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    Seal Rock

    4.5 (10 reviews)

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    Seal Rock
    Jeanette Y.

    This was one of the stops on our 17 mile drive & it was not as exciting compared to the other stops. I believe our mistake is not having binoculars with us. The seal rock is real in the sense that it is FAR & there are seals on this huge rock in the middle. We could see seals swimming around it, suntanning & riding the waves. There's plenty of parking & a nice bathroom. So I'd say this is a great bathroom break stop but you don't have to spend that much time here. If you want more to the left of the rock, there's a nice path with a few picnic tables but with COVID, it's not a good idea to use them. A quick stroll would be good, but just make sure to bring binoculars or there won't be more to see.

    Shiho F.

    Seal Rock is a gorgeous small beach area and a popular spot for Harbor Seals to hang out close to the shore. We visited this special spot yesterday for a very small wedding and it was perfect since the rain just stopped briefly enough for the 5 minute ceremony. Great place to take photos and less crowded and touristy than Bird Rock next door.

    A magical place to relax and watch a beautiful sunset. The harbor seals love to gather here and speak to each other in unison.

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    8 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    15 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    13 years ago

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    13 years ago

    Yep, there were seals there! Wish it was closer to shore, but then again, why complain about what Mother Nature made?!

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    Review Highlights - Seal Rock

    One of the many stop points on the 17 mile drive.

    Mentioned in 5 reviews

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    Point Lobos State Natural Reserve - Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

    Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

    4.9(1.1k reviews)
    1.8 mi

    This is one of the most gorgeous state parks in California!! I've been wanting to visit for years…read moreand we finally made it here this past weekend. We were staying in Monterey, so it was about a 25 min drive to get there, we arrived before 11am. We parked before the park entrance along Highway 1 where there were NO signs saying "No parking at any time" THIS IS IMPORTANT because as we were walking towards the entrance, there was a parking enforcement officer giving tickets to all the other cars parked where the signs were clearly posted closer to the entrance. So make sure you pay attention! There is parking inside the park too for only $10. Once inside there were park rangers helping you with questions and guiding you on deciding which trails to go on, which was very nice and convenient! We took a picture of the map and choose to do the Cypress Grove, and the Sea Lion Point Trails. We only had about 3 hrs to hang out at the park, so those two were perfect easy hikes and roughly about 2.5 miles if you do both loops. We got spectacular views everywhere, you could hear the Sea Lions and see so many beautiful birds flying around. Wish we would've brought binoculars, so bring some with you if you remember. We can't wait to come back another time and do a full day of hiking because there are so many other trails! The park and restrooms were clean and well kept too, it's definitely a must visit once in your lifetime at least!!

    Absolutely stunning scenery! Easily one of the best hiking trails I've experienced! I've visited…read moretwice now, and both times have been fantastic. The coastal trails are well marked and offer breathtaking lookout points throughout the hike. Today was a little foggy but we were still able to enjoy the beauty. It's definitely worth arriving early to secure parking. The main lot was full when we got there, but we were able to find a spot along Highway 1. While it was a bit crowded, the variety of trails helps spread people out, so it never felt too overwhelming. We hiked about 3.5 miles and made it to the cove where seals birth their pups, Bird Island, hidden beach coves with beautiful blue water and tide pools. There were also docents and volunteers we spotted along the way. Next time I'd like to go further down the trail and explore more of the park.

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    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

    China Cove - Beautiful water

    China Cove

    5.0(10 reviews)
    4.5 mi

    Magnificent views and short hikes…read more I had a very pleasant short hike along some of the trails. Outstanding views of the sea and cliffs where the water carved out scenic scenes. Keep an eye out for seat otters in the water and seals on the sand in secluded coves. Parking can be a bit challenging on more popular days. I suggest driving to the end where China Cove is and keep an eye out for parking spots along the way. Be ready to backtrack to those open spots.

    Absolutely breathtaking views. This gorgeous cove is hidden away deep in Point Lobos State Natural…read moreReserve. The parking lots fills up fast so you may have to park outside the park. We got there fairly late in the day, so we were able to go into the entrance with our car ($10 fee per car, it's free to park on the street outside). We were able to park all the way down in the last parking lot, then walked on the Bird Island Trail to get to China Cove - it's barely 5 minutes into the trail. The seals are so fun to watch down there and the view is like a postcard! I also highly recommend continuing to walk along Bird Island Trail to see Pelican Point and more gorgeous beach views. It's a fairly easy trail with a stunning view throughout. This is a must see!! Last entrance to the park is 6:30 pm and everyone has to be out by 7 pm. This wasn't confirmed anywhere online so we called them to get correct info on their current hours.

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    China Cove - Hiking - August 3rd, 2023

    Hiking - August 3rd, 2023

    China Cove - August 3rd, 2023

    August 3rd, 2023

    China Cove - Only seals on this beach. There are other beaches for humans.

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    Only seals on this beach. There are other beaches for humans.

    Spanish Bay

    Spanish Bay

    4.3(9 reviews)
    0.9 mi

    Known for its white sand, beautiful waters, and an abundance of beach stones that people often like…read moreto stack here, Spanish Bay is a serene, albeit a bit windy and cold beach that backs up into the Pebble Beach golf course. The bay derived its name from Spanish Explorers camped out here in 1769 who were attempting to find Monterey Bay. You can access Spanish Bay beach through several access points, one of which is Sunset Drive in Pacific Grove. This allows you to avoid needing to pay a toll to go through the 17-mile drive. We however arrived during our tour of the 17-mile drive, stop #3. The parking lot is spacious and has ample spaces available for parking. As mentioned, it is windy here so it's recommended that you layer up. Due to its colder climate, we didn't see anyone here with beach towels enjoying the sand. Surfers apparently love the waters here due to the powerful waves, but it is not recommended for swimming due to the cold temperatures and strong rip currents.

    Though this is #3 of #17 stops on the 17 Mile Drive, it's where most people instinctually stop for…read morea visit. This beautiful beach is named for the Gaspar de Portola and his Spanish explorer crew, who were not happy campers, temporarily lodging here in 1769 as they took a year to find Monterey Bay because the men would not ask for directions. Though the sand is white and soft, my wife stepped on glass. Stupid campers. Though this is "the beach", it's chilly even on the hottest day (runs up to 15 degrees cooler than Monterey), and the water is perfect for polar bears. The fun is in stacking the big rocks, though nature purists believe that is assault.

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    Spanish Bay
    Spanish Bay
    Spanish Bay

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    Seal Rock - beaches - Updated May 2026

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