey County's largest and most profitable fishing industry. Market squid typically spawn in the Monterey Bay area from April to November. The best part about squid fishing is that it's recognized as sustainable by the Monterey Bay Aquarium due to squids' fast maturation and short lifespan.

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Asilomar Ave - Direction to Lighthouse

From Ocean Blvd you can turn left onto Asilomar Ave heading inland to see the Point Pinos Lighthouse. Keep going and turn right onto Lighthouse Ave to finish the remainder of the trail.

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Point Pinos Lighthouse

This iconic lighthouse was first lit in 1855 and has been continuously operating ever since. To this day, it remains the west coast's oldest active lighthouse. Now considered one of America's most historic pieces of property, you can tour Point Pinos Lighthouse Monday through Thursday between 1 and 4 PM! (Inquire for pandemic hours)

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Naval Reserve Center - Murals

Formerly serving as the Southwest Fisheries Science Center, this building now has a much different purpose. After being vacated in 2014, this building is now categorized as surplus government property. The beautiful handpainted murals featured throughout the building, which are a nod to the building's original purpose, are now well-known and beloved by the local community.

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Great Tidepool

The Great Tidepool is home to an assortment of different marine life species and is broken up into larger rocky areas with smaller pools. The Great Tide Pool is significant because its rocks have been used as a rehabilitation site for injured wildlife. In an effort to make the Great Tide Pool more accessible, the city laid a path over the dunes for easier access to the tide pool overlook. Just be sure to watch your step on the way down!

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Asilomar State Beach

Asilomar State Beach has been in the California Parks system since 1956. This beautiful beach provides the opportunity for visitors to walk along a one-mile strip of beach shore which includes both beach and a granodiorite rock cove area. Visitors can also venture on a 3/4 of a mile walking trail as well which is both dog and wheelchair friendly. There are also marine tide pools and lots of other marine wildlife that visitors can view as well. To this day, Asilomar State Beach holds great significance in terms of architecture and dune ecosystems and is definitely worth visiting!

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