Had been meaning to check out this park for a long time, but usually got pulled away to Point…read moreLobos. A few weekends ago we were down in Carmel for the long weekend with some friends and got a later start to the morning. Anticipating that Point Lobos would be super crowded, I picked out a few hikes at Garrapata State Park, just a few miles south. We parked near the Soberanes Canyon trailhead and hiked the Soberanes Point trail, first going north, then doubling back to take the loop around (and up) Whale Peak. I was worried about leading a group of 20 astray (with kids who had different tolerance levels for hikes), but my fears were immediately put to ease by the gorgeous oceanside views, full of greenery, wildflowers, and the powerful ocean waves hitting the rocks below. We even spotted a sea otter in the surf. Got some nice photos and everyone made it back. At this point our group split up. A few of us went down to Calla Lily Valley. The lilies were beautiful (though I heard they were cut down recently), but there were a ton of people, and the trail was quite muddy. The beach nearby was really nice - the kids spent some time playing there. Parking immediately near the valley is tight but there is parking at this beach and trails to both the beach and the valley from there. Will definitely be back, love that there's an alternative to Point Lobos so close by.

My husband and I stopped here for the first time before hitting up Big Sur and I'm glad that we…read moredid. Parking is off the side of the road and there's easy trails to explore and just enjoy the scenic highway 1 coastline. Awesome place to take in the ocean air/breeze, great spot to take pictures, and just enjoy the ocean views!

Berry Creek Falls is absolutely stunning! If you're coming to Big Basin Redwoods State Park and…read moreyou've never hiked to the falls, you MUST do it. Don't come all the way out here and miss out on this gorgeous waterfall. We did an 8 mile out and back hike to the falls via the Skyline to Sea Trail. The hike is moderate and begins on a downhill slope into the forest. Going down is always the easiest part for me, especially when a trail starts off descending. The real challenge is going back up once you reach the falls. It's nothing too strenuous but I'd definitely bring plenty of water and bug spray because there are lots of bugs on the trail. The trail itself is mostly shaded and features an abundance of beautiful redwoods, vibrantly green foliage, and scenic viewpoints. The waterfall is definitely the highlight of the hike! The falls were still flourishing in mid-July which worked out for us because we were able to take full advantage of the scene. When you make it up to the falls, there's a small deck area with two benches where you can sit and enjoy the picturesque views of the falls. Surprisingly, it wasn't too crowded on a Saturday afternoon in mid July. You may have to wait your turn to take a picture next to the falls. People were really courteous and didn't spend too much time which allowed for others to capture the moment. Bring your lunch and take a break here before continuing on your hike back. The scenery is so amazing here. Definitely recommend a hike to Berry Creek Falls is you're visiting Big Basin Redwood State Park.

AMAZING PLACE…read more Beautiful views and scenery. We did the Redwood Trail to the Skyline to the Sea to the Berry Creek Falls to the Sunset back to the parking lot. There are so many beautiful waterfalls along the trail. Some parts of the trail near the falls are muddy so wear good hiking shoes Note: This is a long trail (11 miles). Pack water and lunch and stay on the trail. You pay for parking with the rangers (10$ cash or card). Bathrooms at the park entrance are nice!

I love Garland ranch. There are several different walking trails. They have a visitor center and…read morebathrooms. Make sure you have on good hiking shoes and bring sunblock and water on warm days. Bring your dog or come solo, the beauty of nature is always so peaceful here. Our kiddos definitely enjoyed getting out to enjoy the area, we will return!

Wonderful park to explore and hike if you are ever in the Carmel Valley area. Plenty of parking…read moreboth on the street as well as in a designated parking lot. Much of the area in the lower section is flat and easy to walk around, however, there are also some trails with steeper elevation climbs for those who want to get more of a scenic view of the area. Cool historic barn is easy to get to and on hotter days you will definitely want to take some water as some of the trails are exposed to the sun. There is a public bathroom area by the visitor center.

This is my favorite beach in Carmel! It's a little nestled away from downtown, but the best part of…read moreit is watching the sunset over Point Lobos - it's beautiful! The beach isn't too crowded and there's a good mix of soft sand, pebbly sand, and tide pools. It's perfect for a more laid-back atmosphere. The northernmost part of the beach has some really nice sand and is secluded, with some awesome views of the ocean.

