Things to do in Paicines

Top Things to Do in Paicines - Paicines Attractions

Things to Do in Paicines

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What travellers are saying

  • Kathy D
    Saint Louis, MO420 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This park seems to be a hidden gem. My adult son and I felt like we had the park to ourselves on the day we were there. The trails we hiked were easy yet inspiring.
    Written 26 January 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Aaron W
    95 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This hike is awesome. We did it the rain and it make it even more awesome. It’s so green- waterfalls, mossy rocks, adventure- caves - it has it all. Must visit.
    Written 18 April 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • BruinDan
    Fullerton, CA3,341 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    One of the best-known sights on the east side of Pinnacles National Park is the Bear Gulch Reservoir. To get to the reservoir you follow a 2.4 mi/3.8.km out-and-back trail with a 314 ft/95.7 m elevation gain. My wife and I hiked this trail during late February 2024.

    NOTE that the parking lot nearest the trailhead is small and fills up quickly, so it’s best to get there early. If it is full, you’ll have to use the overflow lot down the hill.

    From the trailhead, you go up a gradual shaded incline, after which the trail changes from hard pack to rockier footing. You then go through a small tunnel as the trail continues its gradual climb. The trail eventually splits, with one path leading you into the caves and the other bypassing the caves.

    If you take the bypass trail like we did (the caves were closed that day), be alert because the trail is a little hard to follow at a couple points. There is also a technical aspect to the hike as there is a bit of mild scrambling involved.

    After the trails merge back together keep going straight and you’ll eventually enter a large opening in the rocks where the trail leads you toward the bottom of the section. Head toward the light and watch your step here because it’s a little dark, and the bottom area is pretty damp. Once you exit this bottom area, turn right and climb a set of stairs carved into the rock. From there you can follow the trail to the reservoir; it’s not that large, but it is a pretty sight.

    This trail has a reputation for being fairly easy, but I found it a bit more strenuous than that. Still, we enjoyed the hike along the Bear Gulch Reservoir Trail and considered it was a memorable part of our visit to Pinnacles National Park.
    Written 9 December 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Janice M
    7 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I'm a beginner level hiker and enjoyed hike to viewpoint and back. Beautiful rock views and saw a low flying condor - SCORE!
    Written 28 April 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Scott
    San Francisco, CA6,664 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Absolutely amazing trail that I've done twice in 100° weather. The views are great, and the trail is well groomed. But, oh my god, it is straight uphill. With extreme heat I literally thought I was going to die. Do it in the winter.
    Written 10 September 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Paul S
    Costa Mesa, CA1,562 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I have always wanted to visit this area as it's a prime location for amateur rock hounds. The location is way back in the San Benito Mountains. My elder son wanted to do one last rockhounding trip before he starts classes so we took a weekend and spent an afternoon and morning in the area. The area has a lot of minerals of interest to collectors and those in the lapidary hobby. There are also abundant trails for hiking, two campgrounds, and ATV opportunities.

    You can access the management area by taking either Highway 25 south from Hollister or Los Gatos Creek Road west from Coalinga. Either way, the drive is about an hour as you're on back country roads and the speed limit is low. There's also a lot of wildlife in the area so you really don't want to speed. We probably saw half-a-dozen deer crossing the road on our way to and from the management area and our hotel in Coalinga.

    For reference, we stayed at the Best Western Plus on Jayne Ave, just east of Coalinga. From that location, it took just under an hour to reach the entrance of the management area. Again, from Coalinga, you'll take Los Gatos Creek Road to the north west, heading into the mountains. Take your time and take some pictures, the scenery is beautiful. When you reach the Condon Peak Campground, continue west. Just a bit past the campground, you'll cross from Fresno County to San Benito County. The road changes names from Los Gatos Creek Road to Coalinga Road. It also goes from a well maintained two lane road to a sort-of-maintained-about-two-lane road. The road, more or less, follows the creek. Eventually, you'll reach the Clear Creek Road entrance to the Management area. Now, the roads are all dirt.

    If you'd like to visit, here's some logistical items that will be important.

    1. Trucks or other 4WD vehicles, while not mandatory, definitely making things easier. For reference, I have a Forester and didn't have any problems. We ran into three other parties and all had 4WD vehicles. Note that the roads in the area are single lane maintained dirt with some steep grades.

