Fremont Peak State Park

Fremont Peak is a beautiful park for both catching sunsets and observing the night sky. The views are spectacular, especially at sunrise or sunset. Perfect views of Monterey Bay and Santa Cruz, with rolling hills that stretch from here to Santa Cruz mountains. It’s also a wonderful place for stargazers and/​or amateur astronomers. You can either setup your scope or go enjoy the Observatory when it’s open.
The hike to the peak is short and sweet, but the views from the top are priceless. Every time I head up that way the campgrounds have moderate campers. Overall, this is a beautiful park, I love all the wonderful views it has to offer.

What a beautiful place. This was our first time here and the view was breathtaking. above the clouds. It was definitely a drive up, but worth it. It was not crowded like any other park I’ve been to. Definitely will be back and hike more of the trails.

Ten Easy Steps to Happiness™
Vol. 1: Hiking
No. 3: Lost in the Clouds
Sometimes, you hike for the views: sweeping vistas, vastly scaled landscapes, plunging canyons and cataracts, epic blue oceans and lakes, trees in autumnal splendor, desert mountains at sunset, the works. But there are those moments on the trail when it’s not about what you see. It’s about what you feel. And that’s what walking in the clouds is all about. Fremont Peak, in the right weather conditions, offers that possibility. And on a mild winter’s day, in between El Nino rain storms, it’s a chance worth taking.
So, how to spend a few precious hours lost in the clouds? The Ten Easy Steps™ can help!
1. Do your homework ahead of time. Before John Fremont made his mark here in the nineteenth century, this was simply known as Gavilan Peak (Gavilan is Spanish for «hawk»). Look into the connection between the area and John Steinbeck, who ended «Travels with Charley» standing atop the peak and reflecting on a life led in and around the Salinas Valley. The California state parks website offers a free download of the park brochure, which has a handy map of the trail system on the last page. Bringing your own copy ensures an easier start to the hike.
2. Take your time. Don’t rush the drive in! It’s about 11 miles from the highway turnoff (a right turn at the traffic light leading into San Juan Bautista). The road is narrow with a fair number of hairpins and is popular with local cyclists, so budget 20 – 30 minutes for the drive. This is part of the journey, and getting there is definitely part of the fun!
3. Once you park at the main lot, plan a loop route that follows the park boundaries counterclockwise using all of its major marked trails. You’ll need to budget 2.5−3 hours, prepare for a few steep ups and downs, and bring enough water and supplies to enjoy the highly changeable weather conditions up here, esp. in winter. Most of the hike will take place at or near 3000 feet, while the surrounding valleys below are near sea level, so the vertical relief is not insubstantial for this part of California. There will be wind, fog, sun, and rain. All of which will make the trip an elemental one and contribute to its wilderness feel, even if you’re never all that far from Hollister and Salinas down below.
4. From the parking area, start out on the fire road that passes just below the Oak Point campground. You’ll connect with the Valley View trailhead. Begin the hike there, passing through forests and mountain meadows, sometimes climbing steeply as you wrap around the peak.
5. The Valley View Trail warms you up for tackling the Peak Trail properly, which begins just to the left of the main parking area where you started. Turn right just past the large stone and wooden marker explaining the historical backstory to the peak, and start the trek to the summit. The trail gets rockier and steeper as you go. You’ll reach a small pass — a notch between rocky knobs — cross a wooden bridge, and then switchback up the other side of the mountain with sweeping grasslands below. This part of the hike looks and feels like Wales, and it’s here that the fog tends to blow in and envelop you in its thick, wet embrace. One minute you’re looking out at the valley below, or at the massive cell phone towers just below the main summit, then next it’s all hidden by blowing fog.
6. Enjoy your time in the clouds, but watch your step! Once you reach the gravel service road below the rocky summit cap, you’ll encounter a few informal side trails, but stay on the main tread as it wraps its way up stone steps to the final, granite jumble of moss and lichen-​covered rocks that is capped off by a metal flagpole, geodesic survey medallions (three of them), and yet another historical plaque. On this last bit, you’ll probably need to use both hands in a few places to keep your balance on the rocks, and you’ll have a few different options for reaching the flagpole at the summit crest. If you’re hiking in the fog, visibility will be low — 5 to 10 feet — but the feeling of exposure, while modest, will be overwhelming.
7. Head back down and take the Carmen Trail to the observatory. Lovely oak trees and green slopes await.
8. Take Tony’s Trail to the park entrance. This connects you to the Cold Springs Trail, the last link on the loop that returns you to where it all began.
9. Cross the road to the Cold Springs Trail, which is steep at times. Don’t underestimate it.
10. Reconnect with the fire road near the campground. Walk back to the car, more tired than before, a little wetter perhaps, but wiser to the ways of the world. Once back home, channel that inner Steinbeck of yours and post your own review. Walking in the clouds tends to encourage reflection and internal dialogues about one’s life. Be prepared for where it might lead.

