The trail I selected is Bluff Trail Loop. Located in Andrew Molera State Park, the trail is a combination of two trails - Bluff and Ridge Trails - that create the loop. We started with the Bluff Trail and were soooo glad that we did! It started out quite easy with amazing views of the ocean. The trail is almost completely exposed to the sun, so having overcast skies in the first part of the hike was truly a blessing in disguise.
We found a neat grotto and took a detour. The trail was poorly visible, dark and treacherous, but how exciting to face a little adventure.
As we finished the Bluff trail, it steeply decided to go uphill, and we gained about 1,200 feet within a short distance. The views on the top were neat, and the breeze cooled me down quite a bit, but the trail continued to Ridge trail. Mostly, shady in the beginning with rich tree cover, the trail was rather flat with minor elevation gain, and then started going downhill. The views of the ocean from higher elevation started to open up. If we did Ridge trail first, our backs would have been turned as we climbed, and I doubt I would have enjoyed the views as much as I did going downhill.
The trail soon merged with Bluff trail, and we went back the same way. By then it was getting warm, and more crowded, so it is definitely a good idea to go early.
Wine tasting at Scheid Winery and dinner at Il Tagamino (an amazing Italian restaurant in Monterey) together with a local car show week completed the day.
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