Point Lobos State Reserve, Protected coastal reserve in Monterey County, US.
Description
Point Lobos State Reserve is a protected coastal area along California's Pacific shoreline spanning 550 acres. It features rocky cliffs, underwater kelp forests, and habitats that support diverse ocean life.
History
The Ohlone people lived near this location for over 2,500 years in a village called Ichxenta, harvesting shellfish from the waters. Later, Chinese fishermen settled here in the 1800s and left behind structures that still stand today.
Culture
The old whalers' cabin from the 1850s was built by Chinese fishermen using materials from their surroundings. It shows how early residents adapted to coastal life and used what nature provided.
Practical
Visitors can access the reserve during daylight hours, though parking is limited to a set number of vehicles. Arriving early helps ensure you can enter, particularly on warm weekends when the place fills up quickly.
Did you know?
The marine protected areas here contain extensive underwater kelp forests that create dramatic underwater landscapes. This makes the waters below particularly appealing for divers interested in exploring the rich life beneath the surface.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Monterey County).
California offers more than its well-traveled routes. Across the state, locations exist that few visitors reach, even though they show landscapes and histories found nowhere else. This collection includes natural areas, abandoned structures, and stretches of coast that lie beyond the usual travel...
Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo
3.6 km
Mrs. Clinton Walker House
3.1 km
Tor House and Hawk Tower
2.9 km
Butterfly House
2.8 km
Carmel River State Beach
2.2 km
Forest Theater
4.2 km
Driftwood Cottage
2.8 kmSunset Center
4.3 km
Golden Bough Playhouse
4.2 kmPalo Corona Ranch
3.6 km
Geological history of Point Lobos
36 m
Enchanted Oaks Building
4.5 km
Tuck Box
4.5 km
Outlands in the Eighty Acres
4.2 km
Mary Dummage Shop
4.5 kmCarmel City Hall
4.5 km
Whalers Cabin
822 m
Seaburst House
3.1 km
Blue Bird Tea Room
4.5 kmT.A. Oakes Building
4.5 km
La Rambla Building
4.5 km
Garden Shop Addition
4.5 km
Lemos Building
4.5 km
Seven Arts Building
4.5 km
Amelia Gates Building
4.5 km
Theatre of the Golden Bough
4.2 km
Percy Parkes Building
4.5 km
De Yoe Building
4.5 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes