Palacio Del Mar Views Loop

This loop can be done in either direction, but I slightly prefer the counterclockwise direction because this means descending the Palacio Del Mar Drop trail with the late afternoon sunlight illuminating the grasses and wildflowers during the season when I most often do this loop. Begin at a parking lot at the start of Clews Ranch Rd. Head up the Marvin Gerst to Shaw Valley Connector to pass under Carmel Mountain Rd and turn on to the Del Mar Mesa Equestrian Trail which has a short steep climb at the beginning. You can stay on the Del Mar Mesa Equestrian Trail the entire way but the views are better from the Palacio Del Mar Overlook as mapped. Briefly rejoin the Del Mar Mesa Equestrian Trail and then begin the Palacio Del Mar Drop which has a steep section near the bottom. Finish the loop on the Palacio Del Mar Equestrian Trail and then hop Carmel Mountain Rd to return to the parking lot via a short stretch of sidewalk or alternatively head north a short distance to cross at the crosswalk which rates to be safer if you have kids in tow.This is a 3-star hike from about December to May after it has rained and turned green, and a 2-star hike the rest of the year.