Monday
Apr182011
Point Lobos Now Closed for Sunsets. Why?
Monday, April 18, 2011 at 04:52PM 
Yesterday my family and I decided to drive down to Point Lobos State Reserve. We love that park and haven't been for a while. The weather was great, warm and partly cloudy. I think Point Lobos is one of the gems on all of the West Coast. It's perfect for easy hiking as a family, it's never too crowded, and within a mile there are all kinds of things to see - trees, tide pools, wildlife, small coves with sand and rocks. It's no wonder it was one of the favorite spots to photograph and just to be at for the likes of Ansel Adams and Edward Weston.
Imagine my surprise when we got there yesterday around 6pm and were told the park will be closing in 30 minutes. Why? Because of the budget cuts. It turns out the new hours have been in affect for a month now.
We've all heard about the budget cuts in the state of California and proposal to close various parks around the state. Some are now at reduced hours. But did they really have to cut Pt Lobos hours? What is the more popular spot in that part of California? Furthermore, with Big Sur road being shut down during the day due to road repairs (before one even gets to Bixby Bridge), there's not much else to do there.
What they essentially did with those reduced hours was cut off the best two hours for photography at Point Lobos. A good portion of all their visitors are photographers who will now have no chance to photograph at Pt Lobos at sunset. I've always felt it unfair that the park wasn't open until 9am, thus having its doors closed for sunrise. But now the policy extends to sunsets as well.
In fact, not just the photographers - all of the visitors now do not have the opportunity to enjoy the sunset at one of the most beautiful places on earth. I know a couple at my church that got engaged there years ago during one of those sunsets. Now no one will have the opportunity to see Point Lobos in its best light.
If funds are tight, wouldn't it have been easier to keep the park closed till noon every day? Who comes to Pt Lobos early in the day anyway? Or perhaps close the park during earlier hours during the week, but keep the hours to what they used to be on weekends.
I must say I'm very disappointed with this new policy. I hope it doesn't last long, because I don't have much interest to photograph at Pt Lobos during broad daylight.
This thought is especially relevant on the day I mailed the check for my California taxes. I really wish it'd go to making the beauty of my state accessible to me as a resident.
Reader Comments (7)
Argh, nooooo, just in time for my visit to SF (12th-17th May) and Monterey (17th to 20th May). Why?
Edward -
Exactly. Makes no sense to me. The biggest draw is the sunset at Pt Lobos.
Why they'd cut hours like this is beyond me.
I think we'd happily pay $15 per entrance, but have the opportunity.
What disappointing and mind-boggling news. It's also one of my favorite hidden treasures in CA. I was there enjoying the sunset just this past February with a couple of friends, who enjoyed the sight more than all the other spots I took them on the coast, including Big Sur and Point Reyes. I hope the park will reconsider their decision.
Yep - fully agree with you. I take most of my out-of-town visitors to see
the sunset there. I also hope the policy won't be in effect for too long.
I don't think something as good as this should be closed. They could choose to do other budget cuts right?
Point Lobos is a great site to practice photography. I don't think it is right to place a ban on the place.
Why would they want to close a wonderful place like this.