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    Point Sur State Historic Park

    4.6 (34 reviews)

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    Cathy C.

    Thank you so much to our friendly and knowledgeable Docent who wonderfully paced this hike with useful information, photos and historical experiences that showcased how largely the NorCal and Central Coast cohesiveness came together. It's a 3 hr tour and you need to get there as they limit the visitors to first come first serve. The views are spectacular, we were lucky to have visited when it was clear and not windy. It's encouraged you bring your jacket, water and comfortable walking shoes. You pay at the top and if you are lucky you will see Whales in the distance along with sea lions, sea otters and dolphins like we did. It was a perfect day.

    Sylvia Y.

    Came here on Saturday for the lighthouse tour. You can't make reservations online in advance, so we waited at the gate in our car 30 minutes prior to the tour start date (10 am). Definitely show up early because they limit the number of people per tour and will close the gate once it's full. There are Porta Potties at the bottom and also portable toilets with flush. Hollie was our guide. The tour was about 3 hours long and was pretty informative of the history of the lighthouse grounds, accidents in the area etc. We also got to go inside the lighthouse. Tours are $15/person and you pay once you get to the top. Overall, a good way to spend a couple of hours in Big Sur!

    Volunteer guide
    Ry T.

    We arrived way too early to wait in line to get in but we ended up being the first car. About 28 persons were in this tour on a Tuesday. The sign really isn't visible from the road. It's posted on the wooden gate and we saw several cars stop, parked and the drivers got out to look to make sure they were in the correct place. The volunteer guide arrived at 9:30 AM to go inside to set up while we were told to wait. A second volunteer guide came out later to check off our names and directed us to drive up the road to where the 1st volunteer was standing. There is an outhouse with running water and flushing toilet you can use right before the hike uphill. After some safety rules, the guides split the group in half and we proceeded upwards while getting a history of the coast, lighthouse and what life was like for the keepers who lived here. Great views of the ocean but we were all fogged in and couldn't see much. We got to go into the lighthouse, old home of the keepers, blacksmith's work house, a haunted building and small gift shop where you pay your entrance fee. There's a lot of work the volunteers need done to raise money and renovate thee Ed buildings snd roads before they're allowed to bring the original lens back to install. Mostly for decoration as the current light is an outside, small LED lamp. Hope to be back one day when their lens gets reinstalled, it's spectacular in the pictures.

    View from where you park...
    Sidney S.

    Just don't go back to Big Sur Hangin' around, lettin' your old man down Just don't go back to Big Sur Baby baby please don't go Baby baby please don't go -- The Thrills "Big Sur" And now I pass my Yelp friend Emmalouise once again in our review contest... The drill here is well known. Get to the gate by 10 on weekends (or 10:03 like I did). Have almost 3 hours to spare (or 2:45 hours like on our tour). Get informed to death about the history of this and other lighthouses. See spectacular scenery. Meet nice folks. Buy a few things at gift shop for mini me. They also have cool full moon and Halloween tours. As Magnus wrote, amazing pristine beach is either part of ranch or part of state park and not accessible. Man it is a gorgeous beach. Bring water like I did as it is a long tour. Wear layers. If this tour leaves you out of breath hit the treadmill or exercise bike or go for a hike when you get home. Plenty of stops on tour and no way anyone should ever get out of breath on this. Docents were very nice. Highly recommended at least once! $12 fee helps keep the gates open.

    Nina Z.

    Beautiful view along the coast of Big Sur. Super windy, so be sure to bring a windbreaker jacket. You have to cross through private property in order to reach the base of the lighthouse, so you have to park outside of the gates. They open the gates at 9:45AM and admission is on a first-come, first-served basis, so come early. I was expecting a more strenuous hike, but instead got a very mild hike and a rich, detailed history of the Point Sur Lighthouse. The tour guides are very knowledgeable and friendly. When you reach the top, you get the chance to explore the lighthouse and the houses atop the plateau. Admission is $12 for adults and $5 for those ages 6-17. You pay the admission after the 3 hour tour when you reach the top of the plateau. This was more of a leisurely walk and learning more about the area versus an actual hike. If you're into lighthouses, definitely worth checking out (and open to the public!).

