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At this location you will see the majority of the Northern areas of Point Lobos. The tour will take you on a 4 mile hike that is easy to moderate in difficulty. You will see iconic places including Whaler’s Cove, Cypress Cove and North Point.
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For this tour you will park outside the Reserve and walk in. Parking can be found along the north and south bound lanes of Hwy 1. During certain busy times of the year (holidays or events) the south bound parking may be restricted.
Once you find parking you will make your way into the main entrance of the Reserve and locate the Carmelo Meadow trail. This trail is named after the Carmelo Me...
As you exit the Carmelo Meadow trail you will be greeted by the beauty of Whaler’s cove and the pacific ocean.
Head west (make a left from Carmelo Meadow trail) and follow the path along the edge of Whaler’s cove. Be on the lookout for Harbor seals and otters on the beaches and in the water.
Make your way towards Whaler’s Museum where you can learn more about the history of Point Lobos...
Follow the North Shore trail west towards Cypress Cove. This trail is narrow at times so be on the look out for poison oak and ticks.
As you get closer to your next waypoint you will need to keep an eye out for the side path that takes you to the Cypress Cove overlook. Make a tight to the overlook trail and walk the short distance down the path to view Cypress Cove.
Take the side trail back to connect with the North Shore trail. Instead of heading back the way you came turn right and head inland towards the parking area. This is a great time to use the restrooms!
At the intersection of where the North Shore trail meets the restrooms make a right onto the famous Cypress Grove trail and head back towards the coastline.
Continue on the Cypress Cove Trail for about half a mile. This trail is and easy hike with a few stairs along the way.
As you walk along the trail take note of the rust colored alga covering some of the tree limbs of the Cypress trees. December through May you may see California Gray Whales out past South Point.
Your Cypress Cove Trail loop will connect back to where you started and you w...
As you cross the parking lot you will take a fairly new trail that will connect you with the Lace Lichen Trail. Continue on this trail until you cross over a road and dead end into the Lace Lichen Trail. Make a left on Lace Lichen trail.
Continue on the Lace Lichen trail and enjoy the inland beauty of Point Lobos. From this trail you can spot Lace Lichen on the Monterey pines and oaks. Th...
Coming from Whaler’s Knoll Trail you will continue right on North Shore Trail. Continue straight on North Shore Trail and make your way up the hill. There is a bit of an incline but it offers a nice vantage point of Bluefish Cove, Cannery Point and Whaler’s Cove.
Enjoy the view and move on to your next waypoint as you head down to Cannery Point.
Head down the stairs and make your way to Cannery Point. When you get to the bottom of the stairs head left around the perimeter of Cannery point to see a different angle of Whaler’s Cove.
Continue around Cannery Point and walk down another set of stairs to the parking lot. You will find a restroom towards the end of the parking as you arrive at the start of your next waypoint.
Make your way up the hill towards Whaler’s Cabin (Museum) and look towards the coastline for sunbathing seals. At the top of the hill there is a vantage point looking down on the small beach to get a better look at any seals that may be relaxing on the beach.
Continue past the Whaler’s Cabin on Granite Point Trail heading back the way you came at the start of this tour.
Turn right on Carmelo Meadow Trail and enjoy the inland path back towards the entrance of the Reserve. If you enjoyed your trip and didn’t make a donation at the beginning you can leave a donation as you leave the Carmelo Meadow trail.
I hope you enjoyed this tour of Point Lobos. You saw a large portion of the Northern parts of the Reserve and visited some of the most popular locations including the Cypress Cove, Whaler’s Cove and North Point.
If you haven’t done so already take the other tours for the southern and northeast parts of the reserve. The South and Southwest Tour will take you on a 7 mile hike to see China Cov...