Introducing young people to the wonders of nature has been shown to improve their overall well-being and readiness to learn. It places them on a path to becoming good stewards of the natural world as adults. Whether you are a teacher or a parent, Point Lobos offers magnificent opportunities for both an introduction to the environment and for continued learning.

Point Lobos is a natural reserve, not a park. Afforded the highest level of statewide protection, the purpose of a reserve is to forever protect an area of unique natural beauty and ecological significance. Stay on marked trails, do not collect natural objects of any kind, and please do not disturb wildlife in their natural habitat.

General Information for Teachers

To visit Point Lobos with your students, please submit the online Reservation Request. The form must be completed in full, including approval by the principal of the school. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is able to accommodate a maximum of 120 students per day.

School groups must be accompanied at all times by enough adult chaperones or teachers to maintain order. A ratio of at least one adult for every ten students is required for self-guided walks. Docent-led groups require one adult per six students. Expectations for chaperones are laid out in Guidelines for Chaperones or Guidelines in Spanish. Please print these out and give them to each chaperone.

All school buses and private vehicles bringing students to Point Lobos must park in the Piney Woods picnic area. Please heed the 15 mph speed limit within the Reserve. School buses should not leave their parking space, as other visitors may park in the area. School buses are not permitted on weekends, holidays or during the summer months. Charter buses are never allowed inside the Reserve. They must park along the highway and the students will have to walk in.  

If you are interested in visiting Point Lobos with your students and have questions, please contact Melissa Gobell, School Walk Coordinator, at (831) 625-1470 or melissa.gobell@parks.ca.gov. 

By making a reservation, your date is reserved.  A confirmation letter with detailed information about your visit will follow.

School Outreach Program

School Outreach Program (SOP)

  • Available only to invited 4th grade classes of Title I schools in Monterey County.
  • Classes will receive a virtual slide presentation by a docent prior to the visit.
  • Classes will receive a docent-guided walk.
  • Transportation costs will be reimbursed by the Point Lobos Foundation.

If you are interested in having this program presented to your class or youth group, contact Melissa Gobell, Park Interpretive Specialist, at (831) 625-1470 or melissa.gobell@parks.ca.gov.

Point Lobos has developed wonderful nature programs for young people. Regardless of the program you choose, our goal is to instill in our youth the enjoyment, appreciation and awareness of our natural environment and to practice and foster a conservation ethic. 

There are two types of field trip options:

Self-Guided Walks (up to 120 students)

  • Reservations must be made at least four weeks in advance. By making a reservation, the date is reserved for your group.
  • The entrance fee can be waived for one school bus or up to 15 private vehicles. Additional vehicles will be charged the $10 entrance fee. Schools arriving in more than one school bus or by charter bus will be required to park along the highway.
  • One chaperone is required for every ten students. Each chaperone should be given the document Guidelines for Chaperones or (Spanish Guidelines for Chaperones).
  • Students should be informed of the general rules of the Reserve. They should know the difference between a reserve and a park so they display appropriate behavior when they are visiting. Reserve Rules
  • The teacher will be contacted by a docent who will offer a virtual classroom presentation and will help plan your self-guided experience.
  • Each group of up to ten students and the chaperone should plan to head off in different directions to protect the natural resources of the Reserve.
  • Explore the Encyclopedia of information on this website.

Docent-led walks (up to 60 students)

  • Reservations must be made at least four weeks in advance. By making a reservation, the date is reserved for your group however a walk is not guaranteed. The teacher will be contacted by a docent a week to ten days prior to the trip date if a walk can be provided.
  • The entrance fee can be waived for one school bus or up to 15 private vehicles. Additional vehicles will be charged the $10 entrance fee. Schools arriving in more than one school bus or by charter bus will be required to park along the highway.
  • One chaperone is required for every six students. Each chaperone should be given the document Guidelines for Chaperones or (Spanish Guidelines for Chaperones).
  • Students should be informed of the general rules of the Reserve. They should know the difference between a reserve and a park so they display appropriate behavior when they are visiting. Reserve Rules
  • Explore the Encyclopedia of information on this website.

School Visit Checklist

  • Get administrative approval from your principal.
  • Arrange transportation. 
  • Recruit parents or adult leaders to chaperone.  For docent-led walks any additional adults above the required ratio are expected to explore the Reserve on their own. 
  • Make sure the adults understand their roles and responsibilities. On a docent-led walk in particular,  it is helpful when chaperones know how they can assist the docent who is leading the walk by reminding students to remain focused on the task at hand.  
  • Have students wear/bring appropriate clothing and closed-toed shoes. It is frequently cool and windy at the Reserve.
  • Lunch: Eating is allowed only at picnic tables in Whalers Cove, Piney Woods, and Bird Island. No food or drinks may be eaten on the trails or on beaches. Restrooms are located at the picnic areas.

All school buses and private vehicles bringing students to Point Lobos must park in the Piney Woods picnic area. School buses should not leave their parking spaces, as other visitors may park in the area designated for buses. Buses and other vehicles over 20 feet in length are not permitted on weekends, holidays or during the summer months.

Please contact Melissa Gobell, Docent Coordinator and School Walk Coordinator,
at (831) 625-1470
or melissa.gobell@parks.ca.gov
with any questions.