Devil's Slide Trail
Devil's Slide Trail
4.5
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4.5
210 reviews
Excellent
154
Very good
50
Average
5
Poor
1
Terrible
0
francis c
San Francisco, CA59 contributions
Jul 2020
We visited this on a week day during the Covid-19 pandemic. It was a quick and easy drive from the city. Parking was plentiful. Visitors were wearing mask and friendly. It was a leisure hike, perfect for a short break to enjoy the sun and fresh air.
Written 24 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NYDanman
Huntington, NY58 contributions
Dec 2021 • Family
Nice out and back paved trail. Hilly in spots good views and great geology. Bathrooms at both ends at the parking lots. Weather wasn't great but the views and vistas were worth it. Signs describe old Rte 1 that was this road until replaced by the tunnels.
Written 25 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TanTien
New Smyrna Beach, FL134 contributions
Jun 2014 • Couples
This stretch of coastline has always been available to drivers only at over 30+ miles per hour, or very brave bicyclists. But the road was so narrow and wind-y that only the passenger could glimpse the beauty below--certainly not more than a few seconds at a time.
Now that the tunnel has opened and the now hiker/biker-only trail has two parking sections (a small one from the north side and a larger one from the south), the lucky few to take the opportunity will get a chance to experience a slow-paced, moderately challenging, paved trail which was actually the old highway one, complete with bathrooms & drinking fountains at the south-end nice benches and even telescopes along the trail, and a dedicated biking path for the bikers.
For nature lovers, there are all kinds of coastal birds to be seen, including a colony of Common Murres on a visibly white island/rock off the trail, Pelagic Cormorants, Pigeon Guillemots, Rock Wrens, White-Crown Sparrows, Anna's Hummingbirds, California Brown pelicans, gulls etc. A nice assortment of rock plants and flowers are now in bloom. And the rock formations of Coastal Granite, predominant from the south end, change to interesting, heavily stratified, almost brick-like blocky layers of rock visible as you approach the north parking lot.
The fog ebbs and flows and there is probably not a best time to see this place except that the summer-time would be foggier than during spring and fall. During the time we were there today, it was foggy to start, with almost no view, then really warm, then the fog cleared up or got really patchy and provided some stunning views of the water and cliffs below; all within a hour. There are sections that tend to be windy and cold and areas that are more sheltered, so bring layers to account for all possible temperatures.
The overall lack of parking limits the volumes of hikers here so it so far is not crowded on weekends. But if you want to see some of the best views of California's Coast, this is the place to do it.
Kudo's to the seven organizations who put this together and patrol and maintain it for the public.
Now that the tunnel has opened and the now hiker/biker-only trail has two parking sections (a small one from the north side and a larger one from the south), the lucky few to take the opportunity will get a chance to experience a slow-paced, moderately challenging, paved trail which was actually the old highway one, complete with bathrooms & drinking fountains at the south-end nice benches and even telescopes along the trail, and a dedicated biking path for the bikers.
For nature lovers, there are all kinds of coastal birds to be seen, including a colony of Common Murres on a visibly white island/rock off the trail, Pelagic Cormorants, Pigeon Guillemots, Rock Wrens, White-Crown Sparrows, Anna's Hummingbirds, California Brown pelicans, gulls etc. A nice assortment of rock plants and flowers are now in bloom. And the rock formations of Coastal Granite, predominant from the south end, change to interesting, heavily stratified, almost brick-like blocky layers of rock visible as you approach the north parking lot.
The fog ebbs and flows and there is probably not a best time to see this place except that the summer-time would be foggier than during spring and fall. During the time we were there today, it was foggy to start, with almost no view, then really warm, then the fog cleared up or got really patchy and provided some stunning views of the water and cliffs below; all within a hour. There are sections that tend to be windy and cold and areas that are more sheltered, so bring layers to account for all possible temperatures.
The overall lack of parking limits the volumes of hikers here so it so far is not crowded on weekends. But if you want to see some of the best views of California's Coast, this is the place to do it.
Kudo's to the seven organizations who put this together and patrol and maintain it for the public.
