My car got broken into!!! Seriously overrated and full with people. I wouldn't recommend this place.

We were kicking around Carmel and Monterey enjoying the gorgeous January day and decided to do a little hiking before an indulgent dinner. We stopped by Point Lobos and there were honestly about 400 parked lining the road so we kept going and came upon Garrapata state park. It has all the beautiful sweeping views that make their way into road trip movies. You can hike along the cliffs, splash in tidal pools or hike to the top of the hills that hug the seaside. This was so much more enjoyavle than battling the crowds at point lobos. Bring a picnic lunch and spend the day soaking in the California coast! read more

Such an amazingly beautiful beach! The day I went the water was crystal blue and the white sand surrounded by cliffs with colorful flowers in bloom. Such a beautiful sight! If you are ever in Carmel, you also need to stop by here since its a short ride away. You'll be amazed. I love living in California! read more

Garrapata State Park - The photo does no justice. The water was literally sparkling that day. - Hiking Near Me

Do NOT do this hike in the heat! Be SURE to take LOTS of water! 14 of us did the 7 mile loop this past weekend - it was SPECTACULAR. We too saw whales and heard seals/sea lions. All of us do a lot of hiking/walking/running, and normally a 7 mile hike isn't a big deal. However, 2 of us got heat stroke at mile 3.5 - in the middle of the long ascent to the top - where there is no phone service, and either way out is over 2.5 miles away. (The shorter way is uphill). It was 80 degrees in January!! Dang polar vortex. We had already finished our water - luckily other kind hikers shared theirs when our ashen-white faces revealed our desperation. Trail mix also was a lifesaver, possibly literally. At the end of the hike, all 14 of us agreed it was spectacular. All of us were glad we did this hike. and not one of us would travel back to do it again unless we were paid to do so. (The average rate to hike this again was $1000, $100 was the lowest someone would take to hike it again.) Call us wimps. One of us runs the Boston and NYC Marathons annually. Several are currently training for marathons and 10K runs in the Bay Area. All of us exercise regularly. The 7 mile loop is a really strenuous uphill hike on a rocky trail - and is even tougher in the heat! Who'd have thought it would be so hot in January?! We thought it was a must-do hike by the Yelp reviews, and we're all glad we've crossed it off our bucket list now, most likely never to return. There are many other mountains to climb! read more

Garrapata is perfect for a hard hike or a stole in the redwoods. You can either just walk up the creek and enjoy the redwoods or you can walk up the ridge. the ridge trail is pretty steep, but rewarding! Here is a map of my favorite hike here along with other secret spots on the coast road. Just take out the spaces when you paste into your browser. http://maps. google. com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=118025071431529639075.00045813d30fa631a6c08 read more

Garrapata trumps all competition with its breathtaking views. Whether you make the steep canyon climb or chance the unmarked trails winding down to the beach, there's enough natural beauty to knock the wind out of you. The drive to the park is pretty rousing in and of itself thanks to the castle-like abodes peeking through the trees and chaparral-covered hills glowing ethereally through a translucent veil of fog. Also, roadside parking is ample, provided you arrive at the right time: early. read more

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I have lived in Monterey for about 5 months now and have tried to do a lot of hiking in the area. Today I hiked Soberanes Canyon and I must say it was one of the best hikes in the area I have done so far (in my opinion better than Andrew Molera, Garland Ranch, Jacks Peak, etc) The redwood forest is amazing, just stunning. Then you can also hike up to the top of the ridge and have great views. It is a bit steep but I don't think it is as bad as people on here are saying. Maybe if you aren't in decent shape but I am not a star athlete and I had not problems. Here is my advice, if you want to climb to the top of the ridge make sure you are careful not to miss the trail. I missed it and ended up in the redwoods on a trail that eventually died out. If you want to go to the peak, you will hike through the redwoods for a while but will then come to an area that is open for a while. Along here there should be a path that goes to the left. If you enter the redwoods again and start going downhill you have gone to far. That said that part of the redwoods is beautiful so its cool to see anyhow. The only thing I would say about the steep part up to the ridge is I would recommend bringing treking poles if you have them, the help with that part which is a bit slippery. What I liked: The redwoods The stream The views. The fact that when you get to the top you realize there is actually a network of more trails going East (I am going to have to go back sometime) What I did not like: You are not supposed to bring dogs You are not supposed to camp Highly recommend it. read more

The park is located on Highway 1, 6.7 miles south of Rio Road in Carmel (18 miles north of Big Sur). The Rocky Ridge Trail takes you way up for some amazing views. The 4 mile trail is very uphill, so be prepared for a serious trek. If you take the left fork you'll hit the breathtaking views faster and can bail on the rest if you're feeling lazy. Finding Garrapata can be tricky, look for a series of parked cars along Highway 1 and an abandoned farm shed on a hill. read more

