The Fern Grotto from Circle X Ranch

You can hear the echos of the
water as it trickles down the cliff.

The grotto is about three miles round trip and a 700 ft. elevation gain.  The trail is well-marked but once you get to the riverbed, it is boulder climbing and jumping for an eight of a mile until you get to the grotto, but well worth the effort.
  

92 in the shade at the station!

 This is a relatively quick hike, about two hours total, and it is mostly downhill on the way there, but woah...watch out on the way out!  I just finished this hike in 100 + degree weather, and it definitely slowed our pace on the way back.  There is some shade relief, but there is lots of open space and sunshine too.  Bring lots of water, and some nibbles, because once in the grotto the temperature drops by 20 degrees and you have a chance to cool down, have a bite to eat on the surrounding boulders, and wade in the cold cold water!  

Take PCH towards Neptunes Net and the street Yerba Buena.  Take Yerba Buena inland about 5.5 miles to Circle X Ranch.  There is plenty of parking at the ranger station there.  It used to be a boy scout camp so there are picnic tables, toilets, and a ranger to answer any questions you may have about the plentiful hiking in the area.  Follow the signs behind the station and down the hill to the grotto.  Once you get to the riverbed, the well established trail disappears as you climb and scramble over river rock.  Stay to the smaller trail that hugs the right cliff of the riverbed.  This trail will go up at times, and it is by far the better way to get around the first set of house-size boulders.  The second set of boulders is the grotto.  Once again, hug the cliffs on the right and enter on the south side of the boulder. 


On the way out, remember to veer left at a few forks.  If you take the fork to the right it will take you to a different parking lot.  
Remember to hydrate on the way out if its hot.  This hike is a great alternative to Sandstone Peak if you are in the area during triple digit weather.