Written 8 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rachael C
Pacifica, CA15 contributions
Sept 2018 • Couples
I love the area I live in and you really can’t go wrong with any stop along the coast...except this one. While it’s lovely that it’s right along the coast, it feels far removed from it. It’s remote, isolated and you are so far up from the beach that it’s hard to feel immersed in the environment which is what I LOVE about trail hikes. It’s also very paved. Maybe some of you love that fact but I don’t. There is metal fencing that detracts from the beauty as well. I would much rather a walk from Nick’s to Vallemar on the trails there.
Written 13 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
blklabbarney
Pacifica, CA6 contributions
Sept 2018 • Friends
The trail has some great ocean views but the trail has cement blocks all along the trail so your dog would have nothing to see or sniff. If it’s just people, it is a nice trail as long as it’s a clear day. I’ve been there when it is fogged in and there is nothing to see. There are some steep parts to the trail so it wouldn’t be so good for strollers either.
Written 2 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Retiree55578
Michigan380 contributions
Mar 2016 • Couples
Devil's Slide Road--CA 1 is particularly stunning at this location and it can be understood why there were military bunkers here before we had radar. Views to the north, west and south from a near nose bleeding perch. Well worth the stop in the parking area. In fact this stretch of highway has many turn offs and I suggest you use them to create lifetime memories. Going south be prepared to turn off to the right shortly after exiting the tunnel. Oh, bring a camera and binoculars.
Written 18 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sandy I
San Marcos, TX182 contributions
Jun 2015 • Family
This is a wonderful place to stop on Hwy 1 as you can walk down the road as it is closed to auto traffic. Bikes are often riding down the road. There is ample parking and it is located right after the tunnel coming from the north. Enjoy!
Written 17 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PaulaM549
San Francisco, CA54 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
Devil's Slide was a part of HWY 1, where the rocks used to slide and close the highway. The State wisely built a tunnel and opened up the former roadway to a hiking and biking trail. The Trail has been newly paved with both walking and two directions of biking path clearly marked. There are about 30 total parking spots and no parking allowed on HWY 1 anywhere. On the weekends there is a bus available, which drops you off right next to the entrance.Check out City of Pacifica website, Devils Slide Ride for times and sites. There are two entrances/parking lots on the north side and you have probably guessed it, on the south side of the trail. The north parking lot can only be entered from Southbound HWY 1. Repeat, the north parking lot/trail head is only accessible from the Southbound Hwy 1. The south parking lot/trail head is accessible from north or south bound on HWY 1. We started at the north side. The paved trail is actually wider than the former HWY 1. When you walk there it is hard to believe it could have been narrower. The walk is 1.3 miles from end to end. It is not flat!! starting at the north entrance there is a rather steep walk to the first viewing area. Is it wheelchair accessible? Depends on who is doing the pushing. Motorized wheelchair - YES! While walking up this first incline, there are steep walls of sedimentary rock which has been up lifted over many years and many earthquakes. This rock formation is what is 'sliding'. There is a granite formation to the side which you can clearly see at the south end of the trail. The granite is pushing the sedimentary rock, which causes/ed the big slides which covered the road and would regularly close the road to traffic for as long as 4 months. The first viewing section has benches and a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean. The trail goes up and down quite a bit from here. My kids handled it like mountain goats, me, not so much. I was always stopping to talk to other walkers, and there is usually a volunteer docent walking the trail and they are full of fun facts to know and tell your friends. We went a Friday and found plenty of parking. There is water and restrooms at each entrance. It was also unusually HOT. I met a resident of Pacifica who thought it was so funny tourists would come today and think the weather is so warm. It is often foggy, very windy and cool to cold. So make sure you have a jacket, you can always leave it in the car. Take a hat and sunscreen there is No Shade!! I would also carry water with you if you have small children or are 'old' like me. There were bikers and strollers. My suggestion if you have a child 4 or younger, take a stroller! We walked from one end to the other and fine and pleasant walk. I brought binoculars which I used a lot. I saw, a red tailed hawk, Cormorants, but ravens seem to be taking over the place. The docent said he has seen many whales in March / April this past spring. He couldn't account for the fall whale migration. But I do want to do back to check out the whales!!
