Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
sions,world-class golfcourses, rockyheadlands, and—ofcourse—the Pacific Ocean. Tour
maps are provided at all five of the entrance tollgates.
4.
Carmel-by-the-Sea
After touring 17-Mile Drive, exit at the Carmel gate, avoiding the traffic bottlenecks that
sometimes occur on Rte. 1, and head into charming Carmel-by-the-Sea. Once in the up-
scale community, you'll find a patchwork of cottages, shops, galleries, sandy beaches, and
a restored 18th-century Spanish mission. Long a haven for artists, the town has counted
renowned poets, novelists, and painters among its inhabitants. But no matter what one's
line of work, it's easy to be inspired by the area's scenic beauty.
Follow Scenic Road, which skirts the Pacific, to its end at Carmel River State Beach,
one of the less-crowded spots to enjoy the seashore. Although the ocean is quite chilly and
the currents are strong, the sandy beach is a quiet escape.
5.
Point Lobos State Reserve
The storm and stir of the earth's largest ocean have left a dramatic, indelible mark on the
wild headlands at Point Lobos State Reserve. Take the trails that wend along the craggy
fingers of rock, their crests capped with gnarled Monterey cypresses, to land's end. In the
inlets below, the large, surging waves crash and tides come and go.
Sea lions—the barks of the males barely audible above the roaring surf—dot the small
islands that fringe the mainland. To observe sea otters, bring along binoculars and look to
the area just beyond the surf line; lolling belly-up in the kelp beds, the frolicsome anim-
als use stones to smash open abalone shells. Much more awaits you here, but to enjoy the
many sights, try to arrive early, since the refuge sets a daily limit on the number of visitors
given access.
6.
Garrapata State Park
The bad news is that garrapata means “tick” in Spanish, and in the wilds along the central
coast, the little bloodsuckers are fairly common, especially in the spring and fall. Check
your clothing after walks. Now the good news: Garrapata State Park comprises a diverse,
pristine seaside, with steep, rocky headlands in the north and sandy beaches in the south.
Rte. 1 passes for some four miles within the borders of the park, which has no
headquartersandnolargeparkinglots,justturnoutswherenumberedgatesmarktrailheads.
Search WWH ::
Custom Search