    2. If you're camping, there are two very nice campgrounds with pit toilets. Make sure to review the Bureau of Land Management website for this location and secure the correct permits. You will need at least the vehicle entrance permit.

    3. There are NO services nearby. If you're not camping and using Coalinga or another town as your base, tank up your car before you leave and make sure to bring lunch, food, snacks, water, etc. Check your tire pressure before you go, including your spare (I keep a full sized spare). Cellular service is limited to non-existent here.

    4. Depending upon what you're doing, you will need different permits. Check the aforementioned Bureau of Land Management website to purchase the correct permits. Read the instructions carefully as well. The vehicle permit is good for a duration but certain areas require individual, per-day, permits which much be purchased separately and for each day you plan on visiting.

    5. It was really warm when we were there (August 2021) and the temps were above 90F. Bring lots of water.

    6. If you plan on hiking, bring good hiking shoes. Don't use tennis or some other street shoe.

    7. Respect the area. Pack out what you pack in and leave no trace.

    Here's some information from the Bureau of Land Management (from the website):
    Clear Creek Management Area has approximately 75,000 acres.
    Topography is rugged with elevations ranging from 1,830 feet at Pine Canyon to 5,241 feet on San Benito Mountain.
    Recreational opportunities include hunting, camping, hobby gem/mineral collecting, mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking/backpacking, and sightseeing.
    Hobby gem and mineral collectors are drawn to the Clear Creek area, one of the most highly mineralized areas in California, by the presence of over 150 semi-precious minerals and gemstones. Among these are serpentine, jadeite, cinnabar, tremolite, topazite, neptunite, and the extremely rare California state gem, benitoite.

    We live in Southern California about four hours from Coalinga and, despite the drive, I will definitely be making another visit. The area is so vast, we simply did not have time to check things out.
    Written 8 August 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Grover R
    Pensacola, FL22,554 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    One of the main things to do and see at Pinnacles National Park is to see the endangered condors. However, any time you are hoping to see wildlife, there is a chance you will not.

    We hiked up Condor Gulch with one eye on the sky but really all we were seeing were turkey vultures. You need to learn the way to tell them apart - condors have white closer to their front (arms of the wing). However when we came to the most treacherous part of High Peaks Trail, we were all of a sudden surrounded by multiple condors. In one picture I counted 5. They also landed on the pinnacle rocks across from us. Soon we were simply mesmerized by them flying all around us. It was one of the best wildlife experiences I have ever had in a national park.

    After seeing both condors and vultures fly, it became easy to tell them apart as the wing size of the condor allows them to be more open with their feathers and they can curl their wings to dive. It was truly one of the most memorable parts of our trip. It was simply amazing and worth the hike up to the top of the mountain.
    Written 14 April 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • UFPAGator
    Jupiter, FL453 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Went here yesterday. Have to say the visitor center was not much to see and felt like the staff had limited knowledge. Not sure it’s worth the visit.
    Written 20 June 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Gafilpoo
    Bluffton, OH483 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Not a lot of exhibits, but a great information location with very helpful rangers. Also a parking lot to hike from in peak times.
    Written 11 February 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • BruinDan
    Fullerton, CA3,341 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Located on the less-visited west side of Pinnacles National Park adjacent to the West Visitor Contact Center, the Prewett Point Trail is a 1.0 mi/1.6 km lollypop trail that has a 75 ft/22.8 m elevation gain. My wife and I hiked this trail in late February 2024.

    Park in the lot for the visitor center and head toward the visitor center, where you will also find rest rooms. Just past the visitor center you will see the trailhead for the Prewett Point Trail. The trail is considered accessible as it is very compacted and well maintained.

    The trail begins by gently climbing along the hillside as it heads into the park. After about .25 mi/.40 km, the trail splits; you can go either direction as this portion of the trail is a loop that wraps around the hillside. Along the way there are several viewing pullouts, some with benches. One of the highlights of the hike is getting an excellent view of the famed Pinnacles.

    NOTE that the trail is almost entirely exposed with no shade, so having both sun protection and water on hand are highly recommended.

    I was in my late 60s when I hiked the Prewett Point Trail and found it to be relatively easy. It was a pleasant way to be introduced to the west side of Pinnacles National Park.
    Written 10 November 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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