Explore Locally: Garrapata State Park
There's something about Garrapata State Park that always brings me back. Maybe it's the smell of the ocean breeze cutting through the wild sage. Maybe it's the way the cliffs seem to glow gold just before sunset. Or maybe it's because, just a short drive from Carmel-by-the-Sea, it somehow feels like another world entirely.
You can't talk about California without mentioning redwoods — they're living monuments to time itself. And while Big Sur gets most of the attention, Garrapata has its own quiet magic. It's the kind of place that doesn't need to announce itself. No big parking lots. No crowds spilling out of tour buses. Just the sound of waves and the distant cry of a hawk circling above the bluffs.
The west side of Garrapata stretches roughly four miles along Highway 1, from mile markers 63 to 67. These trails — Bluff Trail, Doud Creek Trail, and the always-photogenic Calla Lily Valley — wind through wildflowers, ocean cliffs, and down toward beaches where the waves crash loud enough to drown out everything else in your head.
If you're short on time, you can easily cover the two miles of open paths here. But honestly, I'd suggest taking your time. Bring your camera, breathe in that salt air, and just let yourself slow down. Garrapata isn't a park you rush through — it's one you feel.
What makes Garrapata even better is how close it is. From Horizon Inn & Ocean View Lodge, it's only about six miles south — a scenic ten-to-fifteen-minute drive along one of the most stunning stretches of Highway 1 you'll ever see.
So before you go, fill your water bottle at our hydration station, lace up your hiking shoes, and hit the road early. Whether you're chasing sunrise over the redwoods or sunset over the Pacific, Garrapata delivers every time.
This isn't just another stop along Highway 1 — it's a reminder of what makes the Central Coast so special. It's rugged yet peaceful, wild yet grounding. And no matter how many times I visit, Garrapata always manages to make me feel small in the best possible way.