Want low cortisol moment? Come here…read more And behave No monkey activity Please my neighbor

One of the most scenic drives I've ever driven on. Definitely worth the cost (it's about $13…read moresomething for the day). They give you a map and list of recommended attractions to visit. I started on the south end, near Carmel. I visited all of the recommended sites except for two of them. The first one was at Ford Meadow. The historical marker did not provide very much information on the man it was named after. Next was Pebble Beach Golf Course - in which I have heard of, but it wasn't until my visit that I realized how prestigious it was. There was another golf course nearby but I didn't spend very much time there. Next was the Lone Cypress tree. Usually this is the highlight of the drive, and it is said that it is the most photographed tree in America. The next stops were mostly waterfront places that had some history and great views. There was also Crocker Grove, where you can look at tall, tall trees. On one of the stops you can see elephant seals sunbathe on a fertilized rock. Again, I say it was worth checking out. Do it next time you are in Monterey, Carmel or traveling the PCH!

This is my favorite beach in Carmel! It's a little nestled away from downtown, but the best part of…read moreit is watching the sunset over Point Lobos - it's beautiful! The beach isn't too crowded and there's a good mix of soft sand, pebbly sand, and tide pools. It's perfect for a more laid-back atmosphere. The northernmost part of the beach has some really nice sand and is secluded, with some awesome views of the ocean.

Gorgeous beach with a fun walk. I like to look at the ocean from the hike. We hired a tour guide…read morefrom our stay at the Hyatt Carmel Highlands Inn, and we enjoyed it very much. Her name is Wanda. She is a very good tour guide. You can take a lot of great photos and see this big cross that used to be there for a lost ship. It's not a hard hike but it's really nice for the views. I would definitely do it again. I am an avid hiker and this was very easy it was like a stroll but my mother really liked it. There are beautiful wild flowers and plants and lots of rocks and trees and grasslands. During May, it is pretty cold, so make sure you wear a jacket and that you are ready. I love to hike so I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes to see nature. You can even see where the salt water and lake water mix. Apparently there is a beach where a lot of children drowned near here, I think that would be a very interesting thing to write a movie about!

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.

One of our favorite places in the world and a place I'm certainly glad is in our proverbial…read more"backyard." Ok, so it's like 3-4 hours away, but wow, really pretty here. The natural landscape is just phenomenal. God's fingerprints all over this place. Pros: - not a bad drive down here from the touristy parts of Monterey and Seaside where we usually reside for the weekend - a bit windy, but a truly lovely and incredibly scenic twisty, turn-y road that keeps me on my toes - once you're here it's just breathtaking. - trail walk/stroll is pretty easy, nothing real rigorous as long as you're still in decent health. - more challenging "hikes" available for those who are looking for more, I've not stepped up to that (huffing and puffing doesn't sound fun), so I'm not sure where those trails are, but easy to find online. - so much fauna and flora to look at. - the coast here is just so rugged and ridiculously jawpdropping. - kids love this place too. There's a ranger station/little nature stop/house of sorts, not quite a "museum", but it's got the history, the nature, the strange facts you'd not otherwise know about unless you stopped by. - very kind and dedicated volunteers that will tell you all you want to know about Point Lobos - the nature, the creatures of sky, sea, and land, the past, present and future, whatever you want. - Plus they often have binoculars they will let you use to look out at the coast for seals and sealions and otters and more galore, oh my! Cons: - parking is the suck here. It's not too expensive to get in, but most people seem to park along the main road/highway that leads to Point Lobos which is kind of dangerous and a good trek to get to the State Reserve, so you've got your exercise before you even start exploring. That could be a plus? All in all, a magnificent and marvelous natural state reserve, well preserved, more than maintained, must see to appreciate.

Views, trails, tide pools, ocean waves, shells, and lots of poison oak!…read more Parking is limited and we arrived later than we wanted. We were able to park on the side of the road like a lot of others, but other than that it's a worthwhile stop. Gorgeous state park, easy walking trails, there was even a park volunteer at the trailhead with maps answering questions and giving good advice (both when we got there and a different volunteer posted there when we left!)

My son literally said "this sand feels expensive" hahaha. Seriously though, the sand is so fine…read moreand soft. White smooth sand. A bit of a hill to climb back up from the beach, but the views are gorgeous. Nice walk from the shops and restaurant area. Very lucky for those that live around. Definitely detected auras of either a rich local, rich tourist speaking foreign language but can afford to go on international trips, or out of town visitor like me who can't afford to live there or anywhere near 'by the sea'

Briefly stopped by the beach after having lunch in downtown Carmel. Now clearly understanding why…read morethe beach is loved so much. Carmel Beach is recognized as having the 'whitest' sand in the United States, and number 14 globally. This color comes from quartz deposits eroded by the waves. There is a parking lot at the north end of the beach on Ocean Avenue (maybe 30 spots or so), that is usually filled, meaning people are constantly idling in the parking lot, waiting for a spot. The parking lot is elevated from the beach, requiring carefully going down a sand bank. My wife and her mom decided to admire the view by sitting on a retaining wall at the top of the bern, while I happily went down to the shoreline to admire the views. The sand here is more golden than white. The road that runs parallel to the beach and boardwalk in Carmel is Scenic Road and we took it as we headed back to our cottage. There was street unmetered parking spots available and I noticed how much brighter/whiter the sand was in this area (a lot less crowded as well). Thinking back, wish we had stopped so I could have admired this part of the beach a bit more.

This park has a lot to do. They have the Dennis the Menace park for the kiddos, boating for…read moreeveryone and lot of trails to get steps in.

What a great place to practice wildlife photography…read more.. Park up near crane island, set your shutter speed to something useful and just wait and watch the world go by at a slightly slower pace !..

Devendorf Park should get 5 stars for the proximity to Carmel by the Sea, shops and restaurants…read more It's aesthetically pleasing landscaped garden setting and lawn area. Park benches under tree shade, walking paths and koi pond. Public restroom as well is located on-site. I only gave it 4 stars because I wish it was larger in overall area and allowed dogs to visit as well. It is a beautiful space regardless.

This was a petite park in the downtown Carmel area, and it was pretty lovely. I'm glad that they…read morehave restrooms there, and they were pretty clean. We walked our doggie there after brunch.

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.