Johnson Ranch North & South Loop
Quick Facts
- Time: 1:15 hours
- Distance: 3-mile loop
- Elevation: 420' (through frequent ups and downs)
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Terrain: Single-file dirt paths, some uneven sections
- Dogs: Allowed on leash, watch for bikes
- Parking: Dedicated lot off Highway 101
- Location: South of San Luis Obispo
- Seasonal Note: Often closed after heavy rain
Learn about elevation profiles
Trail Character
Just off of 101 between Avila Beach San Luis Obispo, we take a loop that combines the North and South trails at Johnson Ranch. Johnson Ranch has main loops: the North Trail and South Trail. Together they form a figure-8 which we follow, although rain and mud can close South Trail.
Seasonal Considerations
This preserve presents distinct seasonal challenges:
- Summer: Often a few degrees warmer than the city of SLO due to local microclimates. Warn people to bring more water than they think they need.
- Winter: The preserve closes frequently during wet weather due to flooding. The south trail is particularly prone to washouts, and you can expect deep, sticky mud for days or weeks after a hard rain.
Trail Experience
The full route gets its cumulative 420' elevation gain from frequent ups and downs, none of which are strenuous. There's little shade on this trail, so bring sun and wind protection depending on the weather. The route offers views of Laguna Lake and the Irish Hills to the south.
Notable Features
Johnson Ranch spreads over the rolling hills south of San Luis Obispo. Bordered on the east by Highway 101 and at the extreme south end of Higuera Street, it's easy to access for most people in the county. There's ample parking, though the trails aren't rugged.
There’s a shady stop stop under the trees at the north end of the north loop, which is also good turnaround point. This junction connects to the Irish Hills trail network, but that's several hours one way on foot.
Photos by Joe Gremillion