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

One of our favorite places in the world and a place I'm certainly glad is in our proverbial…read more"backyard." Ok, so it's like 3-4 hours away, but wow, really pretty here. The natural landscape is just phenomenal. God's fingerprints all over this place. Pros: - not a bad drive down here from the touristy parts of Monterey and Seaside where we usually reside for the weekend - a bit windy, but a truly lovely and incredibly scenic twisty, turn-y road that keeps me on my toes - once you're here it's just breathtaking. - trail walk/stroll is pretty easy, nothing real rigorous as long as you're still in decent health. - more challenging "hikes" available for those who are looking for more, I've not stepped up to that (huffing and puffing doesn't sound fun), so I'm not sure where those trails are, but easy to find online. - so much fauna and flora to look at. - the coast here is just so rugged and ridiculously jawpdropping. - kids love this place too. There's a ranger station/little nature stop/house of sorts, not quite a "museum", but it's got the history, the nature, the strange facts you'd not otherwise know about unless you stopped by. - very kind and dedicated volunteers that will tell you all you want to know about Point Lobos - the nature, the creatures of sky, sea, and land, the past, present and future, whatever you want. - Plus they often have binoculars they will let you use to look out at the coast for seals and sealions and otters and more galore, oh my! Cons: - parking is the suck here. It's not too expensive to get in, but most people seem to park along the main road/highway that leads to Point Lobos which is kind of dangerous and a good trek to get to the State Reserve, so you've got your exercise before you even start exploring. That could be a plus? All in all, a magnificent and marvelous natural state reserve, well preserved, more than maintained, must see to appreciate.

This was our first visit to the playground. I saw the size and diversity of structures here and…read moreknew we had to visit. Since we were going to be in the area, it was added to our agenda for the day. From the parking lot, you see a baseball field, life size train behind black gates and restrooms. The parking lot was adequate in size and held about 20-25 cars. We were fortunate to obtain the last open parking space while others circled and departed. At the entrance of Dennis the Menace, there are the restrooms, a case for free books to leave or take, a stand on the background of the playground, an oversized lion who's mouth serves as a water fountain (so cool!) and a Dennis the menace comic strip page. Directly behind the train, to your right as you enter, is an oversized figure of Dennis the Menace enclosed in the gate. There are 2-3 stands sharing the history and significance of the trains presence. There are large rocks to climb with two tunnels to walk through, a rock climbing wall, a cross bridge connecting two large rocks, swings, slides, a maze made from gates leading to a smaller play structure, a tube based slide, an oversized sunshine staircase, a boat, and so much more. This space is incredible to experience as an adult, our daughter ran around for hours allowing us to share in her fun running along side her. There were few spots offering refuge from the sun and seating was minimal. There are a few benches, but mostly the stone structure surrounding the play area was used. The gnats...they were everywhere in swarms making it difficult to navigate and fully enjoy. We were constantly swatting at the tiny buggers, our daughter was existing free as a bird making her way around the park - doubt she noticed. There were a few spots on the park we were able to find relief, very few. It would be great if the park implemented some bug deterrent to lessen the presence of the gnats. Other than that, it was an incredible experience we all enjoyed. We were there for a few hours and only departed because she needed to eat dinner. 4.5 due to the presence of the gnats. In their absence a solid 10.

Dennis the Menace Playground, Monterey…read more August 2026 I've been here a few times with my family. This is an awesome park and it's pretty big! This park is great for all ages even for adults too! I highly recommend going on the weekends, although there are a lot of people, I think they close during the weekday since there's a preschool nearby. Right next to this playground entrance, there's a baseball field and there's a small snack bar, it's called El Estero Snack Bar, they sell hamburgers, fries and drinks. We ordered the nacho cheese fries with jalapeno peppers on the side. It came out piping hot! Although it seems so basic, it was really good on a cold day! Highly recommend this playground and would come back if I'm in the area. This place is awesome!

