Carmel-by-the-Sea Parks & Gardens

The preserve protects 1100 acres of redwood and oak forest and meadows. The area is available for day retreats and the lodge is available for overnight stays with Reservations required. The BSLT organization's land stewadship program has taken on the contintual task of presserving and improving the Mitteldorf Redwood Preserve.

This inner city park was rezoned as green space through the efforts of the Carmel-by-the-Sea Garden Club and other concerned residents. The park now provides a refreshing place to escape and is host to a variety of rare flora. The flora was carefully selected to represent the area climate. Such plants as Coast Live Oak and Emerald Carpet can be found here.

This park has been a nature reserve for over 30 years and encompasses 35 acres of native vegetation. The preserve has designated public access through walking and hiking trails that wind through the area. Rare examples of remaining native natural flora are found in the wooded area within the park. Fires are prohibited anywhere in the park and visitors are requested to stay on the trail, so they may avoid any encounters with poison oak.

The entrance to the reserve is located three miles south of Carmel on Highway 1. The reserve opens daily at 9am and there is a limit to the number of cars that are allowed to enter. Visitors must exit by 5pm. Permission to scuba dive, guided walks, picnicking and more are authorized at the main gate. Point Lobos derives its name from the offshore rocks at Punta de los Lobos Marinos. This area boasts over 250 different animal and bird species and over 350 plant species.

This reserve derives its name from the offshore rocks at Punta de los Lobos Marinos, Point of the Sea Wolves. Activities in this park include sightseeing, nature study, picnicking, SCUBA diving and jogging. The area features rare plant communities, endangered archeological sites and unique geological sites.

Garrapata State Park is located in Carmel, CA. Fishing and hiking are popular at this coastal park, in addition to nature viewing. The park has two miles of beach front with coastal hiking and a 50-foot climb to a view of the Pacific Ocean. The park also offers diverse coastal vegetation, with trail spanning from beach to dense forest groves. Soberanes Point rewards hikers with a view of sea lions, harbor seals and sea otters, during their migration.

The mile-long beach offers fishing, hiking trails, wildlife viewing and features a bird sanctuary in a lagoon just prior to the Carmel River feeding into the ocean. Swimming and wading are considered dangerous along this stretch of beach, although scuba diving is quite popular. Monastery Beach, also known as San Jose Creek Beach, is part of this area.

Carmelita Park is a typical Carmel style, in that it hides the entrance to a 100-car parade and makes the area esthetically pleasing. The small inner city park is located across from the post office and presents a good place to read a book or take a break.

Founded in 1904. Stained-glass windows in the sanctuary depict Biblical and local scenes. Park features include Gaza St. Galy mosaic, sundial on a granite boulder, mosaic cross in the garden, and a 32-rank pipe organ. The garden contains trees and plants mentioned in the Bible and indigenous to the Holy Land. A worship service is held each Sunday 10 am.

Part of Carmel River State Beach, Monastery Beach is located on the south side of Carmel State Beach. Monastery is a popular site for scuba diving, however is recommended for skilled beach divers. Swimming is highly dangerous and discouraged due to hazardous currents and low water temperatures.

This inner city park is host to numerous musical and theatrical events and festivals. Centrally situated on Juniper and Ocean Ave, enables easy access to this pleasant green space for picnics or a quick walk.