Fremont Peak and Valley View Loop Trail is a 2.4 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near San Juan Bautista, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round.
360 degree view of Monterey Bay, San Benito Valley, Salinas Valley, and the Santa Lucia Mountains east of Big Sur. The trails are very nicely up-kept, and wide enough for two people. For the less eager there is a great resting spot with a view south toward Salinas, a wooden bridge and a bench looking out south. In the summer heat, refuge can be found in the shade of the alcove behind the bench and north of the bridge.
California state parks website http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=564
Getting to Fremont State Park is an adventure in itself. The actual park is located some 11 miles south of San Juan Bautista. To get there turn off of Highway 156 onto San Juan Canyon Road. Follow the signs to the left and follow the road for 11 miles. The drive takes about 25 to 30 minutes depending on how fast traffic is moving. Watch for turkey vultures as they soar above canyons in search of food. Other wildlife includes coyotes, snakes, deer, bobcats, raccoon, and even the occasional fox! At night the observatory occasionally opens up to the public and visitors can see the stars from the 30-inch observatory telescope. The peak is 3169 feet above sea level and gets its current name from Army Captain John C. Fremont when he built a strategic fort on top of the mountain in 1846. Camping is available to the public at a first come first serve basis but you can make reservations ahead of time to ensure a site is saved for you. There are three main campgrounds, Valley View Campground, Oak Point Campground, and Doe Flat group campground. There is one flush toilet near the entrance of the park, and plenty of non-flush toilets litter the park.
December 10, 2020very nice trail and views. a lil overgrown with poison oak but not bad at all, passable.
November 13, 2020Lots of poison ivy overhanging the trail going down from near campsite 9, single wide path. Poison ivy gone in uphill section of trail towards oak grove campsites. This section from oak grove with a small side jaunt on part of Cold springs trail is double wide. Also has two picnic tables in a medium size clearing as it connects to the Cold Springs Trail. Overall it is a nice walk in the forest. The Cold Springs Trail has caught my interest. I will go back and do that full trail later.
August 1, 2020definitely lots of poison oak, I can see why some people said it can be confusing the signage isn't great but the hike is definitely beautiful you a can see all the cities we did this hike in the afternoon looking forward to doing it again in the morning
June 22, 2020I was lost for the first 30 minutes because of how overgrown everything was. Even after I found my way, the pathway was still unclear and with that being said, I wasn't able to enjoy the scenery as much, in fear of being lost again.
March 21, 2020Got confused with finding the trail path, since there aren’t very clear signs to follow. The valley view trail was a little overgrown and not clearly marked. There is some incline, but it’s not too tough. The trail leading up to the peak was more defined, but be careful for how rocky it is. Really enjoyed the clouds, birds, and wildflowers!
January 18, 2020Beautiful hike! Definitely doesn’t take 2 hours to complete but I stopped a lot for pictures. Parking is $6 so make sure you have cash. There was a little bit of snow on the ground coming down from the Fremont Peak Loop!
March 29, 2019Amazing views very fun and easy I highly recommend this trail
August 18, 2018Good hike, good amount of tree coverage except when you get closer to the peak, the ridge is exposed. Be careful climbing up the rocks. Views are amazing regardless if there is fog rolling in or not. Like the previous reviews.... Be careful for the poison oak.
February 21, 2018Unparalleled views!
February 17, 2018Agree with previous reviewers. Poorly maintained trail and the ranger that hides in the bushes to give out parking tickets. Went to the restroom after a long drive to that park and came back to a parking ticket. 8 mins max. Almost as bad as the parking ninjas at SFPD. Calm down, I said "almost." Would not recommend. Will not be going back.
May 28, 2017Crap. Skip this place. Poorly maintained trails, hikes that are so short you can't really call them hikes. Poison oak everywhere.
May 13, 2017Very nice views once you are at the top. I hiked Valley view trail and it's a very narrow trail with tall grass and weeds. Some parts the trail is hard to spot so map on your pho e is handy. You don't have to hike this trail to get to the vista points.
May 7, 2017Not difficult at all. It was fairly easy to me. Only gets a bit difficult once you have to climb the rocks to get to the peak stand. Be extremely careful. Overall its a nice trail for a beautiful scenery.
February 9, 2017Great View from peak can see coast real good from high altitude and see the moss landing electrical plant towers as well view is a thrill..
January 2, 2017very dependent place. We were there today 1/1/2017 (yes, new year's date). It was 38 degree, super super windy with mist. For some, it wouldn't be fun but we liked it. We felt like walking in clouds and with strong misty wind, our minds were blown. It should be a great trail on sunny day as well. Go!
November 27, 2016A georgeous little loop that's absolutely worth the drive (which is beautiful in itself).
June 6, 2016This trail is awful. The flies in this park are relentless (no amount of bug repellent helped quell the hordes of them incessantly following us EVERYWHERE) and the park staff does a terrible job of trail upkeep. Virtually no path to follow, overgrowth, and not many trail heads to be found.
May 26, 2016Came here all the time growing up, it's especially beautiful when the clouds are low and you walk up into them
March 3, 2016It's. Amazing. Peaceful. I'm Happy.
January 24, 2016Beautiful place! Nice views! When it's clear- you can see as far as Monterey Bay and Santa Cruz. Sunsets & Sunrises are the best from this amazing place. Definite must to explore!
September 27, 2010
First to ReviewThe view of the coast and the valley from the peak is breathtaking, especially at sunset!! Just be sure to know what poison oak looks like because the sides of trails are teaming with it.
November 15, 2020September 27, 2020September 12, 2020September 6, 2020September 3, 2020July 20, 2020July 4, 2020May 1, 2020
