Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

Stunning park! I can’t believe I had never been here before. It’s a mere $ 10 to drive in (free if you park off Hwy 1 and walk in), and some of the most gorgeous coastal views and hiking trails in the state. The water was a beautiful teal blue (not dirty and gross like many beaches in more populated areas) and the waves are very big and bold here because it’s so rocky. My friend and I did some hiking and went off the trail (oops!) and found a REALLY beautiful secluded spot with a gorgeous view of a little cove area with cool little wave whirlpools and lots of seaweed swaying softly in the sea. It was amazing. We checked out Whalers’ Cove and then drove over to China Cove, which had some of the craziest waves I’ve ever seen, I made sure to take plenty of pictures and videos! This is a beautiful place that I plan to visit several more times to experience in entirety. It’s so beautiful I wouldn’t mind coming back just to hike the many trails here.
There were lots of families and other visitors here but it’s still big enough to feel very connected and personal. Check it out! It’s only 15 minutes south of Monterey!

My first time at Point Lobos… I don’t even have words! I literally stood there for the first 10 minutes just staring. Our coastline in SoCal is lovely, but this… this was breathtaking! We walked around for about 4 hours, I took a ridiculous amount of pictures and and I can’t wait to go back! Incredible!!!

Met up here for a special birthday hike and lunch. Breathtaking. It’s lovely to walk along the headland trail and watch for otters, sea lions, and even whales. Head away from the cliffs for protection from the wind, a picnic. There are lots of picnic tables. Parking can be tricky on busy weekends but we found a place. Not a great place for getting away from crowds unless you visit on a weekday. Unbeatable views.

Beautiful and peaceful place to relax!
We really enjoyed the trail but did not get to complete the whole thing because the park closes at 5pm. Be aware even if you enter the park at 4:45pm and you’re far in the trail a ranger WILL find you and make you leave.

I am so happy to finally take this one off my bookmark list. Beautiful doesn’t even begin to describe this place. It was worth the 2+ hrs drive including all the traffic.
Arriving to the location I noticed tons of cars parked along side the road and decided to do the same. By the time we had arrived the main parking lot was full but from where we parked the walk to the main entrance was less than 10 mins. We decided to take the South Plateau Trail which isn’t even a mile long walk once you arrive at Gibson Beach. Then can keep walking along some other trails that has the most incredible view of the beautiful blue coast. Overall the trails are really easy, i’d like to say we did a total of 3 – 4 miles bc we did a bit of a loop of the park.
Couldn’t have chosen a better day to come and see this magical place. Best part is there are benches along the trail where you can just sit and take in the stunning views. I can’t wait to go back but for now I have pictures to look back at till then.

Beautiful as it can get. The trees, the ocean and the wildlife at its finest. There is a driving path to explore and plenty of walking paths to venture off on. There are multiple places for ‘mini’ beach access to enjoy the waves on the front row. Enjoy

Oh this was really spectacular. The SO and I were here for a night and our AirBnb host recommended that we check out Point Lobos while we were here. Tons and tons of great trails, though we cheated and drove into China Cove where there’s a small parking lot and a a very brief hike that gives you some nice close to «cliff» views of beautiful blue water. I’m really quite the fan. I think driving in was probably worth it – it might have been fun to hike some of the trails up to the cove, but if you’re short on time and are only stopping by this place briefly on your highway 1 trip, it may just be worth driving in.
There’s a small entrance fee when you go in, but it’s good for the day. Really nice park. When we went, there was also a park ranger who had binoculars pointed out to the ocean so we could see a small family of sea otters bobbing in the water.
tldr; china cove is the place to check out if you come here!

Beautiful casual trails that spans miles of gorgeous beaches, cliffs and forests. Definitely worth a visit from the Monterey/​Carmel area, it is one of those places where one feels grateful to be part of something large and the overwhelming feeling of being washed over by the force of nature is powerful and blessful all at the same time.
People watching here is fun: the kids and their family who play on the beach at Thanksgiving time, braving the waters with some hesitation; the groups of friends who are balancing rocks and then competing who can knock the furthest and most over; and the lovers who are there feeling like the only people in the world embracing each other’s company and the beautiful sights. Endless photo ops.
Parking is slightly tricky, even with the $ 10 admission you may need to drive around quite a while for a free spot. Many do park along the roads outside the park itself.