Make sure to bring a good pair of hiking shoes, lots of water, and wear pants for comfort. Although "endurance wise" it's easier to descend the hill, the climb up the hill is a lot easier on the knees and ankles than the decent. My knees were burning for about two days because I didn't have good shoes and overcompensated by locking my joints during the descent. I would also recommend going early in the morning to beat the heat if your planning to do the whole 4.7 mile loop, and go up the right side of the trail so that you get shade during the tough climb (there is no shade on the left side of the trail). The views throughout the trail are absolutely stunning and it's worth the work to get to the top. read more

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I woke up with a boner this morning or what felt like one on my upper front thighs. I woke up on the living room floor lying face flat on the ground (I like the hard floor, what can I say?) and felt these rock hard bulges. Now I am out of shape but my legs have always been pretty muscular. I guess it could be a knot but it feels more like muscle burn. I hope they go away! My body is a mess thanks to Garrapata. read more

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One of my personal favorite beaches to surf, bodyboard, and relax. This beach is just about 7 or 8 miles south of Carmel. The Park itself is just over 6.5 miles south of Carmel. After you go over Granite Canyon Bridge, you will come to a flat stretch of road with a long parking area on each side. Once parked, if you take the trail going toward the beach, it will split and the trail going to the left will take a staircase down to the beach, the trail to the right travels along the cliff overlooking the beach and the ocean. This is a pretty well hidden gem and is rarely ever packed. It can be a great place to watch the sunset, no restroom services though so be prepared to find a bush. read more

I lived in the area for 1 year. There are several beautiful state parks all around Monterey, but Garrapata State Park was our favorite place. We went over there at least 4 times, and it is really easy to miss the park entrance. You will see a small metal barn. This is the entrance from google maps: http://maps.google.com/maps/mm?ie=UTF8&hl=en&ll=36.454746,-121.923603&spn=0.001786,0.00611&t=h&z=18 The trail is a loop. It is a little bit demanding, and it takes around 3 to 4 hours. You should start going to the left, that way you will have the steep part of the trail at the beginning. When you are at the top of the hills, the view is just amazing. In the second part of the trail you walk in a small Redwood forest, which is just as beautiful. read more

If you love hiking, do this! If you like hiking, skip it. It's hot and hard! We did the full loop, 5-6 miles. The climb up to the top was hard and terrible. (We did not go up the ridge line side but descended that side.) There are no signs anywhere and we got turned around a few times looking for the turn off to the peak-some young couple hollered at us and asked how we were, which opened us up to admit we were turned around. Once we found the turn off it was a nightmare. You easily need half a gallon of water per person if you do the full loop, thank goodness we had oranges as well. I almost quit about 5 times-every time someone would pass and assure us that it was worth it but we still had a deal to go. I have no idea how I made it. One we reached the top, it was nothing special, I just wanted to go back and the view was blah. We went down the ridge line side and the view was Spectacular! Very slippery though. I'd hike up that side to the bench and no farther. Wear good shoes! read more

I got a chance to go to this beautiful beach this past weekend, and wow! A friend says it's his favorite beach, and I completely understand why; it's a great length to walk along, with lots of little nooks and crannies to sit and relax. The weather can change quickly, and so can the waves! I saw another reviewer suggested surfing and body boarding, but I have to disagree: these waves crash directly onto the beach, and there's multiple signs warning of riptides and dangerous currents. They're incredible to watch and listen to, however, and we had a great time! I highly recommend for anyone looking for a great view, walk, and chill time! read more

All I found was the beach and it was peaceful and beautiful. A great place to stop on your drive to Big Sur. The trails are short and go down to the beach. Maybe there is more to the park on the other side of US1 but all I saw was the beach trails. Bring your camera and maybe a picnic! read more

The Calla lily canyon off of gate 18 is gorgeous. A short hike leads to a flight of stairs and there it is ! It wasn't crowded when we visited the place. The Garapatta state beach is quiet too. I have not seen many people spend time here. The place is perfect for a picnic. read more

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Garrapata is my favorite beach to come to down the coast. In my opinion it's better than Pfeiffer, providing more shelter from the wind. The swells can get pretty big, and when the sun sets...prepare for a magnificent view! Must see. read more

Garrapata State Park - Hiking Near Me

Soberanes is my favorite hike when I visit home. It is a great combination of length, rigor, and spectacular views. It's about 4-5 miles roundtrip, where you can choose to either go up through the forest and descend down the face of the mountain, or vice versa. I usually choose the former, but either option will leave you with spectacular views at the top of the hike. I would recommend starting fairly early especially on weekends, as cars fill up early. Although, it isn't too difficult to find parking along the highway nearby either way. It is hit or miss weather-wise. Sometimes you'll reach the peak with clear views of the Pacific Ocean, where other times you'll be completely above the fog line. read more

