Catch a moment at Calla Lily Valley in Big Sur

Witness the breathtaking beauty of Calla Lily Valley at Garrapata Beach, Big Sur, during its peak blooming season!

Last updated: Jan 2024
  • Free

Description

Immerse yourself in the captivating Calla Lily Valley, where hundreds of white calla lilies blanket the landscape every spring. Stroll along the scenic trails and enjoy the soothing sound of the waves crashing against Garrapata Beach. Marvel at the vibrant colors and delicate petals of these extraordinary flowers as you explore this hidden gem of Big Sur.

Perfect for

For solo
For two
For families with kids
For parents and grownups
Outdoorsy

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Itinerary

  • Drive to Garrapata State Park
  • Walk the trail to Calla Lily Valley
  • Explore the valley and take photos
  • Relax on Garrapata Beach
  • Optional: Continue your Big Sur adventure by visiting Bixby Bridge and McWay Falls

Location

Garrapata Trail, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923

Show directions

Packing List

  • Comfortable shoes for walking
  • Long pants to protect against poison ivy
  • Camera or smartphone for photos
  • Sunscreen and a hat
  • Picnic supplies (optional)

 4.7  ● Google reviews

  • Sunny P.

    a month ago

    Calla Lily Valley was such a beautiful surprise! I had never seen so many lilies growing naturally in one place before. I visited in April 2026, and the flowers were blooming everywhere—it was absolutely stunning. The valley was even more magical with a waterfall flowing through the area, creating such a peaceful and beautiful scene. If you want to see the lilies at their peak, I recommend visiting around April. I believe this is when they are at their most beautiful and in full bloom. Definitely a must-see spot!
  • Anand

    2 months ago

    A somewhat hidden gem in Big Sur. Went during Memorial Day weekend and the Calla lilies were starting to whither. The wildflowers were in full bloom. Best time to visit might be a week or two before Memorial Day. Place wasn't too packed when I went. Easy trail. Takes you right through the wildflowers. The bushes were a bit unkept. There were some areas where the the path was narrowed by the encroaching bushes that scraped against your legs. Lots of bugs. Mostly the pollinating kind and not the biting kind. The stream in the valley flows directly into the ocean. You can floow the path to the beach. Gorgeous views. The beach was a bit littered with Velella Velella. They're pretty harmless though. You can see people surfing the waves. One of my favorite spots.
  • Zsuzsanna Sziveri

    5 months ago

    The valley itself is beautiful. However this time we could not see a lot of callas because someone cut the flowers off- hopefully not illegally. The nearby beach is beautiful, sandy, with pretty large waves. Parking is available along the highway, there were two portable potties at the beginning of the trail.
  • Ker

    5 months ago

    This location is absolutely beautiful! We got here at the break of dawn with NO ONE on site!! The parking is limited by gate 18. You can find a little more parking by gate 19. When we arrived the ground was wet because it was raining the past 3 days. Wear shoes that you don't mind getting dirty! It is a little hike down to the valley where the lilies are found. Because of the rain, the water stream down the lily valley was higher than normal. Please walk carefully 🙏 so you don't stomp on the flowers. I recommend coming super early to get the best shot and alone time with the flowers.
  • Daniel li

    5 months ago

    It’s a great spot for checking in and taking photos. But actually, there aren’t many flowers, and the hiking trail is really short. If you’re only here for photos and like lily , it’s pretty nice. It’s a small valley by the sea, better for close-up shots. The place is tiny though, but it’s still really good if you don’t mind.

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