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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

— 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! 

— Cypress Grove Treasures walk at Information Station

Greatest Meeting of Land and Sea; Stroll around the beautiful Cypress Grove Loop trail, as we discuss the flora, fauna and cultural history of Pt Lobos.

— Cypress Grove Treasures walk at Information Station

Sights, Sounds, and Scents of the Sea

We will walk the iconic Cypress Grove trail through the enchanting Cypress Forest, discussing the different habitats, plants and wildlife we encounter, and we will touch on the history of the native peoples whose ancestral land includes Point Lobos.

— 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

A Whalers Cove focused walk starting at Whalers Cabin. We will walk past Carmelo Meadow and Kadoni Village and then visit Coal Chute Point returning to the Cabin. Many aspects of Whalers Cove including cultural, industrial, natural history and recreational uses will be discussed.

— 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 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
— General walk at Information Station

Walk Theme: Habitats of Point Lobos.  A discussion of plant and animal habitats in Point Lobos, including both land and ocean.  We will walk the Cypress Grove Trail, a relatively easy 0.8 mile loop with a little bit of climbing required as we round Pinnacle Point.  Not recommended for strollers unless you have someone to help carry them.  Guaranteed to be both informative and fun!  Meet at the Info Station parking lot.  Walk guided by Peter Fletcher.

— 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 Parking Lot

Walk Theme: Geology, Habitats and Human History of Point Lobos.  This is an easy walk along the Granite Point Trail around Whalers Cove, and we'll discuss the plant and animal communities, the geology that made Point Lobos possible, and the story of human habitation of Point Lobos. Maybe a chemistry lesson, a physics lesson or even a poem.  But guaranteed to be both informative and fun!!  Meet in the Whalers Cove parking lot.  Walk guided by Peter Fletcher.

— Plants walk at Whalers Cabin

One and a half hour native plant walk loop from Whalers Cabin up the stairs at south end of Whalers Cove parking lot to Cannery Point and west on the north shore trail to loop back to the starting point at Whalers Cabin via the cabin trail. We will see typical coastal scrub habitat to monterey pine forest habitat to a terrific saddle of coastal meadow habitat which overlooks bluefish cove and back to Whalers Cabin which is a Monterey Cypress habitat. It would be wonderful if you have started or are thinking of starting a native plant garden.  We will share ideas together of "How our native plant garden grows (as a reality or a dream)". We will talk about Point Lobos plants that would or wouldn't work in our gardens at home.

— General walk at Information Station

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

— General walk at Whalers Cabin

Take a stroll around Whaler’s Cove with our eyes on the animal, plant and
bird life along the shore as we discuss the natural habitat and human history
of Pt Lobos

— 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 Information Station

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.