This review is mostly for camping in late September. The drive up is pretty, though long. We got there just in time for sunset which was nice, but not spectacular. We stayed at campsite number 10 which was barely level and quite rocky, other sites seemed far more level. It was fairly private though. The bugs went away after the sun went down and it cooled off but wasn’t freezing or anything. It’s incredibly quiet up there, which was wonderful — not much noise from other campers on a Friday night. Keep in mind planes fly over and you have a birds eye view of the lights in Watsonville and surrounding area, I was a little disappointed since I like to get more away from civilization when I camp. We heard great horned owls, quail and coyotes barking. The biggest downfall was the restrooms, they were the filthiest I had ever seen anywhere. You could smell them from 20+ feet away, and there was excrement EVERYWHERE (seat, floor, walls). How do people do that?! Anyway, they were unusable, which is unacceptable if you’re going to campground where you expect some type of toilets. In the morning the bugs came back in droves. They aren’t Mosquitos and they didn’t really seem to respond to bug spray. They didn’t bite but there were so many that we couldn’t enjoy ourselves or even function so we quickly packed up and left. Enjoyed historic San Juan Bautista instead. Don’t think I’d camp here again.

Nice short local walk with great views. The drive up the canyon prob takes longer then actual hike from parking area to actual fremonts peak and definitely worth it if you have couple hours to kill one weekend. We were to see clear to Monterey bay to the stacks in moss landings, salinas, Hollister, Hollister hills and good view of San justo reservoir. Not a sweat breaker but Prob catch some beautiful sunrise/​sunsets. Follow it up with patio lunch at jardines in San Juan and u got nice lil Sunday. Careful on road, very narrow and windy

Camped here from a Monday to a Wednesday on site number 25. The view to Salinas valley was beautiful and the stars and Milky Way at night were something so incredible.
The campsite was pretty empty, which was great, but very windy at our particular site… well worth the view though.
There are no showers, but bathrooms and running water. I recommend this camp for a few days.
Drive slow up the mountain as we ran into deer every time we came home to the site

I am sold, What a sunset…

Fremont peak is a beautiful park. The hike up to summit is moderate, but short. I also have never seen so many stars.

My friends and I stayed at the Doe Flats campground, a very large group campsite that holds up to 50 (I believe) though we were a small group. We were lucky to spend our first night under a full (blue!) moon and it was the most memorable moonrise I’ve ever seen — really stunning with a beautiful sunset throwing pink light on the large moon with nothing but meadows and oak trees to frame the view.
The ONLY reason I have only given three stars, and this is camping specific, is because the wasps made it IMPOSSIBLE to eat during the hotter daylight hours. Literally thousands, and that campsite cost $ 100/​night, so it seems like they could have thrown a few bucks at abatement, or at least given us the heads up. Also, no campfires, which was ultimately fine. But the campsite was nicely maintained and not windy, seemed like it would have been perfectly safe.
All that aside, the vault toilets were the very cleanest I have ever encountered. It was sort of luxurious!

Perfect for a quick escape from Monterey. As others have said, the views are outstanding, the camp is easy to get in and out of, and did I mention that it is just 45 minutes from the stratus that loves Monterey?
I agree with other reviewers that trails are limited here, so it’s not the best pick for a multi-​day stay. That’s really not the fault of the park, it’s just what happens with limited space. However, for a night to get away, it doesn’t get much better!
Oh, the park ranger is also very nice and personable.

