CALIFORNIA

Point Lobos State Reserve is 3 miles South of Carmel on Highway one or Pacific Coast Highway. If you’re in the area visiting Montery and Carmel, this is a great place to visit. Point Lobos derived its name from the offshore rocks at Punta de los Lobos Marinos, or Point of the Sea Wolves.

 Here, the sound of the sea lions carries inland. Point Lobos offers unique geological formations,

endangered archeological sites, rare plants, beautiful wildflowers,

rich sea life and an abundance of fauna. It is a paradise for nature lovers who want to do nature photography, painting, scuba diving, or just simply listen to the music of the splashing waves harmoniously blending with the sound of the sea lions and the birds.

There is a State Park entrance fee of $10.00 entering the reserve, but it is very much worth it. At the gate, they give you the information about the reserve, places to go, and the trails. You can stay here for a day and may not even be done with the reserve if you will do some hiking in its beauitful trails. However, if you are only for a short visit, the reserve also offers awe inspiring vistas.

In addition to Point Lobos inspiring beauty, its resources also are scientific interest.

For more information on Point Lobos Stare Park, please visit the park site at http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=571

Lone Cypress (leftmost perch on top of rock), symbol of Pebble Beach Company

Personally, the 17 mile drive does not have much more to offer than the wild stretch of coastal land in Big Sur, along Pacific Coast Highway ( or highway 1). Sure it is beautiful, but to get in the 17 mile drive requires an entrance fee of $9.00 per vehicle, compared to driving in Big SUR which is FREE! The difference is that in 17 mile drive, you will see the world famous Pebble Golf Course, host for the 100th US OPen.

Pebble Beach Golf Course

Also, the drive would pass through luxury mansions. There are actually a lot of wildlife to be seen in the drive such as pelicans, cormorants, seals, sea lions, sea otters, all in their natural habitat. But then, again, one can see all these and much more also at the wilder and beautiful Big SUR. But if you are close to the area, a visit to this place is sure an enjoyable one. Entering the 17 mile drive by bike however is free. The drive will make take you through the hills, mountains, beaches, rocky shores, bird rocks, seal rocks, and many other beautiful scenery.

Rocky Cliffs

The most photographed icon of 17 mile drive is the Lone Cypress tree, which has been perched alone on its rocky cliff for 250 years already.

250 yrs old Lone Cypress perched on top of the rock