Big Sur Salmon Creek Day Hike
Oct 10, 2026
$30
Escape to southern Big Sur for an unforgettable day hike! We’ll head up the coast to explore incredible ocean vistas, a cascading waterfall, and a unique local ecosystem. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience some of the Central Coast’s most epic landscapes!
Skill Level: Mild, Moderate
Activity Level: Beginner
Trip Highlights
- Hiking in Big Sur
- Panoramic ocean views
- Cool plants native to the central coast
- Elephant seals
Details
We’ll leave Cal Poly around 8:30am and drive to Salmon Creek Falls Trailhead, about a 1 hr 15 min drive. As a group, we’ll explore Salmon Creek Falls before hiking up to Buckeye Campsite along Buckeye Trail. We will hike 3.5 miles up to Buckeye Camp, enjoying panoramic coastal views and diverse ecology on the way up. We will enjoy lunch(provided) on the trail midday. We can also stop on the way back to Cal Poly and to explore some cool sites in the southern Big Sur area including but not limited to ocean vistas, elephant seal viewpoints, and coastal lighthouses.
Mileage: 6.8 miles total
Elevation: 2,128ft. Gain, 2,118ft. Loss
What's Included
- Transportation to and from campus.
- Basic instruction
- Group gear: first aid kits, GPS, sunscreen.
- Meals: Lunch and snacks
What to Bring
- Backpack for hiking
- Headlamp
- 2 hard-sided water bottles
- Personal medications
- Comfortable shoes for hiking
- Comfortable clothes for hiking
- Warm layers
- Rain jacket
- Hat and sunglasses
- Personal snacks
If you don’t have all the listed equipment, please reach out to us at asipolyescapes@calpoly.edu to inquire about rentals or borrowing equipment.
An extensive gear list will be provided at the mandatory pre-trip meeting. Trip leaders will contact participants in advance with more information.
The Poly Escapes Rental Center at the Cal Poly Recreation Center has the gear you need for your next adventure! Explore our selection online, then visit the Rental Center to equip your trip.
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