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...

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...

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.

Follow this trail .81 miles until you reach Gibson's Beach. You can choose to decent into Gibson's Beach but be careful of the very steep staircase.

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...

Carmelo Meadow Trail will dead end into Whaler's Cove where you will take a right on Granite Point Trail.

Follow the trail along Whaler's Cove and look carefully along the shoreline for seals and herons.

Granite Point Trail will dead end at The Pit (by a bench) where you will take a left to view Coal Chute Point.

Make your way around Coal Chute Point back to the bench.

From Gibson's Beach you will continue towards Bird Island. The Bird Island trail will take you to, you guessed it, Bird Island which you view a large bird colony in spring and summer months.

You may be able to see Brandt's Cormorants, nesting Western Gulls and nesting Black-crowned night herons depending on the time of your you visit.

After viewing Bird Island make your way around the l...

From the Bird Island parking lot you will make your way north for about a mile towards Sand Hill Cove. Take your time walking this coastal trail and explore the various beaches and tide pool areas.

Weston Beach (photo op icon) is a great place to explore the tide pools and view interesting rock formations on the rocky beach.

The Cabin Trail can be found behind Whaler’s Museum. Take the trail to where it intersects with North Shore Trail and make a left.

As you wind around Bluefish Cove you will head north to Guillemot Island overlook.

Bluefish Cove is a fantastic dive spot and is named after the huge schools of blue rockfish that can be found here.

Make your way around the cover and head down the stairs to...

Continue north on Granite Point Trail heading down to the The Pit beach.

Granite Point Trail will dead end into Moss Cove Trail, make a left on Moss Cove Trail heading down to the beach.

Please note that at certain times of year this trail to the beach is closed.

Spend time exploring the beach and viewing the wildlife in and around the cove. When you are done head back up Moss Cov...

As you head out of The Pit beach on Moss Cove Trail, make a left on Granite Point Trail to head to Granite Point.

Granite Point is one of my favorite spots on Point Lobos. Typically it is not very crowded and you are treated to great views of the ocean and surf.

Make your way around Granite Point and head to the large rock for some great photo opportunities. When you are done exploring...

Continue left on Sand Hill Trail for views of Sand Hill Cove, Sea Lion Cove and Headland Cove.

Sea Lion Point Trail has been closed for some time so is not included on this tour. We will update this tour when and if Sea Lion Trail opens.

Continue on Sand Hill Trail and head down towards the parking lot.

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.

Cypress cove is a grea...

Make a left on Moss Cove Trail and head towards Monastery Beach. Along the way head down to the beach on Moss Cove and explore the shoreline. During high tide you may not be able to completely walk the beach but there are numerous access paths back to Moss Cove Trail.

Continue on Moss Cove Trail until you reach Ichxenta Point that overlooks Monastery Beach.

this is an out and back waypo...

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.

The Cypress grove trail takes yo...

As you come off the Sand Hill Trail near the parking lot, cross the street and head towards Lace Lichen Trail. You will follow this trail towards the park entrance for 1.3 miles.

As you follow the Lace Lichen Trail you will need to make a right on Pine Ridge Trail. Continue on Pine Ridge Trail until it dead ends into the South Plateau Trail. Make a left on South Plateau Trail heading back o...

At the intersection of Moss Cove Trail and Granite Point Trail make a left on Granite Point Trail.

Make your way back on Granite Point Trail until you reach Carmelo Meadow Trail.

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...

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 China Cove, Bird Island and Sea Lion Cove.

If you haven’t done so already take the other tours for the northern and northeast parts of the reserve. The Northern Tour is a bit shorter at 4 miles and will take you to iconic places li...

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...

From Granite Point Trail make a left on Carmelo Meadow Trail and head back towards the reserve entrance.

I hope you enjoyed this tour of Point Lobos. You saw all of the northeastern parts of the reserve including views from Coal Chute Point, Granite Point and Ichxenta Point.

If you haven’t done so already take the other tours for the northern and northeast parts of the reserve. The Northern Tour is a bit shorter at 4 miles and will take you to iconic places like Whaler's Cove, Cypress Cove and No...

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.

Your next waypoin...

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...