40 THE BEST OF MONTEREY BAY ® 2024-2025 AT PLAY CAMPING AND HIKING The epic hikes in Monterey County could fill this publication by themselves—and they’ll fill imaginations for years. Be prepared with water, snacks, layers and a map—and be on the lookout for poison oak (avoid it) and wildlife (watch, but don’t approach it). Wild places are wondrous, and best enjoyed with a few precautions. Note that slides, floods and other events may affect access. Check for information on conditions and closures before you go. Andrew Molera State Park This 5,000-acre park stretches along the Pacific for four miles, with access to one of the longest beaches in Big Sur. It offers fishing, hiking, equestrian and picnic facilities. A footbridge over the Big Sur River is installed seasonally. 21 miles south of Carmel on Highway 1, Big Sur. (831) 667-2315, bit.ly/MoleraSP Arroyo Seco Recreation Area The magnificent Arroyo Seco gorge is flanked by a popular day-use area for swimming, grilling and lounging at the sandy beach. For a more adventurous day (or multiple days), walk up the road to access a number of trails in the Ventana Wilderness. Campgrounds accommodate RVs or tents. Arroyo Seco Road, 5 miles west of the junction with Carmel Valley Road, Greenfield. (831) 385-5434, recreation.gov Garland Ranch Regional Park Miles of nature and equestrian trails wind through this 4,500-acre park, a local favorite that rises from the Carmel River to the headlands of the Santa Lucia range. An hour of energetic uphill hiking affords sweeping panoramic views, or follow creeks (with seasonal footbridges) through majestic redwood canyons. 8.5 miles east of Highway 1 on Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley. (831) 372-3196, mprpd.org/garland-ranch-regional-park Garrapata State Park Garrapata’s 3,000 acres encompass scenic shorelines, deep canyons and steep mountains. The Soberanes Canyon Trail is lined with redwoods and offers a rewarding hike without the exertion. The full loop trail remains closed, but another option is an easy coastal loop with beautiful scenery on the west side of Highway 1. 10 miles south of Carmel on Highway 1, Big Sur. (831) 624-4909, bit.ly/garrapataSP Jacks Peak County Park This park boasts 10 miles of trails, as well as unsurpassed views of Monterey Bay and Carmel. This is a great family park with easy day hikes in the Monterey pine forest, picnic grounds and a self-guided nature trail. 25020 Jacks Peak Park Road, Monterey. bit.ly/ JacksPeakPark Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park This South Coast state park encompasses 4,000 acres stretching from the Pacific coastline to the 3,000-foot peaks of the Santa Lucia range. Hikers revel in redwood groves, river walks and views of McWay Falls as they empty into the Pacific Ocean; note there is no beach access here. Two coveted campsites are available by reservation. 52801 Highway 1, Big Sur. (831) 667-1112, bit.ly/JuliaBurnsSP Laguna Seca Recreation Area The county-owned park is unique for its varied offerings, which includes a convenient campground a short distance from either Salinas or the Peninsula. Available for both tents and RVs, expect sweeping views and fabulous spring wildflowers. And on race weekends, the famed track is right there. Hikers and mountain bikers can hit the trail straight from camp. 1021 Highway 68, Salinas. (831) 242-8200, weathertechraceway.com Los Padres National Forest Almost half of the 2-million-acre forest that overlays the Coast Range is wilderness. Translation: superb hiking and backpacking (though be prepared for trails to be impassable or closed due to past wildfires, etc.). There are ranger stations on both sides of the mountains, one in Big Sur, 32 miles south of Carmel on Highway 1, another at 406 S. Mildred Ave. in King City. Be prepared for a serious wilderness experience and no cell service. (831) 242-0619, bit.ly/LosPadresNF Manzanita County Park The eponymous shrubs at this park dot a colorful relic of native scrub oak vegetation in North County, where most of the surrounding terrain has become farmland. Beyond the athletic fields, trails offer expansive views of the Monterey Bay and the region’s hilly topography. 17100 Castroville Blvd., Prunedale. (831) 755-4899, bit.ly/ManzanitaPark Palo Corona Regional Park The newest park in the area is evidence of creative conservation partnerships throughout its history, most recently with the acquisition of the former Rancho Cañada Golf Course, 190 acres that are still in the process of “rewilding.” Walk along the peaceful Carmel River, or ascend 850 feet to a rewarding view from Inspiration Point. 4860 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel. (831) 372-3196, mprpd.org/palocorona-regional-park Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Established in 1933, this popular state park offers hikes through dense redwood canyons leading up to scenic peaks. Located within its 850 acres are the Big Sur Lodge and freshly renovated cabins, a store, a restaurant, campground, and numerous sites for picnicking, swimming and fishing. 31 miles south of Carmel on Highway 1, Big Sur. (831) 6671112, bit.ly/PfeifferBigSur Pinnacles National Park The jagged remains of a long-extinct volcano jut out of the Salinas Valley to form this hiker’s paradise, with 32 miles of trails, two talus caves and spectacular terrain that doubles as a launch site for California condors being reintroduced to the wild. Tent and RV camping available at east entrance. 13 miles east of Soledad on Highway 146. (831) 389-4485, nps.gov/pinn Point Lobos State Natural Reserve “The greatest meeting of land and water in the world,” as landscape artist Francis McComas called it, Point Lobos offers 14 interconnecting trails that wind through lovely Monterey pine forests, cypress groves and breathtaking, rugged coastal scenery. There are plenty of opportunities to view 250 bird and animal species, including sea otters, sea lions and, from December to April, migrating gray whales. A well-designed, tiny museum also offers a glimpse into the history of the whaling industry. Two miles south of Carmel on Highway 1. (831) 624-4909, parks.ca.gov/pointlobos Veterans Memorial Park This 50-acre city park offers overnight RV and group camping facilities, trails, picnic areas and play fields in Monterey. Check in at the kiosk for availability, as camping is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Athletes love the challenging staircase that kicks off an ascent to impressive Monterey Bay views DAVE FARIES Treasure Hunt: The Ride
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