26 POINT LOBOS RESERVE 



In the northeast corner of the Reserve, Granite Point presents quite a 

 different appeal. All throug:h the spring much of the area is covered with 

 the most colorful wildflower display to be found in the Reserve, both of the 

 rocky meadow types and of the north-facing sea-bluffs. Over these, as a 

 foreground, one gets raking views of the whole north shore with its pic- 

 turesque knobs and bumps, its outlying islands and its cypresses and pines. 

 To the east, against a background of curving beaches, hills and valleys, is 

 the string of rocky reefs close by across Moss Cove, where one may see as 

 fine a surf as any to be found in the Reserve. One may also be impressed 

 by the fact that the topography of this point, the orientation, and the plant 

 list, are surprisingly like that of Cypress Headland. 



Litforal Area 



The principal esthetic value of the littoral, or tidal area, is not usually 

 to be found in the broader outlooks but in the interest of details close at 

 hand. 



Of interesting tidal pools containing garden-like growths of plant and 

 animal life, there are quite a number. Notable ones are situated (1) east 

 of Big Dome; (2) on the north side of Cypress Headland; (3) on Punta 

 de los Lobos Marinos, perhaps the most accessible and beautiful; (4) scat- 

 tered along the south shore from Sand Hill Cove to Pebbly Beach, a series 

 of interesting pools. 



Of small sea caves there are a number, seven or eight of them, accessible 

 to bold climbers during times of very low tide and calm sea. These are to 

 be found mostly in Sand Hill Cove and 1,000 to 1,500 feet southwesterly. 

 Some of these "show very beautiful incrustations of lavender and scarlet 

 growths, and most of them give interesting geologic exhibits in clean- 

 ground conglomerate surfaces, often revealing faults that have cracked 

 and slipped the porphyritic pebbles. Of tunnels, double-ended caves, al- 

 ways dramatic evidence of the work of the sea in detaching islands, there 

 are some 15 in the Reserve. A very interesting one is in East Grove, with 

 a great cypress tree growing on its bridge. The others are mostly grouped 

 near Pelican Point. 



Some of the small beaches of the Reserve are tucked away between cliffs, 

 and one happens upon them in surprise. This is true of Sandy Beach, and 

 particularly of Hidden Beach and China Beach. The latter is the safest 

 and most sheltered place for swimming. Moss Beach, in the area to the 

 east, while not in itself as esthetically satisfying, nevertheless has consider- 

 able value as a safe swimming place and as a safe and dramatic viewpoint 

 for the surf tumbling over the ledges across its entrance. 



Open Saddles 



The landscapes of the various open saddles in the Reserve are quite varied 

 in character. Of these, perhaps the most interesting is the saddle between 

 Big Dome and Whalers Knoll known as "The Pass." Looking through it 

 in either direction, one gets much the feeling that one does from looking 

 through a high mountain pass. The bare rocky spur to the south, always 

 colorful with flowers, descends to the strip of meadow in the bottom, in a 

 graceful sweep of lupine, and opposite. Big Dome rises in tiers of pine and 



The littoral areas of Point Lobos provide tidal pools, sea coves, geologic faults 

 and bridges, and herbaceous growths of unusual beauty and scientific interest 



