California is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world.  From its snow capped, forested mountains to its rugged and sandy coastlines and everything in between, the views and sights never disappoint.  In order to preserve these landscapes, California has established state parks and reservations. Managing more than 280 parks around the state, the California Department of Parks and Recreation encompasses a larger and more diverse set of natural and cultural areas than does any other state in America (Parks.ca.gov).  They protect the habitats, the wildlife, the environment, and the history of these parks so that our generation and future generations can enjoy their beauty and natural and cultural richness.

One of these parks is the Point Lobos State Natural Reserve.  Located right off of California central coast’s Cabrillo Highway in Monterey County, Point Lobos State Reserve is home to some of the state’s most diverse and beautiful coastal habitats. Home to dramatic cliffs, coves, rolling meadows, and plenty of wildlife, Point Lobos has been called “the greatest meeting of land and water in the world,” quoted by landscape artist Francis McComas (pointlobos.org).

This park is open to the public, as the state invites people from all over the world to walk through its various hiking trails and wade in its beaches and tide pools to discover the history and amazing wildlife that calls this state park its home. You have two hosts today to show you the beauties of this natural park. My name is Ana Pecoraro and I will be showing you the north side of Point Lobos.  In the second part of the podcast, Andrew Burrows, your other tour guide, will show you the southern trails.  Today, we are going to explore some of the areas of this vast park and so you can see for yourself what wonders and beauty are to be discovered.  In addition, we will also learn about the various ways that the park is preserved and how the recent California budget cuts have affected Point Lobos.