Lower Presidio Historic Park.mp4

Historic Hidden Gem

Visit the hidden gem Lower Presidio Historic Park in Monterey

Smack in the middle of Monterey, and featuring a phenomenal view of the bay and the harbor, Lower Presidio Historic Park is truly an undiscovered gem. In fact, some historians have called it “the most historically significant site on the West Coast of America.” Indeed, historical events here span eras of Native Americans, the Spanish and Mexican periods, through to invading Americans and the stationing of Buffalo Soldiers and development of the Defense Language Institute.

The park’s less-visited status might be because the entrance into the park looks quite formal, located on a protected preserve of the U.S. Army. This place is open and very welcoming to the public—and it’s well worth a visit. The hilltop, marked by the impressive Sloat Monument—a massive granite eagle—has featured prominently in much of the state’s evolution.

Placards throughout the park provide history and context as you wend your way up the path. There’s a museum that’s free to visit on weekends, with a docent on site. Opposite the Sloat Monument and across the parking area, you’ll find the Lower Presidio’s Harbor Trail, a short and easy path documenting details of Monterey’s First Peoples—the Esselen and Rumsien Ohlone—and of the Bouchard Monument, named for a Navy commander from Argentina who was viewed by Californians as a rebellious pirate (!), and the Junipero Serra Monument.

The vista from here is nothing short of sublime, whether the coast is clear or distant fog is rolling in … sailboats bob in the sea, and the colorful wharf buildings brighten up the setting.

BEER BUZZ: Dust Bowl Brewing Company in downtown Monterey is a must-stop Tap Depot for those who like a great atmosphere with their tasty beer (24 taps, to be precise). The front patio is where you go to play some corn-hole and the back patio here is casual and warmed by a fire-pit and heaters on cooler days. Eclectic varieties of beer include Peace, Love, and Haze, Taco Truck Amber, and the Cherry Pie Picker (Stout).

MORE BUZZ: If you like an authentic local coffee roaster, head to the best coffee in Monterey at Captain and Stoker. This is not a hidden gem, because the coffee is that good. So you’ll stand in line, but it’s worth it for that classic cup of … what’s it gonna be, The Captain, or The Stoker?

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