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    Garrapata State Park

    4.7 (136 reviews)

    Garrapata State Park Photos

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    Ed T.

    This review is for Soberanes Point & Whale Peak which was a ~1.3 miles round trip that took ~1 hours to complete. This was another popular and crowded trail within 10 minute drive south of Point Lobos State Natural Preserve! Trail was mostly flat with a steady incline towards the peak. A decent amount of people were going off-trail towards the flowers and ocean. Furthermore, it was excessively windy at the peak. Stunning views of the coastline and wildflowers! Free parking on the side of the streets on Highway 1. There were 2 additional separate entrances to the trail just a little further south if there are no parking available. Restrooms available across the trailhead and highway. Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/hVHdc29lrNw

    Way too beautiful and very few people there on a Friday afternoon
    Jay P.

    Review is for the beach, wanted a break to stretch our legs and pulled over just because we saw some other cars here. We didn't even know the name until we parked and couldn't see the ocean and were surprised to find a secluded and interesting beach to explore. It's located about 10 miles from Carmel and very close to Point Lobos, another favorite of ours. We did lose reception during our stop here so I would download a. Offline map or go paper if you are going to be proceeding further south toward Big Sur. There are a couple paths to get down to the beach. The left side stairs are currently under repair and roped off though we saw some people using them. The bottom of these stairs are missing and there is a section with planks missing so use at your own risk. The other side is safer but a longer loop around if you want to see the rocky enclaves. The ocean is a beautiful color here and I love nice rocks combined with the sea, this is a perfect place to get a glimpse of these kinds of features. We came around 3 pm on a Friday and it was not very crowded which we loved. Normally to get this small amount of people we go to beaches early in the morning.

    Julienne P.

    If you want to experience both the mountain trail and ocean trail then come to this state park. It has parking on the side of the road but be extra careful with crossing. Cars are very speedy here and make dangerous maneuvers trying to park. This park has 3 big porta potty but no running water so bring hand sanitizers. I quite enjoyed walking this trail especially the ocean side.

    Soberanes Canyon trail
    Chantal G.

    Second time doing this strenious hike ! Oh lala! Its tough! But worth all the effort if you can make it to the top and possibly loop around ! The hike is a million $ view and priceless! If you think you can do it ??? Give it a try ! Its amazing ! I love it ! We love it

    Calla lily valley March 2024
    Pranathi B.

    Went back again this year with family to see the calla lilies in bloom. The entire road was packed with cars and to my utter shock, I saw some people walking away with some fresh cut calla lilies!! We made our way down to the valley and it was packed with people. And to my disbelief, the number of lilies were less than 1/3rd of what I saw at around the same time last year. Most of the plants were trampled upon very badly as well. I was disappointed how social media could reduce such a beautiful place to this state, I doubt we will even have these many flowers next year.

    July 4th 2024
    Daw M.

    Yellow fields, super bloom and beautiful weather and beautiful coastal hike Paved and walkable for a one year old! Lots of people Thank you!

    Emily L.

    This beach and view is gorgeous and there's a small hidden valley of lilies and omg breathtaking i'm at a loss for words. This was our fav stop along our coastal scenic drive

    8/23 whales peak towards Carmel
    Georgia B.

    This review is for Soberanes Point Trail. I visited during a sunny summer weekday. The hike itself is about one and half miles of unpaved trail and just under three hundred feet in altitude gain. It's an easy trail for most people. There's zero canopy on entire trail. It is flat along the coast but a bit of an uphill with many steps and loose gravels towards the peak. At the top, Whale Peak, you are rewarded with breathtaking views of the coast...and super strong WINDS, like 50mph! I could barely stand and not straight... it's constant wind. There's a peaceful looking bench but you aren't likely to sit there, since there's no protection from winds. Loved the views and enjoyed small flowers and shrubbery along the trail. I do NOT recommend the hike to the peak for anyone with heart condition and kids as it's NOT safe with steep cliffs without barriers and STRONG WINDS. The trail along the coast though is okay for kids. Recommend sun screen, sunglasses, jacket, long pants, water and a good pair of hikers or trail runners. Clip your cap and tie down your hat. If not, you'll likely lose it to the winds. There's no markers and no service of any kind.

