Attractions and Places To See in Ventana Wilderness - Top 20

Ventana Camp, located off Pine Ridge Trail by hiking up Ventana Camp Trail, is a peaceful retreat by the Big Sur River, near the confluence with Ventana Creek. Accessed via a steep ascent and switchbacks, the camp offers a relaxing atmosphere, with fewer visitors than other nearby camp spots. The 40-acre redwood canyon campground features tent-only sites with picnic tables, fire rings, nearby water faucets, and bathrooms. There are also luxury camping experiences; guests can opt for safari-style canvas tents with premium linens. RVs and trailers are not allowed, and check-in times are 2 pm for camping and 4 pm for glamping, with check-out at 11 am.

Cone Peak is the second highest mountain in the Santa Lucia Range in the Ventana Wilderness. On the summit stands the now decommissioned Cone Peak Lookout, built in 1923. During World War II it was one of observation posts of the Aircraft Warning Service.

Visitors can pay for the day or even book a room overnight with which use of the hot springs is included. Locals insist that traditional use of the river and the wild springs coming out in it supercedes the purchase of the land and should be free to the public

Well preserved with the original rock foundation and air-dryed mud-brick adobe walls still intact, Santa Lucia Adobe was built in 1908, two years after the establishment of Monterey National Forest (1906). One of the few remaining adobe guard stations, the rangers assigned here patrolled on foot and on horseback. They protected the forest from wildfires, illegal cattle grazing, wildlife poaching, and timber thieves. The original foundation of river cobbles and the walls of horizontally-laid bricks are still intact. The stone ruins also found in this area are the remains of Girl Scout Camp Cawatre, closed and demolished in 1984. The first part of the trail from the Indians dirt road is usually well maintained 'Camp Cawatre Rd' trail, though the narrow trails beyond are often affected by poison oak growth and many ticks. For trail conditions check https://www.ventanawild.org/forums/ventana-wilderness-trails/1116

This Buddhist retreat and meditation center is one of the three San Francisco Zen Center locations founded in the 1960s by Japanese master Suzuki Roshi. It is open to paid course participants and paying day guests from End of April to early September only. If you don't want to use the onsen hot spring bath house and center facilities, access to take a dip in the beautiful natural river upstream or downstream should be free of charge, though technically the trail passes across their land. The Day Use rate is $35 for adults and $15 for children, and does not include meals. The only available meal for purchase is lunch in the dining room and is available by reservation only. Lunch is served at 1:00 pm, and is $17.50 for adults and $13.50 for children. Day use visitors should pack food and snacks as there is no other food available for purchase. Be mindful of our wildlife by using secure containers that are easy to carry but difficult for critters to carry off or penetrate. Tassajara Bath House is available to day use visitors; bring towels. Pets are not allowed anywhere in and around the whole wilderness and the center. Reservations are required for day guests. Call no more than two weeks in advance to make a day visit reservation. 831-659-2229 More info at https://www.sfzc.org/practice-centers/tassajara

Outdoor natural hot spring tub (104°F) next to stairs for cooling off in river, Indoor hot plunge 108°F, steam room, soothing outdoor setting with high quality materials. www.sfzc.org/tassajara Basic Tassajara History: Pre history - Indians for thousands of years, Esselen Indians when Spanish arrived in the area by 1770. 1868 - J. E Rust opened camp - first official settler, 1875 - Borden advertises settler 1876 November - Borden sells squatter's rights to William Hart. 1884 - Hart officially homesteads 160 acres including the springs 1885 March - Charles Quilty buys Tassajara. He and his wife Mary and 2nd wife then widow Helen own it for 60 years. 1945 May - Ralph Myers & James Bundgard who leased his share to Myers whose wife & then widow Helen weds Philip Terry. 1949 September 9 - Hotel burns down and other buildings and woods 1951 October - Angela and Frank Sappok 1959 April - Margaret and Lester Hudson 1960 February - Robert and Anna Beck and Fred and Nancy Roscoe who sell their share to Becks after a month. 1966 December - Becks receive first payment on Tassajara from Zen Center http://www.cuke.com/Cucumber%20Project/other/history-tass.htm

Outdoor natural hot spring tub (104°F) next to stairs for cooling off in river, Indoor hot plunge 108°F, steam room, soothing outdoor setting with high quality materials. http://sfzc.org/tassajara