    M S.

    We joined the 90 minute navy site tour because we were late for the 3 hour light house tour - it was pretty chilly and we were a bit tired so maybe it was for the best. Mike was our tour guide and as an ex Navy officer he was so knowledgeable and interesting. I don't want to give away too much but the site only more recently became declassified and they haven't even released much info yet. The site itself is also a ghost town and not super cool, but the stories and tour guides kept us curious and wanting to find out more. I absolutely recommend this and it was only like $10.

    Moonlight tour
    Kristen S.

    As a Monterey local, I had been dying to go here but just never knew exactly how. Recently saw an event via Facebook for their Moonlight Tour and knew I needed to jump on it. The volunteers were extremely knowledgeable about the rich history of the lighthouse and you can tell they're passionate about what they do. The moonlight tour itself was a lot of fun! My biggest tip: when you think you've worn enough layers, wear more. My group and I showed up in long sleeves and jackets, and we definitely could have used at least another after that evening wind started to kick in. The tour is first come first serve, so we made sure to show up about an hour early. You just wait by the entrance gate where the road to the lighthouse starts. The volunteers will roll up about a half hour before the tour is scheduled to begin and they go over all the directions with you. The moonlight tour is amazing and the way the moon shines on the ocean is hauntingly beautiful. Worth the $25 fee!

    Point Sur Light Station
    Trung N.

    One of the most beautiful places to visit along the coast of California.. The breathtaking views even traveling to the lighthouse itself is amazing. Point Sur Lighthouse has so much history and can only be visited during tour hours so be sure to check the calendar and make plans before arriving. One of my friends whom recently passed was fond of coming here.. He took the tours so often that all the docents (tour guides) who volunteered there recognized him every time he came to visit. As I had never visited the lighthouse myself, after his passing, a group of us decided to make a group trip in remembrance to his favorite place in the world and I took the opportunity to finally visit. Knowledgeable docents, beautiful views.. and an opportunity to reminisce among friends. An experience that makes me wish I could live there... The tour of the furnished lightkeeper's house that is on display was just a crazy tease that did not help at all.. lol..

    Point Sur light station out buildings.
    Bradley N.