    Cindy C.

    The Soberanes Point / Whales Peak Trail was one of the most beautiful hikes we did in the Big Sur area, and I highly highly recommend to anyone who is passing by Garrapata State Park along Highway 1! Parking is all along the side of the road as there's no actual parking lot for the Soberanes Point Trail in particular (not sure about other Garrapata trails), but the pro is that you don't have to pay any entrance fee unlike the other state parks in the area. Do make sure to take valuables with you though. This is a relatively easy hike that takes you right up along the coastline where you're faced with the immense beauty of the water meeting the rocks and cliffs. You are greeted with amazing views pretty much all throughout this hike (no shortage of photo ops for sure!), and we also did the additional trek up to Whales Peak which offers panoramic views up and down the coast. There weren't too many people around when we visited on a Friday afternoon, so it seriously felt like we were in some sort of paradise. Please take even 30 minutes to an hour to visit this spot as it seems like a hidden gem along Hwy 1; you won't be disappointed especially on a beautiful clear day!

    View from the Bluff Trail
    Shayla B.

    Something about being on the coast side just makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. It gives me this tingly feeling that I long for all of the time. Staring out into those stunning bluffs will leave you downright speechless, and Garrapata State Park has got me at a total loss for words. I've been dying to hike here for as long as I can remember. I've driven past this park several times on my way out to Big Sur, but never had a chance to actually stop through to explore. Welp, I finally got that chance. And let me tell you; it was everything that I could have imagined and more. Better than I imagined it to be. You just can't compete with those views... you really can't. You look out and just go numb. It's the craziest feeling. This park is located right off highway 1. You can literally just pull off to the side of the road, walk down to the many different trailhead entrances, and hike down to the bluffs. The. Views. Are. Insane. INSANE! Like, is this even real?! The bluest waters with white waves just crashing up against the coastline. Tide pools galore. Like what?! I can just live here. Seriously. It's so damn picturesque. The Bluff Trail is the most popular and also the most stunning as it basically follows the coastline. We love a good coastal trail! There are plenty of spots to stop and take in the views. It's family friendly and pretty flat minus a few gentle inclines on the way back up to the road. There's also the Soberanes Canyon trail that will take you up the mountain top with a gorgeous coastal view. I did the first 1.5 miles of the Soberanes Trail, but the rest of the trail was closed due to dangerous conditions. Saw a few people still going up there at their own risk. Looked extremely gnarly and narrow, so I didn't want to take my chances. But the short 3 mile stretch that I was able to do was really enjoyable. It starts off exposed and gently inclines through dry hills. And then all of a sudden, you end up in the most random Redwood Grove! I'm a Redwood junky, so this was such a lovely surprise. There's tons of beautiful plants throughout the trail ranging from wildflowers to cactus. It always amazes me how certain plants can grow even in the most driest conditions. It gets extremely hot during the afternoons on this trail. If you're planning on hiking the Soberanes trail, lather up on the sunscreen and bring a lot of water (especially if you plan to hike the entire loop). There are also said for be lots of ticks on this trail, but thankfully I didn't find any on myself. Might be best to wear long pants and/or socks, and to layer your shirts/sweaters for extra protection. Parking will be tough if you don't get here early in the morning. There's no real parking lot, and people start parking along the highway early. You could end up parking a mile out if you come in the afternoon. But, don't let this discourage you. With some easy planning, you'll be able to fully enjoy the beauty of Garrapata State Park. And trust; there's lots and lots of beauty to go around here.

    Sandeep R.

