This trail-oriented Hotspot is primarily a ridgeline habitat lined with chaparral species of Coyote Brush, Western Sycamore, Coastal Live Oak, Sticky Monkeyflower, and omnipresent Poison Oak. It overlooks a redwood canyon and is accessed via other trails with woodland habitat. 

Resident birds of the woodland and chaparral include Wrentit, California Thrasher, Spotted Towhee, Oak Titmouse, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, and woodpeckers; summer breeders include Pacific-slope Flycatcher and Black-headed Grosbeak. The trail overlooks the mixed oak, sycamore and redwood canyon so Band-tailed Pigeons and hawks may be present. Owls reside in the Redwood Canyon and may be heard from here at dusk.

Access this hotspot from the East Garzas Road trailhead for Garzas Canyon, Terrace Trail, and Saddle Trails.

East Garzas Road is parallel to Carmel Valley Road; access it via the short Boronda Road. Boronda narrows to a one-way bridge over the Carmel River. Immediately turn left on East Garzas Road, and look for parking on the right (south) side of the road. Park by one of the multiple trailheads depending on your preferred starting trail. All access trails are steep and may be slippery. Plan for at least one mile and 300-400 feet of altitude gain to access the East Ridge Trail.  You may be rewarded with wildflowers in spring and extending into summer including Pink Honeysuckle, Elegant and Lewis’ Clarkia, and Mariposa Lily.

Be considerate of the houses opposite the park -- please do not turn around in driveways.

Garland Ranch Regional Park contains over 3400 acres that were formerly a ranch. The park is now owned and administered by the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District. The main entrance at 700 West Carmel Valley Road has a very large parking lot with a walk to a Visitor Center and restroom facilities. A vehicle bridge (for official vehicles only) crosses the Carmel River and is available to pedestrians and cyclists year-round. A small footbridge crosses the river during the summer and fall when the water level is low. The park has a variety of habitats including riparian, meadow, mixed oak woodland, and redwood canyon. The park is multi-use: birders will share the trails with hikers, equestrians, and is dog-friendly (defined as "on leash or within direct voice control;" some park users will stretch this definition). Bicycling is only allowed in a small portion of the park.

The main units of Garland Ranch Regional Park are open dawn to dusk. There are a variety of entrances and various eBird Hotspots, including a "general" Hotspot and a variety of sub-locations that generally feature specific trails. [The is also a stand-alone Hotspot for the newly-acquired, permit-only Kahn Ranch unit.] Elevations with the primary Garland Ranch Regional Park vary from 200 to 2000 feet [60--600m] elevation. The park stretches from the banks of the Carmel River southwards into the Santa Lucia Mountains foothills. Garzas Creek bisects the Park, often flowing through densely wooded habitats.

Refer to the Garland Ranch trail map for access trails of Garzas Canyon, Terrace, and Saddle Trails.  Descend into the East Ridge Redwood Canyon from the East Ridge Trail.