The Crown Jewel's Trails, An Exploration of Point Lobos

California

Point Lobos, California's Crown Jewel

We hiked for just over two hours in Point Lobos State Park, also known as Point Lobos State Reserve. This park near Monterey is considered the “crown jewel” of California state parks, and after our visit, I understand why Point Lobos is so highly regarded. Point Lobos presents an artistic masterpiece, featuring a diverse landscape of cypress, pine, and coastal scrub, as well as a fascinating coastline. The rough shore has unique rock formations that, for centuries, have been sculpted by the relentless wind and ocean waves.

We thoroughly explored the park, walking nearly all its well-known paths. Our hike combined the iconic Cypress Grove Trail, which winds through famous twisted trees. The North Shore Trail and South Shore Trail offered scenic views of the coastline and access to tide pools. The Bird Island Trail led to views of seabird nesting locations and the turquoise waters of China Cove. The elevated South Plateau Trail offered panoramic vistas, the beautiful Carmelo Meadow Trail’s open spaces, and the rugged Granite Point Trail’s more impressive rock formations.