Just 30 minutes down Highway 1, Devil’s Slide is an ultimate hidden gem in the Bay Area. Twelve years ago, Caltrans turned the decommissioned section of highway into a gently graded, 1.3-mile pedestrian and bike path that hugs the coastline.
Now, people often visit with a pair of binoculars in hand to watch for wildlife from the path’s vantage point, or otherwise from Gray Whale Cove, an adjacent secluded beach named for gray whale sightings close to shore.
The Devil’s Slide trail has two small parking lots at either end of the Tom Lantos Tunnels. They fill up quickly, so consider visiting on a weekday or catching the SamTrans bus, which stops at the trailheads.
Visiting Gray Whale Cove
Gray Whale Cove State Beach is situated within a small, sheltered inlet at the base of the cliffs at Devil’s Slide. The 800-foot stretch of sand is tucked below the bluffs at the end of a steep trail.
While nudity is technically banned at state beaches, Gray Whale Cove is a well-known clothing-optional spot, so make sure you keep it in mind if you plan to visit. According to California Beaches, the “local rule” is to turn right at the bottom of the stairs for the clothing-optional section, and go left for the “normal” section.
You can park in the Gray Whale Cove lot on the east side of Highway 1 at the southern end of Devil’s Slide, then carefully cross the highway to reach the trail.
Gray whales are frequently spotted, sometimes within 100 feet of shore, between December and May. Even if you don’t manage to spot a whale, you’ll still enjoy some prime wildlife watching in the presence of harbor seals, sea lions, and seabirds.
