Pinnacles National Park, a volcanic and tectonic natural wonder, is in full bloom in the early days of spring. There are two ways to approach this beautiful spot south of the Bay Area—from the east entrance past the city of Hollister, or on the west off Highway 101 near Soledad. 

The road less traveled is the 14-mile western route; part of the drive on State Route 146 is on a single lane road. The paved highway is well maintained, and vehicles heading in opposite directions can carefully pass each other. The Pinnacles west entrance is open from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. It has a large parking lot next to a visitors’ center and trails. 

  • The Pinnacles National Park west entrance is open until 8 p.m. daily. (Brian Denny via Bay City News) 
  • Soledad, a city in Monterey County, is known as the “Gateway to the Pinnacles.” (Larry Sokoloff/Bay City News)
  • There are exhibits and amenities in the visitors center at the west entrance of Pinnacles National Park. (Larry Sokoloff/Bay City News)
  • Pinnacles, which was established as a national monument in 1908, was redesignated as a national park in 2013 by Congress. (Larry Sokoloff/Bay City News)

Pinnacles, which is 80 miles southeast of San Jose, was preserved as a national monument by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1908. It became a national park in 2013 after a vote by Congress. Its area was shaped by volcanic eruptions an estimated 23 million years ago that left massive rock formations and deep canyons. Today, the 42-square-mile park has more than 30 miles of scenic trails and is also known for rock climbing opportunities.  

Ambitious hikers can trek to the Balconies Cave area. The loop trail is about a 2.5-mile journey. A flashlight or headlamp is needed to wander in the caves and others in the park. 

Though a road does not connect the park’s east and west sides, hikers are able to go all the way from the west to the east and back in one day.  

West entrance visitors can also take a shorter, magnificent hike to Prewett Point, which offers dramatic views of the Gabilan Range mountains. It’s on a wide trail and can be completed in about a half hour. It has a few benches where hikers can rest and watch lizards scurry below. 

On a recent weekday, there were golden poppies, and purple, white and yellow wildflowers along the way and birds circling overhead in the sky; it was hard to tell if they were the endangered California condors that find sanctuary in the park.  

Brian Denny, 56, of Redondo Beach, taking pictures while on the hike, said, “The views from the ADA-compliant trail are spectacular. The shadows really pop out in the stones in the late afternoon sun.” 

Ray Blanco, 19 of nearby Gonzales was returning from a longer hike with friend Josiah Rios, 19, of Soledad. Describing the scene, Blanco said, “Greenery everywhere. The sound of nothing. It was beautiful.” 

The West Pinnacles Visitors Center is a modern building with exhibits, restrooms, water fountains, picnic tables and interpretive signs. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Admission is charged; prices begin at $15. Camping isn’t allowed on the west side of the park; however, the Pinnacles Campground on the east side of the park has tent, group and RV sites.  

Visitors who want to stay near the west entrance can take advantage of hotels in Soledad, the “Gateway to the Pinnacles.” Another option is Inn at the Pinnacles, a nearby bed and breakfast surrounded by vineyards. Spring and fall are the best times to visit the park, according to owner Jan Brosseau. Summers are hot in this part of the state. 

For more about Pinnacles National Park, visit https://www.nps.gov/pinn/index.htm.