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Garland Ranch Regional Park

149 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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“Beautiful setting”

They have great hikes and wonderful place to walk dogs on the flat area. Great exercise! There is a... read more

Reviewed 16 August 2017
Sebastian3962
,
Carmel Valley, California
via mobile
“Garland Ranch Regional Park”

Beautiful park. The parking lot is big. I went on a weekend and there was no problem finding a... read more

Reviewed 14 August 2017
CTW974
,
Sunnyvale, California
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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
149 reviews
  • Excellent82%
  • Very good18%
  • Average0%
  • Poor0%
  • Terrible0%
Travellers talk about
“poison oak” (11 reviews)
“visitor center” (11 reviews)
“carmel river” (10 reviews)
LOCATION
700 West Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley, CA
CONTACT
Website
+1 831-372-3196
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Reviews (149)
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1 - 10 of 149 reviews

Reviewed 16 August 2017 via mobile
Beautiful setting

They have great hikes and wonderful place to walk dogs on the flat area. Great exercise! There is a information center with free maps and a large bowl of water for dogs. I enjoy bringing my dog here and walking about on the flat trail...More

Thank Sebastian3962
Reviewed 14 August 2017
Garland Ranch Regional Park

Beautiful park. The parking lot is big. I went on a weekend and there was no problem finding a space. There are many hiking trails. They range from easy to moderate/strenuous.

Thank CTW974
Reviewed 13 August 2017 via mobile
Cool gentle hike

Garland uses both the land Garland donated plus hiking easements from other landowners. We should have had more than sneakers as some of the trails are so dusty they are slippery. Even though bikes are allowed we did not have them zooming around. Mostly couples...More

Thank Barbjefts
Reviewed 12 August 2017 via mobile
Terrific hiking

This was a great place for a day or half day hike. Wonderful vistas, easy and difficult trails, very well marked. Helpful ranger.

1  Thank cindyvWeston_Ct
Reviewed 9 August 2017 via mobile
Hiking for Everyone

We take our two black Labs to Garland almost every day. Some days we walk a long flat loop, other days we take a moderate to strenuous hike up the hill. We vary our outings between the main park on CV road and the section...More

Thank ebcdvm
Reviewed 8 August 2017
Perfect place to enjoy the outdoors

I run and hike in Garland on a regular basis. The trails are well kept and range from easy to challenging. It's one of my favorite places, especially when the river is running strong, as it is now. It's a great place to take a...More

1  Thank Beth B
Reviewed 31 July 2017
Best Hiking Ever

During the summer my dog and I hike here several times per week. The valley floor has 2 flat loops, Lupine and Rancho, and the hill behind is crisscrossed by many trials going up to Snively's Ridge at 1,800 feet. The trails are well-marked and...More

1  Thank David W
Reviewed 24 July 2017
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.

1  Thank longingforord
Reviewed 12 July 2017 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 10 July 2017
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
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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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