If you are going to Carmel and have a couple of extra hours, don´t miss Point Lobos state reserve. It is just 10 min. by car and you
will find wonderful ocean views with plenty wildlife, nice walks and picnic areas.
We went last week and had great time.
Enjoy!

Carol,
Is there an entry fee? Are there hiking trails and, if so, how strenuous are they? Did you stop at Julia Phiffer state park? If so, how long did that take? Thanks for the info.

Vicki: We paid $4 to enter (For each car) and they give you a map with all the facilities in the park. Most of the trails are easy to walk as the are no high mountains (it is in the coast).
The park you mention I didnt go.-
As to the time to take to visit this park depends on your stops but you can tour it in 2 hours. Enjoy!

We too had a great time there.
Also had diving activity.( w/dry suits of course)

Point Lobos is one of my favorite spots on earth. Visit http://pt-lobos.parks.state.ca.us/ for a look. My favorite thing to do is park outside on the highway (you'll see lots of cars doing this), walk in and do the perimeter trail. It's a little over 6 miles and you go through so many different types of environments; hidden coves, piney forests, whaling coves, seal rocks, bird outcroppings and diciduous forests. It's been called the greatest meeting of land and sea and if you go you will see why.

Afterwards, drive a little further south to Rocky Point for a seafood cocktail and a drink on the coast. Beautiful!

If you park outside and walk in like we do, it is a good idea to get a map from the ranger car fee station, for $0.50.

Any suggestions on where to stay in Carmel? How is Carmel Bay View Inn?

Vicky: We stayed in Pacific Grove that is about 15 min drive to Carmel and love it: quiet town without tourist crowds. There are lots of B and B, hotels, lodges. It´s in the coast.

Bring binoculars. You will see lots of birds on the rocks in the ocean...

ttt

The number of visitors to Pt. Lobos is restricted so it's never crowded. If you're there on a weekend, plan to get there early. It is truly beautiful and an alternative for those who don't have the time to drive the coast of Big Sur.

Pt. Lobos was beautiful. I used three rolls of film because the waves crashing on the rocks was so pretty!

BEWARE- when there are signs posted that say "Poison Sumac", BELIEVE THEM! I still don't remember touching anything, but I had the worst case of poison Sumac that lasted for three weeks after visiting the park. (I couldn't even leave the house at one point because it was all over my face.) The trip was still worth it- I'll just be more careful from now on!

The Carmel Bay View Inn was reasonably priced and nice. It wasn't the most deluxe place we've stayed, but it was nice. Our room had a king sized father bed and a huge balcony with a view of the ocean.

Carol,
Do you have any other suggestions of places to stay in Monterrey, Pacific Grove, or Carmel? Was the Bay View Inn clean and comfortable?

We stayed at the Martine Inn in Pacific Grove and loved it. It's right across the street from the beach, and has great views from the dining area. It's only a couple of blocks from restaurants and the aquarium in Monterey. The Inn supplies a lot of little extras like bottled water and chocolates in your room, a happy hour with wine and hors d'oeuvres in the evening, and hot chocolate and cookies in the lobby.

Other places to stay in PG Gosby House, Green Gables, Seven Gables. In Carmel Pine Inn, Cypress Inn, Tickle Pink Inn....many,many choices. Look at www.innaccess.com

I was also impressed by the waves pounding at the rocks ( also got wet! lol) Enjoy

PG great place to stay. Check out www.pacificgrove.org for list of hotels and things to do. We live in the area and love it.

If you could recommend one place to start at Point Lobos, where would that be? We love the sea, whales, birds. Help please if you can.

Many thanks.

Posted by: Traveler
Message: If you could recommend one place to start at Point Lobos, where would that be? We love the sea, whales, birds. Help please if you can.
Many thanks.

Personally I would start at Whaler's Cove. From there you could hike over to Granite Point and Moss Cove and then back to go down to Sea Lion Point . . . or you could drive to the Sea Lion Point trail head and park there. Visit the following site to take a look at the trail map.

http://www.pointlobos.org/map/TrailMap.html

This is a place you will never forget once you have been there.

Enjoy,
Ron

I am all for saving money on vacation - believe me - but I believe in paying the $4 entry fee for the state parks. A lot of their funds for operation, restoration, and preservation come from these fees. It's only $4 which is not much for most people, but when combined with the money from all of the other people who visit the park, it really adds up.