Point Lobos State Reserve

Where: On Route 1, South of Carmel-by-the-Sea

Trail head: Many short trails, the best way to start is near the park entrance.

Length: between 2 and 15 miles.

Cumulative elevation gain: 100 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Reservations required: No

Advance planning typically required for permit: N/A

Permit requirements: No

Price: State park vehicle day use, voided for walk-ins.

Report date: 2006-06-17

Reported by: Silviu

Driving directions: Take Route 1 S and pass Carmel. Approximately 3 hours from the Bay Area, depending on traffic conditions.

Maps: TopoZone.com map

Trail condition: Very good.

Description and other notes: Point Reyes is a multi-activity park, where you can enjoy wildlife watching, sunbathing on one of a few beaches and scuba diving, besides hiking. If you have time and energy, the best trail is the loop close to the ocean: Entrance - South Plateau Trail - Gibson Beach - Bird Island - China Beach - South Coastal Trail - Sand Hill Trail - Sea Lion Trail - Cypress Grove Trail - East Grove - North Shore Trail - Granite Point Trail - Moss Cove Trail - Carmelo Meadow Trail. Because the parking capacity is easily exceeded during weekends, you could park in front of the park along Hwy 1 (if you find parking there)and walk into the park. However, be careful that you could be fined is you don't leave the park before sunset. You could watch the sunset outside the park, for example, at its north end, there is a beach right near Hwy 1. More information can be read on the Point Lobos SR web page .

Comments

Birds island.

You can also see deer, right on the trail.

Sunset near Bluefish Cove.

Above China Beach.

Headland Cove.

Sunset from Hwy 1.