Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

Picnic Area

Whaler’s Cove: The picnic area has one accessible table on a new firm, stable surface. The parking lot and route of travel are generally accessible. Restrooms: A generally accessible comfort station is nearby. The path of travel is accessible.

The Piney Woods area has an accessible table on dirt surfaces that may be usable in dry weather. An accessibly designed restroom is available in the parking area.

The picnic area at Bird Island has four accessible tables including accessible parking and restroom.

Trails

The Cypress Grove Trail is accessible for 0.25 mile and offers excellent views of the cove. The trailhead, accessible parking and a accessible comfort station are located in the Cypress Grove parking area.

The Sand Hill Trail, also called the Sea Lion Point Trail, is a paved accessible loop trail about 0.4 mile long leading to great views of the cove and perhaps the occasional otter and/or sea lion. Parking is available at the Sea Lion Point lot. The Trailhead is 200 feet beyond the parking lot along the road.

The Carmelo Meadow Trail is an ‘out-and-back accessible trail that is 0.25 miles each way that begins at the entry station and provides accessible trail linkage to the Granite Point Trail (also accessible). The trail winds through native Monterey Pine forest and terminates at Whalers Cove. The surfaced is compacted soil. The trail is generally flat at less than 5% slopes. Accessible parking is available at the park entrance.

The Granite Point Trail is an ‘out-and-back’ accessible trail that is 0.36 miles each way that is accessed by way of the Carmelo Meadow Trail. The route hugs the Whalers Cove bluff offering spectacular views of the coastline and its abundant wildlife. The surface is compacted soil. The trail is generally flat at less than 5% slopes with intermittent sections between 5% to 9%. Accessible parking is available at the park entrance.

The Bird Island Trail is an ‘out-and-back’ accessible trail that is 0.52 miles. The trail consists of an ‘out-and-back’ section for 0.36 miles and a loop section for 0.16 miles for a total round trip of 0.88 miles. The trail is at the Reserve’s southern most parking lot that provides views of Bird Island and China Cove where visitors can watch harbor seals nursing new born pups. The surface is compacted aggregate, rock, & wood. There is an overlook that the surface is rock that might be challenging to some users. The trail is generally flat at less than 5% slopes with intermittent sections between 5% to 8%. Accessible restrooms and picnic areas are located near the trailhead.

The Lace Lichen Trail is an ‘out-and-back’ accessible trail that is 0.75 miles each way that begins at the entry station and provides accessible trail linkage to the Cypress Grove parking area. The trail winds through native Monterey Pine forest. The surfaced is compacted soil. The trail is generally flat at less than 5% slopes with intermittent sections between 5% to 6%. Accessible parking is available at the park entrance.

Trail Name Running Slope Cross Slope Trail Width Trail Surface

Carmelo Meadow Trail 2% Average 4 FT Average Soil

5% Maximum 5% Maximum 4 FT Minimum

Granite Point Trail 3% Average 4 FT Average Soil

9% Maximum 5% Maximum 4 FT Minimum

Bird Island Trail 4% Average 5 FT Average Aggregate, Rock, & Wood

8% Maximum 5% Maximum 5 FT Minimum

Lace Lichen Trail 2% Average 3% Average 5 FT Average Soil

6% Maximum 5% Maximum 5 FT Minimum

Other Information

The Cypress Grove area has an information kiosk with park-related publications and other small items of interest. Accessible parking and restroom are nearby.