Park Property

Point Lobos Ranch Park Property

Monterey County, CaliforniaAbout 1,433 acres

Notice: Full Closure — Always Closed to Public — details

Status
Open (per official listing)
Entrance fee
Statewide rule — see below
Day-use reservations
None mentioned
Dogs
Statewide rule — see below
Camping
None listed
Official site
parks.ca.gov(831) 649-2836

Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current

Current alerts 1

Closure Full Closure — Always Closed to PublicOnly Open via Pre-Scheduled Access

Posted by the park 2024-07-16. Official alert

Overview

In Monterey County, about 3 miles south of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Point Lobos Ranch Park Property covers about 1,433 acres.

The park supports snorkeling and diving, historic sites, boating, swimming, and ranger programs. On the water side, there is a swimming beach.

Fees and passes

Per vehicle at most parks (vehicles of 9 people or less, walk/bike-in free); per person at State Historic Parks and museums; amounts vary by park and are listed on each park page.

Statewide fee rule from California's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.

California park passes

  • California Explorer Annual Pass — $195. Vehicle day-use entry to 134 state parks incl. high-demand Southern California beaches Details
  • Golden Poppy Annual Pass — $125. Vehicle day-use entry to 112 state parks Details
  • Historian Passport — $50. Admission for up to four people at per-person-fee State Historic Parks Details
  • Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Annual Pass — $50. Entry to State Vehicular Recreation Areas that collect day-use fees Details
  • SNO-Park Pass — $40 season / $15 day. 18 SNO-PARK winter recreation areas Details

From the California state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.

Reservations

Day use
No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
Booking system
ReserveCalifornia
Phone
(800) 444-7275

Check availability and book

We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.

Pets

See the park’s wording

Are dogs allowed?

Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.

Things to do

BoatingHistoric sites and toursPicnickingRanger and interpretive programsSnorkeling and scubaSwimmingWildlife viewing and birdingHikingBiking

Trails

Registration OPEN for 2026 Ishxenta Bird Hikes

Birders (and everyone else) are welcome on this California State Parks "Discovering Connections – A Focus on Birding" hike along the vibrant San Jose Creek within Ishxenta State Park.

Registration opens a month prior to the walk. Cost is $23.18 per person and open to ages 10 and older. Visit "Discovering Connections at Ishxenta State Park: A Focus on Birding" on Eventbrite to register.

Coast chaparral, Monterey pine forest, and riparian habitats create an exceptional birding experience at this site! This easy-paced, two-mile round-trip hike affords multiple opportunities for observation of plants, wildlife, and BIRDS. Expect to see hummingbirds, raptors, warblers, sparrows, and quail, and to learn about the connections between birds and local Indigenous culture.

Read more from the park

California State Parks interpreters will lead participants along a designated trail with terrain that is mostly flat with some moderate incline along the way. The trail surface is hardpacked but uneven, winding through both sunny and shaded areas. There are no benches or other seating along the way. Potential hazards include poison oak and ticks. Participants are encouraged to wear long pants, bring hats, water, and their own binoculars. There are a few sets of binoculars available to borrow if you do not have your own.

Location: Ishxenta State Park - San Jose Creek Natural Preserve

Leaders: California State Parks Staff Interpreters: Violet Smith and Amanda Preece

Meet: Marathon Flats Parking, adjacent to the Crossroads Safeway parking lot. Check-in with State Parks Staff required; Vanpool to Ishxenta State Park. Ages 10 or above. Car seats not permitted in van.

Tickets: Register on Eventbrite. Cancellation not permitted within 7 days of event. Eventbrite fees are non-refundable. Tickets are transferable.

Questions? Please contact State Parks Staff: MontereyDistrict.Tribal@parks.ca.gov

Amenities

Facilities

  • Restrooms
  • Picnic areas
  • Nature center or museum
  • Parking

Water

  • Swimming beach

✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.

Getting there

Address
10 Riley Ranch Road
Carmel, CA 93923
Nearest town
Carmel-by-the-Sea — about 3 mi south (straight line)
Coordinates
36.5120, -121.9161
Phone
(831) 649-2836
Email
MontereyDistrict.Tribal@parks.ca.gov

Entrances

  • Directions point

Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)

Directions from the park

We are in the process of creating directions for this park.

Nearby state parks

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
1.2 mi west (straight line)
Carmel River State Beach
2 mi north (straight line)
Hatton Canyon Park Property
3 mi north (straight line)
Garrapata State Park
4.2 mi south (straight line)
Monterey State Historic Park
6.4 mi north (straight line)
Asilomar State Beach
7.5 mi north (straight line)
Monterey State Beach
7.6 mi northeast (straight line)
Fort Ord Dunes State Park
11.7 mi northeast (straight line)

Sources and freshness

“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology

Report a correction for this park