California has an abundance of incredible scenery on both the land and the water. And, as a hiker, sometimes you want to see it all. Thankfully, these incredible Point Lobos hikes offer you epic views of both.
Heading out to the Monterey Peninsula? The crystalline waters, lush greenery and unique wildlife of Point Lobos is enough to draw you in and keep you here forever.
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is the perfect addition to any West Coast road trip itinerary. You’ll get to learn lots about the area’s biodiversity, revel in the delicious sea breeze and even make picnic pitstops as you hike in one of the county’s crowning state parks.
Better yet – the vast majority of Point Lobos’ hikes are short and sweet, which means you can pack a few in!
Not sure where to start? Read on for my guide to the best Point Lobos hikes.
Best Hikes in Point Lobos
Sea Lion Point Trail
Length: 0.4 miles
Time: 10 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Sea Lion Point trail might be incredibly short and easy, but that doesn’t mean you should skip it in favour of more challenging routes.
This Point Lobos loop trail rounds Sand Hill and is one of the best scenic routes in the area, with Sea Lion Cove on one side and Headland Cove on the other. The trailhead starts at the Sea Lion Point parking lot.
Despite being one of the shortest hikes the park offers, you’ll get no better sighting of the sea lions that laze about the rocks. There are also plenty of unique birds and plant life to admire, surrounding you with beauty at every step along the way.
Top Tip: The best spot for a photo-op is at the viewpoint over Headland Cove and Sea Lion Cove.
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South Plateau Trail
Length: 0.7 miles
Time: 15 minutes
Difficulty: Medium
South Plateau is another easy trail. This is the best Point Lobos hike that leads to the park’s southern end, with the trailhead right between the entrance station and the Bird Island Trail.
This hike takes you through the Monterey pine forest, so you’ll get to enjoy lots of shade from the gorgeous pine and live oak trees. You’re welcome. The dense woodland is also home to an abundance of bird species, so you can enjoy bird-watching as you hike.
I must add that the path is a bit uneven and hilly in some parts, so careful footing is required. That said, it comes out just above Gibson Beach to give you some lovely ocean views. Well worth it, in my opinion.
The trail is also highly populated by birds and has a rich flora diversity, so you’ll enjoy the land views as much as the water. But, this trail is quite close to the highway, and the noise from the traffic can be a bit distracting in the midst of the forest. It’s best to avoid this route during peak traffic hours.
Cypress Grove Trail
Length: 0.8 miles
Time: 15 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
The Cypress Grove Trail is another of my favourites. Why? Because you get to see the rare Monterey Cypress (or Cupressus Macrocarpa) tree. You can head out to the trailhead at Cypress Grove Parking to start this loop trail.
If you needed another reason not to miss the Cypress Grove Trail, the wildflowers that bloom in the spring are particularly gorgeous. I loved the view of the ocean through the trees, and there are some pretty clumps of lace lichen along the trunks to admire as well.
Top Tip: The park protects its property thoroughly, especially the woodlands like this grove on this loop trail. There is a strict No-Collecting policy for any part of the ecosystem. This extends even into the marine reserve, so save those grabby hands for the gift shop.
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Bird Island Trail
Length: 0.8 miles
Time: 15 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Fancy a little bit of work for a big reward? Bird Island Trail is an easy round-trip hike that just so happens to be one of the more popular Point Lobos hiking trails.
It starts at the Bird Island Trail parking lot. And, while it’s a pretty short trail, it’s also filled to the brim with spectacular scenery from start to finish.
On this trail, you’ll find many hot spots along the way, like China Cove, Gibson Beach and Pelican Point. There are also many wildflower fields to enjoy (during the spring), and Bird Island overlook is a perfect place for spotting unique bird breeds like Brandt’s cormorants or Western gulls.
The best time to visit is between April and October when the summer sun pairs deliciously with a beach stroll.
Note: Some trails and pathways, like Mound Meadow Trail, Moss Cove and the Gibson Beach Staircase (which you can access from the Bird Island Trail), are temporarily closed due to damage from the winter storms.
North Shore Trail
Length: 2 miles
Time: 40 minutes
Difficulty: Medium
You’ll want to take full advantage of this slightly challenging round-trip trail filled with endless photo opportunities. The North Shore Trail has two trailheads – one on the west end of the Sea Lion Point parking lot and one on the east end of the steep steps up to Cannery Point.
You’ll get impeccable ocean views between the trees along the way. The trail also veers past the Old Veteran Trail spur, where you can view the Old Veteran Cypress clinging to the cliff face, which is over 200 years old.
You can also glimpse Bluefish Cove, Cypress Cove and Bog Dome Cove and even spot a few gulls and seals frolicking along the water. You’ll climb over rocks and tree roots and deal with rocky ground, so add some quality shoes to your hiking packing list.
South Shore Trail
Length: 2 miles
Time: 30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
South Shore Trail is another unmissable Lobos hike. This easy round-trip is a popular route for photographers and painters, and once you get a glimpse of those gorgeous waves slamming against the rocky cliffs, you’ll be a fan too.
The trailhead on the south end begins at the Bird Island Trail parking lot, while the north end trailhead starts on the stairs leading from the Sand Hill trail. Regardless of your trailhead, the hike has stunning views of expansive ocean vistas and various coastal rock formations.
If you’re lucky, you can make it to Western Beach for one of the best tide pools on the West Coast to spot some sea stars, crabs and even turban snails. There’s also the occasional whale and sea lion spotting from here.
Granite Point Trail
Length: 2.8 miles
Time: 50 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
You can probably tell by now that Point Lobos doesn’t boast super long trails. But the Granite Point Trail is one of the park’s longest.
That’s not to say it’s too difficult though – quite the opposite. It’s a shaded walk through the woods, with incredible ocean views and a unique view of Carmelo Meadow.
The trailhead is at the famous Whalers Cabin Museum and continues along the bluff above Whalers Cove. You can treat yourself to an exciting history lesson about the area and then continue on the path for more wildlife watching on both the land and the ocean.
Top Tip: As most of the Point Lobos trails are short, you can hike the entire State Reserve in a day with time to spare. I’d suggest taking the whole day to explore the various trails to fully immerse yourself in the natural splendor.
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Best Point Lobos Hikes: Practical Tips
- Being a nature reserve, Point Lobos abounds with wildlife that is, for the most part, harmless. Sometimes, predators like mountain lions and coyotes wander into the reserve, you might see traces like scat or paw prints, but you will mostly only see smaller animals like ground squirrels. It is always advised to leave as much of the ecosystem as possible undisturbed.
- Most of the trails in the reserve are easy enough to conquer, although there are a handful of rocky paths and slippery slopes. Wearing the correct shoes is key. I highly rate these hiking boots. Or, if you’re looking to venture closer to the water, these waterproof hiking trainers are ideal.
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