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Garrapata State Park
Nearby Parks:
Point Lobos State Reserve
Andrew Molera State Park
Marina State Park
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
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| State Park Contact Information: |
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Garrapata State Park
2211 Garden Road
Monterey, California 93940
Phone: 831-624-4909
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| Adopt-A-Park Contacts: |
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Photography: add your photos
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| State Park Overview: |
| 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. |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
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This park is wonderful for the views of the Pacific from the heights and for the walk up the river valley among the red wood trees.
However, park maintenance is awful. It looks like the trails were maintained 40 years ago but nothing has been done since. Soil erosion is widespread, steps are not maintained and the trails get wider and wider as hikers try to avoid the center part of trail. It desperately needs work.
Written by Robin D Mills
8-Dec-2008
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| Trails: |
| Rocky Ridge, Soberanes Canyon Trails 7 miles round trip with 1,200-foot elevation gainUndeveloped and usually overlooked, Garrapata State Park offers a lot of Big Sur in a compact area. The park features two miles (probably closer to four miles counting the twists and turns) of spectacular coastline and a steep sampling of the Santa Lucia Mountains.
Rocky Ridge Trail quickly leaves Highway 1 behind and offers far-reaching views of the Santa Lucia Mountains and the sea. A grand loop of the state park can be made by returning to the trailhead via redwood-lined Soberanes Canyon.
The name Soberanes is linked with the early Spanish exploration of California. Soldier Jos?ar?Soberanes marched up the coast to Monterey with the Gaspar de Portol?xpedition of 1769. Seven years later, Soberanes served as a guide for Juan Bautista De Anza, whose party pushed north to San Francisco Bay. Grandson Jos?ntonio Ezequiel Soberanes acquired the coastal bluff and magnificent backcountry that became known as the Soberanes Ranch.
Rocky Ridge Trail will be more enjoyable for the gung-ho hiker than the novice. The trail ascends very steeply as it climbs Rocky Ridge. Then, after gaining the ridge, hikers must descend an extremely steep mile (we?re talking about a 20 to 30 percent grade here) to connect to Soberanes Canyon Trail.
The leg-weary, or those simply looking for an easier walk, will simply stroll through the redwoods of Soberanes Canyon and not attempt Rocky Ridge Trail. |
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...vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental, etc read more.... |
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| Related Links: |
| MBNMS: Garrapata State Park - ... Images of the MBNMS Virtual Tidepool Policies and Laws Present Weather and Sea Conditions Garrapata State Park Just south of the Carmel Highlands, Garrapata State Park runs for about four miles ... | | The VWA Visitor Information Page - The Ventana Wilderness Alliance Visitor Information Page: Camping, hiking and other information for ... the parks' features and facilities: Garrapata State Park Andrew Molera State Park Pfeiffer ... | | Garrapata State Park - Garrapata State Park is situated along Highway1 just south of Carmel. From the outside it does not look like much, but when you hike there, you are up for a nice treat. We went there in the ... | | Visuals Unlimited Stock Photography: Big Sur coast at Garrapata State Park. Monterey Count - ... Photographer Area | FAQ | Request Images | Contact Us | Login Big Sur coast at Garrapata State Park. Monterey County, California, USA , . ? Richard Herrmann / Visuals Unlimited All images on this ... | | Area Campgrounds | | Big Sur Campground
47000 Highway 1
Big Sur, CA
831-667-2322
| Fernwood Resort LLC
47200 Highway 1
Big Sur, CA
831-667-2422
| Riverside Campground
Highway 1, 1 mile North of Pheiffer
Big Sur, CA
831-667-2414
| Carmel By The River RV Park
27680 Schulte Road
Carmel, CA
831-624-9329
| Saddle Mountain Rec Area
27625 Schulte Road
Carmel, CA
831-624-1617
| Marina Dunes RV Park
3330 Dunes Drive
Marina, CA
831-384-6914
| Marina Dunes RV Park
3330 Dunes Drive
Marina, CA
831-384-6914
| Cabana Holiday Resort
8710 Prunedale North Road
Salinas, CA
831-663-2886
| Laguna Seca Park-Monterey
1025 Monterey-Salinas Highway
Salinas, CA
831-758-3604
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| Directions: |
| The park is located on Highway 1, 6.7 miles south of Rio Road in Carmel (18 miles north of Big Sur). |
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