Point Lobos State Natural Reserve - Gibson Beach

Located in the southern part of Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve - Gibson Beach - also known as Sandy Beach - is a large beach with light brown sand. The beach is situated below steep oceanfront bluffs and the shoreline around the beach is rocky. 

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve - Gibson Beach does not have lifeguards or any other amenities except walking trails, so prepare accordingly. 

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve - Gibson Beach offers many fun activities including sunbathing, beachcombing, hiking, and wildlife watching. Recreational aquatic activities including swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving are generally not allowed in the water near Point Lobos State Natural Reserve - Headland Cove as they might disturb the aquatic animals living here. The water near Point Lobos State Natural Reserve - Gibson Beach is home to a large array of aquatic animals including seals, sea lions, dolphins, otters, and migrating grey whales (between December and April). As an interesting fact, the beach served as a location for the shooting of the 1940 Alfred Hitchcock film Rebecca. If you like birdwatching, the blufftop area above the beach offers a clear view of the nearby Bird Island which is a rock formation present just offshore. This rock formation has a huge seabird colony during summer and spring every year and you can see many species of birds here including gulls, herons, and cormorants. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is often referred to as "the crown jewel" of California’s state park system and has been described by renowned landscape artist Francis McComas as the "greatest meeting of land and water in the world." The reserve has a beautiful and stunning landscape that includes Monterey cypress forests (the reserve has one of the only two remaining naturally growing groves of Monterey cypress trees on earth), coastal scrub, rocky headlands, and tidepools. In addition, many interesting animals are also found here including gophers, foxes, bobcats, deer, squirrels, lizards, snakes, raccoons, and skunks. You can explore the vibrant flora and fauna and the unique topography here via hiking trails present throughout the reserve. If you like diving, there are many scuba diving sites present in and around Point Lobos State Natural Reserve that offer a unique way to explore the amazing underwater topography and biodiversity present in the water near the reserve. You can find more information on the permits required for scuba diving in Point Lobos State Natural Reserve on the California Department of Parks and Recreation’s website. The reserve also has the Whalers Cabin which was built by Chinese immigrants in the 19th century and is a part of the United States National Register of Historic Places. This cabin is now home to a museum that has interesting exhibits on the rich cultural history of the Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve’s beauty has also been a source of inspiration for many local artists and photographers. In addition, many movies have also been shot in or near the reserve including the 1989 Tom Hanks movie Turner and Hooch and the 1967 Dustin Hoffman movie The Graduate. The Point Lobos Foundation also organizes guided tours around the reserve. If you want to be a part of a guided tour, you can look for more information on this link - https://pointlobos.org/plan-your-visit/guided-tours. The reserve also hosts the Point Lobos Summer Adventure Program for kids aged between 8 -12 which includes many fun and informative activities including hiking and wildlife watching excursions.

Getting to Point Lobos State Natural Reserve - Gibson Beach is easy - the entrance to the natural reserve is located near 62 California State Highway 1 / Pacific Coast Highway. The nearest paid parking lot to Point Lobos State Natural Reserve - Gibson Beach is located in the southern part of the reserve. From this parking lot, you need to walk on the Bird Island Trail that leads straight to the access stairs for Point Lobos State Natural Reserve - Gibson Beach. 

There are many attractions near Point Lobos State Natural Reserve - Gibson Beach. Carmel Art Association has one of the oldest art galleries in the city of Carmel and also organizes many exciting events including lectures, concerts, and art demonstrations. The Sunset Center is a performing arts center that hosts many interesting events including musical performances, stand-up comedy acts, theatrical shows, and dance performances. In addition, the center, along with the Carmel Mission Basilica hosts the annual Carmel Bach Festival which sees a variety of exciting events being organized here including recitals, concerts, masterclasses, open rehearsals, and lectures. If you are looking for another attraction near Point Lobos State Natural Reserve - Gibson Beach, Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo (also known as the Carmel Mission) is a historical landmark and Catholic mission that was established in the 18th century. Docent-led tours are organized around the mission premises and the mission also has a museum that offers an interesting insight into California’s history.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Point Lobos State Natural Reserve - Gibson Beach. Flying Fish Grill has a pleasant Asian-influenced ambiance and offers excellent Californian-Japanese fusion cuisine including tempura and seafood pasta with a sake-butter sauce and also serves a fantastic variety of clay pot dinners. Little Napoli, Bistro Italiano offers a variety of amazing Italian dishes including pastas, pizzas, and risotto. If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near Point Lobos State Natural Reserve - Gibson Beach, the modestly priced Bruno’s Market and Deli offers excellent burgers, sandwiches, salads, breakfast dishes, roast chicken, and smoked prime ribs.

If you are looking for a hotel near Point Lobos State Natural Reserve - Gibson Beach, there are many great nearby options. The 4-Star Pine Inn offers many amenities including a restaurant and complimentary breakfast. A more affordable hotel is the 3-Star The Normandy Inn that offers many amenities including a restaurant, complimentary breakfast and afternoon sherry, a pool, access to the lobby microwave, and flower gardens. If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near Point Lobos State Natural Reserve - Gibson Beach, the modestly priced 2-Star Carmel Resort Inn offers many amenities including a garden and barbecue facilities.