Part of the California State Parks system, Point Lobos State Reserve in Carmel is heralded as “the greatest meeting of land and sea in the world.” Here you can experience the dramatic forces of Mother Nature as waves crash over the rocky and tree-covered headlands. Point Lobos State Reserve is home to scores of marine and terrestrial wildlife, rare plant communities, monarch butterflies, and important archeological sites. The diverse marine life and kelp forests make Point Lobos popular among scuba divers. A variety of walking trails provide access to Moss Cove, Sea Lion Point, and Whaler’s Cove, the site of a whaling station that thrived from 1862 - 1879. Picnicking is allowed in three different areas of the park. Park docents are on hand to answer your questions about plants and wildlife or point you to a specific trail. Most visitors say they could wander the park all day. A camera with a fully charged battery is a must for this visit as you will want to take plenty of photographs of the gorgeous scenery. The park is open from 8AM to 7PM daily. Trail maps are available at the park entrance.