Great park to visit with fantastic views!!! I would say it’s maybe better than the views of the 17-​mile drive! Plus, there are so many hiking trails to explore! Be prepared to spend a whole day here so you can really enjoy all the scenery. Only down side is that it’s $ 10 admission fee (per car) and it’s not dog-​friendly.

I don’t want to tell you about this place because it’s so beautiful here and I want to keep it all to myself! I’m super serious!
I want to come back early one day and walk the entire perimeter as I was only able to cover about 3 of the big beach areas.
The short hike through the woods was pretty, but the highlight are the unique views of the ocean via different beaches. The tidepools here are entertaining and host to many different sea creatures. There are also some fun beaches tucked around here and there with varying sand from white to large pebbles. I spent about 20 minutes digging around for cool rocks. I love how saturated this whole area is, especially the water as you walk around.
So yeah, you should go when I’m not there and enjoy the view and leave some good parking spots for me when I have time to stop by again :)

Our first attempt on Saturday was a fail. We got here to find out we had one hour before the place closed. This has happened to us more than once at other hikes. Fortunately, there was a trail that we were able to complete in the little time we had. The Camelo Meadow Trail was a quick 10 min walk through the woods where we then saw a view of the water. We continued the hike onto the Granite Point Trail on the left to get a better view of the water. There were several small lookout points you could stop at to take in the amazing view. For example, once you climbed this set of stairs after the parking lot to reach Cannery Cove, you were able to enjoy a seat on this bench over the cliff of the water and talk about life. Got a little too cold up there since it was getting late. We decided to leave thirty mins after closing and as we were walking down the stairs, we saw the park ranger (?) driving around, so I guess they do make sure all visitors exit at closing time. The hike back to the entrance was scary since it was getting dark and the sky was extra gloomy.
We wanted to finish the whole hike so we decided to come again yesterday, but this time, we woke up early and took less pit stops on the drive to Carmel. We still parked on the street to avoid the $ 10 fee at the entrance ($ 9 for seniors). You can drive through the hike since there’s a road right next to the trail and parking spaces available at each cove. I guess that’s an option if you wanna get through each spot quickly, but where’s the fun in that? Of course we were troopers and hiked the whole thing. I would say at our pace, we took about 2 – 2.5 hours. It really depends how long you spend at each spot along the hike. We started our hike at I think South Plateau Trail and started down south to Gibson Beach and from there we made our way up and around. It was definitely not a strenuous hike. I think the only part that got me a little exhausted was in the beginning where we decided to climb hella rocks on the beach to get closer to the water.
This was one of the more scenic hikes I’ve been to. As long as you stay on the coast, you’ll always have something to look at. Near the end, once we got closer to reaching Whalers Cove, the trail got a little more narrower. I remember there was this huge rock blocking the way and we actually had to make our way over it. Could be difficult for older persons to get over.
I really liked how the trails were defined and marked with rope so you never go off trail. There were also a couple bathroom stops along the way!
Recommend this hike if you’re looking for a scenic walk with your family, friends, and loved ones on a nice day! :)

Decided to go on a mini getaway and came across this spot on Unilocal.Seeing it had 5 stars… i had to drive 2 hours south to check it out to see what the hype was all about.
Got there a little too late … around 4pm which it already started to get quite dark. There was plenty of parking outside the main gate so I just parked on the side of the road along with others. At the main gate it seemed like they were charging to go inside to park but i however was able to skip this part. Quickly glanced at the map and headed down a trail. After of just 5 – 10 walk we hit the waters… which was STUNNING. Decided to stroll further up the trail onto a higher scenic view point which even displayed a better scene. Something like it was from the Yosemite national park. There were benches there for you to enjoy the view.
Too bad I got there too late and was unable to finish majority of the trail but from the looks of the map… it showed that it was like a journey around the peninsula and back. It can get quite windy… so do bring a light jacket. As oppose to an estimate it would take to finish and appreciate the whole journey… I’d say 3 Hours.
Will definitely be back for the whole package experience along with the Monterey bay seafood i already crave.
5 Star Scenic Spot!

