Notleys Landing Along Highway 1: Historic Coastal Headland Is Not a Public Trail

NOTLEYS LANDING, Monterey County — October 2026. The rocky headland near Palo Colorado Road preserves the name of an early Big Sur shipping settlement. But the California Coastal Trail mapping project’s Notley’s Landing viewpoint listing describes it as visible from Highway 1 and not accessible to the public. A place marked on a trail map is not automatically a public hiking trail, parking area or coastal access easement.

Where is the historic landing?

The trail map places the viewpoint immediately north of Palo Colorado Road on Highway 1 and provides approximate coordinates 36.40108, -121.90679. It identifies the point in Monterey Section 8 and notes a view toward Rocky Creek Bridge. Those coordinates are for geographic reference, not directions to park on the shoulder or enter private property. Visitors should obey posted signs and use lawful turnouts only.

What happened here historically?

A Robinson Jeffers Association study describes the landing as a former center for shipping redwood lumber and tanoak bark, associated with William and Godfrey Notley. The small coastal landing helped connect a remote settlement with markets before modern road travel. No current shipping enterprise is implied by its historical name.

How should visitors plan?

Visitors should not cross fences, enter gated roads or descend unstable coastal bluffs assuming the viewpoint permits access. Road openings and restrictions on public land are separate questions from access to the landing itself. Check Caltrans QuickMap before driving Highway 1 and consult the relevant land manager for lawful nearby public trails.

Sources: California Coastal Trail — Notley’s Landing viewpoint and access notes; Robinson Jeffers Association place-name research.

Editorial note: Local-history and access guide; this is not an announcement of a new October closure or evidence of a site inspection by California58.

YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER NEEDS YOU

Help this community newspaper grow

Your support helps build coverage for the people and places this local newspaper serves.

Donate once by card ↗

Help Notleys Landing News grow Help strengthen reporting on Notleys Landing: community voices, important decisions and local life.

Support Notleys Landing News

Choose how to support Notleys Landing News:

Credit / Debit Card via Stripe

Choose an amount from $1. One-time support through the publisher's LINKERNO Stripe account.

Continue with PayPal Continue with Zelle

Zelle payments go to Vitaly Ataev Troshin. Please verify the recipient in your bank before sending. Availability depends on your bank.

Optional reader support. When possible, add “Notleys Landing News” to the payment note. Contributions are not advertised as tax-deductible. Support does not influence editorial decisions.

Optional support through the publisher. Contributions are not advertised as tax-deductible and never buy editorial influence.

Notleys Landing News — Your Community Newspaper

Have a correction, news tip, local announcement, or story to submit? Contact our editorial team. All submissions are reviewed before publication.