Definitely the best hike to do in the area. I rate it somewhere between 4 and 5 stars. I would rate it higher, but I've been on many excellent hikes in New Zealand, Hawaii, California, and British Columbia, so it's hard to rate this one at the top. However, it is definitely a great hike with great views. The hike is fairly steep, but it's not the hardest hike I've ever done. The Grouse Grind in Vancouver trumps any hike for sheer exertion by far. It's even higher than Soberanes by a 1000 ft. However, I think most people can do Soberanes in less than 4 hours. We did the entire loop in 2 hours and we're definitely not the fittest of folks. For views, it's a cool hike. There are streams, redwoods, huge expansive ocean views, and bluffs and cliff views too. However, I have seen some pretty amazing things in my time and I have a hard time saying the Soberanes compares. It's hard to say. It's definitely beautiful and that's all that matters. read more

The Garrapata Beach is 5 minutes from Bixby Bridge while the actual state park is about 8 minutes from the bridge. Place can be easily missed but there should be a dirt road for parking. Great combo of hike and beach with amazing views! I wanted to see the beach from the top but we ended up not getting to. Quite interesting, the beaches here in GSP have been used for nude creation! Overall, Garrapata State Park and the beach are must-see! read more

Not 5 stars because the trail is pretty messed up and not talking care of. Other than that fun hike, with an amazing view. Took about 3 hours with a decent pace and a small break at the top to enjoy the view. The ending part near the water and redwoods is gorgeous and very relaxing to walk in. Bring water you'll need it got windy and warm up top but nice and cool down near the Gulley. A camera would be a plus to some great views to snap some pictures. read more

Garrapata State Park - Hiking Near Me

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This was an amazing place we discovered on accident. We were driving down route one, looking for a place to stop and watch the sunset, when we came across this place! We got out of the car and walked on a little muddy tail, until we were on a small cliff overlooking the ocean. The sunset was absolutely breathtaking. The waves crashed so beautifully, and there was such a large variety of plant life. It wasn't like this was in the middle of nowhere, we could still see the road and felt safe at all times. Definitely adding this place to our list of Places to Always Stop Along Route One. read more

did the the rocky ridge trail this past weekend and even though the wildflowers are gone, the views are still amazing! we opted to climb up the less steep trail (the left fork that gives you ocean views all the way up) but it was still pretty hardcore. i'm totally not in shape but i still made it up, so that might give you some hope. the hike down goes through a shady redwoods grove w/ a creek running through it - great place to relax a little before finishing up the loop. here's a page describing this hike: http://www.redwoodhikes.com/Big%20Sur/Garrapata.html read more

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Didn't heed the recommended footwear :( had a few crash & burns! :-) I'll be back with a vengeance next time. Overall a magnificent hike this wildflower season. I'm mesmerized with the burst of flowers especially up on top. So amazing. Worth my slips & slides hiking up to the top. Wear your shoes that have lots of traction if you wanted to hike this trail. read more

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If your looking for an easy hike then this is NOT the place for you. All together the hike was 10 miles and took us 4.5 hours. Only reason it took us so long was cause we stopped like 10 times. Next time we're most definitely gonna be more prepared. Take water, sandwiches, and snacks. Once you get in top it would be the perfect place to have lunch. The view is totally worth it so go all the way up!! read more

Not so obvious but not too hidden either. If you pass it you'll find Garrapata Creek Bridge. The Canyon trail was cool with fog and variety of sceneries + plants. We didn't try Rocky Ridge Trail yet, it looked totally difficult. So bring hiking boots and be prepared for that. I wish Monterey wouldn't hate me with too much cloud every time I went there. Even though the view waa still great. read more

Definitely look for the row of cypress trees on the east side of hwy 1 and park under them because there is not much signage for this park. It was a perfect day when we came here- the sun was out and the skies were blue. Do not forget sunscreen!!! Other helpful things- lots of water, shoes with GOOD tread and a walking stick or two. The few miles on the rocky ridge portion of this hike were a bit treacherous with our nike running shoes with little tread. My husband and I definitely slipped a few times while descending due to little grip on our shoes. Once you enter the "redwood portion" though, everything seems to be worth it. The shade in the trees and gorgeous redwoods and stream makes you want to never leave that area. It was a perfect way to spend a long afternoon while visiting the Carmel area. read more

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Saw Grey whales and seals today! Breathtaking views!!! Hikes for all experience levels. read more

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We stopped here with my parents and my wife. I didn't remember this trail that well until we saw the port-a-potty. The coastal trail is gorgeous but parking is definitely difficult. I parked immediately after spotting an opening in front of the gate. After wandering up to the bridge, we decided to pursue another park. However, you can definitely make this a whole day event which doesn't require an entrance fee like Point Lobos State Park. The bathroom situation is a bit annoying so just be sure you are ready to walk across the road up the hill to the ranch for the port-a-potty. read more

