9 of the Best Point Lobos Hikes with the Amazing Coastal Views

LOOKING TO ENJOY THE POINT LOBOS HIKES IN BIG SUR?

We’re here to help! We have been visiting the California coastline for the last 12 years; you can imagine we’ve been to A LOT of places in the state – but Big Sur and the Monterey area are among our favorites! The Point Lobos hiking trails are spectacular.

The magnificent coastal views of Northern California continue to impress at Point Lobos State Reserve. There are so many beautiful Point Lobos hikes along with sightseeing, photography, playing at the Point Lobos beach, exploring the tidepools, and more.

Seals, sea lions, otters, seabirds, and whales are common in the area. Nature in Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is deeply fulfilling and edifying because it is so beautiful and abundant.  Point Lobos State Natural Reserve hiking is a highlight of this section of the coast.

How to Get to Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

Point Lobos State Park is just south of Carmel-by-the-Sea on Highway 1. It is about 40 minutes north of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, in the popular Big Sur area. If you are coming from Monterey, it is a 15-minute drive to Point Lobos State Reserve. This is a great area for RV camping in Northern California.

After paying the parking fee, you will get a map. Navigating around the park is pretty easy. There are only a few roads and the reserve itself is not that large.

How far is Point Lobos from Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is 4 miles from Carmel-by-the-Sea. It is a quick 10-minute drive.

Point Lobos Parking

Parking inside Point Lobos State Natural Reserve costs $10. You can park outside the Reserve along Highway 1 and it is free but a $1 donation is recommended.  

Parking is very limited (only 75 parking spots!) in Point Lobos State Reserve so plan on getting there early or later in the day. You are most likely to find a parking space before 9:30 am or after 3:00 pm. We tried to go at around 10 am and the park was full with cars lined up the side of the road.

Parking in designated areas along the road is allowed but you will have a bit of a hike to get into the main highlights of the park.

We opted to go back later in the day which worked out great for us. We came back around 2 pm and found plenty of parking available inside the park.

Vehicles over 20 feet are allowed to enter the Reserve on slow days. On the weekends, holidays, and during the summer, trailers or motorhomes towing vehicles are not allowed.

Can you walk into Point Lobos?

Yes, you can walk into Point Lobos State Reserve. Parking is available in designated areas on the side of Highway 1, and you can walk in from there. There will be a good walk from the main entrance to the highlights of the park.  

Do you have to pay to go to Point Lobos?

There is no per person entrance fee but parking inside Point Lobos costs $10. If you park on the side of the Pacific Coast Highway and walk in, there is no parking fee although a $1 donation is recommended.

Are bikes allowed in Point Lobos?

Bikes are allowed on the paved roads in Point Lobos. Bikes are not allowed on the Point Lobos trails in the Reserve.

Best Point Lobos Hikes

There are a number of awesome Point Lobos hiking trails. Most of the trails in the reserve are pretty easy and family-friendly. If you are looking for a more challenging hike, check out the Point Lobos Loop Trail.

Point Lobos Loop Trail

• Length: 5 miles
• Elevation Gain: 741 feet
• Route Type: Loop
• Difficulty: Moderate

How long is the Point Lobos hike?  

The Point Lobos hike is a loop trail that circles around the coast of Point Lobos State Reserve. The entire loop is 5 miles long.

What is the Point Lobos hike?

The Point Lobos hike is a network of well-maintained hiking trails. This Point Lobos trail is a great way to see the reserve as a whole and not just bits and pieces if you were to bounce around from trail to trail.

How do I get to Point Lobos loop trail?

You can start the loop anywhere in the park where you can find parking. The parking lot near Bird Island or the first parking area are good places to find parking. Once you have found parking, the trail won’t be too far away because the trail goes throughout the entire Point Lobos State Park.

Point Lobos Loop Trail Directions

The Point Lobos Loop Trail is made up of a network of other hikes in the park. Throughout the hike, you will go on the Bird Island Trail, South Plateau Trail, Cypress Grove Trail, Seal Rock, and the coastal trail.

It doesn’t matter where you start/stop your hike because it is a big loop.

