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- Los Padres National Forest
- Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary
- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
- Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
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- Pinnacles National Park
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- Good Old Days Festival
- Feast of Lanterns
- Butterfly Parade
- Asilomar State Beach
- Lovers Point Park and Beach
- Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary
- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
- Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
- Point Pinos Lighthouse
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Garrapata State Park
In this section
- Top Ways to Grab Life by the Moments
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Itineraries
- Grab Life by the Moments Itineraries
- Highlights Itinerary
- Outdoors Itinerary
- Family Itinerary
- Girlfriend Getaway Itinerary
- Golf Itinerary
- History and Heritage Itinerary
- Road Trip Itinerary
- Romantic Itinerary
- Shopping Itinerary
- Spa Itineraries
- Steinbeck Itinerary
- Wine and Dine Itinerary
- Three Days in Monterey Wine Country
-
Parks
- Top 10 Campsites
- Andrew Molera State Park
- Cachagua Community Park
- El Estero Park
- Elkhorn Slough Reserve
- Fort Ord National Monument
- Fremont Peak State Park
- Frog Pond Preserve
- Garland Ranch Regional Park
- Garrapata State Park
- Jacks Peak County Park
- Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
- Laguna Seca Recreation Area
- Lake San Antonio
- Limekiln State Park
- Locke-Paddon Community Park
- Los Padres National Forest
- Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary
- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
- Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
- Pinnacles National Park
- Point Lobos State Reserve
- Point Sur Lightstation
- Royal Oaks Park
- Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge
- San Lorenzo Park
- Toro Park
- Veterans Memorial Park
- Family Adventures
- Historic Attractions
- Shopping
Garrapata State Park
*Please note- Portions of Garrapata State Park in Big Sur are currently closed. Lands west of Highway 1 and the Soberanes Canyon Trail are currently open. Click here for the latest updates.
Garrapata State Park, an unknown Big Sur jewel, is a treasure to those who have discovered it. Garrapata State Park's unpopulated hiking trails provide access to both the beautiful Big Sur coastline and the breathtaking Santa Lucia Mountains and lie within a short drive of Carmel. Soberanes Point is named after the Ezequiel Soberanes Rancho that was once located there, while Doud River is named after the one-time Doud Ranch which owned a large section of what is now Garrapata State Park.
This park is subtly marked, with only one "Garrapata State Park" sign and nineteen discreetly numbered turnout markers, and aficionados prefer to keep it that way so it remains unspoiled. These numbered markers lead to some of the best Big Sur hiking trails. Garrapata State Park's redwood groves and spectacular coastline are largely hidden from the road, seen only by those who take to its trails.
Day Use
Unspoiled Garrapata State Park is a perfect spot for rugged Big Sur hiking and great ocean fishing. Migrating whales pass by Garrapata State Park's shoreline during winter migrations, and can be seen with the naked eye from Soberanes Point. Garrapata State Park is also a great spot for photography. Cycling is allowed on the Rocky Ridge hiking trail only. Dogs, which must be kept on leash at all times, are only allowed on Garrapata Beach.
Hiking
Some of the best Big Sur hiking trails are hidden at Garrapata State Park. To explore Garrapata State Park's rocky cliffs, park at Turnouts 7-10, all of which give access to the Soberanes Point hiking trails. For beach access, stop at Turnouts 18 or 19, both of which give coastal access. Turnout 18 is also near the trail head for the picturesque Doud Creek Trail.
The trailheads for the popular Soberanes Canyon and Rocky Ridge hiking trails are located at Turnout 13. Refer to number 7 on our page Top Ten Day Hikes in Monterey County for a detailed description of this hiking loop.
Read more on the blog, "Tales from the Trail: Rocky Ridge Trail, Garrapata State Park."
Map and Directions
All turnouts for Big Sur's Garrapata State Park are located on the west side of Highway One.
From Rio Road in Carmel, drive 6.7 miles south and look out for the "Garrapata State Park" sign. The first numbered turnout is located immediately after that sign, with turnouts 2-19 following. If you pass a mile marker labeled "MON 63.00," you've gone too far.
From Big Sur, drive 18 miles north (slightly north of Rocky Point) and watch for mile marker "MON 63.00." Turnout 19 lies shortly thereafter.