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Wild Recovery San Jose, California

Marchl 28, 2009 Santa Curz Costal Hike

The Place

        This is an amazing hike. This will be a peaceful walk by long stretches of bluff backed sandy beaches. These wooded bluffs provide a matchless view of Monterey Bay. Keep a watch out for varied wildlife: harbor seals, pelicans, cormorants, shearwaters, sea lions, dolphins, otters and whales to name a few.

Getting There

        DIRECTIONS:  From San Jose take 880 South, it turns into 17 North. Take Highway 1 South. The beach can be reached by taking the New Brighton/Park Avenue exit to the right, then a quick left as you follow the signs.

Drive time is About 45 minutes – Parking $8 – Dogs allowed on Leash

Walking the Walk

        (Level 1.5 - Miles: 6.6 - Elevation ~100') 
We will start out walking along the hard sand by the shore at New Brighton State Beach, previously known as China Beach as it was once a Chinese Fishing Village. We will pass through Seacliff State Beach. Here you will see the famous Cement Ship. The SS Palo Alto was built for WWI but never saw service as the war ended. It was bought by an amusement company, brought to Seacliff Beach and in the 1930s housed a restaurant and dance hall. After 2 seasons the company went bankrupt, and the ship “went to the birds.” We will continue on and have our meeting at Hidden Beach, below the Seascape Golf Course. We will return the same way we came, getting to enjoy the view from a new perspective.

Know Before You Go

        RECOMMENDED:  Coastal Weather is very changeable wear Layers and use Sunscreen