Gorgeous beach with a fun walk. I like to look at the ocean from the hike. We hired a tour guide…read morefrom our stay at the Hyatt Carmel Highlands Inn, and we enjoyed it very much. Her name is Wanda. She is a very good tour guide. You can take a lot of great photos and see this big cross that used to be there for a lost ship. It's not a hard hike but it's really nice for the views. I would definitely do it again. I am an avid hiker and this was very easy it was like a stroll but my mother really liked it. There are beautiful wild flowers and plants and lots of rocks and trees and grasslands. During May, it is pretty cold, so make sure you wear a jacket and that you are ready. I love to hike so I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes to see nature. You can even see where the salt water and lake water mix. Apparently there is a beach where a lot of children drowned near here, I think that would be a very interesting thing to write a movie about!

Big Sur River Gorge Trail starts between campsite #111 and #112.  Go upstream on the right of the…read moreriver until you cannot, then wade across the river to continue on the left side. Great fun tackling boulders and fallen trees.    Dress to climb and swim.  I saw a family hiking with an elderly grandma and thought to myself, If she can do it, anybody who is willing can do it.  We came in the beginning of Aug 2020, when camping capacity was halved due to Covid.  But this trail was still super crowded when we arrived about noon.   Wafer is very clear with Steelhead Trouts in there, so naturally it was cold.  I jumped from rocks and swam around anyway, figuring that it will never turn into a hot spring no matter how long I wait.

I love, love this place! Specially during summer time,…read moreMake sure to go bright and early so you can enjoy some alone time, This spot got so much attention and gets very crowded, Specially on a nice hot day. I love packing a snack to have after a nice swim. But please, please be considerate and PICK UP YOUR trash!!!! If you see trash please bring it with you.. let's not forget to keep our rivers clean and everyone can enjoy the beauty of this place.

Great campground with the Big Sur river running right through it. Loved the quick hike up to the…read morewaterfall through the redwoods. Lots of great shady sites and some really nice sites right on the river. Showers were nice and reasonably priced. If you are feeling lazy and don't want to cook, you can check out the restaurant/ coffee shop, also a nice little gift shop. There is also a store at the back of the campground that has ice , snacks , firewood and a small laundry facility which was super convenient !! Great woodsy campground with great amenities!!

BEST SPOT TO SEE RED WOODS. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is a sprawling, 1,000-acre sanctuary…read morecentered around the pristine Big Sur River. Often nicknamed "mini Yosemite," it trades direct beach access for dramatic inland scenery, boasting spectacular valleys, forested peaks, and dense groves of ancient coast redwoods. Ancient Redwood Groves: The park is famous for its majestic coast redwoods, with some trees measuring over 1,000 years old. Accessible walkways, like the Redwood Deck, allow visitors to stand among these towering giants. Diverse Hiking Trails: Trails cater to all skill levels, ranging from the flat and easy Nature Trail loop to the challenging, steep ascent up the Buzzards Roost Trail, which rewards hikers with panoramic views of the ocean and mountains. On-Site Lodging and Camping: Unlike many rugged coastal stops, this park features developed accommodations, including a large campground alongside the river and the historic Big Sur Lodge, which provides comfortable cabins and a restaurant. The redwoods you see growing in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park (as well as nearby Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park are Coast Redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens), the tallest living species of tree on Earth. The groves found throughout the park are particularly special because they mark the southernmost boundary of where the coast redwood species naturally thrives in significant numbers. Because they are located at the southern edge of their natural geographic range, the climate here is slightly drier and warmer than the dense, misty rainforests of Northern California. While they generally do not reach the record-shattering heights of their northern cousins in Humboldt or Redwood National Park, they are incredibly impressive, with many individual trees in the park towering well over 200 feet tall and thriving for upwards of 800 to 1,000 years. They rely heavily on the marine fog flowing through the Big Sur River gorge to stay hydrated during the dry summer months

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.

Nice trail with bike lanes. Lot of things to see. There are lots of seals laying on the beach after…read moreyou passed the Hopkins Marine Station. It's a pleasant walk along the shore.

