Pinnacles National Park
Spires and rock formations left by ancient volcanic activity, with caves beneath the cliffs that you can crawl through and climb. You can also watch the endangered California condor here.
The Pinnacles formed about 23 million years ago on the south side of the San Andreas Fault. Plate movement has since carried them some 300 km north, and weathering has left towering rock spires and boulder-strewn talus caves. The east entrance around Bear Gulch is the most popular: the Bear Gulch Cave Trail squeezes through gaps between boulders to a reservoir, and it connects to the High Peaks Trail for a loop to the summit, where California condors and peregrine falcons often soar overhead. Headlamps are essential, and the caves close seasonally while bats raise their young. Vehicle entry costs about $30. The east and west entrances are not connected, and it takes about 1.5 hours to drive from Monterey to the east entrance.
Opening hours
Open all day (visitor center approx. 09:30–17:00)
Nearby sights
- National Steinbeck Center
- Carmel Valley
- McWay Falls
- Henry Miller Memorial Library
- Nepenthe
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
- Pfeiffer Beach
- Andrew Molera State Park