One of the absolute highlights of a drive through Big Sur, Point Lobos State Natural Preserve has awesome hiking and fantastic wildlife viewing. If you’re visiting Monterey, or taking a drive down Highway 1 through Big Sur, Point Lobos is one of the must see spots!
Miles/Elevation:
~2 miles
~130 feet vertical gain
About Point Lobos State Natural Preserve:
Taking it’s name from the offshore rocks that are a haven for sea lions, Point Lobos State Natural Area is one of the highlights of the state park system. The land, first purchased by the state of California in 1933, protects rare Monterey Cypress Trees, exquisite habitat for all sorts of animals, and history dating back hundreds of years.
One of the biggest reasons people visit Point Lobos is to view the amazing marine wildlife. This area is home to sea otters, seals, sea lions, and at certain times of year, migrating whales. If you have a keen eye, you’ll have a chance to see all of them during your visit!
Point Lobos lies near the northern edge of California’s renown Big Sur Region. Big Sur, which includes much of the Central California coast, includes rugged coastline, tall mountains, and the coastal waters of the Pacific. Highway 1, which travels Big Sur north to south, follows the shore and travels right past the entrance of Point Lobos.
Getting To Point Lobos State Natural Preserve:
Point Lobos is just off Highway 1 south of Monterey. While there is some public transit in parts of Big Sur, I wouldn’t want to rely on it, and it does not cover all of Big Sur.
The best way to get to Point Lobos is to drive yourself. The preserve is about 15-20 minutes south of Carmel and Monterey, and about 2 hours south of San Francisco. It’s doable as a day trip from the Bay Area, but it is a long drive.
If you are visiting from out of state, you may need to fly to the area. The closest airport is the Monterey Regional Airport, which is quite small. For cheaper and more frequent flights, look into either San Francisco International, or San Jose International.
Cypress Grove Trail via South Shore Trail:
The hike that I always like to do is the South Shore Trail to the Cypress Grove Trail. This trail follows the coastline, and presents some awesome wildlife viewing spots. There are longer hikes in the preserve, but many of them leave the coastline for the interior forests. This hike is a great balance of beach exploration, wildlife viewing, and Cypress Forests.
When you enter the park, the first parking area you will encounter is at the Cypress Grove Trail. If all you want to do is the Cypress Grove Trail, then this would be the place to park, but if you want to do the South Shore Trail as well, I think it makes more sense to continue on. As you drive along the coast, there will be a few different parking areas. Continue on to one of the last ones for the full hiking experience, or park at one of the first for a shorter outing.
Once you have parked, you will be on the coast. Most of the parking areas have access to tidepools, beaches, or small coves. These are all good places to spot otters and seals, so be on the lookout!
Take your time exploring the coast, and once you’re ready, head off on the trail. The trail follows the coast, and the ocean will be on your left. You will pass the parking areas you earlier drove by, and more tidepools and beaches.
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Eventually, the trail climbs up some cliffs. The cliffs aren’t massive, but they will give you a little leg burn. Once on top of the cliffs, you will have views out toward the main sea lion colony in the preserve. Straight out, there are a few large rocks, and if you look closely (bring binoculars or a zoom lens!) you will see tons of sea lions hanging out on the rocks. You’ll almost certainly hear them before you see them!
Continue to follow the trail along the coast, and you will eventually arrive at the beginning of the Cypress Grove Trail. At the parking area, there is an exhibit with the furs from an otter, seal, and sea lion. When it’s open, it’s really cool to feel the differences between the animals! Don’t worry, the individuals the furs are taken from died of natural causes!
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The Cypress Grove Trail:
Starting off on the Cypress Grove Trail, you’ll immediately head away from the coastline. The trail begins by walking through some meadows as you head towards the ancient cypress trees.
Always follow basic trail etiquette when on trail!
Shortly, you’ll enter the main Cypress grove, and you will have the ancient branches spreading overhead. The trees really do feel old, and moss hands from the branches collecting the fog. If you’ve never seen these ancient Cypresses, it’s a totally different forest from anything else!
The trail pretty quickly nears the coastline again, and you will emerge onto a viewpoint at the head of the point. The views here are fantastic, ranging from the sea lion islands off the coast, the open Pacific, and the famed Pebble Beach to the south.
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After reaching the point, the trail reenters the forest. Once back in the forest, there are a couple of optional viewpoints a few hundred feet from the main trail. They are definitely worth visiting as you’ll get views looking north towards Pebble Beach and the cliffs on the north side of the preserve.
The trail eventually loops back to the same trailhead you began at, and from here, return to the South Shore Trail to return to your car. Again, be sure to be looking towards the sea for a glimpse of some of the local wildlife!
Topdown Lifestyle Rating: 9/10
This is about as good of a two mile hike as you are going to find. You won’t have big alpine views, but the beauty of the ocean is a worthy substitute! The combination of world class wildlife viewing, clifftop panoramas, and beautifully made trails make this an awesome trail!
Pros:
- Incredible views
- Ocean
- Wildlife viewing
- Smooth well graded trail
- Not overly difficult
Cons:
- Parking fills up very quickly
- Long drive from major cities/airports
Alternative Hikes:
South Plateau Trail to Bird Island
Lace Lichen, North Shore, and Cannery Point Trail
When to Visit:
Point Lobos is definitely a 4 season destination. Spring is a fantastic time to visit, and the weather should be pleasant and mostly dry. Spring is also the best time to see wildflowers in all their glory!
Summer brings the warmest temperature of the year (still comfortable), and morning fog that usually burns off by afternoon. Fall is generally the clearest weather, and winter brings the most precipitation, though it’s still a nice place to visit!
Honestly, I’ve been to this area every time of year, and Point Lobos is always awesome. If you have the chance to go, you definitely should no matter what time of year!
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Links For Further Reading:
Point Lobos State Natural Preserve; California State Parks
Point Lobos State Reserve, Carmel: Why You Should Visit (+ Tips)
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