California Photo Scout

Point Lobs is a delightful place. I have ignored it for a long time due to its steep entrance fee and many free closeby locations. When I finally went to Point Lobos a few years ago I was surprised by the wealth of photographic opportunity and the diversity of this state reserve. Somehow the waters here really are more blue, the tidepools are richer and the cypress trees are more photogenic than those of nearby Big Sur and Pacific Grove.

Today I gladly pay the fee for the location, but also since the reserve is less crowded as so many people feel the way I used to feel. The park is very well maintained and the trail map you get at the entrance station is an excellent guide. The hikes at point lobos are pleasant and easy.

What you will find here

• Serene bays with turquoise waters
• Sea lions sleeping at remote beaches
• Birds
• Tidepools with colorful sea life
• Gnarly cypress trees
• Rugged coastline with wildflowers
• Hiking trails
• History (Whaling Station Museum and Whalers Cabin)

How to get there

The entrance to Point Lobos is on Highway 1 just south of Carmel. It is impossible to miss, also because of all the cars parked on Highway 1 of people unwilling to pay the entrance fee. Since the reserve is not that small, I recommend you pay and save yourself the hassle to walk everywhere.

How to photograph Point Lobos

Point Lobos Crab in the tidepool

Point Lobos is a photographers dream and challenge. The diversity of scenes and lighting conditions require that you are quick on your feet and that you know your camera inside out. Whenever there is a good chance of wildlife encounters, I walk with a long lens attached to my camera, set to ISO 400. This way I can quickly take a wildlife photograph in less than a second even when I get surprised. If there is enough time, I can always change the ISO setting and refine my scene and settings to get higher quality photographs. I find that wideangle photographs always afford me enough time to attach a different lens, but the opposite is rearely true.

Best Time of the Day and Best Season

If you want to take photos of the tide pools, you should probably align your visit with the low tide. Any time of the day is good for all other photographs although I prefer mornings, as most photographs will be towards the west.

Time required

You should count about 1.5 – 2 hours for a quick overview and a short detour to China Cove along the Bird Island Trail. China Cove is probably the most colorful and photogenic part. Half a day should be enough to hike some other trails (from Whalers Cove to North Point and back) and a full day is necessary to see it all (including the Museum, Sea Lions Point Trail and the Scenic Cypress Grove Trail).

Equipment

• You will need lenses of all focal length. Bring your entire bag if you can and if not try to cover at least the wide to short telephoto range.
• Polarizing Filter
• Bring something to eat if you plan to spend the day (no services)
• Hiking Shoes

GPS position

China Cove: 36°30’28.85″N 121°56’27.29″W

Tide Pools: 36°30’44.28″N 121°56’36.90″W

Sea Lion Point: 36°31’6.72″N 121°57’11.57″W

Whalers Cove: 36°31’11.46″N 121°56’25.23″W

The Pit: 36°31’16.60″N 121°56’14.15″W

North Point and Cypress Cove Trail: 36°31’13.71″N 121°57’2.23″W

Whalers Cabin and Museum: 36°31’8.23″N 121°56’25.78″W

Fee

$10 per car at the time of this writing (01/2009)

Close Locations

• Big Sur
• Andrew Molera State Park
• Pacific Grove with Point Pinos Lighthouse
• Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary
• 17-mile drive and Pebble Beach
• Monterey Fishermans Wharf
• Carmel
• Carmel Mission
• Wildflowers on Highway 1

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