    Ten Easy Steps™ Vol. 3: Lighthouses No. 1: Point Sur Light Station, Big Sur, CA I think that anyone who has lived (make that "survived") one full year in the state of California should be invited to the governor's office in Sacramento and one of the staff should hand them a golden-colored bucket, and in that bucket, there should be a list of things to do in the next few years of their residency to make them truly Californian in outlook, rather than just another transplant from somewhere else. Of course, there will be places like Yosemite and Death Valley, the Golden Gate Bridge and Muir Woods and a Spanish mission or two, but there also should be a section devoted to the lighthouses of the California coast, especially its northern, rocky, rugged places, like Point Arena or Point Reyes. And of all the lighthouses on that list, the one atop that big rock in Big Sur has just GOT to be there right at the start. If you don't leave a 3-hour tour here (just make sure your tour guide isn't named Gilligan) feeling a little more Californian and a little less of whatever you were before you got here, I would be shocked. Shocked! There is just so much history here - natural and human - to love. And be slightly scared about. And that, in a nutshell, is what feeling Californian is all about: a little scared about the place, but in love with it, nonetheless. So, how to make your next road trip to Big Sur one truly to remember? Sounds like another job for the Ten Easy Steps™ ! 1. Wake up early. You will need to in order to arrive at the locked gate before the docent pulls up in his car, usually about 9:45 or 9:50am, to let you into the grounds. Cars line up in single file at a narrow dirt pullout right next to the locked gate. This happens Saturdays and Sundays at 10am unless the highway is closed due to a landslide or flooding, and some Wednesdays at 1 pm. 2. Check out the Central Coast Lighthouse Keepers web site well ahead of time to plan for your visit. There is a great deal of useful information here that ensures you won't arrive at the wrong date or time: http://www.pointsur.org/ 3. Bring hat, gloves, and wind-proof clothing! And if you bring a hat, make sure it stays on your head even in 50 mph wind gusts. It may not be windy on the highway, but at some point on the walk up to the lighthouse, you will feel the power of the Pacific, and it ain't gonna be pretty if you came dressed for the beach. 4. Take a small backpack with water, snacks, and other supplies (lip balm, sunscreen, extra hat and gloves, binoculars, sun glasses, etc.) The tour lasts 3 hours, you know, and only at the end do you reach the visitor center, where $1 hot drinks and free water is available. Otherwise, you'll have to suffer in silence. 5. Don't fill up on 22 oz. lattes before the tour! There are 2 outdoor stalls at the parking area, then several additional ones at the top, near the stone residence buildings. The restroom facilities are clean and well maintained - pretty fancy as far as PTs (portable toilets) go - but I just don't think you want to worry about such things when perched 300 feet above a surging, foaming, wave-crashing ocean, now do you? 6. Bring binoculars. You never know when a whale might swim by, or if something cool is happening on the ocean, or if you want to get a little bit closer to the action on highway one. What? No binoculars? Perhaps a trip to Cabela's is in order before you go ... 7. Wear actual hiking shoes. Yes, the trail is paved, but being out in the ocean like it is, the place gets pretty banged up. Lots of little rocks tumble down in an ongoing process of erosion, and - haven't you heard - California is on a major geological faultline, and that's abundantly clear when you look at the Santa Lucia mountains from Point Sur station. Also, you will be climbing metal stairs to reach the lighthouse's inner core, where the fresnel lens was and where its replacement currently resides, and you don't want to wear the Manolos in case the heels get stuck in the tread. 8. Save energy for the best part of the tour - no, not the ocean vistas and cool historic stuff in the lighthouse and carpentry/blacksmith shop. I'm talking about the gorgeously restored Lighthouse Keeper's house, which you visit near the end of the tour. It's done up as a 1950's nuclear family idyll, replete with rooms for the kids, a well-stocked kitchen, a laundry room, a study, a bathroom, and bedrooms to match. There is a lot of museum-quality stuff lying all around, provided by the amazing Lighthouse Keeper volunteers using money raised by local philanthropists (you know, people like ... um, Clint). While some sections are roped off, most are open for you to explore. How cool is that? 9. Bring the kids! If you have them, of course. This is definitely kid friendly adventuring, and who is going to be more Californian than them? 10. Take time to enjoy the view. It is unforgettable!

    05.10.14 signage before you go uphill and start your tour
    May A.

    Great tour! The view on Highway 1 along Big Sur just to get to Point Sur Light Staton was already beautiful enough but to be able to view it up top from the lighthouse was even more spectacular. Saturday tours are 10:00a and 2:00p. Get there early if you can... cars begin to line up outside of the gate. First come, first served and they don't take reservations. Adult admission is $12 but they also have moonlight tours for $20. Name and # of people in your party are taken down at the gate and you pay at the gift shop. Children welcome. Ages 6-17 are $5 and ages 5 and under are free. Seen little ones on our tour... by the end of 3 hours they were being carried by their parents. We took a tour to get a history about this place and to view the lighthouse. You will hear a lot of history just about the ocean alone - hazards and shipwrecks. We were able to actually go inside, upstairs, and outside the lighthouse. It is a working lighthouse that is visible for 23 miles out to sea and became automated in 1975. The original light used in the 19th century is now on display in the Maritime Museum in Monterey. Oh so windy! Make sure you hold on to the railings because we were warned that anything not secured will fly away (glasses, phone, cameras, hats, scarves, yourself?) I am not sure if it is this windy there all year round but heed warnings, please. Dress in layers. The volunteer docents were nice, friendly and well informed and the approx. 3-hr tour was interesting and full of history. Wear comfy shoes! A lot of walking because you will tour the whole place from where you parked to the lighthouse to the once occupied resident homes and back down again. Bring water. Although water and coffee are available at the gift shop and donations are accepted. Fun day! Zak, Nick and Aaron of Ghost Adventures came to investigate the many claims of paranormal activity at Point Sur, one of the most haunted lighthouses in America. Review #0202

    amazing view of the living room of where the head lighthouse keeper lived.
    Amy Y.

