Old Coast Road

Total Miles10.1
Technical Rating
3Easy
Best TimeWinter, Spring, Summer, Fall
Trail TypeFull-Width Road
Accessible By
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Old Coast Road trail photo

Trail Overview

This winding dirt road meanders downhill through cool wooded valleys with large sycamore and redwood trees, then climbs steeply to scenic rangeland high above the Pacific coastline. Take binoculars to see every detail below, including the historic Point Sur Lighthouse. Old Coast is for street-legal vehicles only, and may be driven in either direction. Andrew Molera State Park, at the south end, offers great hiking.

Photos of Old Coast Road

Difficulty

Easy: Suitable for passenger cars when dry, but you'll want 4-wheel drive if you get caught in the rain. Road can even be impassable in very wet conditions.

History

Towards the end of the trip on a clear day, you can look down and see the Point Sur Lighthouse perched atop a large rock dome along the shore. The lighthouse was a manned facility from 1889 to the early 1960s. Today it is automated and maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard as part of Point Sur State Historic Park. Call (831) 625-4419 for information on guided tours.

Technical Rating

3

Status Reports

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Sky T
Dec 29, 2025
Temporarily Closed
Closed Gate
It was a bummer the road was closed, but still a nice road trip down highway 1. Beautiful day. Saw a bobcat on the drive to the southern road closure gate.
Vinson Smith
Dec 26, 2025
Temporarily Closed
Weather Event
gate was closed on the northern end, didn’t check the southern end. Had a couple locks. Most likely closed due do the heavy storms we’ve had.
Nicholas Bea
Dec 18, 2025
2015 Lexus GX
Open
Normal
Gate is open on both sides
Steve Phillips
Dec 08, 2025
Permanently Closed
Posted Private PropertyLocked Gate
Closed gate with padlocks.
Brandon H
Nov 26, 2025
Permanently Closed
Posted Private Property
Permanent gates posted private property.
Kyle Sweet
Nov 16, 2025
Temporarily Closed
Reese Scott
Nov 14, 2025
Temporarily Closed
James Dillon
Oct 19, 2025
Temporarily Closed
The road is gated at both ends (photo is from South entrance, near Andrew Molera State Park). I ended up going for a trail run up the road. I ran into some Forest Service workers, who told me the road is being graded, but didn't know when it would be open again.
Pierre Maris
Oct 18, 2025
Temporarily Closed
Posted Sign
Road closed signs were posted at both ends of the road. There was no information about why or when it will reopen.
Jerry Flores
Oct 11, 2025
Open
NormalDusty
Christian Vasquez
Oct 04, 2025
2023 Toyota Tacoma
Open
Normal
Easy trail, didn’t need 4x4, went through on 2hi. I can’t say much since I went at night. Was mostly a single lane road with many turnouts. Pretty beginner friendly
Tony s3
Sep 13, 2025
2016 Toyota 4Runner
Open
NormalDusty
Clean trail and really good for beginners. It was a little damp up also dusty in some areas but fun and a great view of the sunset and ocean. It’s a warm up before hitting the bigger trails. 🤙
Kenneth Ayson
Sep 07, 2025
2000 Toyota Tundra
Open
NormalDusty
Easy Trail and not too busy. A good beginner trail with some nice views and get to drive through redwoods. Places to stop while driving for a lunch, near the south entrance about 1.5 miles up there is a great view of the ocean and room to stop! Set up the awning and ate some lunch!
Mark W
Sep 07, 2025
2025 Ford Mustang
Open
Dusty
Smooth with plenty of blind corners. Ran it for south to north when returning from a camping trip. All of the roads off of this one are private roads and are not accessible. Only exception is there is one hiking trail accessible around mile 4 I think.
Devin Rohrbacker
Aug 19, 2025
2023 Toyota Tacoma
Open
Dusty

Old Coast Road Trail can be accessed by the following ride types:

  • High Clearance
  • Full Width

Old Coast Road Map

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