Point Lobos State Reserve

Point Lobos State Reserve

If you are in the Monterey Peninsula for the Big Sur Marathon, the Triathlon at Pacific Grove, or visiting the area on vacation, be sure to explore the Point Lobos State Reserve just three miles south of Carmel. There are several trails to get in a long run, or see many of the delicious sights just by running a four-mile loop.

Be sure to take the Cypress Grove and the Bird Island Trail. Each are less than a mile long, but offer breathtaking Carmel Highlands views. While on the Bird Island Trail, continue to China Cove, there often are California sea lions lolling on the beachhead. Try to quietly climb the staircases while observing, my presence made several mother sea lions nervous and they summons their pups to return to the water. Look closely into the waters down below; I saw a sea otter near a kelp forest observing me!

The Reserve does not open until 9:00 AM. If you are an early riser and want to get in some additional miles, here are some suggestions:

Highway 1 to Big Sur: Although there is not a bike lane, there is enough room to run along the side. Be very careful with the traffic, which can be heavy, especially with if there is construction crews repairing washed out road. This is a good reason to register for the marathon, which is closed to vehicular traffic.

These routes are located close together, so you may run them all or pick and choose which ones appeals to you. Point Lobos is about a 1.4M north of the Highlands Inn.

Top of the World-Climb to the top of Mt. Devon Road overlooking the Carmel Highlands. Few cars are on this local road set in a cliffside pine forest above the Pacific ocean. Start at Highlands Drive, (at the Highlands Inn) and follow to the right, which turns into Mt. Devon Road. There is a world gate that marks the end, round trip is 3.4 miles.

Spindrift Beach Loop-Best bet since Highway 1 is closed, this is a relatively flat, almost two miles, pristine road that has very little traffic. On the right-hand side of Highway 1, look for the second Spindrift Road sign, less than a mile south of the Highlands Inn. The loop will get you back on Highway 1, and then proceed north to the Point Lobos State Reserve.

General information about the Reserve. There are restrooms and drinking fountains at several trailheads on the three-mile auto tour loop. Be sure to take a waterproof jacket in case of high winds and rain. There is a gas station that sells snacks midway between the Reserve and the Highlands Inn if you need to refuel.

Point Lobos Trail Map.

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