Calla Lily Valley is such a beautiful stop along Pacific Coast Highway in Big Sur, California. Located in Garrapata State Park, visiting this natural ravine of lilies is a quick and easy hike and is a must-see trail for your Big Sur road trip.
This was definitely one of my favorite stops during our California coast road trip and is an excellent spot to catch the sunset and enjoy the beauty of nature.
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Big Sur Road Trip: The Best Stops for Your Drive Along CA Highway 1
Below I’m sharing my hiking guide and photo gallery from the Calla Lily Valley bloom in Big Sur this season, and everything you should know for your own visit.
Things to Know for Your Hike in Big Sur
- The hike to this beautiful spot is less than 1/2 mile round-trip. The end of the trail leads to a staircase that takes you down to the white calla lilies and Garrapata State Beach.
- Big Sur is known for having lots of poison ivy and poison oak, including around Calla Lily Valley, so it’s a good idea to wear closed-toed shoes and clothing that covers your arms and legs while you’re on the trails. Good footwear is also recommended for visiting these beautiful wildflowers as there are slippery rocks in the valley.
- Big Sur as a whole has little to no cell reception, so you will want to download an offline map ahead of time. The one I use is the Maps.me app.
Getting to Calla Lily Valley in Big Sur
Calla Lily Valley is located in Garrapata State Park near Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. You can find the calla lily flowers at the western end of Doud Creek, in front of Garrapata Beach. The start of Garrapata Trail is located along the coastal side of CA Highway 1, just north of Doud Creek.
Where do you Park for Calla Lily Valley?
Although there are no signs indicating where the trailhead starts for Calla Lily Valley, you will see a dirt pullout with plenty of spots where you can park along Pacific Coast Highway / CA Highway 1. Once you’re parked, you’ll see a somewhat hidden gate (Gate 18) along the coastal side that serves as the start of the hiking trail. From there it’s a quick 0.2 mile hike down Garrapata Trail to the calla lily field.
Here are the coordinates for the trailhead: 36°25’22.2″N 121°54’44.5″W
The Hike to Calla Lily Valley
The hike to Calla Lily Valley is a quick 10-minute walk in Garrapata State Beach. From where you parked along Highway 1, it’s an easy 0.2 mile hike down Garrapata Trail to the calla lily field.
When Can You See the Calla Lilies Bloom in Big Sur?
Calla Lily Valley only bloom for a short period of time every year. The peak bloom season for these wild calla lilies is during the spring, through the months of February to mid-April. Sometimes they’re seen as early as late-January and as late as the end of April. So if you want to see these California wildflowers, you’ll have to time your Big Sur road trip just right!
We also opted to visit here for the sunset, and I think it’s the best time of day to see these beautiful flowers – I couldn’t recommend it more.
Have you visited the picturesque Calla Lily Valley bloom in Big Sur? Share your experiences with me in the comments below!
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About the Author
Hi I’m Rylie – Welcome to my corner of the internet!
I’m a solo traveler & photographer based in Southern California, on a mission to explore the world and inspire you to do the same.
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![Best Things to Do in Big Bear Lake, California: [Save this reel for your next visit!] Big Bear is a popular destination for skiing and snowboarding in the winter, but there’s also plenty more to do here year-round! Here’s a quick guide for some of the best things to do in BB: HIKING
There’s no shortage of hiking options around Big Bear Lake! Some of the most popular trails are:
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