National Forest · California

Los Padres National Forest

The Big Sur backcountry and condor country

TypeNational Forest
StateCalifornia
Best seasonFall through spring
Don’t missBig Sur backcountry

The rugged interior behind California’s Central Coast — chaparral ridges above Big Sur, hot springs, and the skies where California condors were brought back from the brink. Wild land right behind the famous coast.

What to see

  • Ventana Wilderness
  • Sykes Hot Springs
  • Cone Peak over the ocean
  • California condors
  • Pine Mountain

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