Point Lobos is absolutely beautiful. The tide pools let you get an up-​close-​and-​personal experience with sea urchins, starfish, lichens, and multiple varieties of crabs. The trails are short and walkable for even small children, and the sea lions are always fun to observe.
Lately, the trail down to the beach has been closed, so your experience is a little more limited. Either way, though, I can’t imagine spending more than an hour here, which makes the $ 10 entrance fee and a dedicated drive here a little overkill. However, if you happen to be in the area driving along Highway 1 and can get a parking spot outside of the park, it’s definitely worth seeing!

California Trip #2
«And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.»
–Roald Dahl
This being my 200^th review on Unilocal,I wanted it to be from some place special. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve (PL) is indeed a special place full of wonder. When I arrived that day on October 10^th, I knew PL was magical, and it would turn out to be one of the highlights of my trip.
I grew up in Maine close to the beautiful rocky coast. People have written prose about and taken photographs of the stunning New England coastline. I’m not going to say it’s not breathtakingly gorgeous. Maybe it’s because I got used to seeing the view in Maine as normal, but what I found at PL is beyond that – truly magical. I couldn’t take my eyes off the amazing array of colors in the water. As you hike throughout PL, you see so many different things – your eyes will devour the sights, only to play in your dreams later that night.
I arrived right at 8 a.m. and there was a line. I ended up parking at Piney Woods – a great spot to use the restrooms and have a picnic. When I left around noon, the parking lot was full, and the street outside was packed with cars. There were a lot of people around –totally different experience from my hike at Big Basin– but it wasn’t that bad. I headed south at first and it was quiet. It got busier once I got past Sea Lion Cove.
Tips:
* $ 10 parking fee
* $ 2 map at the gate
* Arrive EARLY!
* Brings snack, water, and a picnic lunch! Trust me – you’re not wanting to leave so bring a picnic lunch. All that hiking makes you hungry.
* Bring your camera! The views are spectacular and the amount of wildlife is outstanding. I saw several types of birds, seals, and otters.
* Check out The Whaler’s Cabin Museum if you have time (
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* Docent-​led Walks (
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* New iPad app for children (
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* Be prepared that the fog might roll in. Accept it and embrace its beauty.
If you live in the Bay area and you’ve never been to PL, then shame on you. Go there right now! If you’re planning a trip to California, then you *must* put PL on the top of your list. Trust me – everyone tells you go to this and try out that. But, listen to Carissa. PL is Mother Nature’s Magical World, and you will not regret it. Peace out.

Nice LittLe hike that even I could handle. LMAO. That says a Lot since im not into any type of exercise or intense activity.
I came here with my fiancé, brother, and his gf on a Sunday afternoon. To my surprise, there was a good amount of peopLe here. The weather was foggy but humid so it got warm shortLy after the hiking got underway.
BeautifuL views but it honestLy couLd have been better. The fog covered up most of the breathtaking views and the grey cLouds didn’t make the best pictures.
FYI: Bring shoes that you’ll be ready to either toss out or wouLdn’t mind getting super dirty.
Park aLong the side of the road if possibLe, this saves you from having to pay $ 10 for parking.
Bathrooms are horrendous and stinky!!!

This place is breathtaking and beautiful! I wanted to spend all day here just exploring. SIGH.
A must see! Seriously one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. You can pay 10 bucks to get into the park and drive to the lookout or you can park outside for free and hike in. Their is a quick trail that you can take that will take you to the seal path. When we were there, the seals weren’t there and they had that area closed off. It was fine though, we saw dolphins, otters, and breathtaking views. I want to go back ASAP!

Amazing, amazing, amazing! Must see if you’re in the area. You’ll see nature and wildlife its natural habitat, and it’s wonderfully calming and peaceful.
On my visit I saw purple sea urchins, jumping fish babies in the cove, California crabs, periwinkles, hermit crabs just to name a few. It was really nice seeing these creatures flourishing in their natural environment.
$ 10 to enter — but gladly happy to donate/​support to these places to continue to preserve the beauty.
This is a 5 star location — only reason for the downgrade in 1 star is inconsistency between the park rangers. Background: I am a professional hula-​hooper and avid traveler, meaning I bring my hoop everywhere and I love hooping in new places on my travels. The first ranger was very intrigued, and asked me about my hoop and told me «well this is a beautiful place to enjoy your hooping!»
Second ranger, as I was enjoying all the wildlife I explained above — he rudely grabbed my hoop without asking. I interrupted him and said «excuse me that’s my hoop where are you going with that». He said «what is it doing here». how do I even reply to that? Then he rudely said «this is a toy, toys are not allowed in a NATURAL reserve. Did you pay to get in? Or did you just walk in». RUDE.
Nature is great — but screw you ranger dude.

