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Mission Statements

CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS

To provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation.

Docent volunteers serve as a visible representative of California State Parks at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve promoting the California State Parks mission.  These four simple words -- preserve, protect, educate and interpret -- sum up the docent experience. 

POINT LOBOS FOUNDATION

Our mission is to protect and nurture Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, to educate and inspire visitors to preserve its unique natural and cultural resources, and to strengthen the network of Carmel Area State Parks.

Upcoming Public Guided Walks

— Cypress Grove Treasures walk at Information Station
— Easy-Access Adventure walk at Sea Lion Point Trail

Between 10am and 12noon, visitors of all abilities are invited to experience our accessible, Sea Lion Point trail. Docents with scopes, binoculars, marine mammal pelts and information will be stationed along the trail for all to go at their own pace. As well as enjoying our beautiful, flat coastal trail, sea lions, harbor seals, sea otters and migrating whales may be seen! 

— General walk at Whalers Cabin

A gentle walk around beautiful Whaler's Cove to view the marine mammals, birds, plants and trees of Pt Lobos, while noting some of the diverse cultural history of the Reserve

— General walk at Information Station

Join docent Randy for a guided walk around the Cypress Grove trail.  We will keep a close eye out for marine mammals, shore birds and other wildlife while appreciating the lush plant life and stunning scenery all around us.  Learn how sea otters have come and gone from the central coast, and how our deep marine canyons support the animals you see on the surface.

 

 

— General walk at Whalers Cabin

Join docent Randy for a walk from Whalers Cove to Coal Chute Point and Granite Point, breathtakingly beautiful but relatively little-traveled areas of our Reserve.  This is an area where human history and our natural environment are intimately connected, and as we look for birds, animals and flowers, you will also learn about human activities that have come and gone over time.

— General walk at Information Station

The walk will include discussions of the cultural history and the natural wonders of Point Lobos.

— Cypress Grove Treasures walk at Information Station

The Point Lobos State Natural Reserve houses one of the last two remaining stands of native Monterey cypress trees in the world. This walk will focus on the botany of the species and the complex challenges faced in conserving it for future generations.   
 

— Cypress Grove Treasures walk at Information Station

Although the wonder and beauty is everywhere at Point Lobos, the Cypress Grove Trail surrounding Allan Memorial Grove is the heart of the Reserve.  Please join me as we explore the six habitats we will encounter-exploring wildlife, plant life, and geology unique here.  The Allan Memorial Grove invites a look into the history of P.L. and the Monterey Bay.  Docent Doug

— Geology walk at Weston Beach

Join docent Randy for a geology walk in the Weston and Hidden Beach areas. You will see close up, touch and compare the major rock types at Point Lobos, and we will seek out trace fossils on the rocky shore.  You will also learn how the beautiful rock formations at Point Lobos relate to plate tectonic and other geological processes.

— Women walk at Whalers Cabin

Take an easy one-mile round trip walk along the Granite Point trail in Whaler’s Cove to learn about the lives of nine extraordinary women whose efforts shaped and preserved this land.  During our 1 ½ hour stroll, we’ll revel in the beauty of the reserve as we celebrate the vision, labor and passion of those in the past who made it all possible.

— Cypress Grove Treasures walk at Information Station

Although the wonder and beauty is everywhere at Point Lobos, the Cypress Grove Trail surrounding Allan Memorial Grove is the heart of the Reserve.  Please join me as we explore the six habitats we will encounter-exploring wildlife, plant life, and geology unique here.  The Allan Memorial Grove invites a look into the history of P.L. and the Monterey Bay.  Docent Doug

— General walk at Information Station

Join docent Randy for a guided walk around the Cypress Grove trail.  We will keep a close eye out for marine mammals, shore birds and other wildlife while appreciating the lush plant life and stunning scenery all around us.  Learn how sea otters have come and gone from the central coast, and how our deep marine canyons support the animals you see on the surface.

 

 
— General walk at Information Station
— General walk at Information Station

A walk around the Cypress Grove.  We will see and discuss all sorts of plants, animals, geology, native and settler history and lots more.  We will ascend the "Stairway to Heaven" and, if it's a sunny day, you won't ask why it's called that.  We may see otters, hear sea lions, see pelicans flying in formation and, if we're lucky, a peregrine falcon.  I guarantee we'll see Trentepohlia.

— General walk at Information Station
— General walk at Information Station

The walk will include discussions of the cultural history and the natural wonders of Point Lobos.

— Plants walk at Information Station
— General walk at Information Station

A walk around the Cypress Grove.  We will see and discuss all sorts of plants, animals, geology, native and settler history and lots more.  We will ascend the "Stairway to Heaven" and, if it's a sunny day, you won't ask why it's called that.  We may see otters, hear sea lions, see pelicans flying in formation and, if we're lucky, a peregrine falcon.  I guarantee we'll see Trentepohlia.