    Great tour if you really want to get into the nitty gritty of the history of life in Big Sur! the tour guides are very very knowledgeable and friendly. There is a hike up to the big sur lighthouse, however, you stop so often that you really don't feel tired at all. I mean i'm no crossfit yolked girl or anything but we did stop more often that I would've liked. Anyways, great tour of the lighthouse, you get to go up and see the views as well as where the people used to live, great little house- wouldn't mind living there myself! So the guides are all volunteers and I don't even think you actually have to pay, they just tell you it's a suggested gratuity of $12 a person which is not bad for the 3 hour tour. Recommend it for people who like to learn a bit of history and see great scenery. :)

    Daddy O.

    This is one of my favorite things about the Big Sur Area. For the longest time I would drive past the gate and windy point and wondered exactly WHAT THE HECK is up there. Finally, curiousity got the best of me and I decided to take the tour with a friend. Tours are limited to 30 people, and it is first come first served. After the 1 mile drive down the poorly paved windy road to the base of the point, the docent meets you and you begin your informed ascent. For $8, the three hour tour provides you more information about the history of Big Sur, Light Stations, and the old days than you might get at a typical museum. Plus getting to see a Frenell Lens up close is pretty awesome. The views are among the best in Big Sur, hands down! You could see miles in all directions, and the ocean is a deep shade of aquamarine around the point. If you're lucky you might even spot some aquatic life...sea lions, dolphins, maybe even whales! This tour is totally worth the time and trouble. (19 miles south of Carmel)

    Interior of carpentry shop.

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    So beautiful, up here! Don't forget to bring comfy shoes.

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    Ask the Community - Point Sur State Historic Park

    I see tours are cancelled until further notice due to bridge repair. Can you still go view the lighthouse or is everything closed?

    We were there at the end of April 2019, everything is closed with the view of the lighthouse from the road barely visible unfortunately.

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    Review Highlights - Point Sur State Historic Park

    It is a great history tour (the lighthouse existed before hightway 1 ) Try to go when its sunny.

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    Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

    Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

    4.4(412 reviews)
    7.6 mi

    One of California's bigger and more popular state parks, rightfully so. Not as touristy as Yosemite…read morebut this is on a bigger scale than most other Cali State Parks. I ventured here once before in my early 20s back in my school boy days and felt it was time to see it again with decades worth of a wiser perspective. And I was rewarded in spades. This park is about 30 miles or so south of Carmel on Highway 1, which in my opinion is one of the most glorious stretch of road to drive. Even though it is only 30 miles or so, it still takes almost an hour to travel from Carmel. The road winds around through many curves and undulations so you simply cannot drive freeway speeds here, nor should you want to. Enjoy the views, roll down the window and take in that coastal air, play your favorite tunes and just soak in the moment. Once at the park there are campsites, as well as cabins and even a full service lodge for those that don't want to rough it at all. You are now in mountainous terrain so lots of trees, a big creek and lots of hiking trails. I did a 3 day camp stay and loved it. They keep the park clean, maintain the restrooms and patrol the grounds frequently. Even though they have almost 200 campsites available, they spread it out nice so not everyone is in the same area. I could sometimes hear my neighbors but they were never in my direct view. That is a big plus for me when rating camp sites. People can also just get a day pass and enjoy the trails and creek without having to stay. My camping pass also got me to see a couple other California State Parks nearby on the same trip, so well worth the price of admission. Very lively with animal life which are unfortunately very used to humans. Squirrels and blue jays will not be shy to investigate what they can scavenge so do not leave any food unattended. Upon setting up camp I had a ziplock bag of trail mix on the picnic bench along with the rest of my gear. While I was setting up the tent with me somewhat close by, a stellar jay swooped in and pecked at the bag. It didn't take it but ripped a good hole in the bag. So just a big fyi to keep your food on guard/lock. The big creek runs through many of the sites. Some parts are mellow whilst other parts the water rushes pretty good. I was about 50 yards from the creek so I couldn't see it but I could hear it rolling through the valley. It was very relaxing to hear the cool water rolling downstream, whether at night or waking up at sunrise. And a myriad of birds will contribute with their morning songs, which makes for the best alarm clock. TRUST A little too big for my preference but still beautiful enough that I can revisit every other year. And just outside the park are the California coastline with Highway 1 carving through it. Some of the most breathtaking views Cali has to offer. Pfeiffer thanks for the reacquaintance and the confirmation that you are still indeed one of California's top gems.

