The coast waking up. Calla lilies and the first warm days.
Spring begins in earnest in March. The Calla Lily Valley at Garrapata fills with blooming wild calla lilies — a window that exists for only a few weeks. The first genuinely warm days arrive, morning fog is thinner, and the coast comes back to life. Waterfalls remain at near-peak from winter rain.
Magic window: Calla Lily Valley (Mid-March – early April)
A ravine at Garrapata State Park fills with blooming wild white calla lilies for only a few weeks each year, after winter rains and as temperatures rise. The timing shifts year to year — typically peak in the third and fourth weeks of March. Pair with Pfeiffer Falls, which runs at maximum flow the same weeks.
Conditions
Weather: 63°F high / 48°F low. Variable. Warm days possible. Calla lilies peak mid-March through early April.
Crowds: moderate
What's open
- All parks
- Calla Lily Valley bloom (mid-March through early April)
- All trailheads
Prioritize
Calla Lily Valley at Garrapata (peak third and fourth week of March). Pfeiffer Falls while water runs high. Gray whale watching through mid-March from Point Lobos and Soberanes. McWay Falls at full flow.
Wellness
Outdoor sessions resuming. Word of Mouth Yoga on weekends. Esalen — book ahead for spring.
Dining
Most places back to full hours. Coastal Kitchen, Nepenthe, Sur House recommend reservations on weekends.
Where to stay
Spring break brings early season crowds — book ahead. Big Sur Lodge in the state park is excellent in spring.
What to pack
Layers. Morning cool, afternoon warm. A light rain layer still useful. Hiking boots for wet trails.