    I'd highly recommend the Garrapata bluff trail which is a 0.6 mile hike with minimal elevation that provides stunning views of the ocean. Parking might be a little tricky as there's space for 4 cars right next to the trail on the left side of the road ( right next to the start of the trail). If you're unable to find parking there, you can potentially drive up a little ahead and walk back. The trail itself is an easy one but not wheelchair friendly as it involves some amount of minimal stairs. If you're with a group that doesn't need wheel chairs, I'd highly recommend this

    View from the peak looking south
    Giselle M.

    Garrapata State Park is gorgeous! It sits in between two other state parks, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve to the north, and Andrew Molera State Park to the south, with a lot of beautiful coastal viewpoints in between. My hubby and I were driving down to Big Sur on my birthday last week, and started our day-trip adventure here. On Yelp, some of these trails are reviewed under "California Sea Otter Game Refuge" which is how I found them. I initially thought these were trails that led you to an area on the coast where you can watch sea otters in the wild, and all I could think of was the scene in Disney's Finding Dory with the adorable otters..."Cuddle party!" I think it's listed incorrectly on Yelp, and if you look up "California Sea Otter Game Refuge" on Google maps, it gives you a location further south (see Google Maps screen shots I added to my review for California Sea Otter Game Refuge). So back to Garrapata. We hiked the Soberanes Point Trails, which are the trails that people see right off Hwy 1 overlooking the Pacific. Parking is just on the dirt patches on either side of the highway. You'll see that the trail has some wooden steps in addition to dirt walking paths, and you can hike/run a loop, or head up to the peaks and get some beautiful panoramic views of the coast! While Garrapata is a large state park extending from the coast into the mountains, Soberanes Point Trails are about 8.5 mile south of Carmel Beach. Well worth a quick stop or even a dedicated scenic hike or short trail run!

    Mai Y.

    It's a very beautiful and serene place to stroll around. You can enjoy a peaceful nature walk or sit and listen to the waves of the ocean crashing on the beach. If you go at the right time, you can see beautiful calla lillies.

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    Beautiful beach off the highway. Great scenery, very breath taking, something out of a movie

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    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - Garrapata State Park

    Are dogs allowed?

    According to the CA State Park site, dogs are only allowed on the beach. They must be on leash at all times. They are not allowed on the hiking trails.

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    Review Highlights - Garrapata State Park

    My hubby and I were driving down to Big Sur on my birthday last week, and started our day-trip adventure here.

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    China Cove - Beautiful water

    China Cove

    5.0(10 reviews)
    7.8 km

    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.

    Photos
    China Cove - Hiking - August 3rd, 2023

    Hiking - August 3rd, 2023

    China Cove - August 3rd, 2023

    August 3rd, 2023

    China Cove - Only seals on this beach. There are other beaches for humans.

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    Only seals on this beach. There are other beaches for humans.

    California Sea Otter Game Refuge - July 30th, 2023

    California Sea Otter Game Refuge

    4.0(7 reviews)
    5.0 km

    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....

    A little confusion about this location and what it actually is. A couple of the reviews here are…read moreof the wrong place. I was doing a little research for my recent day-trip adventure to Big Sur with my hubby for my birthday, and came across this CA Sea Otter Game Refuge. I initially thought these were trails that led you to an area on the coast where you can watch sea otters in the wild, and all I could think of was the scene in the Disney movie 'Finding Dory' with the adorable otters..."Cuddle party!"  I think this location is listed incorrectly on Yelp, because if you look up "California Sea Otter Game Refuge" on Google maps, it gives you a location further south (see Google Maps screen shots I added to this review). Some of the reviews and photos on this page are actually of Soberanes Point Trails, which are the trails that people see right off Hwy 1 overlooking the Pacific, and are part of the Garrapata State Park (about 8.5 miles south of Carmel Beach). Despite the confusion, I'm so glad I found this page, as it led to finding an absolutely beautiful and scenic set of trails and viewpoints along the coast!

