This is one of the most gorgeous state parks in California!! I've been wanting to visit for years…read moreand we finally made it here this past weekend. We were staying in Monterey, so it was about a 25 min drive to get there, we arrived before 11am. We parked before the park entrance along Highway 1 where there were NO signs saying "No parking at any time" THIS IS IMPORTANT because as we were walking towards the entrance, there was a parking enforcement officer giving tickets to all the other cars parked where the signs were clearly posted closer to the entrance. So make sure you pay attention! There is parking inside the park too for only $10. Once inside there were park rangers helping you with questions and guiding you on deciding which trails to go on, which was very nice and convenient! We took a picture of the map and choose to do the Cypress Grove, and the Sea Lion Point Trails. We only had about 3 hrs to hang out at the park, so those two were perfect easy hikes and roughly about 2.5 miles if you do both loops. We got spectacular views everywhere, you could hear the Sea Lions and see so many beautiful birds flying around. Wish we would've brought binoculars, so bring some with you if you remember. We can't wait to come back another time and do a full day of hiking because there are so many other trails! The park and restrooms were clean and well kept too, it's definitely a must visit once in your lifetime at least!!

Absolutely stunning scenery! Easily one of the best hiking trails I've experienced! I've visited…read moretwice now, and both times have been fantastic. The coastal trails are well marked and offer breathtaking lookout points throughout the hike. Today was a little foggy but we were still able to enjoy the beauty. It's definitely worth arriving early to secure parking. The main lot was full when we got there, but we were able to find a spot along Highway 1. While it was a bit crowded, the variety of trails helps spread people out, so it never felt too overwhelming. We hiked about 3.5 miles and made it to the cove where seals birth their pups, Bird Island, hidden beach coves with beautiful blue water and tide pools. There were also docents and volunteers we spotted along the way. Next time I'd like to go further down the trail and explore more of the park.

Stayed here with my fiancé for a night. It was pouring rain so that kept us up, but the electric…read moreblankets were amazing!!! The ambiance was also very cute! Was about $120/night for our stay in February. There are showers and restrooms on property. Would definitely consider coming back!

This was a pretty nice glamp site! We stayed 1 night during our road trip to Big Sur, which is…read moreabout an hour away from Carmel. We booked a Luxury Tent - Lower Grove through Airbnb for about $200 for 1 night (we did book pretty late - about 1 week in advance - so the price might be cheaper if booked earlier). Instructions on getting there were pretty easy, and check in is in their central office building 3-8pm. Staff were super friendly! The office closes at 9pm, and then security comes onto the site, so I felt very safe. The whole campsite is small so a lot of the sites are pretty close to each other. They have cabins, RV spots, drive-in sites, walk-in sites, and some really nice luxury tents. Some spots have a nicer view up the hill, but the Luxury Tents in the Lower Grove were on the steep downhill road near the exit, more tucked in under some trees. I did like that the Lower Grove felt a little more private than the Upper Grove. But we did have to walk up the steep hill to get to the nearest bathroom. Our Luxury Tent (50Q) was pre-built and sturdy, and had space for our car right on the site. Our tent came with a queen sized bed, heated blanket, 2 side tables with reading lights, USB plug, a small shelf at the foot of the bed with some towels, and a small side table with a electric kettle and coffee packets. Outside on the small patio was also 2 adirondack chairs for lounging, and a propane grill with grilling utensils. I do wish we got a small table outside for our food, and a fire pit at the site would have been nice. We also ran out of propane in the morning but I'm sure they would refill it if we were staying longer. Our tent was perfect for 2 people. Some other Luxury Tents are much larger and can fit many people, and had large patios, tables, and firepits. Since our site was under some trees, it was quite shaded, which I'm sure would be awesome in the summer! We stayed during early November, so the evening was cool and morning was brisk, but it wasn't freezing. The campsite amenities were very cool: a heated pool, sauna (can fit 6-8 people), multiple fire pits and lounging areas, ping pong table, cornhole, horse shoes, basketball hoop, playground, and hiking trail. There were some sports equipment and games at the front that were available to use as we please. I super enjoyed the clean bathrooms, showers, and dishwash area - with provided hand soap, paper towels, dish soap, and body soap in the showers! It was always clean and never crowded. I thought this was worth it for our site and luxury tent - super duper convenient to not have to bring & set up a tent/sleeping bag. We basically arrived and were able to get comfortable right away. Saddle Mountain is a good choice if visiting the Carmel-by-the-Sea, Monterey, or Big Sur areas.