Bird Island Trail and China Cove

• Length: 0.8 miles
• Elevation Gain: 75 feet
• Route Type: Loop
• Difficulty: Easy

We headed out on Bird Island Trail in search of the famous Point Lobos China Cove. China Cove is an emerald green cove surrounded by sandy beaches and rock wall.

We found the best viewpoint of the cove is at Pelican Point. At Pelicans Point there was another park volunteer with a telescope letting us get a closer look at Bird Island. While hiking on this Point Lobos trail, keep an eye out for sea lions, sea otters, and pelicans.

This is one of our favorite Point Lobos hikes.

South Shore Trail

• Length: 2.5 miles
• Elevation Gain: 150 feet
• Route Type: Loop
• Difficulty: Easy

The trail follows the coast along the southern portion of Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. Some of the highlights along the trail are Sea Lion Point, Sand Hill, Weston Beach, and Hidden Beach.

If parking is tight and you can’t drive down to the Bird Island Trail, the South Shore Trail will take you through most of the highlights of the park. It is a great trail for the ocean and coastal views. The trail is kid and stroller friendly and there are bathrooms along the trail as well.

Sand Hill and Sea Lion Point Trail

• Length: 0.4 miles
• Elevation Gain: 16 Feet
• Route Type: Loop
• Difficulty: Easy

The Sand Hill Trail is a wheelchair and stroller-friendly trail with sweeping views of the Sea Lion Cove and Sand Hill Cove. The highlight of this trail is the walk out to Sea Lion Point.

When we visited, rangers had spotting scopes set up so we could see the sea lions and otters out in the ocean. There was also a whale out that day as well. We loved visiting with the rangers about the wildlife in the area and learning more about the ecosystem in Point Lobos State Park.

This is a great spot to bring your own compact binoculars if you have them.

Cypress Grove Trail in Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

• Length: 0.8 miles
• Elevation Gain: 59 feet
• Route Type: Loop
• Difficulty: Easy

This is an easy hike that everyone in your group will enjoy while exploring Point Lobos State Reserve. This Point Lobos Trail trail wanders through the area’s famous cypress trees. The only other place in the world where they grow is Carmel Bay.

There are also stunning views of the headland and pinnacle coves. Rowen and Raven loved wandering the trail in Point Lobos State Natural Reserve and hearing the sea lions in the distance.

Old Veteran Cypress

The much-photographed Old Veteran Cypress is a short walk from the Sea Lion Point parking lot. If you’re hiking the Cypress Grove Trail you can easily combine the hike with visiting Old Veteran Cypress. From the parking lot, you will start on the Cypress Grove Trail.

At a fork in the trail, you will take the fork to the right along the North Shore Trail. The tree will be off to the left a short way down the trail. There is a map at the parking lot that we found very useful in navigating to the tree.

Old Veteran Cypress is one of the most photographed trees in the park. It stands alone, clinging to the rock wall. The tree is about 230 years old and is well worth the short walk to see it.

North Shore Trail

• Length: 2 miles
• Elevation Gain: 70 feet
• Route Type: Out & Back
• Difficulty: Moderate

This hike has great views along the northern shoreline of Point Lobos, including Whaler’s Cove and Coal Chute Point. If you continue on the trail, you can visit Bluefish Cove.

The trail starts at the Cannery Point parking lot. From there you will head up the incline. A short loop on the right will take you to the views of the cove. After turning left to stay on the trail, Bluefish Cove will be on the right. From here, you will hike through a beautiful and shaded pine forest.

This trail does cross the Old Veteran Trail and is a great opportunity to see the Old Veteran Cypress. It is a quick detour to see this amazing tree.

Granite Point Trail

• Length: 2.8 miles
• Elevation Gain: 70 feet
• Route Type: Out & Back
• Difficulty: Easy

This is a beautiful trail that will show you a lot of the highlights in the park – shaded woods, ocean views, and dreamy meadows. In the spring and summer, wildflowers line the trails. Keep an eye out for wildlife and birds.

This hike starts at the Whaler’s Museum and will take you above the bluff to see Whaler’s Cove. After that, you will hike through a meadow to a loop that will take you to Coal Chute Point.

On your way back, take the ravine that goes to the Pit to see the harbor seals and otters.

