Garrapata State Park in California at Sunset

Garrapata State Park in Carmel, CA: Things to Do + Tips for Visiting!

Located along scenic California Highway 1, at the base of the Santa Lucia mountains, Garrapata State Park features spectacular scenery, a variety of hiking trails, and a sandy beach. If you enjoy the great outdoors, you will love Garrapata State Park, and all it offers. Acquired by the State of California in 1980, Garrapata State Park is one of a … Read More

Point Lobos State Reserve Carmel California

Point Lobos State Reserve, Carmel: Why You Should Visit (+ Tips)

Point Lobos State Reserve is an exceptionally beautiful California state park, and one of the top natural attractions near Carmel on the scenic Monterey Peninsula. It is so beautiful that one could even say that Point Lobos is the best state park in California! Located on the Central California Coast, just two hours south of San Francisco, Point Lobos State … Read More

Mono Lake Tufas Eastern Sierra California

Mono Lake Tufas: How (+ Where) to See Them!

The Mono Lake tufas have been fascinating visitors to the Eastern Sierra of California for many years. A part of Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve, the Mono Lake tufa towers are not only beautiful to view and photograph, they are also a habitat for birds and wildlife. Mono Lake is an old lake: over a million years old! Covering … Read More

Hiking in Point Lobos State Natural Reserve Carmel California

Point Lobos Hiking: Top 6 Trails to Hike at the California Coastal Park!

Looking for the best Point Lobos hiking trails? If you are planning your first visit to the beautiful California state park, read on to discover the top six Point Lobos hiking trails to put on your itinerary! Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, located near Carmel-by-the-Sea on the Central California Coast, is gorgeous. All the hiking trails in the reserve are … Read More

The Best State Parks in California

25 Stunning California State Parks You Must Visit (+ Map!)

California’s state parks are wonderful places to experience the Golden State’s scenic beauty and history. If you are planning a visit to the state, you’ll definitely want to look into weaving in a few of the best California state parks into your itinerary. Scattered all over the state, and running the gamut from coasts and forests to lakes, deserts, and … Read More

Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park is one of the must-visit state parks near San Francisco, California

18 Spectacular State Parks Near San Francisco (+ Map!)

Looking for the best state parks near San Francisco to visit? California has a very robust state parks system, with beautiful parks scattered all over the state, and you will be spoiled for choice when it comes to state parks around San Francisco. From mountains to coast and redwood forests to wildlife havens, there are many beautiful California state parks … Read More

Bird Island Trail in Point Lobos State Reserve in Carmel California

Bird Island Trail in Point Lobos State Reserve: A Beautiful Walk!

The short and scenic Bird Island Trail in Point Lobos State Reserve features beautiful views, access to a sandy beach, and lots of birds in season. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is located along Highway One, just three miles south of Carmel-by-the-Sea. We walk the Bird Island Trail every time we visit the park. It is one of the most … Read More

Bluff Trail at the Montana de Oro State Park in Los Osos, California

Hiking the Bluff Trail in Montana de Oro State Park

The Bluff Trail in MontaƱa de Oro State Park is a stunning, easy hike, perfect for anyone that enjoys beautiful views. So if you are planning to visit the Central California Coast, add this great hike to your itinerary! Likely the easiest trail in the beautiful state park, the Bluff Trail is also one of the most popular Montana de … Read More

View from the Garrapata State Park Bluff Trail in Big Sur, California

Garrapata State Park Bluff Trail near Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

The short but spectacularly scenic Garrapata State Park Bluff Trail is a must-do Big Sur hike near Carmel-by-the-Sea. The coastline here is some of the most scenic you will see along the Big Sur coast. Soberanes Point to the south. The colorful cliffs of Garrapata to the north. The mighty Pacific Ocean to the west. And the scenic Santa Lucia … Read More