Point Lobos State Natural Reserve Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Guided 2-Hour Point Lobos Nature Walk

• Monterey, Big Sur, 17 Mile Drive 3.5 Hour Private Tour

• Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Big Sur PCH Highway 1

• Smartphone Driving Tour between Santa Maria & Monterey 'Big Sur'

• Point Lobos - A Private Charming Ocean Tour

There is no fee for individuals to enter Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, but there is a parking fee. The day-use fee for regular vehicles is US$10/day, while buses cost US$50/day (small) and US$100/day (large). Most California State Parks passes are accepted.

There are loads of great hiking trails at Point Lobos. Popular options include the Point Lobos Loop, a 7.4-mile (11.8-kilometer) moderate trail with great views. For an easier alternative, the Lace Lichen, North Shore, and Cannery Point Trail offers fabulous views and is shorter at 3.1 miles (5 kilometers).

The best time to visit Point Lobos is fall, when the weather is often sunny and mildly warm, with cool, clear evenings. Winters can get colder and rainy, while spring and summer have a mix of sunshine and fog. Layers are a good idea, no matter when you visit.

Yes, there are more than 20 different species of land mammals resident in the preserve, including ground squirrels, gray squirrels, pocket gophers, brush rabbits, skunks, and dusky-footed wood rats. Other creatures include alligator lizards, acorn woodpeckers, peregrine falcons, turkey vultures, and a range of shorebirds.

How long you spend in Point Lobos depends on how you want to spend your day. You might find half a day suitable, but if you're planning to see most of the park, have a picnic, and do some hiking, you should devote a whole day to your adventure.