Point Lobos State Natural Reserve · CA

Point Lobos Perimeter

Easy · Day hike · Best in Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Length

6 mi

Gain

600 ft

Scenery

★★★★★

About this trail

Stitch together North Shore, Cypress Grove, and South Shore trails for a perimeter of California's most photographed headland — sea otters, harbor seals, and the only naturally-occurring Monterey cypress grove on earth.

Visiting from out of town? We can build a multi-day trip around Point Lobos State Natural Reserve for you →

Highlights

Cypress Grove twisted cypresses
Sea Lion Point
Bird Island gray-whale watching

Get there

Start: Point Lobos main entrance · 36.5217, -121.9367

Open driving directions in Google Maps →

Parking: Main entrance lot off Highway 1, $10/vehicle day-use. Capacity is rationed — once full, cars are metered one-out / one-in. Avoid arrival 11–2 weekends.

Plan your visit on the interactive map

See Point Lobos Perimeter on the live Trailspark map alongside weather averages, gear lists, an elevation profile, and nearby points of interest.

Open Point Lobos Perimeter on the map →