How to Visit Pinnacles National Park - 7 Tips to Help You Plan Your First Trip

Pinnacles National Park is a great place to hike and explore in Central California. I wanted to make this video to go with the full tour video I made here - • Pinnacles National Par... - In this video I just tried to answer some of the top questions I get on the park and encourage others to visit by sharing information on what to expect. Let me know if you have any questions in the comments.
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[@naveenkgrg]

Good quick summary and very helpful. Please make more videos like that for other places as well.

[@californiathroughmylens]

Thanks, will do!

[@suzettecalleja3122]

I always love your take on the places you go. The info is always appreciated. 😀

[@californiathroughmylens]

I appreciate that!

[@kellyjohnson3617]

I have stayed at valley harvest inn. They have decent rooms and tho price includes breakfast it’s just coffee and prepackaged danishes and maybe toast. But they are near a lot of little fast food places as well as restaurants. It’s a fairly short drive to western pinnacles. Probably 30 mins. It’s an hour or so from east pinnacles but hollister is closer to east pinnacles by around 15 minutes. So if you want to see both sides, Soledad isn’t a bad option. I don’t recommend king city even tho it’s more in the middle. It’s not a tourist friendly town. I’m not complaining about it. It’s just not set up well for hospitality. Hollister is a great little town. Much bigger than Soledad and has a very precious old town. But it also has a well developed newer part of town if you need something from a chain store. It’s where I bought my headlamp to explore the caves. Though honestly your cell phone flash light will work. My biggest tip for the caves is don’t wear shorts cuz your knees can get messed up scrambling. Getting out of bear gulch cave I have to crawl and that section with the metal grating was murder on my knees even with blue jeans. It’s not a long crawl but it hurts for sure. Otherwise the cave is so well worth the trip. And I take the alternate back down. The alternate is an even prettier hike in my opinion. But the caves should not be missed. I’ve seen the upper caves when they were open once. They were cool but if you missed them, honestly the part that’s open most of the year is way cooler

[@californiathroughmylens]

Fantastic tips, thanks so much for taking the time to share them!

[@TheChuyDewy]

This place has everything and almost nothing is overpriced in the store. I was able to pick up on alot of things i forgot for good prices. was able to get service in my campsite loading youtube videos saw a baby deer and her mom one of the most well done camps for me

[@ernestjauregui5085]

Definitely make more videos like this of other parks

[@californiathroughmylens]

Will do!

[@micahbo7560]

Great video, Josh. I think a "How to Plan" video series would be a great addition to the channel.

[@Nagranddan]

Agreed! Like places to stop for food, reliable pitstops to stretch legs or go to the bathroom as there can be long stretches where a gas station might not have an open bathroom. "How to Plan" would be much appreciated

[@XXXGRAPENUTSXXX]

You deserve the Nobel Peace Prize. Thank you kindly for all your great videos!!

[@cmichaelhaugh8517]

I really like the pairing of a tour video followed by this details segment.

[@lisahbarry]

I never comment (like ever), but this video was so great, I just had to. Thank you for making this video. It answered a bunch of questions I had that I was struggling to find elsewhere. Awesome job and thanks again!!! Can’t wait to go to Pinnacles now and will def choose the east entrance for my first trip.

[@savannahrae7663]

I don't know how this video doesn't have more likes!! I've heard good things about Pinnacles and this video told me exactly what I needed to know about it. Loved the footage and the information. Thank you!!

[@stevesalter1138]

Thanks again for such helpful tips. I’ll be there in about a month.

[@stevesalter1138]

I’ll be there in a few weeks. As always, super helpful. Thanks.

[@DezBra19]

I just got back from pinnacles with my 4 kids! We went through the bear gulch caves and up to bear gulch reservoir. I had my 25lb toddler strapped to my back. The trek was a lot more difficult with the added weight, but we had a blast! Highly recommended visit! I have a thought for you. Have you considered going to pacheco state park and all the other places through pacheco pass? I imagine it's a half day to a full day of trails!

[@peterkraus8024]

😄 Very helpful, informative and well done video. Much appreciate. Definitely please do more videos.

[@lynettepatten904]

Just wanted to throw out that if you’re like me and want to do higher mileage and do the major trails, park at old pinnacles and go towards balconies(I Don’t do the caves). I go up and down all day! The only backtracking is the high peaks segment between condor gulch and tunnel trail and partial up and back towards Chalone). I think 16 ish miles)

[@joeowens6306]

Josh, we have been watching, and enjoying, your videos for years now. We also enjoyed this format, very helpful for planning trips to National Parks.

[@lorrainewade2467]

that was very help I planning a road trip with my son. and need that information you put on your site to know what to expect. Thank you. keep posting info. about you adventures.

[@diegoaduriz9433]

Extraordinary Next time in California I will definitely visit Pinnacles, bc of u!!

[@louierich99]

Hi 👋🏽 Josh! I visited Pinnacles for the first time last year at around October. It was amazing and was able to see some wildlife around the park, including turkey vultures, deer, wild turkeys, quail, and many smaller birds. I loved it so much that I’ll be going again this April. Love your videos man!

[@Twobarpsi]

Just incredible!

[@cutproductions]

Perfect timing for my trip there this week! I watched your other recent one also. Thanks as always for the great info.

