Calla Lily Valley & Garrapata Beach — Big Sur, CA
Can you imagine a ravine filled with hundreds of blooming white calla lilies? I was shocked to find so many of these beautiful flowers naturally thriving just a short walk from the highway. This short coastal walk down to Garrapata Beach also makes the perfect pit stop during a Highway 1 road trip. If you time it right and come during the spring time, the small valley will be filled with tons of blooming calla lilies!
Note that a lot of poison ivy can be found in the area, so be sure to cover up and wear long pants. Try to be aware of what bushes you trek through, and change your clothes as soon as you can if you do come into contact with any of the plants! Remember, ‘leaves of three, leave them be’.
Also don’t forget to download offline Google Maps, as cell service can be unreliable along the highway.
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Hike Info
Miles: 0.5 (roundtrip)
Trailhead: Google Maps
When to go: I've visited and seen the lilies blooming as early as the end of January all the way to Mid-April
Cost: Free
Getting There
The start for the trail to Calla Lily Valley is on the west side of the Highway 1. Although there are no signs alongside indicating the start of the hike, there is a small dirt turnout on the side of the road you can park at.
The Hike
After parking, it's really just a short walk to the beach from here. With views of the ocean ahead, there are lots colorful wildflowers alongside the path.
The unmarked start of the trail by the highway
The CA coast looking lush from all of the rain this year
After just 0.2 miles, you'll reach the stairs to head down into the small valley with the lilies. Here the Garrapata Trail crosses Doud Creek and continues up along the ridge, or you can follow the creek down through the valley to Garrapata Beach. I've never seen so many lilies in one place, and I couldn't believe they were all here naturally on their own!
A stunning display of wild calla lilies
The coastal California version of wildflowers!
Such an elegant looking flower
After a fresh rain at the end of January 2019
The lilies will look wilted if you catch them after their peak (photographed mid-April 2017)
In lily heaven
Such delicate vine details
Heading upstream to the tunnel that runs below the highway
After hiking up the canyon and checking out all of the lilies, we headed back down to catch Garrapata Beach on a gorgeous sunny day. This would be a great beach to picnic and lay out in warmer weather.
After drying off and putting our shoes back on, we headed back to the car to continue along the highway.
Spotted several surfers out catching some waves here!
Hiking back up the stairs alongside the valley
Calla Lily Valley is such a unique spot, as how often do you get to see an entire valley of blooming lilies? Garrapta Beach was also one of the nicest we saw along the Highway 1. This spot and hiking Point Lobos State Park were my two of my top highlights of the area, let me know if you end up checking it out!
Favorite gear for this adventure: