Forested Cove: The rocky shoreline at Point Lobos creates coves where water is less turbulent. Many coves feature a rocky shoreline but others a forested area of the park as seen here. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
By GARY WARREN
Photographer
Formerly of Los Alamos
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is a park located on the central California coast. The park features a rugged and rocky shoreline as well as miles of scenic hiking trails and natural scenic beauty.
The park is located on a small, hilly peninsula to the west of California Highway 1 a few miles south of Monterey, California. The park is made up of forested areas, grassy meadows, and the beautiful coastline.
Point Lobos is a natural reserve and is intended for hiking, scuba diving, and enjoyment of the natural beauty. There are no accommodations or concessions. Visitors should bring a picnic lunch if they are spending the day.
The area got its name when Spanish settlers thought the sea lions sounded like wolves and were referred to as sea wolves because of the sounds they made. Thus the name Point Lobos or “Point of the sea wolves”.
While this is a day park, it is considered the “crown jewel” of the California State Parks system. If visiting the Montery area, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is a must see destination.
Editor’s note: Longtime Los Alamos photographer Gary Warren and his wife Marilyn were traveling around the country prior to the pandemic and he has been sharing his photographs, which appear in the ‘Posts from the Road’ series published in the Sunday edition of the Los Alamos Daily Post.
Rocky Shoreline: The rugged and rocky shoreline provide beautiful views of Monterey Bay and the Pacific Ocean from Point Lobos State Natural Reserve in California. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
Shoreline and Carmel: The north facing shoreline of at Point Lobos offers views of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Calif. in the distance. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
Spectacular Scenery: A cove along the rugged shores of Point Lobos show the deep blue coloring of Monterey Bay. Again, in the distance is Carmel-by-the-Sea across the bay. Carmel is home to the famous Pebble Beach Golf Course and other notable landmarks. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
Craggy Rocks: Craggy rock formations make up the shoreline of the small peninsula that makes up Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. The center of the peninsula is mostly forested hills and grassy meadows. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
Waves and Sea Spray: Waves continually crash against the rocky shore of Point Lobos creating a sea spray that can carry for several feet into the air. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
Coves and Peninsulas: Coves have formed all along the rocky shores at Point Lobos Reserve. These coves offer a refuge for marine life, which is abundant along the central coast of California. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
