Point Lobos State Reserve- Easy Hiking by Lhenne1
I'm not an especially avid hiker, so when my boyfriend suggested we hike Point Lobos I agreed and tried not to think about the pain I'd be in the following morning. This was a great hike! The trails are very well marked and the terrain is easy. We passed a number of older people enjoying a nice stroll on the paths. There were plenty of picnic areas and bathrooms (which were quite clean) and families with kids were having a blast. The trails take you past cliffs and lagoons, through fields and across sandstone shorelines. It's exquisite. You can choose how far you'd like to walk, from a few yards to over five miles. Wildlife is everywhere, we saw sea otters and harbor seals, ground squirrels and a ton of birds.
Parking: if you'd like to save a few dollars, park outside the gates to the State Park and walk in. It's only an extra quarter or half mile to the shore and the trails come right out to the roadside. For a shorter trip, get a pass to drive in and park at one of the numerous parking lots along the trails.
Scuba Diving: I haven't been out there yet, but I will be checking it out as soon as I can. There are 2 main dive zones and 11 "must see attractions" (you can check out the map on the website). Diving is free but you are required to make a reservation in advance. Weekends fill up quickly, so try going on a weekday to have a better shot at your desired date.
The park closes at sunset, so don't get too lost on the trails or you'll end up wandering around in the dark.
