Garrapata State Park, State park near Carmel, United States
Garrapata State Park is a protected coastal area south of Carmel featuring sandy beaches and hiking trails through thick redwood and coastal vegetation. The park stretches across several hundred acres, connecting the shoreline with the mountains behind it.
The land passed through private ownership in the 1800s, first held by Jose Antonio Ezequiel Soberanes and later by Francis Doud, who used it for ranching. The property eventually transformed into a state park, ending its use for livestock and allowing nature to recover.
The land was home to Ohlone and Rumsien peoples before Spanish settlers arrived, and their presence remains woven into the region's story. Walking through this landscape, you sense the layers of people who lived here before it became a park.
The park is reached through unmarked turnoffs along Highway 1, with no official signs marking the entrances. You can park at these roadside spots and walk toward the beaches or climb into the woods from several access points.
Gray whales travel close to shore during their migration periods, and sea lions, harbor seals, and sea otters live in these waters year-round. Visitors often spot these animals from the trails without needing to go far into the water.
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