Pinnacles National Park
National park · San Benito County
California 95043
Highlights
Towering rock formations, caves, and condors await hikers
Towering rock formations, caves, and condors await hikers
"Situated just east of the main coastal corridor, this park offers rugged hiking and the opportunity to spot endangered California condors, along with dramatic rock formations and diverse trails for day hikes or longer outings." - Cu Fleshman
"Also noted as an option for outdoor activity outside the city, this national park offers further opportunities for residents seeking additional nature-based recreation beyond nearby municipal parks." - Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca is an award-winning journalist and co-founder of Be a Travel Writer, an online course for the next generation of travel journalists. Her photos, videos, and words have appeared in print or online for Travel + Leisure, Time, Los Angeles Times, Glamour, and many more. You'll usually find her in an airport. If you do see her there, please say hello. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"A dramatic collection of spire-like, craggy stones formed from a decomposing Miocene volcano, with rock believed to have originated at the Neenach Volcano about 195 miles south and carried north along the San Andreas Fault; the result is an otherworldly landscape best experienced on foot. Protected since 1908 and elevated from national monument to national park in 2013, the formations cannot be driven through, so visitors explore roughly 30 miles of trails—including steep, narrow sections like the High Peaks Trail—and descend into talus caves such as Bear Gulch Cave to the east and Balconies Cave to the west. The area is a haven for rock climbers, offering hundreds of routes, and for bird watchers, who may spot species from California condors to acorn woodpeckers; campers can now reserve sites inside the park limits. Many visitors describe the experience as immersive and transformative, feeling both awed by the scenery and connected to the long geological history of the place." - Rachel Chang Rachel Chang Rachel Chang is a travel and pop culture journalist who contributes to Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Lonely Planet, and more. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"Rated the least accessible park with no wheelchair-friendly trails and low restaurant accommodation." - Alison Fox Alison Fox Alison Fox is a Travel + Leisure contributor. She has also written for Parents.com, The Wall Street Journal, and amNewYork. When she’s not in New York City, she can be found at the beach or on the slope
"Pinnacles National Park's towering bulbous rocks are nothing if not dramatic, and a splash of wildflowers takes that wow factor up a notch. In this California national park, you can admire wildflowers from March through May, when 80% are in bloom. Flower species here run the gamut. Early blooms include bush lupine and black sage, and hotter months bring orchids, buckwheat, and roses. Catch the views from routes like Moses Spring Trail and Old Pinnacles Trail Loop." - Travel + Leisure Editors