    Great Stop in Big Sur -- Beautiful Trails, Swimming Spots, & Scenic Views!…read moreThe drive along CA-1 to get here is reason enough to visit--absolutely stunning coastal views the entire way! Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park itself has a lot to offer. There are tons of trails to explore, though keep in mind that there isn't a whole lot of signage. The good news is that if you start from a central area, most paths naturally end up bringing you around in a loop at some point, so it's pretty easy to find your way back. A few takeaways from our visit: Water & Swimming: There are plenty of great spots along the rocks to dip in and swim, which is perfect on a warm day. Accommodations: Great setup whether you like roughing it or prefer comfort. Plenty of campsite options, plus the Lodge if you'd rather stay in a room. Pfeiffer Falls Trail: Honestly, this hike was pretty underwhelming. The falls were down to just a trickle when we went, but at least it was a decent walk to log some good steps! Overall, it's a lovely park with plenty to do. Just keep your expectations low for the waterfall if it hasn't rained recently, and enjoy the river, trees, and incredible coastal drive!

    Photos
    Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park - Family Camping September 12-14, 2025

    Family Camping September 12-14, 2025

    Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park - Family Camping September 12-14, 2025

    Family Camping September 12-14, 2025

    Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park - Family Camping September 12-14, 2025  THE JOY LUCK CLUB

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    Family Camping September 12-14, 2025 THE JOY LUCK CLUB

    Pfeiffer Beach - Outhouses

    Pfeiffer Beach

    4.5(344 reviews)
    6.7 mi

    The most famous beach with purple sand, Pfeiffer Beach is located in BIg Sur, requiring a 2 mile…read moredrive down a one-lane road to reach. It also costs $15 to park here. Our family thought it was worth it. Pfeiffer Beach was our eighth and longest stop during our southbound journey on the Cabrillo highway through Big Sur. Access is through Sycamore Canyon Road (one lane) which is extremely easy to miss from the highway. It is a one lane road but has many areas where one can turn off to let oncoming cars pass, though I can imagine when it gets busy how much more difficult it would become. We had left Carmel early in the morning, so it was about 07:48 when we reached the bottom. As we drove down, my wife noticed a lone, empty chair about halfway down. Later we realized that that is where a ranger would sit to tell cars to go back up, once the limited parking lot near the beach got full. The car entrance had yet to be manned, so we paid per vehicle fee via cash in an envelope deposited in a fee drop box. The tear off stub is then displayed on your dash. Later when we were leaving, there were employees manning the area, accepting payment, with credit cards being accepted. The parking is administered by a private company so our America the Beautiful National Park pass did not work here. We were the 2nd car in the lot. There are angled handicap spots, motorcycle parking, and bathrooms (outhouse style) in the parking area. There is definitely more beach space than there are parking spots, so if you are able to get to the beach, one can easily find a secluded spot. Though as the no refund sign warned, there is high winds and blowing sand on the beach so not the best place for a warm, sunny beach day. There are streaks of purple sand along the beach (learned that the purple is caused by garnet powder that washes down from surrounding areas). It made the white sand look like it had dirt spots. I did have time to walk to both ends of the beach, and discovered that at the north end, there are pockets of sand further away from the ocean where the garnet sand is a lot more prevalent. The beach is named after the pioneer, Michael Pfeiffer. Many other places in the area (Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park) are named after his descendants. The beach is for day use only, and is open from sunrise to sunset. What's interesting about this is how many reviews are on Yelp for this beach, even though there was no cell service when we went. It clearly shows a lot of Yelpers are coming to this beach, and taking the effort to write about it once they get back to an area that has internet. But there are no reviews for any of the vista points in the surrounding areas. Maybe they aren't being approved by Yelp to be searchable?

