Fremont Peak State Park


Containing the Fremont Peak Astronomical Observatory, this park offers excellent views of Monterey Bay and the Pacific Ocean from its four-mile network of hiking trails traversing moderate terrain.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Fremont Peak Astronomical Observatory

0.18 MILES

Equipped with a 30in telescope, Fremont Peak's astronomical observatory is usually open to the public on many Saturday nights between April and October,…

2. San Juan Bautista State Historic Park

6.1 MILES

Buildings around the old Spanish plaza opposite the mission anchor this small historical park. Cavernous stables hint at San Juan Bautista in its 1860s…

3. Mission San Juan Bautista

6.17 MILES

Founded in 1797, this mission claims the largest church among California’s original 21 missions. Unknowingly built directly atop the San Andreas Fault,…

4. National Steinbeck Center

10.21 MILES

This museum will interest almost anyone, even if you don't know anything about Salinas’ Nobel Prize–winning native son, John Steinbeck (1902–68), a…

5. Steinbeck House

10.41 MILES

Steinbeck was born and spent much of his boyhood in this house, four blocks west of the museum. It’s now a twee lunch cafe, which we’re not sure he’d…

8. Casa de Fruta

17.06 MILES

Heading east from Gilroy on Hwy 152 toward I-5, Casa de Fruta is a commercialized farm stand with an old-fashioned carousel and choo-choo train rides for…