Amazing hike - very challenging and beautiful. There's a loop there...if you head north to start - less challenging (more gradual ascent); if you head east to start it's like a million miles of stairs (OK, an exaggeration, but still). Beautiful views. Today we went south - it was a little damp from rain and good traction. When it's drier - it can be slick on the sandy surface. read more

I was in CA for a wedding and this was the highlight of the trip (aside from the wedding). If you want a challenging trail to run, this is your place. Getting to the top without having to walk at some point is difficult - either because of the 25-30% grade up or the beautiful views that you just want to stop and soak in for a second. So good, I went back a second day. I saw maybe a total of 14 people over both days (just 4 on the Friday) so great if you want to be one with nature. Definitely worth the 20 minutes that I drove to get there. If you have kids, you can take the Canyon trail which is relatively flat for the first mile but after that it goes up the backside of the peak and anyone under 16 is probably only going to last 3-4 minutes before exhausted - and that is if they are just walking. That first mile is really nice though. Easy and you will see redwood trees. read more

We went here on a sunny summer day some time around July. Lovely beach 15-20 minutes south of Monterey. There are multiple trails, one exceptionally beautiful with the smattering of lilies, but all with beautiful views. We went for the main purpose of picnicing, swimming, and soaking up some sun. And I don't know if this is a daily occurrence, but it was so dang windy! Not like "omggg my umbrella keeps tipping over...", like "CURL TO FETAL POSITION IM GETTING SAND BLASTED ALLOVER". LOL. So it became more like huddle together in a circle as to avoid getting sand in our food, splashing, and walking around. I read the reviews before deciding to go here, and didn't read anything about the area being an ocean gust galore. So keep that in mind. Free fullbody dermabrasions, depending on weather. (Or maybe its like this all the time? Dunno.) Also, another note: the water is FRIGID. Yes, Monterey waters are pretty cold, but this is so cold your toes will go numb and purple if you were in it for more than 5 minutes. On the plus, not very much people. At a time there was only 20 people there. Park your car at the side of the highway and the steps to the beach are right there. I would recommend this area for the hikers/sightseers and not for the families with the young kids and the oldies. The beach sits beneath a large cliff wall, so there's a major flight of stairs to go through. Two paws up for being dog friendly. Thumbs down from the teenager because no phone service. read more

I absolutely fell in love with this place. The Garrapata trail is quite short but the view is nothing but amazing! There is no beach access from this trail, definitely a jewel of California. read more

Garrapata State Park - This place is breathtaking! - Hiking Near Me

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This beach was really beautiful, small area in front of stairs, and the water was beautiful as well. A fair amount of people were there. I keep my dog on a leash cause that's the law and others seem to think their dogs don't count. Although most people had leashes on their pets and it was quite nice. All of that combined with the fact that the sand was quite rough on our feet is why I gave this place 4 stars instead of 5 read more

This is one of my favorite hiking spots. It's short, but intense. The views and scenery are amazing and the hike itself is a little tricky. Make sure to wear hiking boots or anything with a good grip because it can get pretty slippery. My favorite time to go is when it's not too hot. If you don't do good in the heat, you might be miserable. There's only shade at the beginning of the loop (depending on which way you decide to go up, the shaded parts might be towards the end) and the rest of the way, you'll be in the sun climbing steep hills so be careful and stay hydrated! read more

LOVE IT!!! Beautiful amazing views north and south! Easy access with roadside parking. There is a beach, but there are also cool cliffs you can just chill on. Just a hint, watch out for the poison oak. read more

The hike is absolutely worth it to get to the top. Not for first time hikers. Almost more of a rock climb as steep as it gets. This trail kicked my A**. Still doing it though, loving the beauty of it more everytime. read more

This was a great place to hike along the coast. Be sure that you wear good shoes - the rocks can be loose and you'll want to get close to see the breath-taking views. Dogs are allowed only on part of the beach on leash, so you'll probably want to leave Fido at home so you can experience the whole park. Beautiful! read more

Soberanes hike is nice, but be aware it's a lot of steep vertical up and then down...it offers nice views of the coast and gets your heart rate going...but it's not a leisurely and rolling style hike...as long as you are up for the vertical it's fun! Also some slippery spots on the descent so make sure you have some traction on your shoes...trail running shoes a lot better than tennis shoes. read more

An absolute beautiful 4.7 mile loop hike through redwood trees and chaparral shrubland - with killer ocean and mountain views. It would be my recommendation to take the south entrance to the loop so that when you hit the top of the hill you are facing the water views. There is more shade on the south side (enter and stay to the right) too. I give it 5 stars but I do have two complaints. First, why no dogs on the 4.7 mile loop? Makes no sense. Second, the trails are not in great condition but for me personally, that is part of the appeal. read more