Los Padres NF
and Ventana Wilderness
Monterey Ranger Dist.
406 South Mildred Ave
King City, CA 93930
Phone: (831) 385-5434
Two million acres. That's a whole lot. And that's what Los Padres is all about. This park stretches 220 miles, from the Carmel Valley clear down to Los Angeles County.
All the camping demands backcountry hiking into the forest. Los Padres has 1,500 miles of trails, much of it multi-use. But some of the real gems are in the Ventana Wilderness, one of the expansion areas added under the Wilderness Act of 1964. The only enhancements made to such areas are foot paths. Nothing more.
One of the most popular routes, the Pine Ridge Trail, brings visitors to the famous Sykes Hot Springs. It's a 9.2 mile hike, tough in some spots where it ascends the side of the Big Sur River Gorge. The springs at the end of the trek are right on the edge of the Big Sur River.
Among the hundreds of miles of trails beneath the redwoods, you'll easily be able to find something more remote. The Vicente Flat Trail is another good one -- a moderate 6.8 mile round-trip.
Yeah, the Ventana campground is expensive. But you'll probably discover the natural beauty of the area is reasonable compensation.
Getting there
Follow Hwy. 1 about 26 miles south of Carmel.
Los Padres NF