Outdoors
Trails and recreation areas near Carmel-by-the-Sea open to horseback riding, including horse camps.
Good to know: Check trailer parking and stock water at the trailhead, and whether certified weed-free hay is required.
4 mi northeast · National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is one of the most spectacular marine protected areas. This sanctuary also has one of the largest underwater canyons and closest-to-shore deep ocean environments.
58 mi northeast · Bureau of Reclamation
Recreation area lakes include O'Neill Forebay, San Luis Reservoir, and Los Banos Creek Reservoir.
60 mi east · Bureau of Land Management
Within the steep and rugged Griswold Canyon, BLM land straddles both sides of the road.
Map of 12 places loads as you scroll.
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is one of the most spectacular marine protected areas. This sanctuary also has one of the largest underwater canyons and closest-to-shore deep ocean environments.
Recreation area lakes include O'Neill Forebay, San Luis Reservoir, and Los Banos Creek Reservoir.
Within the steep and rugged Griswold Canyon, BLM land straddles both sides of the road.
The Laguna Mountain Area consists of somewhat rugged terrain with rolling hills covered in dense brush. The area's vegetation is characterized by classic chapparal habitat, oak forests, and grassy meadows.
The Los Banos Dam and Reservoir are on Los Banos Creek above the San Luis Canal, near Los Banos, California. The dam and reservoir are features on the Central Valley Project - San Luis Unit .
Located in southern Monterey County, and standing over 2,700 feet in elevation, Williams Hill offers great views of the surrounding Salinas Valley.
Located on the outskirts of the Clear Creek Management Area (CCMA), Condon Peak offers rolling grass-covered slopes with a few tall pines and shrubs, as well as steep slopes and rocky outcrops covered with pine and brush.
Look closely at the ground you will find evidence of the vast inland sea that once covered the Tumey Hills. The light porous rocks are composed of diatoms, the tiny, bleached, shell-like skeletons of sea algae.
The Coalinga Mineral Springs National Recreation Trail was designated under the National Recreation Trails System Act in 1981. The trail is located on the scenic southern tip of the Diablo Mountains.
Private property surrounds Stockdale Mountain. Do not enter through private gates or fences.
Aquatic Park Cove is a vibrantly urban harbor that mimics a natural anchorage and is located on the Pacific shores of one of America's great West Coast cities.
Point Reyes National Seashore offers four backcountry hike in campgrounds and thirteen boat in campsites along Tomales Bay. Note: For reservation purposes, our campgrounds are organized under the "loop" column of the reservation grid.
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
A local activity Short shared by Renu Cherry.
Watch on YouTube ↗
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
A local activity Short shared by Visit Carmel.
Watch on YouTube ↗
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), about 4 miles northeast of Carmel-by-the-Sea as the crow flies. Next are San Luis Reservoir (58 mi) and Griswold Hills (60 mi).
Based on Carmel-by-the-Sea’s average highs, all year. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Federal agencies including Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, National Park Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.