James Way Trail

Dogs Leashed

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Parking is free but limited, There are usually spaces. Just pull to the side of the road. The Land Manager is the City of Arroyo Grande, not listed in the Land Manager options below.

The trailhead is on James Way, and is marked clearly with both a parking and hiking sign. Run a few yards on the broad trail straight into the James Way Oak Habitat, then turn right. The main trail begins as wide as a single lane road. At the first fork, take the smaller path to the left, marked with a running sign.

The path will climb up the hill, with switchbacks and several confusing shortcuts and side trails. You'll quickly crest the hill and come to an intersection within sight of some houses. Turn right to go downhill, then at the next intersection, keep left. This next section of the trail winds through dappled sunlight (in the morning), shaded by all of the oak trees.

You'll reach a fork where the left path heads gently uphill and the right path goes down. The downhill path is also an official path, but reaches standing water at the bottom for a long time after any rain. Most people take the left path for this reason. After a short distance, again shaded by oaks, the trails forks again. This time, choose the right path. The left path continues uphill and heads to a housing development. From here it is an easy, gentle downhill to the end.

The best choice is to turn around and retrace your route.

Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia), poison oak, deer, lizards.