Hiked the Point Lobos Loop with my dad over the summer and had a great time!…read more It gets very crowded over the weekends so I recommend coming early in the morning. We found parking on the side of the road, about a 2 minute walk to the park so we didn't have to pay the entrance fee. Loop is long but fairly easy to complete - took us a little over 2 hours. Hiking shoes/poles aren't necessary. Some parts of the trail are shaded and some are exposed. The loop has a bunch of viewpoints to check out like Bird Island which was fun to stop by. The views were amazing! It is usually overcast in this area but on the day we went, the skies were mostly clear. Good amount of people but we still had space to walk. Point Lobos is definitely my favorite park in the Carmel area! Very accessible, easy hikes, and stunning views

Absolutely beautiful park! If you love hiking and walking, I recommend spending a full day here…read morebecause you can explore the entire park on foot If you're short on time, drive to the end and walk to the last viewpoint -- the view is absolutely stunning

Magnificent views and short hikes…read more I had a very pleasant short hike along some of the trails. Outstanding views of the sea and cliffs where the water carved out scenic scenes. Keep an eye out for seat otters in the water and seals on the sand in secluded coves. Parking can be a bit challenging on more popular days. I suggest driving to the end where China Cove is and keep an eye out for parking spots along the way. Be ready to backtrack to those open spots.

Absolutely breathtaking views. This gorgeous cove is hidden away deep in Point Lobos State Natural…read moreReserve. The parking lots fills up fast so you may have to park outside the park. We got there fairly late in the day, so we were able to go into the entrance with our car ($10 fee per car, it's free to park on the street outside). We were able to park all the way down in the last parking lot, then walked on the Bird Island Trail to get to China Cove - it's barely 5 minutes into the trail. The seals are so fun to watch down there and the view is like a postcard! I also highly recommend continuing to walk along Bird Island Trail to see Pelican Point and more gorgeous beach views. It's a fairly easy trail with a stunning view throughout. This is a must see!! Last entrance to the park is 6:30 pm and everyone has to be out by 7 pm. This wasn't confirmed anywhere online so we called them to get correct info on their current hours.

Stopped by here a few years ago on the way to beach, and got to see some sights, enjoyed hiking…read morearound the area and watching the wild life parking is off the highway, can be difficult

On our way to Big Sur, we stopped at this game refuge for some sights and some hiking…read more Spotting sea otters is not always easy. When in the water their wet fur often takes on a hue similar to the kelp infused waters just off the coast. The distinctive high pitched call of otter pups and the sound of crustaceans being banged against rocks often provide the first clue that one or more are in the area. The trails tend to follow bluffs that overlook the beaches below. Where possible stairs descend down to the beach level. There's no tree cover here, just a think carpet of low shrubs. But we had a great view of the Big Sur coast and the rocks, waves and wildlife...A Beauty....

During my visit last year, I used the Cannery Row portion of this trail very often, not knowing…read morethat it had a name. This year, I used it even more as I decided to explore out of this area without driving my car. I walked through Fisherman's Wharf to downtown at the advice of a couple of local friends. As I walked, I stopped and stared at the sights and scenes and was fascinated with the historic significance of the area (see my The Custom House review). As I walked, I stopped to take photos and admire signs and statues along the way. The walk on this portion is not difficult as it is mainly flat. There are lanes in each direction to ensure the safety of users of this trail whether pedestrians or bikers, single or those multi-peddler versions. After walking to Fisherman's Wharf, I continued to the downtown area, walking by the conference center. Besides following this route on my 1st full day in town, I walked the trail with my friends as we went to other destinations in the Cannery Row area. I am not a very good biker so it's unlikely that I will venture further out than where I went. For those fit and outdoorsmen or women, do take advantage of this trail in experiencing the area. There is plenty of scenery to explore and experience, of which I barely saw much the entire trail.

We stopped to walk along this trail in Pacific Grove for a while, and it was a gorgeous day for it…read more Our 13-year-old dog, Zoey, cannot walk far anymore, so we brought a stroller. This path is not the best place for one, but we made do. First, though, we took her down to the water. We did not explore the tidepools on this occasion, but Zoey had a great time walking in the ocean water. In this area, the tide moved in a gentle motion, yet it still managed to sneak up on me and get my shoes wet! The path was alive with vibrant color today, and offered lovely views. Unfortunately, some cars drive faster than they ought to on this road considering how close the walking path is situated to it.

A beautiful little relaxing place that you can just watch the waves crash. Not too far of a walk…read morefrom the parking place.

What a find! We were hiking on the South Plateau Trail at Point Lobos Preserve, and came across…read morethis beach. There is a path to your left. The stairs down to the beach are quite narrow and steep, so be careful going down! We walked down, took some pictures and rested a bit. There were people there, but not as many as in Carmel Beach. Definitely a must see if you're in Point Lobos!

Beautiful Northern Big Sur Beach. What a warm windy summer's day in the fall :) Climb the…read moremountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn. John Muir

Amazing scenic hike with stunning coastal ocean views. The trail offers a beautiful walk along the…read moreocean, with an awesome panoramic view from the top of the mountain. The hike is enjoyable and manageable, even on the way to the summit. Whenever I'm passing through Carmel on Highway 1, I love stopping here for a hike.