At the end of Summer, my friend suggested a backpacking trip to Skyes Hot Springs - 20 miles out…read moreand back with 5380 ft elevation gain. (more challenging than Bright Angel Trail to bottom of Grand Canyon) Arrived at Big Sur Station at 9am. Paid $20 overnight parking fees, used toilet, snapped group photo then began hiking at 9:30. Half hour lunch break at 11:45 Terrace Creek Camp, and finally arrived to Skyes Camp by 3pm. In route to camp, we crossed 7 creeks each way. I was a bit anxious of slipping cuz I had less confidence than I used to. I think it would have been easier and more fun if I had power thr them with momentum. No mosquitoes sightings in mid Nov. Lots of poison oaks along the trail but not overgrown; I wore shorts with no problem, just clouds of dust from our own stompings. Our friend impaled a bunch of splinters from a burr plant. I visited many of our camp neighbors in search of a tweezer; fortunately, the last of the spikes expelled itself in the hot spring waters. Hiking downriver in search of the hot springs was not easy. When located at 5pm, the large tub was occupied, we tested all of the other 3 smaller tubs then settled in at the one on the river level, it was a tight squeeze for 4 people but we sardined to fit. Our inlet source was a water fall from the tub above which some of us used as a shower over our heads. It was a relaxing time with beautiful surroundings and good company. The water was lukewarm with lots of earthy debris, so it does not compare to the numerous fancy Onsens I have visited in Japan. But things are more valuable when it is earned by hard work - the miles, inclines, sun, sweat, dust, creek crossings, obstacles, and heavy pack; great feelings of accomplishment, and endorphins too. It was wise of us to leave the springs at 6pm since sunsets at 6:30. Due to the heavy forest, we were not able to sight the supermoon nor the comet in the night sky. Sleeping with the ripple sounds of the Big Sur River close by was soothing. Our return trip started at 9:30 and ended at the parking lot by 1pm, 4.5 hours was very fast pace. We were eager to celebrate our trip with a lunch in a sit down restaurant, Big Sur Roadhouse. Another great adventure with friends. Treasure memories.

A beautiful CA national park. We did 2 short hikes in one day…read more The pinnacle rocks and the caves are SO cool! Parking was really easy for the trails we wanted to access. National Park pass is required.

This was such a fun park. A little out of the way but way worth the trip!…read more A small fee to enter. It's worth it because it goes to take care of upkeep and in the summer, there's a lot of people so this little bit helps. You will want to have a flashlight on hand to go through the caves here as there are long spots you are in the dark climbing up and down stairs or down or up through boulders. Headlamps are best but a flashlight will work too. I started out day 1 on one side and had so much fun hiking through the park and crawling through the rock caves. I spent a little time talking to the Park Rangers to find the best place for me to hike that wasn't too long. Reaching the top of the mountain and walking back down with the amazing views, all the Turkey Vultures and other birds and wildlife was spectacular. The trails, though not necessarily well marked which way is which were well traveled so you knew you weren't going to get lost going off trail. The second day I hit the other side of the park to do Bear Gulch Caves. Excellent cave! Parking at the foot is limited even about 1/4 mile down next to info shop and restrooms is limited so be patient. You may have to park further down as summer comes. This is the only bathroom but very well maintained. There is water running down through this cave and when you reach the top, there a tight squeeze through the rocks and then an amazing payoff with the reservoir. Great spot to watch the birds, Dragon Flies, walk around some of the reservoir before hiking back out down along the very well traveled path past rock climbers to the parking lot again. I highly recommend this fantastic park not just for the excellent caves but for all the good hiking trails. There is some camping and even a pool further down towards the entrance on one side. The Rangers here are full of knowledge and very friendly and professional. Excellent experience!!

Briefly stopped by the beach after having lunch in downtown Carmel. Now clearly understanding why…read morethe beach is loved so much. Carmel Beach is recognized as having the 'whitest' sand in the United States, and number 14 globally. This color comes from quartz deposits eroded by the waves. There is a parking lot at the north end of the beach on Ocean Avenue (maybe 30 spots or so), that is usually filled, meaning people are constantly idling in the parking lot, waiting for a spot. The parking lot is elevated from the beach, requiring carefully going down a sand bank. My wife and her mom decided to admire the view by sitting on a retaining wall at the top of the bern, while I happily went down to the shoreline to admire the views. The sand here is more golden than white. The road that runs parallel to the beach and boardwalk in Carmel is Scenic Road and we took it as we headed back to our cottage. There was street unmetered parking spots available and I noticed how much brighter/whiter the sand was in this area (a lot less crowded as well). Thinking back, wish we had stopped so I could have admired this part of the beach a bit more.

I absolutely love Carmel Beach. Some of my happiest memories are here with my great-grandparents,…read moreBarbara and Montford Bryan, so coming back always feels special and nostalgic. Getting to bring my daughter now makes the experience even more meaningful. Watching her enjoy the same beautiful beach and scenery that meant so much to me growing up is such a cool and rewarding experience as a parent. Carmel Beach is just magical, with beautiful views, peaceful vibes, and the perfect place to slow down and make memories. We'll keep coming back every chance we get.