Cave Landing and Pirate's Cove from Shell Beach

Beautiful view. The trail was hard to use because it’s over grown and steep. We have a golden retriever who is good at hiking but he was having such a difficult time. We saw a beach next to the trail and decided to go down and explore. The beach was pretty empty when we went but 1/2 is the college party section and the other 1/2 a nude beach.

Beautiful walk, but be careful because there is a lot of crime and partying going on here. There are no restrooms and the parking for this walk is located near the freeway exit to Avila Beach or off Cave Landing Drive. Drug deals, broken bottles everywhere, trash left behind, people peeing in neighborhood yards, vomiting in driveways, and not picking up their dog droppings...it isn't the best on crowded sunny days. Sad, because they are ruining it for everyone. Dog owners beware of broken glass.

makes for a good night run too!

This trail begins in a residential area, a ways away from the actual trail. Cement path with great views. Actual trail begins once you get through the neighborhood. Nice and easy hike. No porta potties or restroom areas.

beautiful easy trail

I think we started in a different parking lot, which involved walking along shore near huge houses. Afterwards was a large hill and we arrived in the parking lot where I believe we were “supposed” to start. Trail is pretty easy through the brush. A few sketchy ppl around with a bunch of garbage around, but no real issues. Walked down through the cave and near the water, which apparently serves as a nude beach, but it was December. Overall, more of a stroll and excuse to get outside than a “hike”

it's a cement path most of the way to the outcropping. though it is a pretty view the whole walk, it's not as good and many other areas along hwy 1. kinda cool to see how the 1% live with a row of $multimillion homes just on the other side of the path. the trail out to the cave and the cove is better, but narrow and on a busy day, you're bumping into someone almost constantly. do these areas on an off day/time. the cave is particular picturesque and you a nice view of the nude beach (and sunbathers) below.

Great views and was a very easy hike. Would not recommend kids due to a nude beach being right next to the cove

Amazing and great views!

The views were great but the trail is filled with garbage and the cave was covered with graffiti. Not to mention the parking lot at the trailhead has bags of open garbage and people who seem to have set up “camp” in their vehicles.

Very unsettling to see the trailhead be used as a shantytown with people living broken down vehicles and throwing trash in piles outside.

Easy trail, most anyone can do with great scenery. Gorgeous flowers in May , perfect temperature.

Great trail. Growth is getting a bit tall but still wonderful.

Nice hike to a cave and also leads to a beach trail. Clothing is optional down by the beach. ❤️

Pretty plantings along first part of trail/ then rocks and beach- a little elevation- nice variety, spectacular coastal views. Fun for kids.

fun trail to do. Parking is very tiny only like 4 spots and one handicap spot. The hike is very nice. You can see the ocean and fields. The incline is a little hard but I did it just fine it's probably about 200 yards or less. I would recommend it to active adults and kids 5+. will do again

Great for kids and dogs. Awesome views!

Park in small lot at end of Cave Landing Road. This is an easy hike which you can make as difficult as you want by going uphill from Pirates Cove. Tide was high so I did not go down onto beach. People were camping inside the cave which is not legal but they did not bother me. There was no wind so it was going to get how there in afternoon. This is a great hike to start out your day. Virtual Treadmill video of this hike can be seen on my YouTube Channel, copy and paste link below to watch it. Thanks. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFO02nxPdM4-CabegFIPlow?view_as=subscriber

nice walk, half of it is pathed. Dog friendly.

Went to visit pismo and looked up a hike to do in the morning. Beautiful views the whole time provided by the ocean, caves, and nearby million dollar houses.

Great hike even for my 11 year old dog and family that don’t hike on a regular basis. Absolutely gorgeous. We began around 10:00am on a Sunday which was perfect before the crowd and heat. This will be our new regular family day hike.

Beautiful! Loved the cave. I wish people would respect nature and not vandalize it. There is some graffiti on the rocks and in the cave but it was still beautiful being above the ocean on cliffs looking out.

Easy enough for my 3 & 5 year old, but my husband and I also really enjoyed it. Can’t beat the constant view of the beautiful ocean! My boys loved searching for Pirates treasure :) Just outside the cave to the left you can go down the rocks a bit and you will see a ring in the side of the mountain. We were told this is where the Pirates used to hook their ships. That made it even more fun for my kiddos!

Nice hike, especially with the cool, cloudy day. Some steep areas. My kids hiked it easily, though my dog was too fat to easily get down the rocks to the beach. Great views. Lots of trash, and too many people didn't pick up after their dogs.

Pirates cove gets the kewl points but super chill walk

Nice hike! Took my kids (5 and 11) and they were able to easily make it. We loved the cave!