Absolutely amazing trail that I've done twice in 100° weather. The views are great, and the trail…read moreis well groomed. But, oh my god, it is straight uphill. With extreme heat I literally thought I was going to die. Do it in the winter.

one of the many, many wonderful trails at pinnacles nat'l park. from the apex, you can see almost…read morethe entire park on a clear day, the beautiful balconies, ridges, forestry and wildlife that belongs to pinnacles. you can access this trail from: +west side: chaparral trailhead parking lot, 1.8mi hike to western trailhead of high peaks +east side: old pinnacles trailhead, 1.3mi hike to eastern trailhead of high peaks +east/south side: bear gulch parking lot, 0.5mi to southern trailhead of high peaks we chose to start from the east side, hike the old pinnacles trail to balconies, break at the chaparral trailhead for lunch, then return east via the high peaks trail. this was a TOUGH climb up, especially since it was only a little after noon, the sun was strong, and we'd already hiked 4+ miles from the east. many breaks were taken, call it "photo pace" hiking, and after some time, we finally reached the western side of the high peaks trail...more climbing awaited us, as did awesome views of this treasured park. there were many switchbacks, each turn offering a different view, so of course, i had to pause each time to snap a pic! there are no restrooms, water fountains, or other amenities here. due to the time of day we were here, there also wasn't much shade. definitely bring plenty of water, wear a hat, sunscreen, and light clothing if coming here during summer/autumn months.

One of California's bigger and more popular state parks, rightfully so. Not as touristy as Yosemite…read morebut this is on a bigger scale than most other Cali State Parks. I ventured here once before in my early 20s back in my school boy days and felt it was time to see it again with decades worth of a wiser perspective. And I was rewarded in spades. This park is about 30 miles or so south of Carmel on Highway 1, which in my opinion is one of the most glorious stretch of road to drive. Even though it is only 30 miles or so, it still takes almost an hour to travel from Carmel. The road winds around through many curves and undulations so you simply cannot drive freeway speeds here, nor should you want to. Enjoy the views, roll down the window and take in that coastal air, play your favorite tunes and just soak in the moment. Once at the park there are campsites, as well as cabins and even a full service lodge for those that don't want to rough it at all. You are now in mountainous terrain so lots of trees, a big creek and lots of hiking trails. I did a 3 day camp stay and loved it. They keep the park clean, maintain the restrooms and patrol the grounds frequently. Even though they have almost 200 campsites available, they spread it out nice so not everyone is in the same area. I could sometimes hear my neighbors but they were never in my direct view. That is a big plus for me when rating camp sites. People can also just get a day pass and enjoy the trails and creek without having to stay. My camping pass also got me to see a couple other California State Parks nearby on the same trip, so well worth the price of admission. Very lively with animal life which are unfortunately very used to humans. Squirrels and blue jays will not be shy to investigate what they can scavenge so do not leave any food unattended. Upon setting up camp I had a ziplock bag of trail mix on the picnic bench along with the rest of my gear. While I was setting up the tent with me somewhat close by, a stellar jay swooped in and pecked at the bag. It didn't take it but ripped a good hole in the bag. So just a big fyi to keep your food on guard/lock. The big creek runs through many of the sites. Some parts are mellow whilst other parts the water rushes pretty good. I was about 50 yards from the creek so I couldn't see it but I could hear it rolling through the valley. It was very relaxing to hear the cool water rolling downstream, whether at night or waking up at sunrise. And a myriad of birds will contribute with their morning songs, which makes for the best alarm clock. TRUST A little too big for my preference but still beautiful enough that I can revisit every other year. And just outside the park are the California coastline with Highway 1 carving through it. Some of the most breathtaking views Cali has to offer. Pfeiffer thanks for the reacquaintance and the confirmation that you are still indeed one of California's top gems.

Great Stop in Big Sur -- Beautiful Trails, Swimming Spots, & Scenic Views!…read moreThe drive along CA-1 to get here is reason enough to visit--absolutely stunning coastal views the entire way! Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park itself has a lot to offer. There are tons of trails to explore, though keep in mind that there isn't a whole lot of signage. The good news is that if you start from a central area, most paths naturally end up bringing you around in a loop at some point, so it's pretty easy to find your way back. A few takeaways from our visit: Water & Swimming: There are plenty of great spots along the rocks to dip in and swim, which is perfect on a warm day. Accommodations: Great setup whether you like roughing it or prefer comfort. Plenty of campsite options, plus the Lodge if you'd rather stay in a room. Pfeiffer Falls Trail: Honestly, this hike was pretty underwhelming. The falls were down to just a trickle when we went, but at least it was a decent walk to log some good steps! Overall, it's a lovely park with plenty to do. Just keep your expectations low for the waterfall if it hasn't rained recently, and enjoy the river, trees, and incredible coastal drive!

A very short trek to the ocean from Hwy 1. The only drawback are the narrow trails where you can't…read moreavoid the brush. The lighting makes for great photos against the cove and emerald turquoise water.

Something we thought that would be a quick "outdoor walk" turned into an hour stay at the beach. It…read morewas quite empty, which was a plus, and the sun was shining with a slight ocean breeze. Being able to walk along the coast and soaking in the sun rays and enjoying the sounds of the waves crashing is very, very soothing. You can walk along the beach or walk on a trail or go up a small hill to overlook the ocean!

Location: corner of Ribera Rd and Cuesta Way…read more Parking : enough for three cars. Street parking allowed It's inside the residential area therefore not as crowded/popular as the nearby Carmel Beach. Nicely maintained wide trails wide enough for wheelchair however unfortunately not a ADA compliant, only a staircase to go down /up. Full of wildflowers during spring time and since it's adjacent to the Bird Sanctuary, you can spot the variety shore birds . The trail leads to the Carmel Beach to north and the monastery beach to south.