Point Lobos State Reserve

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Whalers Cove in Point lobos

Point Lobos State Reserve commonly referred to as simply Point Lobos is a sea side state reserve south of Monterey, California. The very precipitous drop in the ocean floor off Point Lobos (reaching levels characteristic of the mid Pacific within a few kilometres of shore) gives rise to strange tidal effects, with unusual levels of oxygen being injected into the ocean water. This in turn has attracted an unusual collection of plant and animal life, ranging from high plankton concentrations, moving up the food chain to large mammals.

Point Lobos contains a large number of hiking trails, many next to the ocean, and a smaller number of beaches. The reserve also contains a small museum in the historic Whalers Cabin. Point Lobos is one of only two places were wild Monterey Cypress can be found. The waters around Point Lobos contain extensive kelp forests. About half the reserve is under water, and can only be explored by SCUBA diving.

Landscape artist Francis McComas described Point Lobos as "the greatest meeting of land and water in the world."

[edit] Gallery

Harbor Seal, Pt. Lobos	Diver and Harbor Seal, Pt. Lobos	Scuba diver in kelp forest	Blue Rockfish in kelp forest
Anemone and starfish in kelp forest	Coonstripe shrimp	Leopard Shark	Close-up of anemone
Sea Lemon nudibranch and sponges	Large Sheephead	Ling Cod	Medusa Jellyfish
Whalers Cabin	Gibson Beach