Point Lobos State Reserve juts out to sea on a vast rocky promontory, just south of Carmel. Famous for its wind-blown Monterey cypress grove—one of only two remaining stands on Earth—the park also protects critter-packed tidepools (visible at low tide) and migrating sea mammals. Harbor seals breed in spring; sea lions laze on the rocks for all but two months in summer, when they swim off to rookeries down the coast; grey whales migrate off shore December to May.
While walking from Whaler's Cove to the grinding stone at the border between Point Lobos State Reserve and Monastery Beach one evening, it seemed that we were the first people to tread that way in a long while since the wild grasses were encroaching on the path. No matter, my boys happy pulled the weeds and tossed them into the air. Grass-fetti, they called it.
When you wind along the path from Whaler's Cove to Moss Cove in Point Lobos State Reserve during the Springtime, you meander past wildflowers in every color of the rainbow - from the pale creamy yellow of butter lupine to the fiery carmine of Indian paintbrushes and from the cantaloupe-shaded sticky monkey flower to the tufts of sea pinks in a shade you thought were reserved for bubblegum. When my friend's son saw this photograph, he asked, "Mom, why do you have Truffula Trees on your computer?" I never noticed the Seuss-like look of these pink flowers; now I can't forget it. These make me smile everytime I see them.
As the edge of Whaler’s Cove calmly greets the boundaries of the Pacific Ocean, it is nearly impossible to distinguish between the everlasting sky and seemingly endless stretch of blue. Nestled safe and sound within the fairytale town of Carmel, Point Lobos is the ideal getaway for any mindset. Listening to the waves play among the delicately formed crevices of Cannery Point allows something special to resonate within your soul. This lingering spark derives from the park’s native history and the simple matter of it’s existence, as a reminder of the perpetual beauty that exists within our world. It is difficult to bid farewell to the euphoric daydream of Point Lobos once you have journeyed each mesmerizing trail. Somehow, the friendly chatter of an otter attempting to break open his dinner clam will alert you just in time for nightfall. One taste of this West Coast Utopia’s majestic energy will leave you feeling as tranquil and powerful as the ocean itself.
From the Native American grinding stone at the north end of the reserve to the tidepools at Weston Beach and from the acrobatic harbor seals in Whaler's Cove to the cacaphony of squawks where the cormorants nest and from trace fossils to wildflowers, Point Lobos is a delight and a weekly destination for our family. Some people go to church every Sunday. We go to Point Lobos State Reserve.
Known for glorious beaches and Dutch doors, Carmel, California also hosts the Point Lobos Nature Reserve. The Reserve covers miles of hiking trails, an old Whaler's Cabin, and a beach lined perimeter. Echoes of barking sea lions can be heard from the trails in the distance. Each side of the Reserve is quite different. The South side presents rocky beaches with splashing waves while the coves and high hillsides on the North side give hikers some more challenging climbs, especially between Bluefish Cove and Cypress Cove. South Point, overlooking Pinnacle Cove, is where you'll find the crowds watching the sunsets. Expect a whale, California sea lion or a harbor seal to join you. And if surf is up, watch out for the stray splash!
Note: Visitors have two options for entry. One is to park on Highway 1 and walk in (or bike in, but no biking allowed on the trails) for a requested $1 donation. Alternatively, drive in for a $10 entry fee. You'll also need to leave your four legged friends at home. This is one of the few spots in Carmel where dogs aren't allowed due to preservation needs.
As you pull into Point Lobos State Reserve from its Highway 1 entrance, you enter into one of Northern California's best kept secrets. The State Reserve limits the number of entrants so you can be sure to have a quiet, intimate and interactive experience with nature. Park your car and take off on foot for one of the hiking trails -- the Cypress Grove Trail is a very easy, yet scenic hike. Don't be surprised if you happen on jumping rabbits or wandering deer as you meander through fantastic cypress trees and you take in ocean views -- all the while soaking in the light marine mist and hearing crashing waves in the distance. This State Reserve is the perfect destination for a lazy, romantic day of hiking and picnicking with your sweetheart.
The water is cold. The wetsuit is uncomfortable. But tropical paradises, like Thailand and Australia, aren't the world's only sought-after dive destinations. Scuba diving at the Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is worth the discomfort for the feeling of gliding through kelp forests and being in awe of the area’s diverse sea life. Hopefully, a speeding sea lion will distract you from whatever beautiful anemone first caught your eye. The reserve maintains its pristine environment by limiting the number of divers per day, so be sure to book ahead.
Point Lobos State Reserve juts out to sea on a vast rocky promontory, just south of Carmel. Famous for its wind-blown Monterey cypress grove—one of only two remaining stands on Earth—the park also protects critter-packed tidepools (visible at low tide) and migrating sea mammals. Harbor seals breed in spring; sea lions laze on the rocks for all but two months in summer, when they swim off to rookeries down the coast; grey whales migrate off shore December to May.
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