Garrapata State Park

Garrapata State Park is located off Garden Road in Monterey, California and is nestled at the base of the Santa Lucia Range. There are 3,000 acres of parkland here incorporating a rocky shoreline, steep mountains and deep redwood canyons. Parking and trail access is via 19 numbered turnouts along Highway 1, all of which are on the ocean side of the highway.

There are several trails and visitors are advised to stick to the designate paths in the park as there are rattlesnakes, ticks and mountain lions living here. The Rocky Ridge Trail and the Soberanes Canyon Trail form a strenuous four and a half mile loop but provide some wonderful views. Unfortunately walkers cannot bring their dogs to the park except on Garrapata Beach, and then they must be kept on leashes.

Cycling is permitted here but only on the Rocky Ridge Trail. This is a great place for wildlife watching with whale watching programs offered in January when the Pacific gray whale can be seen. Over sixty species of land and sea mammals, 110 species of birds and small rodents can be spotted here making it a good location for wildlife photographers