Does anyone have personal experience or knowledge of getting into Pt Lobos reserve before their normal operating hours?
I know the gates for cars don't open until 8a.m., much to late for sunrise. I'll be in the area for 5 days and would like to get into the park before sunrise if the weather is suitable.(without getting arrested :))
At least in the summer the park stays open until 1/2 hour after sunset. It used to close well before. Bike, walk in? Anyone?
This link has contact info at the bottom -- I'd try a polite phone call or email inquiry first. Good luck -- I didn't have enough time when I was there the last time.
Isaac's response when I asked him to step back a little:
You can get in by foot easily at any time. I used to go in there lugging the view camera and tripod pre-dawn. Of course that was in the late 70's, but I doubt they have armed patrols or anything what with budget constraints and all. I'd imagine you could bike it in easily as well, especially if you have an all-terrain bike so you could use the fire roads.
I don't know what the "rules" are./were, but I was certainly never stopped. I lived just down the road, in the Carmel Highlands.
Thanks Robert-- Just the info I was looking for. I guess only the cars are restricted until 8:00 a.m. I don't mind crashing a fence on occasion but I'd rather know the rules beforehand. They havn't replied to my email yet.
We visited there last fall but had two small children so we didn't explore too much. I'm thinking the cypress grove area if it is foggy and possibly Weston Beach if the weather is nice. Sunrise or Sunset should be OK although I'm thinking sunset would be better for most of the coast because of its orientation. Would you suggest any other specific areas inside the reserve?
Hello,
On June 1, we changed the entry time from 9:00 to 8:00 at the publics request. Since this is a reserve we have to allow some time for the wildlife to be able to move freely through the reserve. As a result, no one is allowed access to the park prior to 8:00.
***
Awwww, sometimes it is better not to ask. I'll be wildlife for a day...
