Steller and California Sea Lion pups lounge on the beaches of Point Lobos waiting for mom to return from her fishing. Spaniards named this peninsula for the bark of these precocious animals. It can be heard up and down the Big Sur coast. Also, The Sea Lion is named wolf because they hunt in packs. 200 Year Old Cypress trees prosper here as only in a very few places on earth.
Pine forests march right down to the sea.
Steinbeck's affinity with Point Lobos was lifelong. In his childhood, and in his development years as as author, he made this peninsula a vital part of his conscience. Robert Louis Stevenson hiked here while waiting for Fanny Osbourne to get a divorce. Local lore claims Point Lobos inspired Spyglass Hill in Treasure Island. Mary Austin, Lincoln Steffens, Jack London, Sinclair Lewis, Robinson Jeffers sauntered around the peninsula.