Haven't been here in over a year since moving away. It was fantastic to see the regrow th from all…read morethe rain in CA this past year. And the pond at the top of the trail looks like it did from years ago when I first hiked here. They had done some major work around the pond and sort of landscaping. The view at the top is a still gorgeous! Views of Carmel Valley sand the white sand beach. A new building with restrooms is at the front too. Nice change from all the port a potties. Enjoy nature and get out there. Cheers and happy yelping.

So beautiful, full of a variety of wildlife and sweeping views of the ocean and surrounding…read morelandscape. Highly recommend.

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.

One of the most spectacular spots on the California coast, and my often backup plan as Point Lobos…read morehas become way too popular and parking fills up extremely early. One of the great things about Garrapata is that you can make your walk/hike as short or as long as you want. There are trails along the coast and inland, with the inland trails being much more strenuous than the coastal side. No matter which side you go, the views are spectacular. There's parking along the highway with a big section on the inland side right at the main entrance, and some further back on the coastal side. Luckily there are a handful of entry spots, so even if you don't get parking right up front, you'll likely be able to catch a coastal trail. Two things to note about the inland side, it's not too uncommon to see rattlesnakes if you're there in the warmer months, especially if it's a sunny day. And, the rock/dirt can be a little loose/slippery, so I have seen people slip and fall. I always come with a windbreaker and binoculars because it gets breezy as you get closer to the water, and you can often spot marine life like otters and seals!

Awesome park! We were looking for a place for our kids to get their energy out and this place was…read moreso wonderful! They have two playgrounds for different age groups which always helps. I love that they have so much nature areas that the kids can run and climb on besides the playground. They also have a basketball court, tennis court and basebAll! Downside: bathroom is not clean but I know I shouldn't expect much from a park. Best part: little library right next to the tennis court. It also has a lot of trails! We saw 2 deers too!!! This is what happens when you come from LA! Nature is a wonderful thing!

Awesome little park! It's super clean, manicured, quiet, and well layed out. I grew up going to…read morethis park since I lived in the neighborhood and now I take my toddler there. There is a playground for 2-5 year olds right next to a playground for 5-12 year olds. Across the grass from the playgrounds, there is a baseball field, with a basketball court next to it. On the other side from the playground are some very quiet tennis courts. Plus there are bathrooms, benches, and a fairly large picnic area up above. Also, there's walking paths around it and a canyon behind it. We took my dog today and did not see any No Dog signs, except understandably, on the baseball field and in the tennis courts. You should definitely keep them on a leash though because there are squirrels and other wildlife (deer, birds) in the park. Plus the park is surrounded by streets.

Such a beautiful spot to lay a picnic out and walk around catching beautiful scenery of the sun set…read moreand wildlife. We saw many chipmunks, seagulls, and otters! I will say if you bring food, beware of the very brave and bold seagulls and chipmunks who are not scared of humans! We lives how accessible it was as we were able to stroll around with our stroller very easily.

This park is great for a first stop before heading out for an adventure or watching the sunset…read morewhile dining on some pizza from Gianni's. Lover's point offers plenty of opportunities for the kids to get worn out, like a public beachside swimming pool, beach volleyball, an actual beach area just inside the cove, and a grassy area for picnicking. even though this beach/park was packed, the vibe was still super chill and didn't feel overcrowded. This beach also offers some great opportunities for people to enjoy tide pools, watch wildlife, and take-in gorgeous views. There is a public bathroom here, but if you can avoid. Not the most clean.

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!

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.

Loved the hike especially during the fall! It was so beautiful being up there. Our dog loved every…read moremoment of it. Parking was really easy to find. If there aren't any in the lot, there is overflow right before you enter. There were a ton of hiking routes to try. We just kept walking until our dog got tired (which was after hiking for 2.5 hours) Towards the end of the hike there was a rattle snake that another hiker warned us about that forced us to turn around to find another route down since it was blocking across the trail. Otherwise, it was great! Tons of off leash dogs on trails and families of varying ages so very kid friendly as well.

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!