Yes Sur!

Hike Big Sur Garrapata State Park

A hidden coastal hike in Big Sur, a beautiful beach, and maybe a little wine-tasting afterwards? Sounds like a plan! First, the hike. Big Sur's Garrapata State Park is a coast-hugging beauty with little-known trails leading to a Big Sur_plus_ of vistas. Located just 7 miles from Carmel, it's easy to pass by this gem en route to other Big Sur destinations, so a lot of people miss out. Don't let the parking area just off Highway 1 fool you; you'll soon feel worlds away from traffic on this 2-mile (round-trip) oceanside rambler with nonstop views of Big Sur's epic coastline that you just can't see from a car.

Winding along the bluffs above the Pacific, yet close enough to feel a cooling sea breeze and some mist from waves churning below, this lollipop loop sweeps the scenery from the Santa Lucia Mountains all the way down a long a stretch of Big Sur's coast. There's a beautiful vantage of the sparkling ocean surrounding tiers of rocky sea castles, and hulking cliffs ashore loom like lords over the Pacific. Flocks of pelicans favor the skies here, flapping in formation with a little help from salt-tinged breezes. The trail eventually loops back inland for a brief stretch, with a short 50-foot detour climb to the apex of Whale Peak for a huge panorama that, true to its name, is an ideal place for spotting whales during migration season. Back in your car, a 1.5-mile drive south brings you to the highway pullout for (dog-friendly!) Garrapata State Beach. Sets of stairways lead down to this huge soft sandy beach with abundant enclaves for relaxing (during a rainy season, a waterfall forms at the north end).

BONUS: Top off the afternoon with some walkable wine-tasting in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Lively tasting rooms decorate the streets of this European-style hamlet. We like Scheid Vineyards Tasting Room (San Carlos St. and 7th Ave.), where an estate flight is a reasonable $10 per person and the new release Triple Layer Red makes a lovely way to finish the day.

Park in a turnout for Garrapata State Park located along the side of Hwy. 1. The turnout to reach the trailhead for the Soberanes Point Trails loop is found just after mile marker 66.00. It's the second parking area after this mile marker, and it comes up fast. No dogs on the hiking trails. Garrapata State Beach is dog-friendly! Carmel-by-Sea tasting rooms are dog-friendly! 

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. All right, Almaden!

    Take a trip through time on this 5-mile loop in Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Explore the ruins of an old cinnabar mine and enjoy the first hints of wildflower season.

    View
  2. Waterfalls and Wine Pours

    Cooler temps, green hills, and the return of our magnificent waterfalls! This family-friendly 2-mile hike at Uvas Canyon County Park in Morgan Hill is a great way to get the most out of a short hike post-rain.

    View
  3. Woman hiker is climbing up the ladder in the Steep Ravine section of the Dipsea Loop Trail on Mount Tam

    Misty on Mount Tam

    Mount Tam’s 3.9-mile round-trip Steep Ravine and Dipsea Trail Loop weathers the wets and wilds with some confidence, sheltered in parts by redwoods, and wowing with a waterfall.

    View
  4. Mile-Long Cataract Club

    In winter after heavy rains, the north flank of Mount Tam glows with flows. The nearly mile-long series of waterfalls—Cataract Falls—transforms into a supercharged spectacle. Starting at Alpine Dam, a 1.6 mile (one-way) narrow trails threads through redwoods and ferns along Cataract Creek.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Peace Labyrinth

    Hidden in LA’s historic West Adams district, the Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens is a welcome respite from the norms of urban noise.

    View
  2. Weekend Sherpa Podcast: Take It Outside

    Adventure for your earbuds. What's new in the world of the outdoors? Listen to Weekend Sherpa co-founders discuss local hikes, beaches, bike rides, camping spots and all kinds of travel and adventure in California and beyond!

    View
  3. Hikers sitting on a large rock slab next to Three Sisters Falls in Cleveland National Forest Southern California near Julian

    Three Sisters

    Good things come in threes at this hike to a lovely trio-tiered waterfall in Cleveland National Forest. The 4.25-mile out-and-back hike rambles among rolling hills, with rocky mountain views as switchbacks take you down to a lush canyon and the falls.

    View
  4. People gathered around a tree at an LA Park as part of the Tree Tour led by Stephanie Carrie

    LA's Tree Tour

    Los Angeles is famous for its iconic palm trees but did you know that LA is home to one of the most diverse urban forests in the world? With over 1,000 different tree species lining its streets, LA offers a unique urban canopy waiting to be explored. One of the best ways to discover it is by joining a Tree Tour

    View