Numerous California agencies have been quietly toiling away at a massive 1,230-mile coastal trail project whose origins go back to 1975. The California Coastal Trail (CCT) is a system of publicly accessible trails along the entire coast of California, from the Mexican border in the south to the Oregon border in the north.
The California Coastal Commission tells us that the trail is now roughly 70% complete, with sections of the trail comprising paved sidewalks, footpaths, bike paths, and periodic road shoulders. That said, you can hike much of the trail in its current state. Keep reading to find out more about the project, plus tips to know before you hit the road.
What is the California Coastal Trail project?
Origins of the CCT
The 1975 California Coastal Plan first called for a continuous trail system along the California coast, but it wasn’t until 1999 that Governor Gray Davis designated the project as an official state trail called California’s Millennium Legacy Trail, which spurred action in the state and federal governments to break ground.
Since 2001, the California Coastal Conservancy, California Coastal Commission, California State Parks, and Caltrans have worked with the California Coastal Trail Association and other nonprofits to make the trail a reality. Their common goal is to provide public access along the entirety of the coast, foster appreciation and stewardship of the state’s natural environment, and encourage outdoor recreation.
Trail design and features
Agencies have designed the trail to accommodate a wide range of users, including those traveling by bike, on foot, or with mobility challenges. As such, the CCT is not one single path, but rather a network of interconnected and sometimes parallel trails that span the entirety of the California coast, with terrain ranging from strenuous footpaths to flat, paved sidewalks.
The CCT traverses some of the state’s most scenic landscapes, including the Tomales Point Trail in Point Reyes, the Presidio of San Francisco, the Devil’s Slide Trail on a decommissioned section of Highway 1, and the elephant seal rookery at Piedras Blancas in San Simeon.
CCT project progress
The trail is roughly 70% complete, which equates to about 875 of the planned 1,230 miles. New segments include the 1.25-mile trail connector between Morro Bay and Cayucos, which will be constructed between summer 2025 and the end of 2026.
There is no official or projected completion date for the entire CCT. The final 30% of the route faces major roadblocks, including funding limitations and difficulty getting access to privately owned land. While the project has been in the works for decades, it may still be decades more before the CCT is fully completed.
Can you hike the CCT today?
Yes, but as the CCT is still in development, it’s essential to research your route for incomplete sections and terrain, and consider bringing a GPS or detailed map. Conditions range from well-groomed footpaths with clear signage, such as San Francisco’s Land’s End, to rugged backcountry segments that are not yet developed or well-marked.
Some sections in the north even require permits to traverse campgrounds, inland detours around sensitive habitats, or other specific preparation. The Monterey Bay section, for example, may require some timing with the tides.
If all goes well, there’s a case to be made for the California Coastal Trail to join the ranks of other famous hiking and pilgrimage routes, such as Spain’s Camino de Santiago, Japan’s Kumano Kodo, and Peru’s Inca Trail.
If you think you could take on the California Coastal Trail, make sure you look into these essential resources to help plan your route.
- CaliforniaCoastalTrail.org – The nonprofit Coastwalk/California Coastal Trail Association runs this website with detailed trail section descriptions, videos, photos, guides written by CCT hikers, and more.
- California State Coastal Conservancy – The State of California has links to an interactive map of the CCT, which offers a good visual for completed map sections along the route.
- Local and regional park websites – Your journey along the CCT will likely take you through some state or local parks. Check their respective websites for the most recent updates about park and trail conditions.