Palo Corona Regional Park
San Jose Creek Trail
📍Palo Corona Regional Park is located near the Mouth of Carmel Valley. Through partnerships with many agencies, the Monterey Regional Parks District acquired several key pieces of undeveloped open space to form the nearly 10-mile long, 4500 acre park boasting an extraordinary mix of ecosystems and wildlife. Read more about the extraordinary history and development of the Palo Coronal Regional Park by visiting its website at the link.
The parks main access point is located at the Palo Corona Access Point, the old Rancho Canada Golf Course, 4860 Carmel Valley Road. Here you’ll find ample parking to meet, clean restrooms, the Discovery Center and the District Headquarters. The park is open during daylight hours, from dawn ‘til dusk. No overnight camping is allowed. There is no fee to enter however permits are required to access this trail, the San Jose Creek Trail. Dogs are allowed on leash in the Rancho Canada Unit Only (See Map). Dogs are not allowed beyond this point and would not be allowed to accompany you on the San Jose Creek Trail. Check the parks website for park rules and regulations.
⛰️ Palo Corona San Jose Creek Trail requires a permit to hike past the Animas Pond gate. You can obtain a limited permit by visiting the park website (link above) and easily apply. Once you’ve obtained your permit, the hike to San Jose Creek starts at the Discovery Center. It’s about a 9 mile out and back hike with several alternate routes you can add to enjoy more of the park. This is a well travelled trail, well marked, mostly dirt single track and dirt road. The trail climbs about 600’ to Inspiration Point before hitting the gate at Animas Pond. If you have your permit you can continue through the gate, gaining another 400’ of elevation before hitting the ridge then descending to the San Jose Creek. I’d rate this trail as “Bluish-Black” meaning difficult because of the climb but mostly the distance. This is a great trail and it didn’t feel like 9 miles. San Jose Creek is beautiful and worth the effort, especially this time of year when the creek is flowing. It’ll take a little over 3.5 hours to complete, depending on how long you stop to enjoy the views.
🥾 This hike, like many here, starts in the Rancho Cañada Unit and continues to follow the trail to Inspiration Point and the Animas Pond. To keep this blog post somewhat brief you can read the details about the hike to Inspiration Point and the Animas Pond by clicking the link.
This blog post will take up at the Animas Pond Gate. If you’ve got your permit, use the combo to get through the gate. Be cautious as park personnel are watching. Follow the trail through the trees to another gate at Wilson Ridge. Either direction will take you to San Jose Creek. If you choose to hike to the left, uphill, you’ll get some exercise by hiking a short steep section to the Whistler Overlook intersection. If you hike left at this intersection, the trail will take you to the highest point on this part of Palo Corona Regional Park, Whistler Overlook, where you’ll have beautiful views of Carmel Valley and the San Jose Creek Drainage as well as a peek of Point Lobos. If you hike right, you’ll begin your descent into the San Jose Creek Drainage. The trail can get a little muddy and slippery, especially this time of year, but keep your eyes up. Soon you’ll come across a distant view of Point Lobos, that is picture worthy. After admiring the view continue down the trail watching your step.
Once you reach the bottom of the grade follow the sounds of San Jose Creek along the meadow. Here, you’ll notice an information board and trail sign to San Jose Creek Trail, follow the trail into the redwoods. This trail is not hiked often and may be a little “overgrown”, which is part of its beauty. Follow the trail along San Jose Creek, into the redwoods, across the bridges and take in the redwood forest, the sights and the sounds. It’s a special place not many will see. Keep an eye out for Redwood-Sorrels, Western Trillium, Clovers and other ferns and flowers growing on the banks along the trail.
Continuing into the trees you’ll cross through another green cattle gate where you’ll find another information board with a brief history of San Jose Canyon’s complex geologic history. The granite hillside you are staring at on the south side of the canyon consists of granite rock that crystalized about 80 million years ago, again adding to the special nature of this trail.
Soon you’ll come to the final bridge over the creek, next to a large old growth redwood, and a gate, signifying the end of this trail. It’s time to turn around and enjoy the San Jose Canyon from another view point. Don’t rush out of the canyon. Soak in the sounds, smells and sights of San Jose Canyon before you begin your ascent out of this special place.
Once you get back to the meadow near the San Jose Creek, the trail that brought you into the canyon, Whistler Ridge Trail, branches to the right. Take the trail to the left, Wilson Ridge Trail. This trail will climb out of the canyon at an easy pace and bring you back to the Animas Pond. Follow the trail from the Animas Pond back down to the Discover Center and the parking lot. Don’t forget to take the short detour to Inspiration Point to get a last look of those views of Carmel Bay, Point Lobos, Carmel River Beach, Pebble Beach and Stillwater Cove. They’re amazing!
🍔🍺 you’re like us you’ve worked up a hunger and a thirst. There are many places to satisfy that need but our favorite is 2.5 miles into Carmel Valley. The Bear & Flag Roadside Eatery & Wine Shop is our favorite place to meet after our hikes in Carmel Valley. The Bear & Flag is a modern California Roadside Eatery & Wine Shop featuring a Chef Todd Fisher inspired experience with a wide selection of grab-n-go sandwiches, salads, BBQ, exceptional beer and wine selections, as well as coffee and ice cream. They have something for everyone, and it’s all GOOOOD! #yumyumgetchasome
There’s a few other places nearby that are great stops as well. Baja Cantina Grill and Filling Station offers a great atmosphere, great cantina food and wonderful drinks from their full bar. It’s a great place to get the party started. Earthbound Farms Farm Stand is also another gem in Carmel Valley. The Farm Stand is a favorite destination for organic food and gardens by locals and out-of-town visitors alike, the Farm Stand is a living celebration of Earthbound Farm’s mission to bring the benefits of organic to as many people as possible, in a most delicious and inspiring way.
Carmel Valley is also known as a renown wine region and offers many tasting rooms for visitors. It’s hard to miss a good wine selection in Carmel Valley. If wine is your thing, go check it out!
That’s the end of this RADventure. Follow along and you’ll get more “Dirt” on our next Trail.