South Plateau Trail

• Length: 1.4 miles
• Elevation Gain: 30 feet
• Route Type: Out & Back
• Difficulty: Easy

This is the fastest way to get from the park entrance to the southern shore near Gibson Beach. If you are parking on Highway 1, you can take this .7 mile (one way) trail to start exploring the coastal area of Point Lobos State Reserve.

Hiking Point Lobos Tour

Hiking Point Lobos on your own is a great way to experience the park, however, if you would like to hike in a group with others or if you want to learn more about the human history and wildlife in the area, we recommend going on a 2-hour guided nature walk with California Legacy Tours.

During your tour, you will have the chance to take in the beautiful scenery along the coast as well as hear amazing stories about the history of Point Lobos. It is a fascinating place with so much rich history.

Book Your Point Lobos Guided Nature Walk Here

Point Lobos Trail Running

The Point Lobos hikes can also be used for trail running. There are beautiful views of the coast and there are lots of opportunities to see wildlife. Here are some of the best trails in Point Lobos State Natural Reserve for trail running:

• North Shore Trail – Intermediate
• Cypress Grove Trail – Easy
• South Shore Trail – Easy
• Bird Island Trail – Easy
• South Plateau Trail – Intermediate

A lot of these trails are less than a mile long but you can combine them with another Point Lobos trail to make a longer route.

If you have more time in the area, we recommend spending a day in Big Sur. The coastal views are stunning.
Read More: How to Spend a Day in Big Sur California 

Map of Best Point Lobos Hikes

How to Use This Map: Click on the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest.

If you click the star next to the title of the map, this will be added to your Google Maps account. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps. Then click on the menu button, go to “Your Place” and click on Maps. You will see this map added to your list.

Tips for Point Lobos Hikes

Bring Binoculars: There are so many beautiful things to see in Point Lobos. Bring your own pair of compact binoculars to get a closer look at the sea lions, seals, and otters. They are so cute!

Check Prices for Binoculars on Amazon Here!

Use the Point Lobos Apps: There are two apps, Dive into Point Lobos and Discover Point Lobos, that are free and will help you learn more about the park’s geology and wildlife. It is a great way to gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of this beautiful part of the California Coast.

Bring Your Food and Water: There are not any stores and restaurants in Point Lobos. There are drinking fountains, so a refillable water bottle is a good idea. You can leave for lunch but may not be able to get back in if parking is full. Plus, it is a beautiful place for a picnic!

Check Prices for Waterbottles on Amazon Here!

Dress in Layers: In the morning, it can be chilly but warms up quickly in the afternoon sun! Be sure to bring proper sun protection like a hat and sunscreen.

Other Activities in Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

Scuba Diving and Snorkeling

Point Lobos is one of the best places on the West Coast for scuba divers. Half of the Point Lobos Reserve is underwater and is home to one of the richest marine habitats in California. The shelters provide a haven for fish and marine mammals.

The most popular scuba diving spots in Point Lobos State Reserve are Whalers Cove and Bluefish Cove.

The water is pretty chilly so bring your wet and dry suits!

Point Lobos Tide Pools

The best place for tide pooling in Point Lobos is Weston Beach. Rowen and Raven love exploring the sea life in the tide pools when we visit the Pacific Ocean. The beach is halfway between the Sea Lion Point parking lot and Bird Island.

Make sure you visit at the low tide. You can the tide levels online. We love finding the colorful starfish, hermit crabs, sea urchins, and anemones.

Online you can find a great informational brochure about tide pooling at Weston Beach.

Point Lobos Beach

Our favorite Point Lobos beach is Gibson Beach. It is a beautiful and calm beach with stunning oceans views.

Access to Gibson Beach is also from the Bird Island Trail via a short turn-off on the South Plateau Trail. There is a steep set of stairs that will take you down to the beach. After a day of hiking Point Lobos, we enjoyed relaxing on the beach and spotting the wildlife popping up in the bay. This is a must-see Point Lobos beach.

Point Lobos Swimming

Swimming is allowed in Point Lobos State Reserve as long as the water conditions are safe. Be sure to check your surroundings before heading into the water.

Pin for Later –

Want more California inspiration? Follow our Visit California Board on Pinterest!