Just south of Carmel-by-the-Sea, at the north end of the Big Sur coast of the Pacific Ocean, is Point Lobos State Reserve, which also includes the Point Lobos State Marine Reserve and the Point Lobos State Marine Conservation Area.

Spectacularly beautiful and a dream for artists, nature lovers, scuba divers, and hikers, the area is also of great scientific interest.

There are endangered archeological sites, rare plants, a rich plant and animal world both on land and under the sea, and amazing geological formations.

The area is also rich in coves, headlands, and meadows and boasts an incredibly diverse underwater habitat that lures divers. There are seals, sea otters, sea lions, migrating gray whales, and thousands of seabirds as well as a number of great hiking trails along the coast that often end in small, hidden coves.

Address: Route 1, Carmel, CA 93923, Phone: 831-624-4909

Big Sur Yosemite National Park Santa Cruz San Jose Oakland Mendocino National Forest Redwood National Park Sonoma, Northern California Modoc National Forest Calaveras County Point Lobos State Reserve Muir Woods National Monument Marin Headlands, Northern California Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park Yosemite Falls Pfeiffer Beach Lava Beds National Monument Napa Valley Humboldt Redwoods State Park Mendocino, Northern California Sacramento San Francisco Six Rivers National Forest Klamath National Forest

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