# Pinnacles National Park (East Entrance)

> Place to go for families in the San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara area (CA). Times are Pacific Time.

- When: East side: 24-hour access to trails (no overnight parking outside the campground). West…
- Where: Pinnacles National Park, East Entrance, 5000 East Entrance Road, Paicines, CA 95043
- Ages: All ages; easy family trails and strenuous hikes
- Price: Standard entrance pass $15.00–$30.00; annual pass $55; America the Beautiful passes accepted
- Schedule: East side: 24-hour access to trails (no overnight parking outside the campground). West side gate 7:30 am–8:00 pm, day use only. East Pinnacles Park Store daily 9 am–4 pm (closed noon–1 pm).
- Organizer: National Park Service – Pinnacles National Park
- Official page: https://www.nps.gov/pinn/
- Last checked: Sat, Oct 24

Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Oct 24, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about
Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-10-24), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/san-jose/activities/pinnacles-national-park-east-entrance--listing-db6c552cfce68d0f5a856c68

## About

Pinnacles National Park, in San Benito County south of Hollister, protects a landscape of rocky spires and deep canyons left by volcanic eruptions some 23 million years ago, with rare talus caves (Bear Gulch and Balconies) and a condor program. Trails range from short, easy walks for the whole family to strenuous climbs; the popular Moses Spring, Balconies, Condor Gulch and High Peaks trails start from the east side's Bear Gulch area. The Bear Gulch Nature Center has exhibits on the park's wildlife, geology and history (open intermittently due to staffing), and the East Pinnacles Park Store sells books and educational materials. The park is extremely busy on weekends, holidays and in spring, with long lines between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.; to hike the main trails, arrive before 8 a.m. The seasonal east-side shuttle has ended for the season. Bring water and check the park's directions page first: the east and west entrances are not connected by road.

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