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Garland Ranch Regional Park

142 Reviews
#1 of 26 things to do in Carmel Valley
Nature & Parks
700 West Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley, CA
+1 831-372-3196
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Review Highlights
“lovely, remote nature, but just off the road”

Lovely place to stop have a small (or long) hike. Easy to navigate, babbling brook, ok to bring the... read more

Reviewed 3 days ago
longingforord
,
Windsor, California
“Playing in the river”

The trails are phenomenal and pets are allowed. The river offers a cool place to enjoy a picnic... read more

Reviewed 2 weeks ago
Michelle A
via mobile
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Garland Ranch Regional Park is the “granddaddy”' of the MPRPD properties, representing the District's first parkland acquisition. The park was purchased in 1975 from William Garland II, who generously gifted a portion of the cost by reducing the purchase price to below fair market value. An eminent southern California community leader, Mr. Garland spent many summers with his family on the "ranch". This park is home to a variety of landscapes that occur at elevations from 200 to 2,000 feet. From the willow covered banks of the Carmel River through the cottonwood-sycamore stands of the old floodplain, the trails ascend steeply. Atop the northern crest of the Santa Lucia Mountains, the trails encounter open oak savannas and spectacular vistas. Along the way, you will travel through maple-filled canyons, dense oak woodlands, and thick stands of chaparral. Garzas Creek gently bisects the park and provides a peaceful, shaded trail that reaches a secluded side canyon of redwoods. The park is also home to a wide variety of insects, birds, plants and animals, descendants of the first residents. Species lists of common birds, mammals, and plants are available at the Visitor Center or the District Museum, both located in the park. Throughout the park there are reminders of Carmel Valley's past: Rumsen Indian habitation sites; homestead, hunting and logging remains; livestock trails, ponds and springs; and Rancho Don Juan.There is a ranger/volunteer staff to help you enjoy your visit. The District provides both in-class environmental education programs and outdoor interpretive hikes and other events for all ages.Day use activities include hiking, photography, horseback riding, jogging, walking, bird watching, painting and simple solitude, and limited mountain bike riding in the Cooper Ranch area. A small visitor center is located at Garland and staffed by volunteers.

About Garland Ranch Regional Park

Garland Ranch Regional Park is the “granddaddy”' of the MPRPD properties, representing the District's first parkland acquisition. The park was purchased in 1975 from William Garland II, who generously gifted a portion of the cost by reducing the purchase price to below fair market value. An eminent southern California community leader, Mr. Garland spent many summers with his family on the "ranch". This park is home to a variety of landscapes that occur at elevations from 200 to 2,000 feet. From the willow covered banks of the Carmel River through the cottonwood-sycamore stands of the old floodplain, the trails ascend steeply. Atop the northern crest of the Santa Lucia Mountains, the trails encounter open oak savannas and spectacular vistas. Along the way, you will travel through maple-filled canyons, dense oak woodlands, and thick stands of chaparral. Garzas Creek gently bisects the park and provides a peaceful, shaded trail that reaches a secluded side canyon of redwoods. The park is also home to a wide variety of insects, birds, plants and animals, descendants of the first residents. Species lists of common birds, mammals, and plants are available at the Visitor Center or the District Museum, both located in the park. Throughout the park there are reminders of Carmel Valley's past: Rumsen Indian habitation sites; homestead, hunting and logging remains; livestock trails, ponds and springs; and Rancho Don Juan.There is a ranger/volunteer staff to help you enjoy your visit. The District provides both in-class environmental education programs and outdoor interpretive hikes and other events for all ages.Day use activities include hiking, photography, horseback riding, jogging, walking, bird watching, painting and simple solitude, and limited mountain bike riding in the Cooper Ranch area. A small visitor center is located at Garland and staffed by volunteers.
5.0
142 reviews
  • Excellent82%
  • Very good18%
  • Average0%
  • Poor0%
  • Terrible0%
Travellers talk about
“poison oak” (10 reviews)
“carmel river” (10 reviews)
“visitor center” (10 reviews)
LOCATION
700 West Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley, CA
CONTACT
Website
+1 831-372-3196
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Reviews (142)
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1 - 10 of 142 reviews

Reviewed 3 days ago
lovely, remote nature, but just off the road

Lovely place to stop have a small (or long) hike. Easy to navigate, babbling brook, ok to bring the kids, dogs, and horses. Not overcrowded or touristy. Just a nice peaceful place to enjoy the outdoors.

