Lovers Point Sunset Stroll
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: Lovers Point Park, 631 Ocean View Blvd., Pacific Grove, CA 93950
Starting Point: Lovers Point Park is slightly northwest of the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cannery row, and southeast of Point Pinos Lighthouse. Ocean View Boulevard is the main road running along side.
Info links:
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser.
Lovers Point Park and Beach info link (seemonterey.com):
https://www.seemonterey.com/things-to-do/beaches/lovers-point/
Lovers Point Park info link (City of Pacific Grove):
https://www.cityofpacificgrove.org/living/recreation/parks/lovers-point-park
Map app: Search for Lovers Point Park, Pacific Grove
Distance:
Lovers Point Park itself covers 4.4 acres, and includes rocky outcroppings that are fun to climb to enjoy the view of Monterey Bay. Those who want to include Lovers Point as part of a longer walk can enjoy examples such as the 1.2 mile walk from the Monterey Bay Aquarium along the Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail/Monterey Bay Coastal Trail, or can take a much longer walk following all the way along Ocean View Boulevard to where it becomes Sunset Drive, perhaps making a loop back through Pacific Grove by Point Pinos Lighthouse and turning back on Lighthouse Ave.
Considerations:
• Official sites say to look for parking once reaching Ocean View Boulevard from either direction, with some official parking lot space available.
• Activities include swimming, surfing, scuba diving, kayaking, bike rentals, etc.
• This is a popular photo opportunity spot, with the eastern facing location making it an unusual place to catch sunrise over the water.
• There are restrooms, as well as café, restaurant and grill, etc. on site.
• Watch for any current restrictions on activities or travel in light of current events.
The trail:
There are options for everyone at Lovers Point Park in Pacific Grove, enthusiastic walkers or those who just want to stop for a great view.
You can stay right at Lovers Point Park to enjoy views in various directions, and maybe try some of the activities and facilities noted in the web links above.
You can make a visit to Lovers Point an after-meal walk after eating somewhere along charming Lighthouse Ave or other area restaurants.
It is also is a great start or end spot for a walk along the Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail/Monterey Bay Coastal Trail that connects with the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cannery Row. This is a pleasant paved trail that is easy to walk, with the possibility of spotting a sea otter or some sea lions along the way.
For those who really want to take a long walk, it is also possible to walk from Lovers Point Park heading northwest along Ocean View Boulevard, turning south along the western side of the peninsula tip, and then walking along Sunset Drive with the Asilomar State Marine Reserve and Asilomar State Beach in view. We did a long walk from the Asilomar Hotel to Lighthouse Ave. for dinner, followed by a walk to Lovers Point Park for sunset. We continued our post-sunset walk by following the loop around the peninsula along Sunset Drive, turning east to pass by the Point Pinos Lighthouse, and then back to the hotel along Asilomar Ave. That made for quite an evening hike.
The photos for this post are from late evening/sunset at Lovers Point Park and heading northwest. Note that Lovers Point offers a rare West Coast view facing east, making it a special sunrise viewing spot.
(Lovers Point Sunset Stroll Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Future Dreaming” Insights post.)
Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page. Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. See products with inspiring designs that support the efforts of HikingAutism under Support/Shop. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links.
Check the Home page for the broader background story. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photo galleries at the bottom of each hike page! Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: Lovers Point Park, 631 Ocean View Blvd., Pacific Grove, CA 93950
Starting Point: Lovers Point Park is slightly northwest of the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cannery row, and southeast of Point Pinos Lighthouse. Ocean View Boulevard is the main road running along side.
Info links:
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser.
Lovers Point Park and Beach info link (seemonterey.com):
https://www.seemonterey.com/things-to-do/beaches/lovers-point/
Lovers Point Park info link (City of Pacific Grove):
https://www.cityofpacificgrove.org/living/recreation/parks/lovers-point-park
Map app: Search for Lovers Point Park, Pacific Grove
Distance:
Lovers Point Park itself covers 4.4 acres, and includes rocky outcroppings that are fun to climb to enjoy the view of Monterey Bay. Those who want to include Lovers Point as part of a longer walk can enjoy examples such as the 1.2 mile walk from the Monterey Bay Aquarium along the Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail/Monterey Bay Coastal Trail, or can take a much longer walk following all the way along Ocean View Boulevard to where it becomes Sunset Drive, perhaps making a loop back through Pacific Grove by Point Pinos Lighthouse and turning back on Lighthouse Ave.
Considerations:
• Official sites say to look for parking once reaching Ocean View Boulevard from either direction, with some official parking lot space available.
• Activities include swimming, surfing, scuba diving, kayaking, bike rentals, etc.
• This is a popular photo opportunity spot, with the eastern facing location making it an unusual place to catch sunrise over the water.
• There are restrooms, as well as café, restaurant and grill, etc. on site.
• Watch for any current restrictions on activities or travel in light of current events.
The trail:
There are options for everyone at Lovers Point Park in Pacific Grove, enthusiastic walkers or those who just want to stop for a great view.
You can stay right at Lovers Point Park to enjoy views in various directions, and maybe try some of the activities and facilities noted in the web links above.
You can make a visit to Lovers Point an after-meal walk after eating somewhere along charming Lighthouse Ave or other area restaurants.
It is also is a great start or end spot for a walk along the Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail/Monterey Bay Coastal Trail that connects with the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cannery Row. This is a pleasant paved trail that is easy to walk, with the possibility of spotting a sea otter or some sea lions along the way.
For those who really want to take a long walk, it is also possible to walk from Lovers Point Park heading northwest along Ocean View Boulevard, turning south along the western side of the peninsula tip, and then walking along Sunset Drive with the Asilomar State Marine Reserve and Asilomar State Beach in view. We did a long walk from the Asilomar Hotel to Lighthouse Ave. for dinner, followed by a walk to Lovers Point Park for sunset. We continued our post-sunset walk by following the loop around the peninsula along Sunset Drive, turning east to pass by the Point Pinos Lighthouse, and then back to the hotel along Asilomar Ave. That made for quite an evening hike.
The photos for this post are from late evening/sunset at Lovers Point Park and heading northwest. Note that Lovers Point offers a rare West Coast view facing east, making it a special sunrise viewing spot.
(Lovers Point Sunset Stroll Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Future Dreaming” Insights post.)
Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page. Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. See products with inspiring designs that support the efforts of HikingAutism under Support/Shop. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links.
Check the Home page for the broader background story. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photo galleries at the bottom of each hike page! Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777
