Visit Monterey and other Big Sur, CA Things to Do Tips

Jelly Fish At the Monterey Aquarium

We love Monterey, it has a lot to offer. Great restaurants, good shopping for those of you who enjoy shops, an outstanding aquarium, ocean views, beaches, whale viewing trips, and a various small museums. Located in the northern end of the Big Sur country Monterey is worth at least a few days stay. For more information on Monterey and additional Big Sur photos please visit my Monterey VT pages.

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Directions: You can reach Monterey from southern California via the famous highway 1 coastal way or the inland route along highway 101.

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State Parks: Point Lobos State Preserve

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Written by KimberlyAnn

on May 20, 2005

Sea Gull and a Skull Like Rock in

Point Lobos

by KimberlyAnn , 1 more photos

Many people in California consider Point Lobos to be the best of the state parks. The preserve has about 1,325 acres of sandy beaches, Monterey Cypress Groves, and unusual rock formations like the one in my photo. Sometimes seals can be seen resting on rocks offshore, or you may see sea otters bobbing over the waves on their backs. Listen for their barking. You might hear them before you spot them. It is said that this area may have been the setting for Robert Louis Stevenson�s Treasure Island. There are a number of hiking trails within the preserve, and with a permit, limited scuba diving is permitted. In the photo you see a seagull sitting on a rock. Doesn�t the rock remind you of a skull? We saw this rock along the Sea Lion Point Trail in Point Lobos Preserve. Be aware that all state parks require an entrance fee, however, if you pay at one park, you can then visit any other state park that day without paying an additional fee. If you are camping in a state park as we do, you can visit any state park without paying a fee for the entire time that you are camping.

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Directions: Located about 4 miles south of Monterey along highway 1.
Website: http://pt-lobos.parks.state.ca.us

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State Parks: Garrapata State Park

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Written by KimberlyAnn

on May 20, 2005

Garrapata State Park

In this 2,879 acre park you can follow a pristine trail that runs along a whale watching area. Bring your binoculars and scan the ocean for whale blows. Garrapate is also a good area for bird watchers. Trails will lead you along an ocean view, through coastal vegetation, or into dense redwood groves. This is an undeveloped park, and we had some difficulty finding it as there are no entrance signs or large parking areas. Instead there are several highway turnouts along highway 1.

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Directions: This park is about 10 miles south of Carmel along highway 1 near the Garrapata Creek Bridge.
Website: www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=579

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Beaches: Pfeiffer Beach

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Written by KimberlyAnn

on May 20, 2005

Pfeiffer Beach

This lovely beach is managed by a cooperation of state conservation groups. For this reason it is a fee area, so it is a beach you only want to visit if you are planning on spending some time there. It is well worth the cost, however, if you want a beautiful place to relax. I am not sure how much is actually charged, the information paper we had from our campground said the fee was $8.00 per car, but we were charged $5.00 when we were there in the off season time. Be aware that state park permits are not honored at Pfeiffer since it is maintained by a different group of people. We spend an afternoon at Pfeiffer Beach each time we come to this area. We pack a lunch, take books or magazines, our binoculars and scope, beach chairs or stadium chairs and settle down on the sand. To get to the beach from the parking area you will walk a short, well marked path. Last time we were there, I spent much of my time examining the incredible rocks just off the shore and scanning the ocean. I saw about 7 or 8 seals basking on the far rocky shore of a small island, migrating whales, sea birds, and a sea otter bobbing over the waves while lounging on his back.

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Directions: Pfeiffer Beach is located about 25 miles south of Monterey along Highway 1. You will make a sharp turn off of Hwy 1 onto a narrow winding road that travels about 2 miles before you reach the parking area.

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Beaches: Pfeiffer Beach Arch

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Written by KimberlyAnn

on May 20, 2005

Natural Arch at Pfeiffer Beach

One of the outstanding features of PfeifferBeah that gives it a unique character is its interesting rock carved by the elements into a natural arch. The rock around this arch is also carved away into interesting patterns. I spend some time with my binoculars, just examining the rocks themselves. I also love just sitting by the arch and watching the surf as it hits the opening and funnels through all white and foaming, sometimes throwing a large spray up as it surges through. Again, remember that this is a fee area.

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Directions: Pfeiffer Beach is about 25 miles south of Monterey. You will turn onto a narrow winding road that travels about 2 miles before you reach the parking area. Drive slowly, and be aware that there are people who live along this road.

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State Parks: Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

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Written by KimberlyAnn

on May 20, 2005

Pfeiffer Big Sur Campground

This is the park that we camp in when we visit the Monterey and the Big Sur area. Besides the campground there are trails leading through its beautiful 950 acres of redwoods, conifers, oaks, and open meadows. On one hike we saw a waterfall hidden away among large redwood trees. Although you will not see the ocean from the park, the Big Sur River runs through the forest, and has a charm of its own.

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Phone: 1-800-424-4787
Directions: This park is located about 26 miles south of Carmel along highway 1.
Website: http://parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=570

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State Parks: Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

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Updated by KimberlyAnn

on Sep 15, 2006

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

This is a 3,580 acre park that includes some of the Big Sur's most photographed coastline. Be sure to stop at the small parking area in the McWay Canyon. A trail will lead from this parking area under the highway to a bluff, which will give you the view that you see in my photo. The waterfall you see in the photo is 80 foot high and drops directly into the ocean or the beach, depending on the tide. There is no beach access here, but the view is so spectacular you will be glad that you came.

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Directions: The park is located about 12 miles south of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.
Website: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=578

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State Parks: Limekiln State Park

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Written by KimberlyAnn

on May 20, 2005

Limekiln State Park

In this park you can visit the beauty of the redwoods, or the crashing surf of the Pacific Ocean. This 716 acre park is not only filled with beauty, but also has an interesting history. Along the west fork of the Limekiln Creek you will find four large kilns left over from the early 1880s when lime was manufactured here. The park offers 3 hiking trails, taking you to the kilns, into the redwood forest, and to a beautiful 100 foot waterfall, as well as a 300 foot beach on which to relax. There is also a campground with 33 sites. The sites are small and the RV limit is 24 feet, trailer length is limited to 15 feet to make room for your pull vehicle. You can reserve campsites by calling 1-800-444-7275 or reserve on line at www.parks.ca.gov

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Directions: The park is located 56 miles south of Carmel along highway 1.

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Things To Do: Point Piedras Blanca Elephant Seal Vista Point

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Written by KimberlyAnn

on May 20, 2005

Elephant Seal at Point Piedras

Blanca

This is a fun and interesting activity, which is free of charge and well worth a stop. Look on the ocean side of highway 1 after passing the lighthouse if traveling from the north, or after passing the Hearst Castle if traveling from the south. There is a huge parking area that you cannot miss. Pull off and park. Here you will have the opportunity to observe elephant seals, who use the beach year round. A fence borders the beach to protect the seals from human interference. A series of signs will give you information about the lives of elephant seals, as well as explaining which elephant seals can be seen during the different times of the year. When we were there in March the beach was filled with wieners, which are young elephant seals wiened from their mothers, but not yet ready to travel out to sea.

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Directions: This viewing area is located north of the Hearst Castle and south of the Point Piedras Blancas Lighthouse.

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Things To Do: Hearst San Simeon State Historic Monument

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Updated by KimberlyAnn

on May 24, 2005

Birth of Venus Statue Located by

the Outside Pool