Although I do not fully known the history behind calling California the “Golden State”, one reason is definitely that the entire state dries up to be a golden yellow most of the year. There is, however, a short time in spring when everything is green and blooming. Spring is a great time to be outside in California and we made the effort to get amongst the greenery by taking a trip up to the Big Sur area and doing the Vincent Flat Hike. Big Sur is known for its stunning coastal views with the mountains dropping into the ocean. The Vincent Flat Hike takes full advantage of these views as you follow along the side of the hills. This is my new favorite hike in the Big Sur region, so I couldn’t wait to write about and share it with you.
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Vincent Flat Hike in Big Sur
Let’s get right into the hike. It has a consistently steep grade (about 500 feet per mile) throughout the hike which allows you to gain elevation above the eucalyptus trees for impressive views of the coast. The first segment of the hike has high brush and is unfortunately not that exciting. There are a few switchbacks and you can see how much higher than the trees you are getting with each turn. You will get to a lush gully, but watch out for poison oak. I remember seeing it the most in this first gully. After dodging and weaving through the gully, you will get the first big payoff view as you follow the trail around the ocean-facing side of the mountain.
After the first view, you will go into about three more gullies (one or two with incredible redwood trees) followed by stunning views. Each viewpoint is a little different and I just couldn’t help turning around and taking pictures all the time. The shots I took facing south were stunning due to the position of the sun. Especially with all the greenery, the trail is particularly picturesque.
The trail continues onto Vincent Flat campground, but we decided to turnaround when the trail turns sharply inland and you can look over at the next ridgeline. I recommend going all the way to this point for the best, uninterrupted views facing north. There is a rock that just begs for you to stand on it and do a yoga pose.
At a Glance:
- Rating: 4 (out of 4) stars, would go again
- Intensity: Hiking Clothes, Hiking Shoes
- Location: Big Sur Area
- Cost: Free
- Restrooms: None
- Timing: 2- 3 hours
- Distance: 6.5 miles roundtrip
Highlights:
- Stunning views of the California coastline during the ENTIRE hike
- Wildflowers in spring (such a variety!) and native California plants
Lowlights:
- Trail becomes busier by late morning
- Poison Oak on the trail
Wildflowers Galore
We came specifically for springtime greenery and we got green grassy hillsides and beautiful blooms. I get frustrated when a trail description includes wildflowers, but you only get a few buds of the same variety for the duration of the hike. Not this trail! We saw purple flowers, red flowers, blue flower, white flowers, and, of course, poppies. Since it is chillier in Big Sur than Santa Barbara, the poppies seemed new and fresh. I wish I knew more of the flower names because they were everywhere. I wouldn’t call it a superbloom, but the flowers that were there were blooming beautifully. Depending on the rainfall (we’ve been having a few weird winters in California), head to Big Sur in late March, April, and early May for the full green effect.
In addition to the flora, I did want to mention that we saw three small snakes on the trail. Within the first two minutes of the hike, we came across the first one which made us jump. Not ten steps later we saw another one. The third one was in a shady area deeper into the trail. They were small and did not look to be rattlesnakes, but something to be conscientious of when hiking.
Other Things to do in the Area
The trailhead for Vincent Flat Hike is in the bottom third section of the Big Sur coastline. We loved that this trail was easier to access when driving from the south. Another hike we like is the first segment of Cruickshank hike, where you gain elevation quickly for almost immediate stunning views of the coast in both directions. A bit further south I recommend:
- Viewing the Elephant Seals near San Simeon
- Grabbing a coffee in the darling downtown of Cambria
- Checking out Hearst Castle
I haven’t gone to Hearst Castle in ages, but I heard they filled their pools after keeping them empty during the recent drought years. The Elephant Seals never get old and we stop almost every time we drive by.
Wear this on the Big Sur Trail!
Getting to the Trailhead
We drove to the Vincent Flats Trailhead using googlemaps. The trail starts directly across from the Kirk Campground, so if you are unable to get signal, look for that campground. There is roadside parking on either side of HWY 1.
Overall Thoughts: Vincent Flats Hike
When heading up to Big Sur, we didn’t have expectations for this hike. I found the hike on All Trails and thought it would be fun to try something new… but it was incredible. I would categorize this hike as a, “blow your hair back” hike, which usually has a big pay-off at the end or something beautiful during the hike. The presence of wildflowers and green grass made it that much better, but I bet it will be gorgeous all year round.
Big Sur is a beautiful part of California. It is hard to beat the views of the mountains plunging into the sea. Seeing Kirk Campground right on the ocean gave me the itch to go camping in the early season with the green grass. Have you gone to Big Sur? Do you recommend any other hikes for me to check out? Let me know in the comments!
Happy Travels,
Hanna
