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Hiking in Pacifica

As Dave and I explore our new hometown, we’ve been enchanted by this beautiful area. We recently took a short hike on Devil’s Slide Trail. Until recently, this was part of California Route 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway. Nicknamed Devil’s Slide, this stretch endured decades of landslides, road closures, and drivers occasionally plunging down steep cliffs. With the recent opening of tunnel bypasses, the county turned this bit of old roadway into a great hiking trail. Now, instead of driving along steep cliffs, we can walk, and enjoy the views at a slower pace.

Pacifica Coastal Trail, Devil's Slide Trail, view of Pedro PointPacifica Coastal Trail, Devil's Slide Trail, formerly part of California Route 1, Pacific Coast Highway, good view of upturned layers of sedimentary rockYellow flowers in bloom at Pacifica Coastal Trail, Devil's Slide Trail, formerly part of California Route 1, Pacific Coast Highway

These gorgeous sights illustrate Pacifica’s coastal climate, with strong winds, salt spray, and rocky soil. There’s little rain, but lots of fog. Plants and animals need to be tough to survive the ceaseless wind and harsh conditions.

Red tailed hawk, Buteo jamaicensis, flying above Pacifica Coastal Trail, Devil's Slide Trail, formerly part of California Route 1, Pacific Coast HighwayConifer growing attached to cliffs above Pacifica Coastal Trail, Devil's Slide Trail, formerly part of California Route 1, Pacific Coast HighwaySucculents growing attached to cliffs above Pacifica Coastal Trail, Devil's Slide Trail, formerly part of California Route 1, Pacific Coast Highway

For years, I only knew these views as they passed by in a flash from a car window. There was hardly time to enjoy the scenery, or watch a soaring hawk ride thermals without once beating its wings. Even the crumbling cliff side holds fascinations when there’s time to study it. Slowing down makes for a great pace of life in Pacifica.

Cliffs above Pacifica Coastal Trail with warning sign for falling rocks, Devil's Slide Trail, formerly part of California Route 1, Pacific Coast HighwayView of Pacific Ocean from Pacifica Coastal Trail, Devil's Slide Trail, formerly part of California Route 1, Pacific Coast HighwayStalk of tiny purple flowers on Pacifica Coastal Trail, Devil's Slide Trail, formerly part of California Route 1, Pacific Coast Highway

Explore posts in the same categories: Misc, Photos

This entry was posted on Friday, August 22nd, 2014 at 6:00 am and is filed under Misc, Photos.

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2 Comments on “Hiking in Pacifica”

  1. JP Gomes Says:
    August 27th, 2014 at 11:51 pm

    What dramatic scenery! I love the tree hanging off the cliff. Excellent post!!!

  2. Liv S. Says:
    August 29th, 2014 at 8:18 pm

    Stunning views and I can’t believe this was a highway.