What we’re about
The Monterey Bay Area Hiking Group is for people who enjoy hiking, being outdoors and socializing. We explore many areas throughout the Monterey Peninsula, BigSur/ Ventana Wilderness, and Santa Cruz Mountains. On occasion, we will offer events out of the area. Hikes are generally for most levels; from 4 mile hikes with minimal elevation gain to 20 mile expeditions with significant elevation gain. Hikes may be scheduled on any day of the week and usually last between 3-5 hours. For those interested in multi-day activities, there will be some car camping or backpacking trips.
Please be advised that we are not a walking group and therefore do not expect to see many short hikes (less than 3 miles) over level terrain . Please match the hike to your skill level.
Please join us for our next hike!
Disclaimer: The Organizers are not professional guides and do not have certified training nor insurance. As you are aware, inherent hazards and risks are associated with hiking and all other physical activity. You are responsible for your own safety and health. The individual hike Organizer is not in charge of this hike, but simply going on a hike and inviting others to join.
As you join, please read the "About" information under the heading "Pages" on the menu at the top of the Home page.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Special Event! San Jose Creek Broom Bash with CA State Parks and MPRPDMonastery Beach, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Be part of one of our longest running volunteer projects! Join us at Ishxenta State Park (across HWY 1 from Point Lobos) for a morning of pulling invasive French Broom from the beautiful Monterey Pine forest.
Volunteers must be comfortable walking and working in difficult terrain, off-trail, and in areas with poison oak, steep slopes, and ticks.
WHAT WE ARE DOING: Special Event! This month we're teaming up with volunteers from the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District for a special Broom Bash in beautiful San Jose Canyon. We'll work on removing French Broom on the border between Ishxenta State Park and Palo Corona Regional Park. We will shuttle to the trailhead, then hike to the project site together (~1 mile each way).
Space is limited! Please RSVP to Volunteer.Monterey@parks.ca.gov.
WHERE TO MEET: Look for the State Parks van at the south end of the large pullout between Monastery Beach and the entrance to Point Lobos. We'll shuttle to the work site from there!
WHAT TO BRING: Water, closed-toe hiking shoes, pants, long sleeved shirt, sunscreen, hat. Gloves and snacks will be provided.
HIGH WINDS and/or STORMS will cancel this event!
Please email volunteer.monterey@parks.ca.gov with any questions!
- Special Event! Volunteer Bike Ride at Fort Ord Dunes State Park w/ State ParksFort Ord Dunes State Park, Marina, CA
Come on out to our volunteer day at Fort Ord Dunes State Park!
This event is co-sponsored by the Monterey District of California State Parks and the California State Parks Foundation.WHAT WE ARE DOING:
Special Event!
Celebrate National Bike Month and help protect and preserve sensitive habitat at Fort Ord Dunes State Park!In May, we will take a bike tour around Fort Ord Dunes State Park’s many paved trails, stopping to remove invasive vegetation as we go. Together, we’ll visit some of the more dispersed patches of weeds that we aren’t able to visit during our regular volunteer events.
The route is approximately 5 miles on a paved bike path and will start and end at the main parking lot. The route is mostly flat with one large hill (walking your bike up is totally fine). We’ll travel at a leisurely pace and make several stops along the way to regroup and remove invasive weeds. No one will be left behind!
All types of bicycles, e-bikes or non-motorized active transportation (skateboards, scooters, etc.) are welcome to join. A mobile bike mechanic will be available throughout the event.
All ages are welcome (minors must be accompanied by an adult). All youth participants must be able to bike safely or be safely transported on the back of a bike. Helmets are required by CA law for people under age 18.
Please register online at: calparks.org/volunteer.
WHERE TO MEET: The main parking lot of Fort Ord Dunes State Park in Marina, California. Click here for a link to Google Maps.
WHAT TO BRING: Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, hat. Tools, training, gloves, provided!
Please email volunteer.monterey@parks.ca.gov with any questions!
- CNPS Sunday Broom Bash: Ishxenta State ParkPoint Lobos State Natural Reserve, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA
Be part of one of our program's longest running volunteer projects! Join us at Ishxenta State Park (across HWY 1 from Point Lobos) for a morning of pulling invasive French Broom from the beautiful Monterey Pine forest. This event is sponsored by the California Native Plant Society - Monterey Bay Chapter and the Monterey District of California State Parks.
Volunteers must be comfortable walking and working in difficult terrain, off-trail, and in areas with poison oak, steep slopes, and ticks.
WHAT WE ARE DOING: Since 1998, volunteers have been working to control invasive French Broom in the area now known as Ishxenta State Park. Since the seeds of this plant can last in the ground for over 30 years, it takes a dedicated and consistent effort to remove these shrubs from a landscape. Together, we'll be continuing these efforts by pulling French Broom from a beautiful Monterey Pine forest, rarely visited by the general public.
To reach the site, we'll hike through the forest over difficult, poison oak-filled terrain. Volunteers must be comfortable hiking and working in this difficult environment.
WHERE TO MEET: Big pullout on the west side of HWY 1, 0.5 miles south of the Point Lobos SNR entrance and just before the Gibson Creek bridge.
WHAT TO BRING: Water, closed-toe hiking shoes, pants, long sleeved shirt, sunscreen, hat, gloves, and tools.
*Friendly reminder*: Restrooms are not easily accessible from this meeting location.
For more information, please contact: MontereyCNPSStewardship@gmail.com
NOTE: This event will be cancelled in the event of high winds!
