Bear Valley Visitor Center

The gray, barn-like building was designed to fit the ranching heritage of the surrounding valley, and it sits in a grassy, wooded setting near the Bear Valley entrance. Walking in, the first thing most people notice is a full-size model of a bull elephant seal. Beyond it, exhibits cover the peninsula's diverse ecosystems and cultural heritage, along with a touch table and maps that make the park's geography click. There is an auditorium with audio-visual programs available on request, so it is worth asking at the desk if you want one.

• Permits: backcountry camping and beach-fire permits can be obtained here, so build this into your itinerary if your plans need either.
• Bookstore: natural history books, maps, cards, posters, and park merchandise, useful if you want a trail map on paper.
• Families: Junior Ranger materials and reading material make this a practical first stop with kids.
• Facilities: restrooms, drinking water, ample parking, and a picnic area with grills just across the driveway for a tailgate lunch before or after your hike.

Just west of the parking lot, the paved 0.6-mile Earthquake Trail loops through key features of the San Andreas Fault with interpretive signs. It is shaded, easy, and short, which makes it a natural pairing with an exhibit visit. Treat it as a separate walk rather than part of the building itself.

This is an orientation and exhibit stop, not the coastal scenery most people come to the peninsula for, so plan it as a stepping stone rather than the highlight of your day. Audio-visual programs depend on requests and staffing, so arrive with flexible expectations rather than a fixed schedule.