PINNACLES NATIONAL PARK OVERNIGHT TRIP 🌛 (Friday-Sunday)

PINNACLES NATIONAL PARK OVERNIGHT TRIP (Friday-Sunday)

Leader: Gary Weiss

Leader Email: gary@sfhiking.com

Leader Phone: 415-279-5570

Meeting Date and Day: Friday, March 27, 2026

Meeting Time: It would be ideal if all drivers could leave the Bay Area no later than 8:30 AM with any passengers.  Driving time is around 2 hours.

Meeting Place: Most likely Whole Foods in SF and Rockridge in the East Bay.

Return Home: March 29, 2022

Rating:  Level-2 or Level-3 or Level-4

Mileage: Multiple options

Elevation Gain: 1000' to 2000'

Description: Pinnacles National Park is one of the remarkable wonders of California. Basically, it's half of an extinct volcano that has slid north - from Southern California - over millions of years.  The rock formations and overall landscape are breathtaking.

Our plan is to leave the Bay Area in the early morning of Friday, March 27th and arrive in time to check in to our hotel, take a bathroom break and go hiking. 
LET'S TRY AND MEET IN THE LOBBY AT 10:15 AM, ready to go.

There may be a few who will drive down on Thursday for an extra day.  Let me know if you would like to do the same.

This should be peak wildflower season so any hike we take should be spectacular.

We'll visit the main East entrance on Friday and the West entrance on Saturday. 

Optional: On Sunday, after checking out, most of us will detour 45 minutes to visit Point Lobos State Natural Reserve.  It's a stunningly beautiful reserve, well-known for windswept rock cliffs with Monterey pines and cypresses clinging to the rocks.  There are several short hike options we can take in the park.

We'll be staying at the Laurel Inn & Conference Center in Salinas, CA.  If you're interested in going, please register on our site as soon you can, then call the hotel to give your credit card.  I've reserved 25 rooms (12 Kings and 13 with 2 Queens), and as of now the hotel still has several additional rooms available. Breakfast of sorts is included.  Including tax the total for either type of room will be a bit over $112.  No problem if you'd like to stay a third night: some people may be choosing to stay Thursday or Sunday night as well.
The hotel's phone number is: 831-449-2474.  Tell them you’re with the SF Hiking Club.

IF YOU'D LIKE TO GO, PLEASE REGISTER ON OUR SITE FIRST, THEN TEXT OR EMAIL ME.  If you're interested in sharing a room, please let me know well ahead of time.

Directions: Laurel Inn & Conference Center
801 West Laurel Drive, Salinas, CA 93906
We'll plan on meeting in the lobby around 11:30.

Bring/Wear: Sturdy hiking shoes, sunscreen, clothing changes and any snacks or food you wouldn't expect to find in Salinas. Poles for some steep downhills if you use  them.  Bring your water containers to refill.  AND flashlights for the caves (may be closed at this time).

Rain Policy: Event will take place rain or shine

Driving Distance: 240 miles total, there and back.

Car Pool Fees: 
(SF > Laurel Inn each way) $14; Rockridge > Laurel Inn each way) $15.
Laurel Inn > Pinnacles East Entrance: $15 round trip + parking fee.
Laurel Inn > Pinnacles West Entrance: $10 round trip + parking fee.

Park Entrance Fees: Pinnacles has a $30 per vehicle entrance fee at the main East entrance; $15 for the West entrance) (free with National Parks Pass)(Available passes for savings);
Point Lobos has a $10 per vehicle entrance fee.