Start at Lovers Point Park which is located on Ocean View Blvd near downtown Monterey and right on the ocean. This is where the coastal recreation trail ends but where you are going to begin.
Hours:
Sunrise to Sunset
Description:
This is a really popular trail for walkers and bicyclist because it is an easy, mostly flat paved trail with great views. Start in Pacific Grove at Lovers Point Park and walk through Pacific Grove along the ocean, into the Cannery Row Area and through Fisherman's Wharf. Now, you can stop here and turn around or continue through Monterey along the water and sand dunes into the town of Seaside and beyond to Castroville - a total of 18 miles away! The "meat" of the trail (Lovers Point to Fishermans Wharf) is just a couple of miles in length.
Jacks Peak Park (EASY-MODERATE)
Location:
25020 Jacks Peak Park Road, Monterey
Directions:
From Hwy 68 heading East, take a right on Olmstead Road and follow it all the way up to Jacks Peak Park Road. Turn left and continue to park entrance.
Hours:
Oct-Jan:10a - 5pm, Feb:10:30a - 5:30pm
March & beginning of April:11a - 6pm & End of April-Sept: 11a - 6:30pm
Description:
Jacks Peak Park offers visitors spectacular views from trails that wind through skyscraping Monterey Pine forests. An abundance of trees, wildlife and native plants makes Jacks Peak Park the perfect destination for any nature enthusiast. Almost 8.5 miles of horseback riding and hiking trails wind through cathedral-like forests and to breathtaking ridge top vistas. The Skyline Self-Guided Nature Trail traverses the summit of Jacks Peak. Brochures describing features along the trail are available at the entrance station. Entrance Fee of Mon-Fri-$4 a day, Sat-Sun & Holidays $5 a day
Pt. Lobos State Reserve (EASY-MODERATE)
Location:
Carmel
Directions:
The entrance is located three miles south of Carmel on Highway 1.
Hours:
8a- 1/2 hour after sunset
Description:
A really popular spot on the way down to Big Sur because of its history, its diversity and being called "the greatest meeting of land and sea." In addition to the spectacular beauty, there are rare plant communities, endangered archeological sites, unique geological formations, and incredibly rich flora an fauna of both land and sea. Car:$10, car w/ senior $9, Disables Discount $6, Coach or Van $50 Large bus $100. Trail brochures are $1.
Garland Ranch Regional Park (EASY-DIFFICULT)
Location:
Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley
Directions:
The 4500 acre Garland Ranch Regional Park's main entrance is located 8.6 miles east of Highway 1 on Carmel Valley Road. The park extends several miles east and south along Carmel Valley Road to Carmel Valley Village.
Hours:
Sunrise - Sunset
Description:
The park is home to a variety of landscapes that occur at elevations from 200 to 2000 feet. From the willow covered banks of the Carmel River through the cottonwood-sycamore stands of the old floodplain, the trails ascend steeply. Atop the northern crest of the Santa Lucia Mountains, the trails encounter open oak savannas and spectacular vistas. Along the way, you will travel through maple-filled canyons, dense oak woodlands, and thick stands of chaparral. Garzas Creek gently bisects the park and provides a peaceful, shaded trail that reaches a secluded side canyon of redwoods.
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park (EASY-DIFFICULT)
Location:
Big Sur
Directions:
The park is 37 miles south of Carmel on Highway 1, and 12 miles south of Pfeiffer Big Sur.
Hours:
Open 1/2 hour before sunrise and closes 1/2 hour after sunset.
Description:
The park stretches from the Big Sur coastline into nearby 3,000-foot ridges. It features redwood, tan oak, madrone, chaparral, and an 80-foot waterfall that drops from granite cliffs into the ocean from the Overlook Trail. A panoramic view of the ocean and miles of rugged coastline is available from the higher elevations along the trails east of Highway 1.
Asilomar Coast Trail (EASY)
Location:
Sunset Drive, Pacific Grove
Directions:
From Hwy 1, take Hwy 68 West which will come to the "Forest Hill" section of Pacific Grove. Follow Hwy 68 with a left hand turn and it will soon become Sunset Drive. Follow it out towards the ocean and park in any of the pullouts on the oceanside, south of Jewell Avenue.
Hours:
Sunrise - Sunset
Description:
The Asilomar Beach is one of the most peaceful beaches in the area. This trail, which is a total of 2.4 miles round trip, takes you past a rocky coastline, tidepools, sand dunes, a long sandy beach and Monterey Pines and Cypress trees. To access the trail, take the signed trailhead.
Garrapata State Park (EASY - DIFFICULT)
Location:
Big Sur
Directions:
The park is located on Highway 1, 6.7 miles south of Rio Road in Carmel (18 miles north of Big Sur). You will see a sign welcoming you to the park area but there is no official park entrance.
Hours:
Contact park directly at 831-624-4909.
Description:
The park has two miles of beach front, with coastal hiking and a 50-foot climb to a beautiful view of the Pacific. With 2,879 acres, the park offers diverse coastal vegetation with trails running from ocean beaches into dense redwood groves. The park also features outstanding coastal headlands at Soberanes Point. Sea lions, harbor seals and sea otters frequent the coastal waters and California gray whales pass close by during their yearly migration. The Soberanes Canyon Trail and the Rocky Ridge Trail are two challenging trails on the east side of Hwy. 1 (althoug Soberanes is much easier & better on a warm day). Taken together, these trails form a roughly 7-mile loop with approximately 1850 feet of elevation gain, encompassing the redwood-shaded canyon of Soberanes Creek and sweeping coastal views from Rocky Ridge.
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park (EASY-DIFFICULT)
Location:
Big Sur
Directions:
The park is located 26 miles south of Carmel on Highway 1.
Hours:
Open 1/2 hour before sunrise and closes 1/2 hour after sunset.
Description:
All trails on the eastside of Hwy 1 will remain closed until further notice
caused by the fire and winter mudslides.The park has 800 acres of redwoods, conifers, oaks, sycamores, cottonwoods, maples, alders and willows - plus open meadows. Wildlife includes wild boars, raccoons, skunks, and birds, such as water ouzels and belted kingfishers. Hikers can enjoy the many scenic loops, including a self-guided nature loop. Overlooks provide spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and the Big Sur Gorge. Campsites are along the Big Sur River.
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Click here for a complete listing of all the great things to do and places to go in Monterey County along with your own personalized itinerary, maps, visitor guides, and valuable coupons and discount offers.
Big Sur Guides
Location:
Big Sur
Directions:
All tours leave from the lobby of the Ventana Inn and Spa.
Hours:
All tours start at 11:30 am
Description:
There is something magical about Big Sur. I cannot think of a better place to explore and rejuvinate your spirit. Big Sur Guides offers group and private hikes on a selection of 21 possible excursions. $75 per person, all hikes are 2 1/2 - 3 hrs long More information is available at www.BigSurGuides.com
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