July 10, 2024 - California
Point Lobos State Park

Whenever I'm in the Monterey area, beside Chef Lee's, another must-go-to place is Point Lobos State Park.  It's relatively small but incredibly beautiful.  I think it could be a National Park.

We arrived in the morning, ready to hit it hard!
   
Although everything in the park is good, the highlight is hiking the Cypress Grove trail through the Allan Memorial Grove.  We started with that.  Then we hiked the Sand Hill Trail and the South Shore Trail down to Bird Island.  We hiked the Mound Meadow, Pine Ridge and Lace Lichen Trails back.  All were beautiful.
   
And we're off.
   
A little foggy this morning.  Very normal for the Pacific coast.  Adds to the experience.
   
Entering the grove.
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
Looking south.
   
 
   
Cypress trees.
   
The cold Pacific Ocean below.
   
A squadron of pelicans passes by.
   
 
   
What can you say?
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
Now looking on the northern side of the peninsula.
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
Now we're headed south on the Sand Hill and South Shore Trails.
   
Looking back at Allan Memorial [Cypress Grove] over Headland Cove.
   
Sea Lion Cove.
   
Amazing color.
   
A grey Harbor seal rests on a kelp-covered rock in Sand Hill Cove.
   
 
   
 
   
Looking south down the coast.
   
Looking north.
   
Here comes Lynnette.
   
 
   
 
   
Joe looks for sealife in the tidepools.
   
 
   
 
   
A buzzard picks over the remnants of a harbor seal.
   
Bird Island comes into view at far right.
   
An isolated little beach.
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
A pretty sandy beach comes into view.
   
The sea lions know all about it!
   
 
   
 
   
We come around the bend and discover another beach.
   
The pelicans have taken ownership of this beach.
   
The State Park ends at this point.  Look at those houses across the beach.  What a view they must have!
   
Prime real-estate for sure.
   
Now following the trail west out to Bird Island.
   
Looking south.
   
 
   

It's clear why they call it Bird Island.   The island is white because of all the bird .... guano. 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
We took the inland trail back, through pretty meadow and forest.
   
 
   

We rewarded ourselves after hiking Point Lobos by having brunch at an upscale restaurant in trendy Carmel.

Point Lobos did not disappoint.  Other than Yosemite, I think it's the most scenic place in California.  And that's saying something.
   
 
   
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