Itinerary · 2 days · California
2 Days in Pinnacles National Park: The Perfect Itinerary
Two days is enough to see the best of Pinnacles National Park without rushing. Here is the day-by-day plan, built around the park's highlights.
Best time to go: Feb–Apr. Closest major airport: San Jose (SJC), about 1.5 hours.
Day 1: The icons
- Morning: Hike the High Peaks Trail to look for condors. Start early to beat the crowds.
- Afternoon: Explore the Bear Gulch talus caves (bring a flashlight).
- Evening: Walk the Balconies Cave trail.
Day 2: Go deeper
- Morning: Climb the volcanic rock spires.
- Afternoon: See spring wildflowers on the Old Pinnacles Trail.
There's no road through the park. The east entrance has the campground and caves, and the west entrance is closer to the High Peaks from Soledad.
When to go
The best time to visit Pinnacles National Park is February–April.
Questions
How many days do you need in Pinnacles National Park?
Two full days covers the highlights: hike the high peaks trail to look for condors and explore the bear gulch talus caves (bring a flashlight) on day one, then climb the volcanic rock spires on day two. Add a third day if you want a long backcountry hike or a slow morning.
When is the best time for this Pinnacles itinerary?
Go in Feb–Apr, when the park is rated at its best. February offers the best balance of good conditions and smaller crowds.
Can you do Pinnacles in one day?
You can see the highlights in one very full day by doing day one below and skipping day two, but you will miss climb the volcanic rock spires. Two days is the sweet spot.