Jim Green Trail, Atascadero

NOTE: Only come when there are strong E or SE winds, otherwise the sewer district smell will disgust you, and the air won't be healthy to breathe.

Jim Green Trail (ask google maps for Jim Green Trailhead not Jim Green Trail, or else it will take you to the wrong place) is a 1.6 mile loop walk through mystical forest! The yellow grasses and gnarled trees and pure silence are just beautiful. The trail starts out along the railway tracks but soon goes uphill into the forest. At this point there is shade. On the way up the hill you can see the wastewater district, unfortunately. The view of the mountains catching the morning light are nice. Little wildflowers line the dirt path here and there. The loop is not too long but it is steep (15% grade maximum). People generally take the right fork when they get to the hilly part, but it's a loop so either way is fine. There are plenty of friendly people on the trail every morning.
Atascadero is often sunny when the rest of the coast is socked in with fog so if you want a bright colorful walk this is the place to come on a foggy day.
After, have a tea and a chorizo empanada or seasonal fruit pie at Bramble Pie Co in downtown Atascadero. It's a lovely spot to sit and look out their huge sunny windows, or sit in the afternoon shade on their front patio. The crust on their pies is incredible. Walk some more, over to the Sunken Gardens in front of City Hall, just a block away. The old, tall trees there are gorgeous, including magnolia trees that flower like mad in summer. Let your kids play on the varied equipment at Joy Playground, which has a Rock N Raft that sways side to side. It is a short drive from downtown Atascadero.
An even better, non-smelly, two-mile loop hike, with sweeping views and lots of shade is the Stadium Park Hike.
For a similar hike, in that it has spooky oak forest and yellow grasses, check out the wonderful Three Bridges Oak Preserve Trail, just past Lake Atascadero Park.

Directions

Jim Green Trailhead is located at 7895 Cortez Ave, Atascadero, CA 93422. There is plenty of parking in a dirt parking lot.

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