Point Lobos State Park is located at 62 State 1, Carmel, CA 93923-9753, USA.
Map of Point Lobos State Reserve
You can see the small rocks north of "the Slot."
Along the Cyprus Grove Trail
Near Cypress Cove
Harbor Seals Resting
Source: Formosangirl's Personal Collection
Whaler's Cove
Along Granite Point Trail
View from Coal Chute Point
View Toward Moss Cove
Granite Point
Granite Point Trail
One of the Footbridges
As the title suggests, I find Point Lobos State Reserve to
be one of the most fascinating parks that I have ever visited. The
trails are mostly along the cliffs, where you could tell that many
hundred of years before, there were parts that fell into the ocean.
Then, there are parts that are sandy and others where they are rocky.
Then, you have tidal pools formed nears slabs of rocks.
Even though we return frequently to Point Lobos State Reserve, a couple of times per year, we noticed numerous changes to the park in April 2012. This time around, China Cove was closed. This was fine for us because we wanted to venture to a different part of the park. In the past we explored from China Cove to the Whalers' Cabin. We decided this time around to go farther west. However, since we couldn't find parking, we parked at Piney Woods and walked along the shores near Sand Hill Cove. We noticed one thing different, the stairs to the penisula near Sea Lion Cove was completely closed off. Apparently, there was landslide so that the natural stairs to the rocky penisula were just to dangerous to navigate. I spoke to a park ranger who said that it will be repaired. Interestingly, another ranger said that to increase revenue, the park is planning on opening the park for weddings. Although the park attracts over 300,000 visitors, the State Park System is not doing too well. I think that the $10 admission is not too much to ask to maintain the park. Unlike national parks such as Yosemite, state parks do spend a lot of money on convenient restrooms with flushing toilets.
Then, finally, during early afternoon, we saw a few parking spaces opening up. We moved our car closer to the Sea Lion Point Trail and walked leisurely on Cypress Grove Trail. This was a leisurely and shady walk with mild change in topography. Insteading of hiking to Whalers' Cove, we drove there and skipped the entire Whalers Knoll. The highlight of the trip was seeing 13 seals basking near Whaler's Cove. Why that particular area? I do not know. One volunteer said that last year, there were 28. This year, at least 2 were pregnant. In Spring, the rangers anticipate pups.
The adventure began when we started along Granite Point Trail. The walk was peaceful, and there was a stretch where even wheelchair individuals could enjoy the trail. The only complaint was the stench from a lot of seaweed along the water and shore. At Coal Chute Point, we saw an otter in the waters. It was interesting to see how flat Carmelo Meadow is and then how rocky and steep the areas were near Coal Chute Point and Granite Point. One can see that beyond the Moss Cove Trail to a totally different terrain, sandy beach. I can vouch that Point Lobos State Reserve is a must-see park in California, if not in the United States.
Even though we return frequently to Point Lobos State Reserve, a couple of times per year, we noticed numerous changes to the park in April 2012. This time around, China Cove was closed. This was fine for us because we wanted to venture to a different part of the park. In the past we explored from China Cove to the Whalers' Cabin. We decided this time around to go farther west. However, since we couldn't find parking, we parked at Piney Woods and walked along the shores near Sand Hill Cove. We noticed one thing different, the stairs to the penisula near Sea Lion Cove was completely closed off. Apparently, there was landslide so that the natural stairs to the rocky penisula were just to dangerous to navigate. I spoke to a park ranger who said that it will be repaired. Interestingly, another ranger said that to increase revenue, the park is planning on opening the park for weddings. Although the park attracts over 300,000 visitors, the State Park System is not doing too well. I think that the $10 admission is not too much to ask to maintain the park. Unlike national parks such as Yosemite, state parks do spend a lot of money on convenient restrooms with flushing toilets.
Then, finally, during early afternoon, we saw a few parking spaces opening up. We moved our car closer to the Sea Lion Point Trail and walked leisurely on Cypress Grove Trail. This was a leisurely and shady walk with mild change in topography. Insteading of hiking to Whalers' Cove, we drove there and skipped the entire Whalers Knoll. The highlight of the trip was seeing 13 seals basking near Whaler's Cove. Why that particular area? I do not know. One volunteer said that last year, there were 28. This year, at least 2 were pregnant. In Spring, the rangers anticipate pups.
The adventure began when we started along Granite Point Trail. The walk was peaceful, and there was a stretch where even wheelchair individuals could enjoy the trail. The only complaint was the stench from a lot of seaweed along the water and shore. At Coal Chute Point, we saw an otter in the waters. It was interesting to see how flat Carmelo Meadow is and then how rocky and steep the areas were near Coal Chute Point and Granite Point. One can see that beyond the Moss Cove Trail to a totally different terrain, sandy beach. I can vouch that Point Lobos State Reserve is a must-see park in California, if not in the United States.
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