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Deriving its name from the offshore rocks at Punta de los Lobos Marinos, Point of the Sea Wolves, where the sound of the sea lions carries inland, the reserve has often been called "the crown jewel of the State Park System." Point Lobos has offered many things to millions of people who have visited it over the years.
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is outstanding for sightseeing, photography, painting, nature study, picnicking, SCUBA diving, and jogging. In addition to the spectacular beauty, nearly every aspect of its resources is of scientific interest. There are rare plant communities, endangered archeological sites, unique geological formations, and incredibly rich flora and fauna of both land and sea.
Respect the power of the ocean. Help avoid a disaster and keep at a safe distance. Remain on the designated trails within the wire guides, and stay away from the rocky cliffs. Rock climbing is absolutely prohibited.
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve contains headlands, coves and rolling meadows. The offshore area forms one of the richest underwater habitats in the world popular with divers. Wildlife includes seals, sea lions, sea otters and migrating gray whales (from December to May). Thousands of seabirds also make the reserve their home. Hiking trails follow the shoreline and lead to hidden coves. The area used to be the home of a turn-of -the-century whaling and abalone industry. A small cabin built by Chinese fishermen from that era still remains at Whalers Cove and is now a cultural history museum.
Getting There
Located on the central coast of California in Monterey County. The entrance is located three miles south of Carmel on Highway 1.
The Day Use Annual Pass is accepted at this park.
Located on the central coast of California in Monterey County. The entrance is located three miles south of Carmel on Highway 1.
The Day Use Annual Pass is accepted at this park.
Seasons/Climate/Recommended Clothing
Fair sunny days, occasional winter rains, and dry summers, moderated by fog from July through September, characterize central California's climate.
Fair sunny days, occasional winter rains, and dry summers, moderated by fog from July through September, characterize central California's climate.
Operating Hours & Contact
Reserve is open from 8am to 1/2 hour after sunset.
Information Station is open from 9am to 5pm, as staffing permits.
Whalers Cabin Museum is open from 9am to 5pm, as staffing permits.
Telephone: 831-624-4909
Diving Information: 831-624-8413
Reserve is open from 8am to 1/2 hour after sunset.
Information Station is open from 9am to 5pm, as staffing permits.
Whalers Cabin Museum is open from 9am to 5pm, as staffing permits.
Telephone: 831-624-4909
Diving Information: 831-624-8413
Activities
Guided Walks and Whalers Cabin Museum
A schedule of guided walks for the month is posted at the entrance station. The museums are open as staffing permits, generally from 9am until 5pm. Requests for nature walks, cabin tours, and slide programs led by rangers or docents for schools and private groups require advance written application.
Diving (SCUBA and free)
Diving is permitted only at Whalers and Bluefish Coves. Proof of certification is required. Permission to dive is given when entering the reserve. Reservations are recommended and a must for weekends and holidays.
Half of the reserve is all you see unless you're a diver and visit the underwater world just offshore. This is one of the richest marine habitats in California. Its animals and plants are fully protected by state law from any disturbance.
Divers explore a realm of beauty that until this century was inaccessible except to a handful of pioneers. In the subdued light of the 70 foot-high kelp forests, animals without backbones and plants without roots create a world of vibrant color. Lingcod, cabezone and rockfish swim in and out of view. The unexpected appearance of a seal, a sea otter, or whale quickens the heart.
Guided Walks and Whalers Cabin Museum
A schedule of guided walks for the month is posted at the entrance station. The museums are open as staffing permits, generally from 9am until 5pm. Requests for nature walks, cabin tours, and slide programs led by rangers or docents for schools and private groups require advance written application.
Diving (SCUBA and free)
Diving is permitted only at Whalers and Bluefish Coves. Proof of certification is required. Permission to dive is given when entering the reserve. Reservations are recommended and a must for weekends and holidays.
Half of the reserve is all you see unless you're a diver and visit the underwater world just offshore. This is one of the richest marine habitats in California. Its animals and plants are fully protected by state law from any disturbance.
Divers explore a realm of beauty that until this century was inaccessible except to a handful of pioneers. In the subdued light of the 70 foot-high kelp forests, animals without backbones and plants without roots create a world of vibrant color. Lingcod, cabezone and rockfish swim in and out of view. The unexpected appearance of a seal, a sea otter, or whale quickens the heart.
Accessible Features
Picnic Area
Whaler’s Cove: The picnic area has one accessible table on a new firm, stable surface. The parking lot and route of travel are generally accessible. Restrooms: A generally accessible comfort station is nearby. The path of travel is accessible.
The Piney Woods area has an accessible table on dirt surfaces that may be usable in dry weather. A new accessibly designed restroom is available in the parking area.
Trails
Cypress Grove Trail is accessible for 0.25 mile and offers excellent views of the cove. The trailhead, accessible parking and a new accessible comfort station are located in the Cypress Grove parking area.
Sand Hill Trail, also called Sea Lion Point Trail, is a paved accessible loop trail about 0.40 mile long leading to great views of the cove (see photo below) and perhaps the occasional otter and/or sea lion. Parking in Sea Lion Point lot. Trailhead is 200 feet beyond lot on road.
Carmelo Meadow Trail, Begins at the entry station and provides accessible trail linkage to the Granite Point Trail (also accessible). The trail winds through native Monterey Pine forest and terminates at Whalers Cove. Accessible parking is available at the park entrance. The trail is .3 miles in length and is surfaced with compacted soil.