This is a small park, and, to me, that’s part of its attraction. Once you’ve covered the trails, there’s little to do but relax. We had not been in years, but drove up on Friday for a night. As usual, the park was not full. The other campers were quiet and considerate. In mid-​June, this 3,000 foot elevation park was experiencing spring, with lush green grass and an abundance of wildflowers.
I think $ 25 is a bit steep for camping, but it’s a bargain compared to other entertainment options. As usual, the marine layer left the valleys below cloaked in fog while we basked in the sunshine. Even with a near-​full moon, the stars were spectacular.
This is THE place to lose yourself in a paperback, to listen to the Giants on the radio and to reacquaint yourself with your partner.

Camped here in middle of May with my son. On the plus side– great views from the top, and our first night there, a Thursday, was quiet and very pleasant. As noted, campsites are rustic (pit toilets, no showers, need to bring in your own firewood).
On the negative side– the state doesn’t support the park much. They are closed Mondays through Wednesdays, and when we were there we didn’t see any of the normal practices that we’re used to the Rangers performing at California State Parks– we actually never saw a Ranger the whole time we were camped there. On the weekend we were there, they had rented out what was said to be a daytime picnic area as a group campsite for a large and very loud party who went ’til 2 am. If that had happened at other parks we’ve camped at, it would have been shut down by the rangers.
So– if you’re part of a big group of folks who want to hang out and have a party– this may be a good place to camp. If you are thinking you want to get back to nature and enjoy the stars, sit around a campfire, etc– probably not a good choice. And i wouldn’t rate it as kid friendly given our experience.

Wow I should have reviewed this park ages ago. This is a great park with an awesome view.
On a clear day from the peak you can see from Santa Cruz to Carmel and everything in between (including the Moss Landing Smokestacks). The hike is pretty easy and the camping here is pretty easy to reserve as well. This place is above the cloud line so on some days you feel like your on an island in the middle of some puff the magic dragon type wonderland. It looks CRAZY! Sunsets kick butt here too and make sure to bring layered clothing because it can get cold around here.

Got lost here three times as I didn’t see the direction an arrow on the sign pointing the CORRECT direction of the park. Road is curvy, winding, turnsy, up and down, few turn-​offs but where there is, STOP! Thar’s a great view to be enjoYed! If you like to drive and on twisting narrow scrap the cliff roads, you’ll love it! As forementioned, if you luck out you’ll get here on a day with fog… don’t ask ~ jes do it! Pray for fog!!!
Campsites are very minimal — don’t expect anyone to come out to help you unpack, unless you’ve brought kids and family/​friends. Maybe even then NOT. Various campsite areas, and by accident and pure luck, drove to a lower site where I encountered by chance MY campsite… a small turnoff marked by a wooden post with the campsite number. On that post was a laminated sheet indicating MY name and reserved.
Pit toilet facilities and picnic tables all over. Stay on trails as there are a LOT of annoying burrs all over, but the views are to DIE FER! Was fortunate enough to arrive on a clear night just in time to catch the last few seconds of sunset, and when you see that sea of fog below you — should you also be blessed — then you’ll just want to stay ferever! This was the first sunset I’ve seen in a looong time where the afterglow lasted almost an hour! wow!
They have big events at the observatory each July/​Aug and the public is invited. Great place on clear nights for those with telescopes. After the sunset people crawled out of the various sites with their telescopes and wow, what a great star-​gazing night it was!
PHOTOGRAPHICALLY SPEAKING: Take your tripod for those clear-​night starry night captures. I was there with camera snapping and also saw the International Space Station zip by overhead, along with about six meteorite trails including one that lasted for about 2 seconds! If you are walking around in the dark ~ and it DOES get very dark there ~ please use a red filter over your flashlight lens as to not destroy the night-​vision of any– and everyone there! If you can’t find a red filter to use, then cover your white light beam with your hand to guard any light-​spillage so that you can use your white light still, but control it so that others won’t be bothered by the light. GREAT views driving up and down the hill. PRAY fer FOG!
I would have given five stars because I saw a LOT of stars. I gave four because I like roughing it, but not really!
ROUGHing:
NO WATER (bring your own and LOTs of it!)
NO Showers (BrinG more water!!)
NO water pit toilets (spray thyself with bug repellent before entering)
NO lights (bring a red-​filter flash-​light)
LOTs of mosquitos — they don’t need water now!!!
NO campfires — cuz thar ain’t NO WATER (too dry)

That friend that went «bonkers» according to this Unilocaler was indeed me! See
After a few hours stuck in a car this is a nice place to unwind and get the legs loosened up. For the record I skipped my morning run and did three runs up and down on the Fremont Peak trail instead. It’s not as easy as my friend makes it sound, but the elevation change is pretty gradual. Also pretty were the views of San Benito County. Every direction we turned towards on the peak offered a beautiful view. We lucked out with the weather, and I was just happy my friend suggested we pull over.

