For the last 12 years, I had wanted to visit this picturesque spot on the Californian coast: Point Lobos! 18 years ago, when I was an intern in a church in California, some of my friends went to see it (I couldn’t go) and once I saw the turquoise blue water, Point Lobos was immediately on my bucket list. Located just a few miles from Big Sur and two hours south of San Francisco, it is the perfect place for hiking, relaxing, and admiring the insanely beautiful nature. It is also an ideal little pit stop when driving down Highway 1 along the coast from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Nearby, you’ll find Monterey and the more expensive but beautiful Carmel, where you can enjoy a delicious dinner after your adventure.

Path through Point Lobos — South Plateau Trail

Point Lobos is a small protected coastal area with cliffs and beaches. Various hiking trails lead through the stunning scenery. You can also drive to certain spots if walking is not your strong suit.

We spent an entire afternoon exploring the different trails, starting in the south of the park, following the cliffs all the way west to the outermost point. Afterwards, we headed back through the middle via the Lace Lichen Trail and then made one last little detour to Whalers Cove. There, you can visit a small whaling museum, which we skipped since it was already getting late and some of us were getting hungry.

The highlight of the trip was definitely China Cove with its turquoise water, picturesque bay, and nursing seals! (Say whooot!!) You can spot seal pups from March to May in the coves and in the water, while adult seals can be seen all year round. We also got to admire otters, deer, rabbits, and many birds. Dolphins and whales can sometimes be spotted from there as well, but we didn’t see any this time.

The hiking trails are very easy and clearly marked. The only thing you need to watch out for is poison oak. This bush-like plant with three green-red leaves at the tip of each branch does not look like an oak tree at all and grows everywhere along the coast. If you touch it, the plant oil spreads onto your skin. Scratching can spread the burning and itching further across the body. The symptoms are unpleasant, technically harmless but last 1 - 3 weeks so not something you want to experience.

The most important things at a glance:

Where: Point Lobos, 2 hours south of San Francisco, 10 minutes from Carmel & Monterey

Cost: Free if you park outside the park, otherwise parking fees apply

Opening Hours: 9 AM – 8 PM

Time Needed: 1 hour if driving through the park and only stopping briefly at the coast, otherwise 2–8 hours

Activities: Hiking, walking, relaxing on the beach, photography, diving