Some of the very best California coastal hiking can be found at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve just a few miles south of Monterey and Carmel California. If you've ever traveled to this area along the California coast you know just how scenic it it. Long considered the “crown jewel” of the California State Park system,
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve lures travelers from all over the world.
Point Lobos contains headlands, coves and rolling meadows. At Point Lobos you can enjoy very easy hikes with many beautiful vista points. The coastline itself is rocky and you'll have great views of the ocean water splashing over the rocks. You'll see sea otters and if you're lucky perhaps a whale. To enhance you're visit you'll want to bring binoculars along. If you don't have binoculars you can check them out by leaving your car keys with a ranger.
Point Lobos Trails
Featured below are a few of the hiking trails at Point Lobos State Natural Preserve. Bring suitable walking shoes or hiking boots. Hiking is very easy throughout the entire park. There are a few areas that require some scrambling over rocks, but there are enough ADA-accessible trails such that anyone can enjoy the beauty of this place.
One of the first things you'll want to do when entering the park is to obtain a trail map. The trail map will show you the layout and distances of each trail and the points of interest along each.
One of the fine easy walk trails at Point Lobos is the Bird Island Trail. Bird Island is a rock with a large sea bird colony in spring and
summer. Hundreds of Brandt's cormorants nest close together on the flat
part of the island. On the way to the Bird Island overlook, you pass between Monterey pine
woods and the sea. There are lovely views of two white sandy beaches:
the small one in China Cove, and the longer Gibson Beach.
Cypress Grove Trial is a .75 mile long hike which has the special distinction of visiting the famous Allan Memorial Grove, which honors A.M. Allan. Allan helped preserve Point Lobos from resort developers in the early 1900s. When Point Lobos became a reserve in 1933, Allan’s family donated the cypress grove there to the state.
The North Shore Trail goes through groves of the rare Monterey pine. Native stands of the fog-loving, three-needled pine grow in only a few place in California and Point Lobos is one of them. Your hike will lead you through the pines and and you'll be treated to beautiful coastal panoramas. As your hike takes you past Whalers Cove, you’ll most likely see divers entering the Point Lobos Underwater Reserve which is America’s first such reserve established in 1960.
The Granite Point Trail is a perfect trail for viewing the varied wildlife of Whalers Cove and also for enjoying the multitude of wildflowers in both spring and summer.
Tour Whalers Cabin Museum
Whalers Cabin was originally built by Chinese fishermen in the early 1850's. The cabin itself overlooks Carmel Bay and Whalers Cove. History buffs will much enjoy this historic structure. Today this structure is a museum with a docent always available to answer your questions. The Whalers Cabin and nearby Whaling Station can be found near Whalers Cove. Each is open to the public from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. every day.
See the Western Trips articles on the links below for more attractions near the Monterey Peninsula area of California...
Historic Asilomar at Pacific Grove
Carmel-By-The-Sea California
The Historic Bridges of Big Sur
Castle Air Museum / Atwater, CA
The Unique Birds, Mammals and Plant Life of Point Lobos State Natural Preserve
Point Lobos State Natural Preserve features over 160 different species of birds. The prime time to view the birds is during the spring/summer nesting season. With the exception of squirrels most of the land mammals in residence at Point Lobos are harder to spot than the sea mammals. A good many of the land mammals come out during the early morning or evening when the park is closed. Even during other times many hikers can spot the animal trails they leave behind.
Plant life at Point Lobos is very extensive. certain types grow here because of the micro climates found there. The cools sea breezes, the moderate temperatures and the summer fog let certain plants grow and thrive. Kelp is plentiful because of the cool nutrient rich waters.
Visit Point Lobos
Visiting Point Lobos State Natural Preserve is one of the best ways to explore and appreciate the rugged California coastline. It's been often described as the greatest meeting of land and sea in the world. In addition to that it's a birders paradise. Scenic picnic spots, fine diving opportunities, abundant wildlife both on shore and in the sea, wonderful photographic opportunities as well as great hiking are all found at Point Lobos State Natural Preserve.
Point Lobos State Natural Preserve is located about 7 1/2 miles south of Monterey California directly on the coast.
You'll find much more about planning a trip to Point Lobos on the link below...
Point Lobos State Natural Preserve
(Article and photos copyright 2014 Western Trips)
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| Great coastal views at Point Lobos |
Point Lobos Trails
Featured below are a few of the hiking trails at Point Lobos State Natural Preserve. Bring suitable walking shoes or hiking boots. Hiking is very easy throughout the entire park. There are a few areas that require some scrambling over rocks, but there are enough ADA-accessible trails such that anyone can enjoy the beauty of this place.
One of the first things you'll want to do when entering the park is to obtain a trail map. The trail map will show you the layout and distances of each trail and the points of interest along each.
 |
| Sea otters at Point Lobos |
Cypress Grove Trial is a .75 mile long hike which has the special distinction of visiting the famous Allan Memorial Grove, which honors A.M. Allan. Allan helped preserve Point Lobos from resort developers in the early 1900s. When Point Lobos became a reserve in 1933, Allan’s family donated the cypress grove there to the state.
The North Shore Trail goes through groves of the rare Monterey pine. Native stands of the fog-loving, three-needled pine grow in only a few place in California and Point Lobos is one of them. Your hike will lead you through the pines and and you'll be treated to beautiful coastal panoramas. As your hike takes you past Whalers Cove, you’ll most likely see divers entering the Point Lobos Underwater Reserve which is America’s first such reserve established in 1960.
The Granite Point Trail is a perfect trail for viewing the varied wildlife of Whalers Cove and also for enjoying the multitude of wildflowers in both spring and summer.
 |
| Dive boat off Point Lobos State Natural Preserve |
Whalers Cabin was originally built by Chinese fishermen in the early 1850's. The cabin itself overlooks Carmel Bay and Whalers Cove. History buffs will much enjoy this historic structure. Today this structure is a museum with a docent always available to answer your questions. The Whalers Cabin and nearby Whaling Station can be found near Whalers Cove. Each is open to the public from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. every day.
See the Western Trips articles on the links below for more attractions near the Monterey Peninsula area of California...
Historic Asilomar at Pacific Grove
Carmel-By-The-Sea California
The Historic Bridges of Big Sur
Castle Air Museum / Atwater, CA
The Unique Birds, Mammals and Plant Life of Point Lobos State Natural Preserve
Point Lobos State Natural Preserve features over 160 different species of birds. The prime time to view the birds is during the spring/summer nesting season. With the exception of squirrels most of the land mammals in residence at Point Lobos are harder to spot than the sea mammals. A good many of the land mammals come out during the early morning or evening when the park is closed. Even during other times many hikers can spot the animal trails they leave behind.
 |
| One of the many beautiful coves at Point Lobos |
Visit Point Lobos
Visiting Point Lobos State Natural Preserve is one of the best ways to explore and appreciate the rugged California coastline. It's been often described as the greatest meeting of land and sea in the world. In addition to that it's a birders paradise. Scenic picnic spots, fine diving opportunities, abundant wildlife both on shore and in the sea, wonderful photographic opportunities as well as great hiking are all found at Point Lobos State Natural Preserve.
Point Lobos State Natural Preserve is located about 7 1/2 miles south of Monterey California directly on the coast.
You'll find much more about planning a trip to Point Lobos on the link below...
Point Lobos State Natural Preserve
(Article and photos copyright 2014 Western Trips)