I would also feel very safe walking this by myself! It is not like you can get lost! Park Rangers also patrol the trail in a truck. No motorized anything allowed. Skateboarders have not discovered it yet! There are no places for tricks but the downhill must be a blast.
This is a nature setting, you gotta like nature and views to enjoy this. We Loved it!
I would also feel very safe walking this by myself! It is not like you can get lost! Park Rangers also patrol the trail in a truck. No motorized anything allowed. Skateboarders have not discovered it yet! There are no places for tricks but the downhill must be a blast.
This is a nature setting, you gotta like nature and views to enjoy this. We Loved it!
Written 26 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ed_Uyeshima
San Francisco, CA2,721 contributions
Apr 2014 • Solo
I had been curious about the new trail since it opened in late March, but I also knew getting there would be a major pain in the toochis. Yes, almost every Yelp review about this spot mentions the severely limited parking available here, and they are absolutely correct. That's why I had the brilliant idea of coming here on Good Friday and sure enough, when I arrived at 10AM, only two of the spaces in the southern lot were taken. In fact, the trail was eerily desolate except for a roving band of blue hair walkers in velour jogging suits. It was like Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome meets The Golden Girls. Actually with the rolling fog and empty highways that looked like they went nowhere, it was the perfect setting for a classic Hitchcockian thriller
All I needed were a few thousand crows, a hideous mint-green suit, a blonde upsweep, and a couple of lovebirds in a cage. Just south of Pacifica, the whole trail is only 1.3 miles and takes about a half-hour to walk back and forth since even the steepest slopes are quite manageable due to the smooth pavement. There are interpretative panels to educate yourself on the local flora and fauna, a dozen benches in case you want to sit a spell to enjoy the coastal view, and yes, restrooms at both ends of the trail. Dog owners and baby strollers started to converge on the trail so I left to find at least a half-dozen cars waiting for a space in the lot. And this is my quandary with the trail. As striking as the setting is, I'm not sure it's worth waiting in my car for a parking spot. How far is it to Big Sur again?
All I needed were a few thousand crows, a hideous mint-green suit, a blonde upsweep, and a couple of lovebirds in a cage. Just south of Pacifica, the whole trail is only 1.3 miles and takes about a half-hour to walk back and forth since even the steepest slopes are quite manageable due to the smooth pavement. There are interpretative panels to educate yourself on the local flora and fauna, a dozen benches in case you want to sit a spell to enjoy the coastal view, and yes, restrooms at both ends of the trail. Dog owners and baby strollers started to converge on the trail so I left to find at least a half-dozen cars waiting for a space in the lot. And this is my quandary with the trail. As striking as the setting is, I'm not sure it's worth waiting in my car for a parking spot. How far is it to Big Sur again?
Written 13 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
312russa
Turlock, CA281 contributions
Sept 2019
My first time here. I brought our bikes and it was a nice short ride. Be prepared to do a little climbing. Nice day for a nice ride.
Written 27 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is the entire trail paved? If not, is the non-paved part a difficult hike?
Written 2 August 2019
It’s a former highway. the surrounding cliff side is protected, as it’s always been unstable ground. if you’re looking for hiking, there are many trails nearby that are dirt and often quite flat for easy walking. I highly recommend those hikes for amazing views, for any skill level.
Written 27 November 2019
Are there any times the trail is closed?
Written 28 January 2017
From their website:
Hours:
Devil's Slide Trail is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year round including all holidays. The parking lots, however, open daily at 8:00 A.M. and close at various times depending on the time of year. The closing times for the parking lots are:
December - February 5:00 P.M.
March 6:00 P.M. (before Daylight Savings Time starts)
March 7:00 P.M. (after Daylight Savings Time starts)
April - August 8:00 P.M.
September 8:00 P.M. (through Labor Day)
September 7:00 P.M. (beginning the day after Labor Day)
October 7:00 P.M. (first week[s] of October)
October 6:00 P.M. (last three weeks of October)
November 6:00 P.M. (before Daylight Saving Time ends)
November 5:00 P.M. (after Daylight Saving Time ends)
Written 28 January 2017
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