Bird Island, South Plateau Trail, and Mound Meadow Trail Loop

This is one of the most rewarding short coastal hikes in Point Lobos. The Bird Island Trail offers sweeping ocean views, a peek into rugged shorelines, and a front-row seat to seabird colonies—all in under a mile. Trail Basics & Route Overview Trail Type: Lollypop / loop with a spur to the Bird Island overlook Habitat & Scenery: Coastal scrub, Monterey pines, rocky shore, c...

If you’re craving an ocean-edge walk through rocky coastline, tide pools and bluff vistas, the South Shore Trail delivers. It’s a slightly wild coastal route that keeps you close to the sea and filled with surprises. Trail Basics & Route Overview Difficulty: Easy Trail Surface & Terrain: Mostly natural trail along bluff tops and coastal slopes. Expect uneven ground, rocks, ...

The South Plateau Trail to Bird Island in Monterey County, California, is a moderately challenging hiking trail. Spanning approximately 1.69 miles round trip, the trail offers a variety of terrain, including sandy beaches, rocky cliffs, and dense coastal scrub. The trailhead is located at the parking lot of the Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. The trail is well-marked and maintained, with a ...

Point Lobos contains headlands, coves and rolling meadows, and its offshore area forms one of the richest underwater habitats in the world, popular with divers. Wildlife includes seals, sea lions, sea otters, migrating gray whales (from December to May), and thousands of seabirds, who also make the reserve their home. Hiking trails follow the shoreline and lead to hidden coves. The area used t...

Cypress Grove Trail via South Shore Trail is a family-friendly loop hiking trail located near Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. Along this hike in Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, you'll get a chance to see beautiful coastal views with rugged cliffs, views across Monterey Bay, and Cypress trees as you stroll through Cypress Grove. There are benches to take a rest along the trail and restrooms a...

Point Lobos is one of the hidden gems of the California coast. Located just off of Route 1 right after Monterey, Point Lobos is a state park on the coast. The cost to explore inside is ten dollars, but so worth it. As you explore, be sure to hike around Whalers Cove, which is incredible at sunset with the ocean spray and lush forests. The ocean vistas, rocky shores, and hiking trails can easil...