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!

This was the last stop as part of my Big Sur drive of the day. There are several state parks and…read morebeaches along CA 1 (from Carmel to Ragged Point) and I did not stop at any of them, so this somewhat made up for it. The great thing about this is you can park for free, simply off the 1. There are public restrooms at the entrance, and you can take a walkway to the beach. The beach was awesome, though I enjoyed it in the late afternoon as the sun was about to set. Swimming or water activities were not recommended due to the waves there, but it was great just watching the ocean go back and forth. The beach was very spacious. That's about all I did when I was there for about a half hour.

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.

Stopped by here a few years ago on the way to beach, and got to see some sights, enjoyed hiking…read morearound the area and watching the wild life parking is off the highway, can be difficult

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....

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.

Maybe folks are trying to keep this place a secret, but this place is quiet and beautiful. A little…read moreslice of heaven here!

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.

A beautiful drive from Monterey thru downtown Carmel. Carmel Beach is hidden away from the world…read moreunless you look for it. There's paved parking with handicap accessible spots. I imagine as it gets warmer it will be harder to find a parking spot. The sand was white unlike the beige sand on the East Coast. The water was shades of aqua and blue. Picturesque views of the rocky ridges with local trees can be seen in the distance. Seagulls flying overhead trying to catch thermals from the sun or is the wind is strong enough soar the ridge. It was a perfect day not crowded with people. You had families, couples and people walking with their dogs along the beach. We found ourselves sitting relaxed listening to the waves and catching some Alpha rays.

The mustard is blooming at Carmel Meadows Beach…read more... http://static.px.yelp.com/photo/bb3rYoGvioJ38F4nl-riVg/l March 11, 2009 @ 12:40 PM

Carmel Mission Basilica (formal name 'San Carlos Borroméo de Carmelo') is one of six minor…read morebasilicas in the state of California (five being former Spanish missions). It is the oldest one, founded in 1770, and elevated to basilica status by Pope John XXIII in 1960. My wife, her mom, and I visited it during a late Sunday afternoon during our first day in Carmel, and found it to be a great, worthwhile experience, especially if one is Roman Catholic. The basilica is still a working parish, so parking during non-mass hours was easy to find. A ticket booth was set-up at the visitor entrance, with cost of $15 per adult ($13 for senior). There is an adjacent gift shop that doesn't require admission and sells all the various religious items that one would expect from a religious tourist attraction. We ended up spending about 90 minutes here (there is a lot of information here, along with a lot to see). -- Founding priest was Junipero Serra ("Apostle of California"). He was canonized by Pope Francis in 2015, and his shrine/remains are interned here. -- Only U.S. church visited by a pontiff during a papal visit: Pope John Paul II in 1987. He paid homage to Father Serra, and laid flowers at the tomb. This visit is clearly commemorated. -- the Munras Family Heritage Museum is worth going to, to see a short movie about the prominent Monterey family, along with early California artifacts from the family. -- the Nativity scene was one of the most intricate -- the large courtyard is a good place to stop and admire the architecture of a California Spanish mission, along with a thick trunk Cork Oak tree By the time we were leaving, the ticket office had closed (last call is at 16:30, to allow everyone to have enough time before official close at 18:00).

My friends took me to the Basilica and we enjoyed walking around the grounds and visiting the…read morevarious Chapels within the site. It is also the final resting spot of Saint Junipero Serra, the Founding Father of California. Pope John Paul II visited here in 1987 and is recognized in the Our Lady of Bethlehem Chapel, which is a beautiful, small chapel with a confessional from years ago. The Mission Cemetery is the final resting place for some members of this Parish. It also includes a symbolic cemetery representing the hundreds of indigenous people buried here and the surrounding area. These grave sites are adorned with abalone shells as an honorary recognition of their cultural presence to the area. There are several museums on site, beautiful artwork and religious artifacts as well as an extensive courtyard to wander around. Finally, there is a display of the final resting place for Saint Junipero as well as reproductions of other parts of the Basilica back in the day. The price of $15 for adults/$12 for seniors may be a little steep for families, but it is worthwhile to explore the history of the renowned Basilica.

Dumbest park set up i've ever seen. Unless you are 5 years old or in you 80's skip it. Don't waste…read moreyour time.

We had a nice stay at Saddle Mountain RV. We reserved site #24, Premium lot. The lot was perfect…read morefor a party of 2 and 1 dog. I love the big tree for shade, turf grass and a beautiful vine, floral plant lining for privacy. The campground is well-kept clean. People were respectful when it was quiet-time between 9:00pm - 7:00am.

Saddle mountain is a very nice area to stay in. We decided to book cabin 10 through Airbnb for a…read moreweekend. Staff were incredibly communicative and responsive. There were a lot of open activities to do on this campground. We decided to play some corn hole. There's a pool for people to hang around and a fire pit area! Unfortunately we only stayed for a night so we didn't get to go around as much. The cabin itself is decent size. It is a bit smaller than we thought; but it's okay. The living area for people to sit is a bit tight too but expected since cabin was small. Overall, I would visit again. I would hope to try the glamping areas!