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    California Sea Otter Game Refuge
    California Sea Otter Game Refuge
    California Sea Otter Game Refuge

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    Calla Lily Valley

    Calla Lily Valley

    4.4(8 reviews)
    2.1 km

    I had the most incredible experience visiting the Valley of the Calla Lilies in Big Sur. It truly…read morefelt like stepping into a hidden paradise. The peaceful walk down to the valley, surrounded by nature, set the tone for something really special--and then seeing the calla lilies in full bloom was absolutely breathtaking. The way the flowers blanket the valley alongside the flowing creek is something you can't fully capture in photos--it's something you have to feel in person. It was quiet, calming, and honestly a little magical. I loved how untouched and natural everything felt. If you're looking for a beautiful, serene spot to connect with nature and take in one of the most unique views in California, this is it. I'm so grateful I got to experience it and will definitely be back.

    Beautiful scenic stop right by Garrapata State Park. The trail nearby is just as breathtaking!…read moreSince Highway 1 is quite a ways away from most tourists, I would highly recommend putting an hour or two away in your itinerary to walk by the coast and admire the local flora. We visited President's Day Weekend/Valentine's Day when it was chilly and overcast, but the photos my friend took on a sunny day were breathtaking! The cloudy weather added a deeper and darker charm to our photos. There was considerable rainfall the previous days, so the ground was quite muddy. Since the NorCal beaches get pretty cold, I would recommend bundling up before coming here to prevent catching any illnesses. This spot is perfect for any photoshoots and has such a magical vibe about it. I would recommend this for anyone who happens to be in the area already in conjunction with a Carmel/Big Sur trip.

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    Calla Lily Valley - The Valley

    The Valley

    Calla Lily Valley - The valley

    The valley

    Calla Lily Valley

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    Carmel Mission Basilica - Our Lady of Bethlehem - the oldest Mary statue in CA; carved in 15-century Spain. It arrived here from Mexico in 1769 with St. Junipero

    Carmel Mission Basilica

    4.2(214 reviews)
    11.4 km

    So grateful to been able to attend Sunday Mass. Basilica is so beautiful and it has so much…read morehistory and also they have free museum and a small shop. Sunday mass is full but the have lots of extra chairs in the back outside the church. Parking could be crowded so get there early.

    I have been visiting the California missions throughout my life. Usually it is a positive…read moreexperience. However, I recently revisited the Carmel Basilica on a Sunday, and like other visitors I was totally put off by the commercialization of this particular church/historical monument. There are a few security guards who stand out front and a ticket booth positioned in a way that you cannot enter the church without paying first. The mission is not open everyday which is odd since it is such a beloved place visited by people around the world. The price of admission is 15.00 per person, five dollars higher per person than other missions which are also open everyday. This is quite pricey. If you arrive during mass you may not enter to look around until after mass! It seems really against the whole concept of all are welcome. Lighting one candle is 5.00! Usually it is just a donation or a dollar or two. The parking lot is small and congested. Personally, I enjoyed San Juan Bautista, which is close to Monterey and Carmel, much better. Friendlier, less expensive and open to all everyday! The setting is beautiful as well, surrounded by fields and beautiful gardens. I highly recommend history buffs stop by San Juan Bautista and other smaller missions.

    Photos
    Carmel Mission Basilica - Inside the basilica

    Inside the basilica

    Carmel Mission Basilica - A beautiful evening sunset glow | 2022

    A beautiful evening sunset glow | 2022

    Carmel Mission Basilica - 05.28.22 Carmel Mission Forecourt heritage gardens

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    05.28.22 Carmel Mission Forecourt heritage gardens

    Saddle Mountain  - Luxury Tent 47Q interior view

    Saddle Mountain

    3.5(192 reviews)
    11.6 km

    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.

    Photos
    Saddle Mountain  - Luxury Tent 44D interior

    Luxury Tent 44D interior

    Saddle Mountain  - Luxury Tent 49A

    Luxury Tent 49A

    Saddle Mountain  - Luxury Tent - Lower Grove (50Q)

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    Luxury Tent - Lower Grove (50Q)

    Garrapata State Park - hiking - Updated May 2026

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