South Bay Parks
& Beaches
Monterey, Pacific Grove, Carmel
Asilomar State Beach
and Conference Grounds
Located on the Monterey Peninsula in Pacific Grove, Asilomar (meaning "a
refuge by the sea") State Beach and Conference Grounds offer breathtaking views of
the cypress, surf and sand.
Marina California State
Beach
The beach is best known for hang-gliding. Radio-controlled gliders and kites are
also popular. The beach is a favorite site for picnics. Water recreation is extremely
hazardous due to strong rip currents.
Monterey
California State Historic Park
The area served as California's capital under Spanish, Mexican and U.S. rule. The
U.S. flag was first officially raised in California here on July 7, 1846, bringing 600,000
square miles, including California, into the Union.
Monterey
California State Beach
The beach is a favorite place for surfers and tidepool watchers. Fishing is
popular, too. The cities of Monterey and Seaside share the park, which has three separate
beaches approximately a mile apart.
Point Lobos California
State Reserve
The reserve contains headlands, coves and rolling meadows. The offshore area forms
one of the richest underwater habitats in the world popular with divers. Wildlife includes
seals, sea lions, sea otters and migrating gray whales (from December to May).
Zmudowski California State
Beach
The beach is a popular fishing area, featuring perch, kingfish, sole, flounder,
halibut, bocaccio (tomcod), jacksmelt, lingcod, cabezon, salmon, steelhead and occasional
rockfish. Swimming and water sports are hazardous
because of strong rip-currents.
Monterey City Parks
Descriptions and locations of local area parks.
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South Coast Parks
& Beaches
Big Sur
Andrew Molera California
State Park —
Campgrounds
Containing 4,800 acres, Andrew Molera State Park is located in the spectacular Big
Sur Area. The Big Sur River runs through the park. Miles of trails wind through meadows,
beaches and hilltops. Primitive campsites, popular with hikers and bikers, are located
approximately one third mile from the parking area.
Fremont Peak California
State Park —
Campgrounds
(elevation 3,169 feet.)
It features expansive views of the Monterey Bay from its hiking trails in the
grasslands of the higher peaks of the Gavilan Range. Other views include the San Benito
Valley, Salinas Valley, and the Santa Lucia Mountains east of Big Sur.
Fremont Peak has ten primitive family campsites and 40 picnic areas. Two of the
park's six group camps, which will accommodate up to 50 people and can be reserved at
Ticketron outlets; the remaining four must be reserved through the park supervisor. The
group picnic area is first-come-first-served.
Garrapata California State
Park
The park offers two miles of beachfront, with coastal hiking and a 50-foot climb to
a beautiful view of the Pacific. With 2,879 acres, the park offers diverse coastal
vegetation with trails running from ocean beaches into dense redwood groves.
Julia Pfeiffer Burns
California State Park — Campgrounds
The park stretches from the Big Sur coastline into nearby 3,000-foot ridges. The
park features redwood, tan oak, madrone, chaparral, and an 80-foot waterfall that drops
from granite cliffs into the ocean from the Overlook Trail. A panoramic view of the
ocean and miles of rugged coastline is available from the higher elevations along the
trails east of Highway 1.
The park offers Environmental Camping only. Located
west of the highway a little over 1/4 mile from the parking lot, Saddle rock (No 1) and
South Garden (No. 2) are the park's only campsites. Visit their Web site for additional
information.
Limekiln California State
Park —
Campgrounds
The park contains 716-acres. The park features breathtaking views of the Big Sur
Coast. The park features the beauty of the redwoods, the rugged coast and the cultural
history of limekilns. Co-managed with California Land Management, the parks has 43
campsites.
Pfeiffer Big Sur
California State Park —
Campgrounds
The park has 800 acres of redwoods, conifers, oaks, sycamores, cottonwoods, maples,
alders and willows - plus open meadows. Hikers can enjoy the many scenic loops, including
a self-guided nature loop. Overlooks provide spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and
the Big Sur Gorge. Campsites are along the Big Sur River.
Point Sur California
State Historic Park
The park has an active US Coast Guard lightstation that sits 361 feet above the
surf on a large volcanic rock. The facilities were established for the safety of seagoing
vessels moving up and down the Big Sur coast.
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Central Bay Park
& Beaches
Moss Landing
Moss Landing State Beach
It features offshore fishing and horseback riding trails. The beach is also popular
with surfers and windsurfers. Offering coastal views and dune protection from afternoon
winds, the beach is a favorite place for picnics.
Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine
Research Reserve
This Web site is dedicated to the Elkhorn Slough Reserve. The area is great
for kayaking. Lots of wildlife to view.
Salinas River State Beach
The beach is a popular fishing site. The beach protects one of Monterey Bay's most
interesting sand dune areas and is home to many species of wild birds, including Western
meadowlarks, hawks, jays, valley quail, finches, towhees and sparrows as well as
shorebirds that winter along the bay.
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NOTE: Some of the overviews for the parks and beaches have been generously
provided by California State Parks.
The Parks Department retains
all copyrights over their text and graphics.
Any additional original material that may appear on this page
(text and photos) are copyrighted by Digital Renaissance Multimedia.
