Inspiration Point
Palo Corona Regional Park, Carmel
(831) 372-3196, www.mprpd.org
The world likes Inspiration Points, and California is no exception. There are Inspiration Points in Berkeley, Newport Beach, San Francisco and the Channel Islands. In Palo Corona’s Park, Inspiration Point, which can be reached by a 0.75-mile hike, has stellar views of the Carmel headlands jutting into the ocean like a hand’s spread-out fingers. Standing on the vista with trees cloaked in lace lichen framing your view, it is nothing short of inspiring.