Natural History Wanderings

Pt. Lobos has been called the “Crown Jewel of the State Park System.”

The name comes from the offshore rocks at Punta de Los Lobos Marinos, Point of the Sea Wolves.  Point Lobos State Reserve is very popular for many reasons including ocean waves crashing over rocky shores, sea lions and otters swimming in its coves. There are rare plant communities, endangered archeological sites, unique geological formations, and a rich flora and fauna.  Visitors go for photography, painting, wildflower watching,birding, picnicking, scuba diving, and jogging.  It can be crowded, especially on weekends when the parking lots fill up and there may a line to get in the reserve.  It is definitely worth going but go during the week if possible.  If you can only get there on a weekend, go when it first opens so you can be ahead of the crowds at least for a few hours.

Point Lobos Offical State Park Site: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=571

Pt. Lobos Association (http://www.pointlobos.org/index.html) supports interpretive and educational programs as well as helping to preserve the reserve.  Their website has a good overview of the natural history.  Here are some of the most useful links:

Point Lobos Plant list: www.montereybaycnps.org/lists/POINT_LOBOS_2.pdf
Point Lobos Plant Communities: http://www.pointlobos.org/Plants.html
Point Lobos Observation List: ( Common Mammals, Plants, Birds, Reptile and Amphibians): https://www.pointlobos.org/pdfs/Observation%20Checklist.pdf
Photos and Information about Common Birds of Pt. Lobos: http://www.pointlobos.org/Birds.html

Here is a slide show from a past springtime visit a few years ago.

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