[@sierraseb3311]

Yes, please make more videos like this for other National Parks. Thanks 😊

[@SewCool-Ideas]

Thanks for the information! Exactly what I was looking for! 😊

[@heatherroldan7977]

Great informative video. Please make more like this!

[@milwiele]

I love your movies, they are very helpful in planning our trips.

[@fernandocardenas6780]

Thanks for giving those great tips

[@daviscrt]

Great information. Thanks Don

[@robertreyes3068]

Love your channel! keep up the good work. Your videos are extremely helpful. Yes make videos on the other parks as well.

[@chrisignacio1791]

As Always great content & detailed description of your destination ..Very underrated Channel.Thank You 🙏🏽

[@forpreschooleryunnoh.8909]

Very good short clear video. All I need to know are in here. Really helpful! Thank you!!

[@prowrestlingisart6742]

Wonderful video. Really appreciated explaining the pros and cons between both entrances. Planning a 395 trip this summer (based on your video!) and am thinking of returning back to OC via the 101 to see this park. Thanks!

[@recoveringsoul755]

I went in February and it was almost too hot already, (2009), spent the whole day backpacking there, had to crawl in some of those caves and backpacks tend to get caught. I'm talking full size backpacks though, not little daypacks. Bring water and food. There were lots of Rock climbing spots there, handhold grips if you are into that.

[@prowrestlingisart6742]

@@recoveringsoul755 thank you for those tips!

[@barryminor616]

Thank You for the tips

[@calicoasting]

Going in early June with the family 😂 Cant wait..3 days....

[@YvonneReynolds]

I went to the Pinnacles for the first time five years ago and did the Bear Gulch Caves, amazing hike! I also love the drive in the spring from Hollister to the east entrance. The drive is beautiful with the hills all green and wildflowers blooming.

[@JM-gz1ej]

Yeah, this is very helpful

[@kevinstrahle9687]

Great information video yes do more. I am trying to get to pinniceles park this spring. I like your ideas

[@kellywall3656]

Great video. I’m glad you mentioned the seasons. My first trip was in the summer and it was hotter than Hades. I went to the reservoir on one trip and was accosted by several ground squirrels begging for food. I must confess that it’s not my favorite national park but it is a favorite with the local rock climbers. The drive into the park on the Hollister side is very pretty though.

[@shenweizhejiang]

veryhelpful

[@prowrestlingisart6742]

I would enjoy seeing similar videos on other parks too!

[@JasmineApple]

Great info! I had no idea it would be that complicated to visit, so this is good info to have!

[@bencuraza6503]

THANK YOU for Sharing this Insightful Park Review. Great Job‼️👍👍⬆️😎‼️

[@flochain4915]

Such a nice NP! I visited the Park in 2019

[@johneason6540]

Yes, please

[@Roadtosomethingnew1]

Thanks foe sharing your Rios on the park. I never had a chance to visit while I was in Cali

[@redape6870]

thank you so much for posting this. i live in san miguel, about an hour and a half from the park and i've been meaning to check it out for some time.

[@lynettepatten904]

Another suggestion. I love doing all night hikes with the full moons( Grand Canyon, Mt Whitney, Sierra Buttes PCT part, Bryce) Pinnacles was perfect! (I DID NOT DO HIGH PEAKS) I felt safe because I am very familiar with trails at Pinnacles.

[@recoveringsoul755]

They let you stay out there at night? There aren't really any camping spots that I heard of

[@lynettepatten904]

NO CAMPING. This is an all night hike! I hiked from 830pm to 5am, then drove home to sleep. One could do it from Natl Pk campground…..would add miles!

[@recoveringsoul755]

@@lynettepatten904 wow OK, I didn't know they allowed people to stay after dark but that sounds pretty cool . You can see good just with the light of the full moon. I've been fortunate to climb Mt Whitney once too. The full moon was like a light keeping me awake at night, should have brought a sleep mask

[@lindasolis7117]

Thanks so much! I've been enjoying your reports on The Pinnacles. I used to go quite often when I was younger, but haven't been in almost 30 years. I really want to go again as it's on my bucket list to see the condors (but sorry to hear you didn't see them even after visiting for two days!) Also we have to take our son who has never been. Thanks again!

[@lynettepatten904]

Another suggestion, IF California ever gets pouring winter rains again, do the Soledad entrance and see the incredible waterfalls off the balconies(desert varnish part in dry weather)

[@lauraslanesvanlifetravels]

I liked this but I prefer your videos where your at the spot and really going thru it. These are definitely helpful tho for if a person is actually planning a trip to a specific areas.

[@pjbrubak]

This was great! I'd love another video like this for some of the other less well-known parks as it further enticed me to come visit. Also, have you ever done a video on Point Reyes? (personal fave)

[@ishraqali211]

Great format for sharing info about parks! Would love to see more state parks and less visited gems!

[@cnt2f86]

[@californiathroughmylens]

Thank you!

[@dungeonsdoodads4306]

Can you reach bear gulch reservoir if the upper caves are closed?

[@user-nu8jq9hr9c]

We have the second week of August to explore would you go there then?

[@evegem8978]

How long does it take to walk through the caves for both trails?