Santa Margarita is cradled by the coastal Santa Lucia mountain range, which provides for spectacular hiking trails. From interior valleys to ocean-view vistas, there are no shortage of local hikes that will take your breath away.
East Cuesta Ridge Trail
This trail begins on the east side of Highway 101 toward the top of the Cuesta Grade, just a mile from downtown Santa Margarita. It follows the Santa Lucia Mountains that border Santa Margarita Ranch, and from the ridge you can see all the way to the ocean. A full round trip to the radio towers on Mount Lowe covers seven miles, but you can make it a shorter hike and still enjoy amazing sights. This hike is largely moderate with some strenuous parts.
Rinconada Trail
This four-mile hike begins off Pozo Road near Santa Margarita Lake. It zigzags through grassy slopes with wide-open views of the Santa Lucia Mountains as well as Pozo Valley. This hike ranges from easy to moderate, and instead of turning around at the two-mile point at Little Falls, you can extend your adventure down the Little Falls Trail if you are feeling spunky.
Santa Margarita Lake Recreation & Natural Area
Santa Margarita Lake Recreation & Natural Area is home to an abundance of hiking opportunities that yield sweeping views, including the easy Blinn Ranch trail and the moderate Grey Pine Trail.