Upcoming Public Guided Walks
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.
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.
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.
The walk will include discussions of the cultural history and the natural wonders of Point Lobos.
This docent led walk will begin at the Whaler’s Cabin. We will visit Carmelo Meadow and then head out to beautiful Cannery Point on Whaler's Cove (with some stairs) to view the marine mammals, birds, plants and trees of Pt Lobos. As we note some of the interesting cultural history of the Reserve we will also be stopping at some of the prime photo spots along the way. We will walk on North Shore trail for a panorama of Whaler’s Cove, Granite Point and Carmel Bay and finish with a peek at Bluefish Cove and a return on the Cabin Trail to our starting point. Come join us!
Walk Theme: Harbor Seals and Pups at Point Lobos. This is an easy walk along the Bird Island Trail around China Cove, and we'll discuss the baby seals being born here every day, the relationships between Moms and Pups (and other Moms). Why is it that the vast majority of baby seal pups are all born in April? Guaranteed to be both informative and fun. Meet in the Bird Island parking lot. Walk guided by Peter Fletcher.
Overview: The Weston Beach tide pools have a wide array of intertidal wildlife, thriving under the protection of the reserve and in an interesting geologic zone. Come see what we can find at the morning low tide -- negative tide of 0.8 feet expected. Purple Sea Urchins, Aggregated Anemone, Dead Man's Fingers, Black Turban Snails, Hermit Crabs, Rough Limpets, Coraline Algae, Chiton, Sculpin, Bat Stars, California Mussels and more guaranteed!
Logistics: The reserve opens at 8 am. The tide reaches its lowest point at 8:50 am on Wednesday April 2. Best viewing is expected from 8:30 to 9:30 am. Tide pools can be tricky to walk around due geological structure, plant life, and animal habitats -- so sturdy shoes or boots with good tread advised. Kids welcome! Docent Richard will be there to help you explore nature and have fun from 8:30 to 9:30 am. Heavy rain, strong winds or rough sea will cancel this event.
See Point Lobos Foundation PDF for more information on the Weston Beach Tide Pools. https://www.pointlobos.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Weston-Beach-Tide-Pools-2018.pdf
Between 10am and 12noon, visitors of all abilities are invited to experience our accessible, Bird Island 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!
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.
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, an immensely beautiful and 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.
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.
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.
The walk will include discussions of the cultural history and the natural wonders of Point Lobos.
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
Walk Theme: Harbor Seals and Pups at Point Lobos. This is an easy walk along the Bird Island Trail around China Cove, and we'll discuss the baby seals being born here every day, the relationships between Moms and Pups (and other Moms). Why is it that the vast majority of baby seal pups are born in April? Guaranteed to be both informative and fun. Meet in the Bird Island parking lot. Walk guided by Peter Fletcher.
Take this docent led walk through the beautiful Cypress Grove focusing on the best photo spots and the diversity of life in Point Lobos. We will talk about the plants, trees, marine mammals, sea life, birds, geology and cultural history of our State Natural Reserve that is described as the “…greatest meeting between land and water.” The walk is mostly level with some stairs and a few rocky places to traverse. Come join us!
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.
Take an easy one-mile 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 and 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.