January 22, 2015

Pinnacles National Park











We recently visited Pinnacles National Park. From the Bay Area, the park is about two hours south along Highway 25 (which intersects with 101). Easy access along a pleasant rolling highway made me wonder why we had never been before. Could the new National Park designation be helping with awareness?

We parked the RV in the main campground with a pleasant grove of oak trees behind us. A shuttle transports families to the trailheads, where options for seeing caves, rock spires and wildflowers are abundant. The kids thought the trails were pretty family-friendly, with plenty to see along various two-hour loops. The Junior Ranger program and activity guide always helps (along with a few cookies).

On the last evening we saw two California Condors hang-gliding in the distance, and heard owls from the campground. In the heat of summer, this park might be tough to handle. But in late winter/early spring, it seems to be a gem.

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