Working with the people here to schedule our Land Rover experience was easy. I did have a few…read morequestions to begin with, so I gave them a call and they were able to answer them quickly and went ahead and made the reservation right then. The instructor was very knowledgeable and tailored the experience to our level of driving abilities. We enjoyed this so much I am planning another experience next year for the more advanced techniques. For the price we got everything we wanted out of it.

We had a blast! Came here to see what Rovers could do, having bought one recently…read more My wife was apprehensive about the whole idea, but towards the end of a 4hr. tour she was also driving the course and she was absolutely stoked! They go over some really fun terrain and it was much dicier than most of what we usually cover on our journeys down forest roads. I would have passed on some of the steeps prior to today. Not now! Our guide Cole was great! Excellent instruction and confidence-building in the onboard tech as well as technique. Great guy to have in the passenger seat! Yes, as some have mentioned, this is not Baja. You're not going 70mph across the desert. That's not the point - you're in 4 low...for a reason. Totally worth it if you just bought one (and intend to actually use it how it was designed to be used) or are kicking around the idea of buying one. Even if you're not in the market, this is a great adventure and a great way to spend some time doing something very unique while visiting the area. I Highly recommend!

Such a fun and beautiful day in Marina, CA to experience being in an Electric Rail Bike. My husband…read moredid most of the pedaling! The Crew, Jake, Wes and Sarah were amazing and very knowledgeable and cheerful individuals. They really added to the experience! The views of the landscapes were very scenic and when you get to the top of the loop, you see a beautiful view of the coast! This adventure is about an hour long and definitely worth it! You get to enjoy the beautiful outdoors and get in some not too strenuous exercise too. Sadly, this business will be closed permanently at the end of August 2025. This is a must before then and you'll definitely enjoy every minute!

First time Everything was pro, friendly and organized…read moreMore of a workout than I thought Overall was great Will come back

Garland Ranch Regional Park -- Where Nature Went to College and Got a Degree in Enchantment"…read moreOh, you think you've been on a hike before? No. You've merely walked on ground. Garland Ranch Regional Park is where the Earth decided to get fancy -- rolling hills, whispering trees, and trails that seem designed by a benevolent chaos god who wanted you to get lost just enough to find yourself. The Vibe: This place doesn't just have nature -- it radiates personality. The air smells like enlightenment and expensive essential oils. Every oak tree looks like it has witnessed ancient wisdom and is judging you for not bringing reusable water bottles. The wind flirts. The grass gossips. The clouds... perform interpretive dance. The Trails: Sky Trail: Don't let the name fool you -- it's 80% up, 20% existential crisis. But at the top? A view so stunning, I briefly ascended into my third chakra and forgot my email password. Waterfall Trail: There's water. There's falling. There's also a high chance of spotting a woodland creature that may or may not be a druid in disguise. Saddle Trail: Not for the faint of calf. You'll meet at least one hiker who swears they saw Bigfoot running a mindfulness retreat. Wildlife Report: The deer here are too confident. They'll make eye contact like they know you left your stove on. Lizards do push-ups just to assert dominance. A hawk once circled above me for 20 minutes; I think I passed its vibe check. Local myth says the coyotes form an a cappella group at dusk. Their debut album, Howl to the Moonlight, drops every full moon. Random Fun Facts (Questionable Accuracy Edition): The park's elevation shifts based on how hydrated you are. 47% of the trees are rumored to be undercover dryads doing field research. If you say "Garland Ranch" three times at the visitor center, a ranger appears and hands you a perfectly ripe trail mix. Final Thoughts: Garland Ranch isn't just a park. It's an experience. It's Narnia with better signage. It's where fitness apps go to prove themselves. I came here seeking a light jog; I left spiritually rearranged, emotionally hydrated, and slightly sunburned.

