Point Lobos Reserve Hike: Cypress & Seal Sightseeing

Description

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, a gem on the California Coast near Carmel-By-The-Sea, encapsulates the essence of Big Sur's natural beauty within a manageable space. With a small entrance fee of $10, this day-use area opens up a world of exploration from 8 AM to 5 PM, though early arrival is recommended due to limited parking. Notable trails like the Cypress Grove and Sea Lion Point offer easy yet rewarding hikes with stunning coastal views and wildlife sightings. Bird Island Trail adds a magical touch with its coastal bluff walks leading to areas teeming with seals, sea lions, and bird-covered islands. For history enthusiasts, the Whaler’s Cabin museum presents a peek into the area's past whaling activities.

Itinerary

Arrive early to secure parking at desired trailhead.
Pay the $10 entry fee at the park's entrance.
Start with the Cypress Grove Trail for an immersive forest and coastal experience.
Proceed to Sea Lion Point Trail for breathtaking sea lion sightings.
Explore Bird Island Trail for an enchanting walk along coastal bluffs leading to wildlife-rich coves and islands.
Visit the Whaler’s Cabin museum for a historical perspective on the area.
Plan for breaks at scenic viewpoints to fully appreciate the natural beauty.

4.8 ● Google reviews

Sara J ElShafie

a month ago

Absolutely gorgeous scenery! Great hiking, easy to moderate. For divers, Whalers Cove is one of the best sites in Monterey. Get there early—Parking fills up fast so you might have to park on the road and hike in.
Trail & Table

a month ago

Point Lobos is one of the most breathtaking places I’ve visited in California. The dramatic cliffs, turquoise coves, crashing waves, and scenic hiking trails make every turn feel like a postcard. We were lucky enough to spot sea otters, harbor seals, and countless seabirds, making the experience even more memorable. The trails are well maintained, the views are spectacular, and the reserve is remarkably peaceful despite its popularity. Whether you’re into photography, hiking, or simply enjoying nature, Point Lobos is a destination that exceeds expectations. It’s easy to see why it’s often called the “crown jewel” of California’s state parks. If you’re driving along Highway 1 or visiting Carmel or Big Sur, this is an absolute must-stop. Arrive early for parking, bring comfortable walking shoes, and take your time, you’ll want to soak in every view.
Fred Love

a month ago

My family (myself, wife and two girls) went to Point Lobos for the first time and we had a great time. On the day we went it was foggy and overcast but that did not detract from the beauty of this state park. The views of the ocean, trees, coastline and flowers are spectacular. The trail is relatively flat but there are a few sections where there are some stairs. Our girls had a great time exploring. The cost to park inside the park was $10. We did see some people park on the road by the entrance and walk in. But it's a very long walk from the entrance to the seashore. This park is a reminder of why it's so great to live here. If you have not been here you must go.
Chris Westwood

4 months ago

Absolutely stunning natural beauty all around!! Walked most of the coastal trails and pretty easy to get around. Recommend getting to the park early (especially if you want to park inside in one of the lots) as the place fills up quite quickly. There is a small fee to park inside, however, this fee also gets you into the other area reserves on the same day. For those who want to bypass the fee, plenty of street parking, though it will be a little bit of a hike to get to the coastal trails. Highly recommend going mid-week as weekends definitely are much much busier and to be honest way overcrowded and takes away the enjoyment to a degree.
Steven Liu

a month ago

Perfect walking spot with families and friends, such a magnificent park where you get to meet the clear ocean and animals like sea otters and sea lions. Also very friendly volunteers to offer suggestions. Finding parking could be challenging(we arrived at 9am but already needed to park 15 mins walk away).

FAQs