Monumental rock spires crowd around serene pools, talus caves and boulder-speckled hiking trails in this striking parkland and unique biosphere.
Explore miles of remarkable hiking trails through canyons and grasslands and clamber into the shade of a cave in the Pinnacles National Park. The mountainous parkland protects the ridges, rock formations, oak woodlands and prairies east of the Salinas Valley. Learn about this park’s magnificent landscape, which was formed over millions of years of volcano eruptions, lava flows and tremors. Discover a dynamic environment supporting diverse wildlife.
One of the best ways to explore the park is on foot. Pick from hiking trails that cover 32 miles (51.4 kilometers) of the park. There are easy walks that traverse around some of the Pinnacles’ highlights, as well as challenging walks for a rewarding day of hiking. Stroll through grasslands studded with volcanic rock and spot bobcats, black-tailed deer, lizards and snakes. In the springtime, the landscape is adorned with a colorful show of wildflowers, including California poppies, bush lupine and mariposa lilies.
Look up into the spire-pierced skies and you might see prairie and peregrine falcons or golden eagles. The endangered California condor is also known to fly between the Pinnacles and the Big Sur coast.
Wander into caverns beneath giant boulders that rolled into ravines millennia ago and make your way into the rare talus caves. The Balconies Cave is on the western side of the park, while Bear Gulch Cave is situated to the west and has an on-site Nature Center where you can learn about the resident bats and frogs. Keen rock climbers can tackle the renowned routes, but be sure to check ahead that your route is clear of nesting falcons.
Ranger-guided walks are offered on the park’s eastern and western flanks. Check the Pinnacles Visitor Center or go online to find out what’s happening during your visit.
Pinnacles National Park is located a short distance east of Soledad. It is 80 miles (128.7 kilometers) southeast of San Jose. Park your car at the Visitor Center and ride the free shuttle bus between sites during weekends and holidays, but be aware of high visitor numbers during these periods. The fee to enter the park is valid for a week.
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