Pinnacles National Monument - California

Address:5000 Hwy. 146
Paicines, California
Tel: (831) 389-4485

Awesome rock formations shaped from the remains of an ancient volcano, exciting wildlife viewing opportunities, and striking spring wild flowers make Pinnacles a worthy stop on your park-hopping journey. The park is set against the beautiful backdrop of the majestic Gabilan Mountains.
There's no shortage of activities for visitors to indulge in. Bear Gulch Cave, made of rock debris, is a cool point of interest although it's important to check with the park for seasonal closures (the park may be closed all summer to protect bats raising their young). With its exceptionally diverse ecosystems, Pinnacles is also a superb location for wildlife viewing. There are hundreds of different animal species inhabiting the park including California condors, black-tailed deer, more than 400 types of bees, and 68 different butterfly species. That's to say nothing of the excellent rock climbing and hiking offered in the park.

Rising out of the chaparral-covered Gabilan Mountains, east of central California's Salinas Valley, are the spectacular remains of an ancient volcano. Massive monoliths, spires, sheer-walled canyons and talus passages define millions of years of erosion, faulting and tectonic plate movement. Within the monument's boundaries lie 26,000 acres of diverse wildlands. The monument is renowned for the beauty and variety of its spring wildflowers. A rich diversity of wildlife can be observed throughout the year.