    super windy (our hat flew off!).. and curiously purple patterned sand. This beach is a must see in…read morethe Big Sur exploration. Pfeiffer Beach is one of the most famous and visually striking beaches in Big Sur, known for its dramatic rock formations and unique landscape. Here is a summary of what makes it special: Key Highlights The Purple Sand: The beach is globally famous for patches of violet and deep purple sand. This unusual coloring comes from manganese garnet washed down from the surrounding hillsides after it rains. Keyhole Rock: This massive, iconic rock formation sits just off the shore. It features a natural archway carved out by the ocean. During sunset, the evening light beams directly through the "keyhole," creating a spectacular glow that attracts photographers from all over. Rugged Scenery: Surrounded by towering cliffs and sea stacks, the beach offers a raw, wild, and incredibly photogenic slice of the California coast. What to Know Before You Go The Road Down: The beach is located down Sycamore Canyon Road, which is a narrow, winding, one-lane road with sharp turns. It is not recommended for RVs or large trailers. Hidden Entrance: The turnoff from Highway 1 is unmarked and easy to miss--it is located just south of the Big Sur Ranger Station. Parking & Fees: There is a standard vehicle day-use fee. Because it is highly popular and the parking lot is quite small, it can fill up quickly on weekends and nice days. If the lot is full, staff will turn vehicles away at the highway, so arriving early or late in the afternoon is ideal. Conditions: It is notoriously windy, so packing a jacket is wise. The water features incredibly strong rip currents and hidden rocks, making it great for beachcombing and photography, but unsafe for swimming.

    Photos
    Pfeiffer Beach - Velella velella

    Velella velella

    Pfeiffer Beach
    Pfeiffer Beach

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    Point Lobos State Natural Reserve - Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

    Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

    4.9(1.1k reviews)
    17.2 mi

    One of our favorite places in the world and a place I'm certainly glad is in our proverbial…read more"backyard." Ok, so it's like 3-4 hours away, but wow, really pretty here. The natural landscape is just phenomenal. God's fingerprints all over this place. Pros: - not a bad drive down here from the touristy parts of Monterey and Seaside where we usually reside for the weekend - a bit windy, but a truly lovely and incredibly scenic twisty, turn-y road that keeps me on my toes - once you're here it's just breathtaking. - trail walk/stroll is pretty easy, nothing real rigorous as long as you're still in decent health. - more challenging "hikes" available for those who are looking for more, I've not stepped up to that (huffing and puffing doesn't sound fun), so I'm not sure where those trails are, but easy to find online. - so much fauna and flora to look at. - the coast here is just so rugged and ridiculously jawpdropping. - kids love this place too. There's a ranger station/little nature stop/house of sorts, not quite a "museum", but it's got the history, the nature, the strange facts you'd not otherwise know about unless you stopped by. - very kind and dedicated volunteers that will tell you all you want to know about Point Lobos - the nature, the creatures of sky, sea, and land, the past, present and future, whatever you want. - Plus they often have binoculars they will let you use to look out at the coast for seals and sealions and otters and more galore, oh my! Cons: - parking is the suck here. It's not too expensive to get in, but most people seem to park along the main road/highway that leads to Point Lobos which is kind of dangerous and a good trek to get to the State Reserve, so you've got your exercise before you even start exploring. That could be a plus? All in all, a magnificent and marvelous natural state reserve, well preserved, more than maintained, must see to appreciate.

    Views, trails, tide pools, ocean waves, shells, and lots of poison oak!…read more Parking is limited and we arrived later than we wanted. We were able to park on the side of the road like a lot of others, but other than that it's a worthwhile stop. Gorgeous state park, easy walking trails, there was even a park volunteer at the trailhead with maps answering questions and giving good advice (both when we got there and a different volunteer posted there when we left!)

    Photos
    Point Lobos State Natural Reserve - Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

    Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

    Point Lobos State Natural Reserve - Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

    Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

    Point Lobos State Natural Reserve - Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

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    Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

    Point Sur State Historic Park - parks - Updated August 2026

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