A moderate hike, although it can be slippery when wet or frozen. Use caution! This is a lovely hike to the beach. The trail runs along the edge of a steep canyon wall above Diamond Creek. It is not recommended in wet or icy conditions. This trail is on Diamond Creek State Recreation Site land. There are also adjacent bike trails. See Homer Cycling Club https://www.homercyclingclub.org/trails
The trail to the beach is approximately .6 miles. Once on the beach, you can walk north toward Anchor Point for 8.5 miles or south toward Homer for 6.5 miles. Be prepared for stream crossings and be aware of tidal fluctuations; high tide will cut off the beach. Explore tide pools in both directions at low tide. Popular walks are Diamond Creek to Bishops Beach (southeast) or Anchor River State Recreation Area (north) by staging a car at either end. On a clear day the view across Cook Inlet to Mount Augustine, Iliamna, and Redoubt is spectacular.
Access: 5 miles west of Homer off the Sterling Highway. Turn left onto Tulin Ocean View Drive (not signed) just after Diamond Ridge Road on the right and before milepost marker 167. Once you turn, there is a sign for the Recreation Site. You can park 500 feet off the highway, just before the gate, at the beginning of the bike trails. An easy walk on the road or bike trails to the trailhead (about a mile) or there is more parking at the trailhead (end of the road).
Distance: 0.6 miles from the trailhead or 1.5 miles from the first parking area to the beach.
Elevation change: 300 feet
Trail Management Agency: Kachemak Bay State Park
