Point Lobos, Jewel of the California Central Coast

On a recent drive up to San Francisco from Los Angeles, instead of taking the grueling, boring, hot I-5 through the central valley, I decided to take the 101 up the coast. It takes a couple of hours longer, but it is so much more pleasant, more scenic and cooler.

I couldn't just pass by the Monterey Peninsula though, without a quick visit to one of my favorite spots on the whole California coast: Point Lobos State Reserve.

Located three miles south of Carmel-by-the-Sea (another favorite spot), Point Lobos is full of trails, coves and rocky formations meeting the wild surf.

It was late in the day and I was dismayed to see the "Parking Lot Full" sign out front. I drove in anyway to talk to the ranger at the booth. She said there were still parking spots available and it was ten dollars for my car. She said I could also park out on road (Highway 1).

Not minding a longer walk in the least after being hours on the road, I decided to save the ten bucks. Carefully checking the signs, I found an area to park not far from the entrance at all. After reentering the park on foot, I asked the ranger if she had a map. "That's 2 dollars...but you can borrow one if you promise to return it." No problem!

Taking off on the first trail I came across, I was immediately plunged into a world of scintillating natural beauty. The Monterey pines and cypress trees provided shade, while below were plants with deep red leaves illuminated by the late afternoon sun.

Most of all I was engulfed with refreshing sea air mixed with the scent of pine. All was silent except for distant crashing waves. When the trail reached the land's end, it went off in either direction along a coastal trail. Appropriately, there was a bench where one could sit and take it all in. But I had no desire to sit.

Thick, billowing fog hung out just offshore, while the lowering sun lit up the rocky cliffs with orange hues and the water with a brilliant blue-green.

I forged on and basically had the place to myself, passing only about 5 people total in an hour. Gulls circled and soared, a lizard scurried by and a squirrel eyed me from a nearby rock. I spotted what looked like a heron, still as a statue looking out to sea.

After an hour of exploring along trails, my headache had dissipated, my lungs were refreshed, my soul rejuvenated.

I can't wait to get back to Point Lobos and breathe in some more.

For more practical information on Point Lobos, see Laura's website http://www.monterey-getaway.com/point-lobos-state-reserve.html where you'll also find information on visiting the whole Monterey Peninsula.

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