Palo Corona
About the Business
Welcome to Palo Corona Regional Park, one of Central Coast California's most significant undeveloped open spaces, located at 4860 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. This stunning park, nestled in the heart of nature, stretches over 4,500 acres and offers a unique blend of ecosystems and wildlife, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers.
Palo Corona Regional Park is the result of the largest land conservation project in Monterey County history. Established through a partnership between The Nature Conservancy, The Big Sur Land Trust, State of California agencies, and the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District, the park is a testament to successful conservation efforts. With its acquisition finalized in 2004, this park serves as a critical environmental link in a protected seventy-mile wild land corridor, offering refuge to an extraordinary array of flora and fauna.
Visitors can explore diverse habitats, from the Carmel River to the 3,000-foot Palo Corona Peak, home to over 500 species of plants and a variety of wildlife, including deer, mountain lions, and the endangered Smith's blue butterfly. The park is also a sanctuary for rare amphibians like the California red-legged frog and tiger salamander, as well as numerous bird species such as golden eagles and California condors.
The Rancho Canada unit, added in 2018, serves as the park's gateway and features a Discovery Center and the District headquarters. Open Friday through Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm, and on Monday holidays, this center is an excellent starting point for your adventure.
Whether you're hiking the moderate to strenuous trail to Inspiration Point for breathtaking views of the Carmel coast or enjoying a leisurely walk towards Animas Pond, Palo Corona offers something for everyone. Public access is available without a permit via the Rancho Canada unit or the South Bank Trail entrance, with permits required for other access points.
We invite you to experience the beauty and tranquility of Palo Corona Regional Park. Stay on designated trails, take only memories, and leave only footprints. For more information on access permits and park guidelines, please visit the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District website. We are committed to ensuring a welcoming and accessible environment for all visitors.
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Location & Phone number
4860 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel-by-the-Sea, California 93923, United States
Reviews
"Amazing place to hike, great trails, lots of restrooms and friendly people."
"Lovely large, quite large, rather, nature park with miles of different hiking trails that are popular with the locals and tourists alike. There is a beautiful range of native trees and plants and animals and insects to observe. The site is a former golf course that is being re-naturalised, wonderful! The park and its Discovery Center are popular for weddings and other events, as well."
"I love this place. I walk with my family and our dog all the time. The trails are clean, plenty of garbage cans and baggy stations. There only thing I wish there was was a small fenced in area where dogs could play off the leash. That would make this place ideal."
"We had a nice, peaceful walk. The Discovery Center is small, but nicely done and very informative. The park is in the process of being restored from the closure of the Rancho Canada golf course. In a few years it will be spectacular."
"Easy walking trails around the visitors center which has plenty of free parking. Going up the hill can be a strain on people who aren't used to doing hills, but you have to walk about mile and a half to get to the first big Hill. This time of year the feels are full of beautiful lush green grass, and the view is gorgeous all the way to the ocean. There is no food available, so take your own snacks, and carry out your trash. Restrooms are located at the info center, and about a mile and a half into the park, just before you head up the big hill. So plan ahead! And bring your water bottle too. And don't forget your phone/camera. The trails are not crowded so come before 11:00 a.m. to beat the heat."
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