Destinations - Giftshop - Features Index - Links

Bay Area Backcountry: Monterey

Laurel Loma Prieta Mt Madonna Gilroy Gilroy Hot Springs Pacheco Peak Pacheco Pass Santa Cruz Soquel Watsonville West Watsonville East Chittenden San Felipe Three Sisters Mariposa Peak Moss Landing Prunedale San Juan Bautista Hollister Tres Pinos Quien Sabe Valley Ruby Canyon Ortigalita Peak Marina Salinas Natividad Mt Harlan Paicines Cherry Peak Panoche Pass Cerro Colorado Monterey Seaside Spreckels Chualar Gonzales Mount Johnson Bickmore Canyon San Benito Llanada Soberanes Point Mt Carmel Carmel Valley Rana Creek Palo Escrito Peak Soledad North Chalone Peak Topo Valley Rock Spring Peak Point Sur Big Sur Ventana Cones Chews Ridge Sycamore Flat Paraiso Springs Greenfield Pinalito Canyon Lonoak Pfeiffer Point Partington Ridge Tassajara Hot Springs Junipero Serra Peak Reliz Canyon Thompson Canyon San Lucas Nattrass Valley Lopez Point Cone Peak Bear Canyon Cosio Knob Espinosa Canyon San Ardo Cape San Martin Alder Peak Jolon Williams Hill Not a link Map of Quadrangle
1 2 3
4 5 6
7 8 9

Los Padres National Forest

Two million acres - none of it developed. Standard National Forest rules apply - first come first served for camping, no rangers, lots of open land.

Activities

Backpacking
Bicycling
Hiking

Getting There

Head south on Highway 1 to Big Sur.

USGS 7.5' Topo Maps

Burnett Peak
Burro Mountain
Villa Creek
Alder Peak
Cape San Martin
Bear Canyon
Cone Peak
Lopez Point
Reliz Canyon
Junipero Serra Peak
Tassajara Hot Springs
Partington Ridge
Pfeiffer Point
Sycamore Flat
Chews Ridge
Ventana Cones
Big Sur
Carmel Valley
Mt Carmel

Further Information

Links

Mapquest.com Map
Los Padres Web Page

Mount Madonna County Park

If you like steep trails, this is the place. Mt. Madonna Park contains both dense forests and open chaparral.

There are several drive-in campgrounds around the park. Sites are available on a first-come first-serve basis.

Dogs are allowed around the parking lots and in one campground, but not on the trails.

It is possible to walk or bike to Uvas Canyon County Park and the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park from here.

No reservations are accepted.

Activities

Camping
Dogs Restricted
Hiking

Getting There

The entrance is on Highway 152 (the Hecker Pass Highway), between Gilroy and Watsonville, where 152 meets Summit Road.

USGS 7.5' Topo Maps

Watsonville East
Mt Madonna

Further Information

Links

Mapquest.com Map

Forest of Nisene Marks State Park

The Forest of Nisene Marks is a marvelous second growth forest - it was logged heavily in the 1800s, but has since recovered completely. The forest today is heavy with redwood and madrone, with an undergrowth of ferns and poison oak. With 9600 acres, there is always plenty of land to explore.

The 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake was centered in this park. Follow the Big Slide Trail 'til you find some large cracks in the ground - you won't be at the center, but you will be close.

It is possible to walk or bike to Uvas Canyon County Park and Mount Madonna County Park from the Forest of Nisene Marks.

There is one trail camp, Westridge Trail Camp, six miles in from the parking lot. Reservations are required. No open fires are allowed - only backpacking stoves can be used. There is a restroom at the trail camp.

Open from dawn to dusk for day hikers. Open all the time for campers.

Reservations required for the Westridge Trail Camp. They are available from Sunset Beach State Park at (408) 763-7063.

Activities

Backpacking
Bicycling on Fireroads
Dogs Prohibited
Hiking
Horseback Riding

Getting There

From Highway 1 in Aptos, take the State Park Road exit to the north. Turn right (eastward) on Soquel Road. Drive under a railroad bridge then look for Aptos Creek Road on the left. The sign is small, so pay attention.

There is a parking area right after the turn on Aptos Creek Road. You can park there for free and walk in to the forest, or continue on Aptos Creek Road, pay $3.00, then park back near the trail heads. Bicyclists tend to park at the free lot.

USGS 7.5' Topo Maps

Soquel
Loma Prieta
Laurel

Further Information

The Forest of Nisene Marks
c/o Santa Cruz Mountain District
101 North Big Trees Park Road
Felton, CA 95018

Links

Mapquest.com Map

Pinnacles National Monument

The Pinnacles are one half of the core of an extinct volcano. The other half is in Southern California. (Can you guess where a major fault line runs? I knew you could). The core intruded into softer rock, which has since largely eroded leaving the core exposed to view.

Springtime is the best time to visit - the temperature is still nice and wildflowers are in bloom.

There is a private campground (408 389-4462) just outside of the eastern entrance. The eastern entrance provides convenient access to a nice cave, while the western entrance is best for exploring the pinnacles themselves.

There are two caves, not much as caves go but this part of California is largely cave-free, so you have to take what you can get. One cave is very short - perhaps one hundred feet, and the other is about a quarter of a mile long. Neither ever get completely dark, but flashlights are still required. Watch for frogs and bats in the cave.

Activities

Bikes Prohibited
Camping
Caving
Dogs Prohibited
Hiking
Horses Prohibited
Rock Climbing

Getting There

For the west entrance use highway 146 from Soledad, on highway 101.

For the east entrance, use highway 146 from highway 25, about 15 miles south of Paicines, or 20 miles south of Hollister.

USGS 7.5' Topo Maps

North Chalone Peak
Bickmore Canyon

Further Information

Superintendent
Pinnacles National Monument
Paicines, CA 95043

Links

Mapquest.com Map
Pinnacles National Monument

Point Lobos State Reserve

No camping here, but lots of hiking trails. Seeing an otter is guaranteed. Gray whales can be seen during their southward migration from January to March.

Activities

Diving
Dogs Prohibited
Hiking

Getting There

Point Lobos is on Highway 1, about five miles south of Monterey.

USGS 7.5' Topo Maps

Monterey

Further Information

Point Lobos State Reserve
C/O Monterey District
#20 Custom House Plaza
Monterey, CA 93940

Links

Mapquest.com Map

Destinations - Giftshop - Features Index - Links