San Martin

San Martin is an easy, 1.8-mile ridgeline trail in the Los Padres National Forest that is perfect for scenic campers and drivers of stock four-wheel-drive vehicles seeking expansive views of the Pacific Ocean from high above the fog line. Branching off from the South Coast Ridge Road as Forest Route 23S01B, this route guides visitors along the scenic San Martin Ridgeline towards the prominent San Martin Top, which stands at an elevation of 3,077 feet. The path features a predominantly dirt surface with a technical rating of 3, making it accessible to most high-clearance vehicles, SxSs, and dual-sport motorcycles under dry conditions. Throughout the drive, travelers will climb and descend gentle grades with elevation along the route ranging between 2,664 and 3,056 feet, enjoying magnificent coastal vistas and dense forest scenery along the way. Along the route, numerous dispersed campsites are scattered under the canopy and near clearing edges, offering excellent opportunities for overnight stays in a serene wilderness setting. While the trail is generally straightforward, the dirt surface can become extremely slick and impassable during and immediately after wet weather, requiring cautious planning during the rainy season. There are multiple wider spots along the route that provide ample space for vehicles to turn around safely. The trail eventually dead-ends at a junction with a much more challenging, high-clearance four-wheel-drive track that descends toward the cliffside, meaning less-equipped vehicles should prepare to turn around here and retrace their steps back to the main ridge road.