Thank longingforord
Reviewed 2 weeks ago via mobile
Playing in the river

The trails are phenomenal and pets are allowed. The river offers a cool place to enjoy a picnic along the banks or just floating around.

Thank Michelle A
Reviewed 2 weeks ago
Varied terrain - something for everyone

Get maps at the visitor center (free to loan; or keep for $1 donation). Several trails, all well signed, some are fairly flat and wide, and several head up into the hills. waterfall trail was a little incline, but easy to navigate on a well...More

Thank SF88
Reviewed 5 weeks ago
Peaceful yet impressive

We had a nice 4.5-mile hike which included open meadows, shaded groves of trees, and openings onto vista views. There are so many different options of hiking to choose from that any age will enjoy. It must be spectacular to ride horses on the trails....More

Thank 4manns
Reviewed 16 June 2017
Great hiking for all levels

This is a lovely area, Carmel river runs thru it, large groves of oak and sycamore trees. Good place for spotting wildlife. Interesting visitor center. I always take out of town guests here and they love it. Good spot to get out of the fog...More

Thank mszozobra
Reviewed 28 May 2017 via mobile
Awesome hike. Recommend it!

Loved this hike. We stayed nearby at the amazing Bernardo's Lodge and they recommended this hike...so glad they did. It has views of the Pacific from the top.

Thank 861kimb
Reviewed 24 May 2017
Scenic and Sunny Escape

Escaping the cool fog on the coast, we headed inland for a hike here. Beautiful place to spend some time. We walked through the grove of Eucalyptus trees and hiked down by swiftly moving Carmel River before visiting the old barn. (Think Little House on...More

Thank CaliforniaExplored
Reviewed 22 May 2017
Great walking and hiking trails

This is a jewel of the Carmel valley. We visited on a nice spring day and there were wild flowers in bloom everywhere. At the visitors center there is a 3D model of the park so you can get an idea of the ease or...More

Thank RobS012
Reviewed 11 May 2017
Great place to Hike for all levels

On a return visit - I hiked to the top of snively's ridge which is a tough hike that takes approximately 2 1/2 hours or longer to hike. Nice view of Carmel Valley from the top of the ridge. There are a number of shorter,...More

Thank ibtravelinj
Reviewed 1 May 2017
A hike or walk for everyone

This is a beautiful park that offers something for everyone. In April and May the wildflowers are amazing (poppies, lupine, mustard, etc). The dam removal has allowed the carmel river to flow higher and longer, a great treat. There are flat looped trails (lupine loop),...More

Thank 2mchfn
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Questions & Answers
samjean2014
29 September 2016|
Answer
Response from Mike B | Reviewed this property |
Access is limited to daylight hours from sunrise to sunset. No overnight use or camping is permitted. Almost all of the park is now open. There are a couple of areas still closed due to the fire, but they are quite a ways... More
0
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samjean2014
29 September 2016|
AnswerShow all 4 answers
Response from Areya W | Reviewed this property |
No permit for access to most of the park (parking on CVR, you have access to visitor center, bathrooms and many miles of easy to very challenging trails). Last I knew, a permit is required access to backlands, outer reaches... More
0
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Bobadore
9 November 2015|
AnswerShow all 5 answers
Response from Christine M | Reviewed this property |
You need to trailer in your own horses and use the trails at Garland Park. Trail rides to the public are offered at Pebble Beach Equestrian Center and Andrew Molera State Park (near Big Sur.) Trail rides are walking only.
0
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