The City of Santa Clarita is looking to connect a major hiking trail to the ocean in what is being referred to as the Crest to Coast Trail.

The trail would connect the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), which runs from Mexico to Canada unbroken and crosses near Vasquez Rocks, to the coast in Ventura.

Santa Clarita Councilwoman Laurene Weste is spearheading the project, which is still in the planning stages.

“The concept is to take the Santa Clara River Trail that we have built in through our community and work with Ventura County, Fillmore, Oxnard and Santa Paula to get our trail to the beach,” said Weste.

The Crest to Coast Trail would give hikers, bikers and anyone who wants to use it a paved path to the ocean.  This path could potentially decrease the dangers that many cyclists encounter when they ride down State Route 126 to the ocean.

The connection would be a unique extension from the PCT to reach the ocean in its 2,650 mile journey.

Assemblyman Cameron Smyth recently unveiled his Regional Destination Trails (RDT) which would mark trails of regional and national importance,  and according to Weste that project is an important step in making the Crest to Coast Trail a reality.

“Santa Paula is already building a piece of the trail through their community,” said Weste.

A benefit of the trial, in addition to a safe route to the ocean from Santa Clarita, would be for the city and local businesses to cash in on those utilizing the trail.  Much like the benefits of the RDT’s, the trail would attract visitors looking to take part in what’s known as “cultural tourism.”

“With the open space and the Santa Clara River and the portions we already hold, it’s a very doable project,” said Weste