Naturegasm.
Point Lobos is one of the most awesome nature reserves I’ve ever visited. It truly encompasses everything beautiful that NorCal has to offer — picturesque sandy beaches, stunning Cypress trees, majestic sea birds, playful sea lions and otters, and jaw-​dropping rocky terrain. The park also offers several trails to hike along as you go about your sightseeing. I don’t consider myself a legit hiker by any means, and the trails at Point Lobos totally fit the bill. In half a day, you’ll be able to hike the entire expanse of the reserve and see just as much natural beauty as you would hiking for 3 – 4 days anywhere else. While none of the trails are terribly tough, they do vary somewhat in difficulty. Some trails are flat and gravel paved (Lace Lachen Trail), while others require some uphill/​downhill maneuvering with moderately nimble feet (Northern Trail).
There are 9 different coves in Point Lobos, each as gorgeous as the next. My personal favorites are China Cove (intimate and secluded), Whalers Cove (beautiful area where the ocean meets the forest in a near perfect semi-​circle), and Sand Hill Cove (broad, expensive cove that offers shoreline views that reach the horizon). The coves are packed with a bounty of wildlife and each is uniquely stunning in its own right.
To prepare for your visit, bring a camera (high quality, if at all possible), water, and some good walking shoes. Try not to deviate too far from the trails, as there is poison oak abound (long pants recommended). And not to worry, there are a few public restrooms dispersed through out the reserve as well. The parking in the reserve is $ 10. If the lot is full by the time you arrive or you just don’t want to spend the cash, I suggest parking along the dirt shoulders along highway 1 just outside the reserve. It’s only about a 10 minute walk to the main entrance from there.
Bottom line, you don’t want to miss a trip here if you’re anywhere near Carmel/​Monterey. This place is an absolute must-​see any time of the year. I can honestly say the reviews and pictures don’t even begin to do justice to Point Lobos. Just come and find out for yourself.

Walk. Run. It is worth it. This is one of nature’s best.
They close by 7:00 pm and last entry is at 6:30 pm.
Bring your water and camera.
Just do it.

Ich war im Dezember 2014 nur sehr kurz in Carmel-​by-​The-​Sea, aber es hat mir sehr gut gefallen. Ein zauberhaftes Örtchen, mit hübschen Läden, Cafes und Restaurants. Es gibt eigentlich nur eine Strasse, die zum Strand führt, und das wars. Ist aber wunderschön, auch der Strand. Monterey ist gleich um die Ecke. Hinfahren und geniessen!

Sublime endroit. À faire même 1h si peu de temps devant soi. Et plusieurs heures serait un plus pour apprécier ce chouette parc. À pied bien sur. Laissez donc la voiture à l’entrée.
La côte pacifique est magnifique ici et au hasard de votre balade, vous croiserez des biches…

Point Lobos is the most colorful area I’ve been to in California!
The whole park is actually quite small, and can be seen in its entirety in about 3 – 4 hrs, which includes plenty of time to take pictures! I started my hike on the north side, the Whaler’s Cove parking lot. I worked my way along the coast following the North Shore trail. This trail is not very difficult to follow, not any elevation since it hugs the coast. One of my favorite areas was Headland Cove for the beautiful colors of vegetation that are there. However, my absolute favorite area was the Sand Hill Cove. I hiked down among the rocks to snap some really great pics. This area was gorgeous, and I would certainly come back just to take more pictures of it.
I was racing daylight and had to rush through much of the South Shore trail, but I didn’t see anything that looked much different or worth while.
Many of the coves are accessible by road, you don’t have to hike and can drive straight through. The coves also have flat and wide trails, easily accessible if you have mobility issues.
You must do this!!!