Granite Point Trail: The trail is accessed by way of the Carmelo Meadow Trail. The route hugs the Whalers Cove bluff offering spectacular views of the coastline and its abundant wildlife. Accessible parking is available at the park entrance. The trail is .36 miles in length and is surfaced with compacted soil.
Other Information
The Cypress Grove area has an information kiosk with park-related publications and other small items of interest. Accessible parking and restroom are nearby.
Picnic Area
Whaler’s Cove: The picnic area has one accessible table on a new firm, stable surface. The parking lot and route of travel are generally accessible. Restrooms: A generally accessible comfort station is nearby. The path of travel is accessible.
The Piney Woods area has an accessible table on dirt surfaces that may be usable in dry weather. A new accessibly designed restroom is available in the parking area.
Trails
Cypress Grove Trail is accessible for 0.25 mile and offers excellent views of the cove. The trailhead, accessible parking and a new accessible comfort station are located in the Cypress Grove parking area.
Sand Hill Trail, also called Sea Lion Point Trail, is a paved accessible loop trail about 0.40 mile long leading to great views of the cove (see photo below) and perhaps the occasional otter and/or sea lion. Parking in Sea Lion Point lot. Trailhead is 200 feet beyond lot on road.
Carmelo Meadow Trail, Begins at the entry station and provides accessible trail linkage to the Granite Point Trail (also accessible). The trail winds through native Monterey Pine forest and terminates at Whalers Cove. Accessible parking is available at the park entrance. The trail is .3 miles in length and is surfaced with compacted soil.
Granite Point Trail: The trail is accessed by way of the Carmelo Meadow Trail. The route hugs the Whalers Cove bluff offering spectacular views of the coastline and its abundant wildlife. Accessible parking is available at the park entrance. The trail is .36 miles in length and is surfaced with compacted soil.
Other Information
The Cypress Grove area has an information kiosk with park-related publications and other small items of interest. Accessible parking and restroom are nearby.
Trails
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Wonders of Wildlife at Point Lobos State Reserve
Sea lions, shore birds and more share this gorgeous chunk of Pacific Coast south of Carmel, California
Sea lions, shore birds and more share this gorgeous chunk of Pacific Coast south of Carmel, California
Easy
Cypress Grove Trail
A nice loop through the cypress trees to many great views of coves below.
A nice loop through the cypress trees to many great views of coves below.
Easy
1.0 mi/
1.6 km
1.6 km
A Birders Guide to Point Lobos
The diverse habitats at Point Lobos provide a wonderful birding opportunity.
The diverse habitats at Point Lobos provide a wonderful birding opportunity.
Easy
5.0 mi/
8.0 km
8.0 km
Guides
The diverse habitats at Point Lobos provide a wonderful birding opportunity.
Sea lions, shore birds and more share this gorgeous chunk of Pacific Coast south of Carmel, California
A nice loop through the cypress trees to many great views of coves below.
Community Trips
Point Lobos State Reserve
Hwy 1 & Riley Ranch RdCarmel, CA 93923http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=571
As part of our effort to create guides for all California State Parks, Joost and I set out for Point Lobos. It was a beautiful November day so we parked the car and set out with our cameras over our shoulders and our iPhone apps set to tracking mode. The sea lions were out in full force around Sea Lion Cove. We parted ways around the north end of Cypress Cove and...
Gorgeous sunny day at Point Lobos. We took a nice easy fun hike today (still trying to break in my new hiking shoes). We saw 2 bunnies, a deer that let us walk very close, a millipede, seals, sea lions, and many birds. There was also a multitude of wild flowers in bloom, especially the wild iris' and sticky monkeys.
For this hike, I wanted to focus on the interior trails at Point Lobos and pick up a few places that I haven't covered so far. I define the interior trails as those that cut across the Reserve in contrast to the main trails that go around its perimiter. There are four main interior trails at Point Lobos, the Mound Meadows trail, the Pine Ridge trail, the Lace Lichen trail and the...
Point Lobos has been called the greatest meeting of land and sea in the world. I won't argue that here. It is also a nice place to do some easy hikes and if you like viewing birds and marine mammals it is well suited for that too.For this trip, I chose the main perimeter trails. They give you a good sense of what the reserve has to offer in a 4.5 mile...
Another jaunt at Point Lobos to check out the fall sights, birds, late flowers, and termites. I actually didn't plan on the termites, but should have because it was the first clear day after the first rain of the season. Termite hatches seem far less threatening when they aren't happening in your neighborhood. The birds also seemed to like the event.
This out and back hike is just over two miles (if you add in the loops) along the northeast shore at Point Lobos State Reserve.Bear with me as I try to upload photos for a guide. I will get back to finish this shortly because it was a nice little hike.
The trail map at Point Lobos is not especially accurate. Specifically most of the interior trails only vaguely represent reality (they are in the same zip code and roughly run in the correct direction). Since I have collected gps tracks while walking the Reserve's trails for the last year, I figure I can help produce an improved map. But since gps tracks themselves are less than accurate, I set out to collect...
This was another birding hike, but then all of my hikes these days focus on birding. I also wanted to cover two trails that I had not hiked before, the Whaler's Knoll trail and the Lace Lichen trail. I started at the Sea Lion Point parking lot and headed north on the North Shore trail. At a little over a quarter of a mile, the Whaler's Knoll trial heads off to the...
I took a short hike around Point Lobos. I mostly wanted to take some photos and see some birds. Perhaps see some more whales or dolphins (but that didn't pan out).It was a short hike, but I did get down to Sea Lion Point. I have been wanting to clean up the trail map down there for a while. Erosion at the Point has cause a few changes in where the trails...
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