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.

When i was about 5 yrs old my father and 4 friends moved to Carmel to build this temple. I remember…read moreplaying by a river with two of the boys who also were living on the property during the build. We lived in these dome shaped Yurts with wood construction covered with a heavy plastic. Very cold in the winter. It was an adventure for a kid my age. Almost like a long camping trip. I believe we were there only one season. That was a long time. I dont remember a lot but my father has some great pictures. Most of the construction process and the builders hoisting up these very large beams. Some of around the camp and of the builders. I'm now in my 50s and would love to visit this magical place again. I will be taking all the photos with me to compare.

Sambosa means "Three Jewels," and stands for the Buddha (teacher), Dharma (the teaching) and Sangha…read more(spiritual community.) This tranquil Temple was created in the early 70's, and is the first Korean Buddhist temple ever built in the U.S. They opened their doors to the public and on opening day, 400 people, including the mayor of Carmel and other prominent monks, flooded Sambosa. The Temple has had its shares of ups and downs, including an unfortunate fire in the 1980's that burned down the main Dharma Hall. But it has withstood the test of time and still remains a graceful and quiet symbol of peace in the Valley. The current abbot is Bom Hugh Sunim, and his teachings explore his particular vision of a nonsectarian approach to religion, philosophy, and life. My mother was friends with one of the followers of the Temple, and being the same age as her twins, we often played together. It's a beautiful place to reflect and slow down, even if you are not a practicing Buddhist...although it seems like the ideal religion for every walk of life.

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.

Our visit was a good experience. We parked super far though because we didn't want to risk not…read morehaving a space down at the beach lot but it turned out there were plenty of spaces there. Anyway, scenic walk allowed us to tour the shops there. The steep walk back up to our car was challenging though so a great workout. Aside from people letting their dogs run around unleashed, it was a pleasant time.

Steve was friendly & talkative, his horses are cared for & they were well trained. We asked to do…read morea beach trail but instead we met at Manzanita County Park. It was a hard trail with no shade & lots of ups & downs & steep hills. It was hot & instead of a 2hr tour it lasted almost 3hrs. There wasn't enough padding under the saddle so our butts were hurting, especially the last hour. We've been on 10+ horseback riding tours. This was the first time we didn't have to sign waivers or wear helmets & Steve was encouraging first time riders to stand on top of the horse. The horses liked to gallop & trot, I had to keep slowly down my horse. If you're on a schedule & prefer a more structured tour & don't want to trot or gallop, this is NOT the tour for you. He doesn't take pictures unless you ask him to & he said he'd send us pictures but never did. So make sure you stay & have him send the pictures before you leave.

Steve is top notch in all ways imaginable. I can't tell you how many trail/beach rides I've been on…read more(too many to count) and In all honestly, NONE of them compare to what Steve offers. Real talk, he goes above and beyond to make sure you're really enjoying your time with these amazing horses and creating unforgettable memories which are honestly priceless. He has so many stories, jokes and wisdom to share. His passion for horses and ability to make people feel as ease is a true gift. Thank you, we'll for sure be back again! ;)

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.

best matcha ever!!!!! was able to order as soon as i walked in, cashier answered all my questions…read more got my drink super fast, my friends and i all got drinks and the wait was only like 5 minutes. such a cute coffee shop. will definitely be back!!!

The 17 mile bike ride was amazing and definitely worth the $75 per person! As someone who hasn't…read moreridden a bike in 10 years Leslie made it so fun and relaxing with small and quirky fun facts! I love every moment of the ride. I plan to bring my family here to experience this wonderful experience.