Hiker’s Guide

A Backpacker's Guide to the California Coastal Trail
A detailed guide to backpacking and supply availability on the northern and central portions of the CCT, by Bernie Krause; photos by Stacy and Bernie Krause

Through-Hiking the CCT
Thoughts on through-hiking the trail, ways to do it and basic essentials for a successful trip.

Hiking the Coast from Hostel to Hostel
Jessica Gauvreau provides notes on her 2008 walk of the CCT north to San Francisco with a day pack and hostel stays.

Experience the California coast!
Two men take an exploratory walk of the coastline from Oregon to San Francisco in 1995, by Dinesh Desai.

Impressions of the California Coastal Trail
Two experienced backpackers take on the CCT. Here are their impressions and photos--a walk in process, by Bernie Krause; photos by Stacy and Bernie Krause

Other Useful Links

Hiker Guide Articles

Video: Learning About the Kortum Trail in Sonoma

July 22, 2021
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Hiking the Coast from Hostel to Hostel

August 26, 2008
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Jessica Gauvreau provides notes on her 2008 walk of the CCT north to San Francisco with a day pack and hostel stays. There are a fair number of hostels along the California coast, and many hikers have taken advantage of them as they have walked the CCT. In winter of 2008, Jessica Gauvreau hiked most of the Trail from…

Saving the South Coast: Heal the Bay

May 1, 2005
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The huge human population of southern California lives there in large part because of the mild desert climate and warm, inviting coast and ocean. The 4000 square miles of Los Angeles County alone hold a population of over 10.5 million. Several feature articles in this book discuss the results of historic, persistent abuse by government…

Impressions of the California Coastal Trail – Two experienced backpackers take on the CCT

October 26, 2004
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Impressions: The California Coastal Trail – San Francisco to the Oregon Border Like an addiction, the urge to merge and exchange the very essence of our being with our surroundings became  the guiding force that propelled us out our front door and into the classroom of life.  A few weeks in a box to contemplate and bring…

Answers to Commonly Asked Questions about the California Coastal Trail

October 16, 2004
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by Bernie Krausse    A common question that is asked about the California Coastal Trail is whether one can hike the entire 1,200 miles of coastline without a support vehicle.  The unanimous answer is a resounding yes.  Every year many people either hike the entire coast from border to border or section hike their favorite regions without…

The Monterey Bay Aquarium

June 1, 2002
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Complementing the wonders of the immense Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is one of the world’s great aquariums and interpretive centers. The Monterey Bay Aquarium, located at the end of the last hike in this book, presents a living representation of the many habitats in and around the bay in more than a hundred innovative…

Watch Out for That Wave!

June 1, 2002
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The waves we see dashing against the coast start hundreds of miles offshore. As winds blow across the ocean’s surface, they create waves of various sizes.A wave’s size depends on wind velocity, duration and the distance the wind blows across the open ocean. Waves break, showing a churning crest of foam along their leading edge…

The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

June 1, 2002
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Monterey Bay holds the closest-to-shore deep ocean environment in the continental U.S. and one of North America’s largest submarine canyons, but it was the threat of offshore oil development that in 1992 led to the creation of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the nation’s largest. This huge preserve covers 5312 square miles including 360…

The California Brown Pelican

June 1, 2002
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You’ll see them all along the California coast, crashing into the ocean and gracefully gliding just above rolling waves. They, along with the less common white pelican, are the biggest flying critters on the coast. Brown pelicans boast a wingspan up to 6½ feet, with white pelicans reaching an astounding 9½ feet. The browns breed…