We found Fremont Peak State Park along our route to Mission San Juan Bautista on Highway 156 so we decided to pull in, take a hike, eat a sandwich, rest and catch a glimpse of what Mother Nature had to offer. The drive here is breathtaking on a somewhat winding road with nothing but nature surrounding us from the the dark green brush to the lush, grassy hillsides.
The hike up to Fremont Peak is pretty easy and short. I believe our trail map showed it as just a one mile out and back with a very gradual elevation change. Taking that into consideration my travel partner kind of went bonkers, and she actually ran the trail while I admired the beauty of my surroundings much closer. It is important to note that the main trail does not lead to the peak itself, but you will come upon a steep, rocky detour that takes you to the peak. The skies were quite clear during our visit and the views were simply stunning. With the exception of varied species of birds I noticed very little wildlife on the grounds.
There are clean areas to rest and picnic. Facilities at this park are of the non-​flushing type. I posted a few photos of the scenery.

The only state park in San Benito, and a paltry 159 acres at that, so don’t expect a bunch of hiking trails. Best to think of it as more of a picnic destination – indeed, as picnic spots go, you can’t do much better. The drive up alone is worth it, meandering through a picturesque valley before making a precipitous climb up the ridge. The grassy, oak-​shaded picnic spots have a decent view of your own, but you really have to take the short walk to the top (you have a choice of a paved road or dirt trail) and enjoy the 360-​degree views up here. Be warned, though, that even on a clear day Monterey Bay can be sort of lost in the haze. And as always, the time of year makes a big difference in the look of the hillsides – generally I recommend the Ireland-​caliber greens of spring, unless you have a thing for brown (er, gold?). Just look at my photos vs Jimmy P’s.

Up through the darkness,
While ravening clouds, the burial clouds, in black masses spreading,
Lower sullen and fast athwart and down the sky,
Amid a transparent clear belt of ether yet left in the east,
Ascends large and calm the lord-​star Jupiter,
And nigh at hand, only a very little above,
Swim the delicate sisters the Pleiades.

A group of us went camping here last summer, and it was fantastic — apart from the mosquitoes, for which it loses one star.
Highlights:
— Relative seclusion (at our group site, anyway)
— The free public telescope/​observatory
— The owl that woke me up in the middle of the night right near our tent. WHO! WHO! WHO!
— Grilled whole turkey (OMG, so good! — a friend had a whole frozen turkey that wasn’t going to fit in his new freezer, so he brought it out, cut it into hunks, and just put it on the big group BBQ grill. Amazing!)
Downsides:
— Not enough level ground for even half the supposed «group capacity» — though the ranger said they’d be fixing that soon
— mosquitoes and flies
— The owl that woke me up in the middle of the night right near our tent. WHO! WHO! WHO!

really 3 ½ stars… But I will bump it up to 4 if I have to go one way or the other. It was nice. The drive up was a little rough, sharp turns and it takes a while. The hike up to the marker where general Fremont flew the American flag for the first time in California is a nice little hike which my 4 and 6 year old were able to make and get a sense of accomplishment. The view is flat out stunning at sunset. The big negative for me was that in mid summer it gets dry and they would not let us do a camp fire (charcoal was allowed). 1 night a month they open up the observatory there as well, which is neat. Check their website for a schedule on that.
Roughing it meter: 4
Beauty Factor: 4 — it is very pretty up here
Sites reasonable size
Details:
* Outhouse toilets, but the nicest outhouse I have ever seen. It really did not stink
* Windy, curvy road up. Take a long time. About 20 minutes are so. But there is a store right at the bottom of the hill.
* Very limited Sprint Phone coverage. If I walked up and down the hill I could find a spot where I had enough roaming coverage to make a call and stand still as to not lose my signal.
* Not a ton to do here. Some okay hikes, but more of a come up and admire the view place.