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If you want to plan a visit to Pinnacles National Park, use this guide to plan your trip including where to stay, dine, and all the best things to do in Pinnacles National Park.
The park is known for its towering rock spires, caves, and talus caves formed by massive boulders. While Pinnacles is often overlooked for some of the other more diverse national parks in California, it is a haven for climbers and hikers with a variety of trails and bouldering routes.
Looking for more national parks to explore? Check out: A Weekend in Joshua Tree National Park
Planning your trip to Pinnacles National Park
The closest major airport to Pinnacles is San Jose, about 1.5 hours away.
San Francisco is about 2 hours away.
Los Angeles is about 4.5 hours away.
No roads go all the way through the park or connect the east and west sides of the park. Be sure to enter from the entrance gate that has the part of the park and activities you are most interested in. The entrances are about an hour from each other but you can hike through to the other side. Be prepared that the roads from the west gate entrance are narrow and not ideal for RVs and camping trailers. You will need to pay an entry fee or have the National Parks pass.
The best time to visit Pinnacles National Park is in the spring or fall. This is when you will have the best weather for exploring and avoid the high heat days when hiking and being in the sun is almost unbearable.
Pinnacles National Park is less popular than Joshua Tree or Yosemite, but parking lots still fill up quickly. On weekends and holidays, plan to arrive at the park by 8 am to ensure a spot, weekdays are less crowded.
Hiking and walking are required to enjoy most of the park. If you plan to visit Pinnacles, hiking various trails and paths will be the majority of your activity. Since cell service is limited, be sure to download all trail maps before heading out. I like to use AllTrails for trail maps, and with my code eagertraveler30 you will receive a 30% discount off AllTrails+.
If you need gear to prepare for your trip, I trust REI for gear and my favorite hiking shoes are always from Merrell. Use my code: MHC_TRAILBLAZER20_Preethi for 20% off your Merrell order.
Where to stay near Pinnacles National Park
If you want to stay inside the park, the options are more limited than most parks but
Pinnacles Campground inside the park accommodates tents and RV camping.
Bar SZ Dude Ranch
Located 15 minutes from the east entrance, this is a real working ranch that offers beautiful cabin accommodations.
Check these nearby cities to look for additional places to stay near the park:
Soledad- 20 minutes west of Pinnacles
Hollister- 30 minutes north of Pinnacles
King City- 30 minutes south of Pinnacles
Salinas- 60 minutes north of Pinnacles but it’s a larger city with more options.
If you are looking to camp at a nearby park, try one of these parks:
Laguna Seca Recreation Area – Located near Carmel by the Sea and Salinas Valley with camping facilities for tents and RVs.
San Lorenzo Park – Located near King City with camping facilities available for tent camping, RV hookups, and pull-through sites.
Where to dine near Pinnacles National Park
The city closest to the Pinnacles, Soledad, will have fast-food chains, grocery stores, and locally-owned restaurants. If you are looking for options near the east entrance, Hollister will be the closest city to any dining options. I highly recommend packing food with you as it isn’t always convenient to get to the dining options, and there are no food options within the park.
Luigi’s
Upscale dining with a menu of Italian favorites.
Taste of the Pinnacles
A wine bar and lounge ready to help you unwind after a long day of exploring with a menu of elevated pub fare.
The Inn at Tres Pinos
A local favorite family-owned restaurant with a menu focused on bringing the best of fresh and simple beef, chicken, seafood, and pasta dishes.
Running Rooster
A casual spot that has wood-fired pizza and your typical American favorites like burgers, salads, and tacos.
What to do in Pinnacles National Park
Explore the Talus Caves
Formed during the last ice age, these caves are the main attraction for Pinnacles National Park. Bear Gulch Cave is more easily accessed from the east entrance and Balconies Cave is closer to the west. The caves may be closed during the bat pupping season to protect the bats, so it’s important to check for any trail or cave closures before your visit.
Birdwatching for California Condors
The condors attract wildlife enthusiasts from all over the country. Condors are the largest land birds in North America and an endangered species. At the center of Pinnacles National Park are dramatic rock formations that tower above a landscape filled with oak trees where condors like to roost.
Hike High Peaks Trail
The High Peaks Trail is about a 5-mile loop that is accessed from the Bear Gulch Visitor Center. This trail will take you through some of the most iconic features of the park like caves, canyons, and rock spires.
Visit Bear Gulch Reservoir
This is an ideal spot for enjoying a picnic lunch or witness the beauty of a sunset. To get to it you will need to hike one mile on the Moses Spring Trail. You can explore the Bear Gulch Caves on the way.
Spend a Night at Pinnacles Campground
Camping might not be how you want to enjoy the park but there is no better way to experience the park at night than camping under the stars. It is accessible from the east entrance and there is a campground store, pool, and BBQ pits on site. Camping for tents, RVs, and group sites is available.
Go Rock Climbing
Popular climbing areas include the High Peaks, Machete Ridge, and the Balconies. There are a variety of climbing routes suitable for different skill levels, from beginner to advanced. The routes may involve face climbing, crack climbing, and chimney climbing. Always check with the visitor center before climbing as some areas may be off-limits depending on the season.
Hike to Condor Gulch Overlook
This hike is a little over 2.5 miles and mostly uphill. The overlook will let you take in the views of the park where you are likely to see the condors as they circle overhead.
Hike Pinnacles Greatest Hits Trail
This will take you around the full park and see all the sights in Pinnacles. This trail will lead you through Balconies, High Peaks, Bear Gulch Reservoir, Monolith, and Condor Gulch Overlook. It is an easy way to see it all and is a 12-mile loop.
Crawl through Balconies Cave
Parking is available at the Chaparral Trailhead, which is the furthest parking area from the park’s western entrance. This is a 2-mile out-and-back hike from the parking area or opt for a more explore through the caves in a loop, which will be just under 3 miles. Bring a flashlight if you plan to explore inside the caves.
Go Stargazing
Enjoy the cooler temperatures in the evening and check out the night sky. The best places to see the stars are Peaks View Picnic Area, Jawbone Parking Area, Chaparral Trailhead Parking, and South Wilderness Trail. The park gets dark enough to enjoy the stars on your own but if you want a more adventurous stargazing experience, check with the visitors center for ranger-led night hikes that last about an hour. These events are free but capacity is limited so reserve your spot at the visitor center.
Weekend Itinerary at Pinnacles National Park
Day 1 – East Side
Stop in at the Pinnacles Visitor Center to get information on trail conditions and park updates and sign up for any ranger-led programs.
Start with a hike on the Bear Gulch Trail, which leads to Bear Gulch Cave. Bring a flashlight to navigate through some darker sections of the cave.
Stop for a picnic lunch at Bear Gulch Picnic Area surrounded by the park’s natural beauty.
Hike High Peaks Trail for panoramic views of the park’s unique rock spires. You might even see condors in the area.
Head to Condor Gulch Sunset for a scenic sunset view of the High Peaks.
For dinner, try Luigi’s for a hearty meal of all your Italian comfort foods. It is only about 30 minutes from the east side of the park.
Day 2 – West Side
Start your day with the Balconies Cave Trail on the west side of the park. Bring a flashlight to navigate through some darker sections of the cave areas.
Enjoy a picnic lunch at the Chaparral Picnic Area.
Set off on a hike through Jawbone Trail. It is an easy hike starting at the Chaparral Overflow parking lot
Have an early dinner at Running Rooster in nearby Hollister. It is about 40 minutes from the park exit.
Come back for stargazing which can be easily enjoyed from Jawbone Parking Area, and Chaparral Trailhead Parking.
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