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Weekend Parking Delays

Due to increased weekend visitation, parking lots are filling early.  Please be prepared for delays of several hours when entering the park and waiting for east side shuttle service.

An Ancient Volcano

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.

 
A California condor practices its flight skills at Pinnacles National Monument. Photo by Sara Bartels

California Condors at Pinnacles

Pinnacles National Monument is a release site for the endangered California condor, and the birds can sometimes be seen from hiking trails throughout the park.
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A visitor in one of the talus caves at Pinnacles. Photo by John Dittli

Talus Caves

Check the status of the two talus caves at Pinnacles: the Bear Gulch Cave and the Balconies Cave. Flashlights are required for hikes through the caves.
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Wildflowers

During the spring, dozens of varieties of wildflowers can be found on each trail at Pinnacles. Our illustrated wildflower checklist will help you identify many of the common Pinnacles flowers. 
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Mike on Tuff Dome. Photo contributed by Larry Arthur.

Rock Climbing

Interested in climbing at Pinnacles? Check here first for information about raptor advisories, safety tips, and links to climbing organizations.
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Write to

Pinnacles National Monument
5000 Highway 146
Paicines, CA 95043-9762

Phone

Park Headquarters
(831) 389-4486

Visitor Information
(831) 389-4485

Fax

(831) 389-4489

Climate

Spring, fall, and winter are the most popular times to visit Pinnacles National Monument. Summers are hot and dry, and hikers need to be prepared for extreme temperatures.
Communities Surrounding Pinnacles National Monument
Note: The times listed below are approximate driving times to the park.
Paicines, CA (36 min. )
Tres Pinos, CA (44 min. )
King City, CA (51 min. ) Pop. 11,094
Hollister, CA (56 min. ) Pop. 34,413
San Lucas, CA (1 hr.  1 min. ) Pop. 419
Greenfield, CA (1 hr.  3 min. ) Pop. 12,583
San Juan Bautista, CA (1 hr.  7 min. ) Pop. 1,549
 Soledad, CA (1 hr.  11 min. ) Pop. 11,263
Jolon, CA (1 hr.  19 min. )
Gonzales, CA (1 hr.  19 min. ) Pop. 7,525
Chualar, CA (1 hr.  22 min. ) Pop. 1,444
Salinas, CA (1 hr.  27 min. ) Pop. 151,060
Spreckels, CA (1 hr.  33 min. ) Pop. 485
Carmel Valley, CA (1 hr.  51 min. )