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Thank you for the advice on other threads! My new question is re. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, 17 Mile Drive and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.

We have a short stay in the area and trying to determine or best "this or that" options for the time we have available.

Our days are a Tuesday and Wed. in June this year.

Written in stone is Tuesday AM whale watching out of Moss Landing. The rest of the time is flexible- so from lunch time/just post lunch time Tuesday and all day Wed.

I was originally thinking we would do 17 Mile Drive after whale watching and then just grab dinner in that area (one of the resort restaurants). But, now I am wondering if I should do something else.

Knowing my family, I'm not 100% confident we can get to Point Lobos early on Wed. AM and I just don't want to deal with the stress and hassle of finding parking. Would it be better to go to Pt,. Lobos on Tuesday around 3-4pm instead? I know we won't have all day but we should have enough time to see what we want to see (looks like they close at 7pm). Was hoping turnover would be happening with parking at that time and it would be a bit more manageable from that standpoint.

That would leave Wed. to do Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park in the AM but that is assuming parking is more reasonable- otherwise back to the same problem as Pt. Lobos and how early of a start we would need to have.

We could play 17 Mile Drive by ear and fit it in (or not).

Follow up q regarding Pt. Lobos- I am still researching trails so sub in any trail- do people drive around to the different parking areas to do the trails or just park somewhere for the day and carry on? Sorry- I'm trying my best to research but it's hard for me to get a sense of scale from the maps.

So, parking, logistics, timing...is there a good way to arrange these days and options?

Thank you!

Answer

Great questions — you’re thinking the right way: pair the fixed item (whale watch Tuesday AM from Moss Landing) with the lowest-stress options for the busy coastal parks. Below I give a clear, practical plan for Tuesday afternoon + Wednesday, plus parking/logistics tips and two flexible “this-or-that” options so you can pick what feels best.

Key facts to plan around (short summary)

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is open 8:00 AM–5:00 PM and the gate closes to new entries around 4:30 PM — so “late afternoon” visits need to arrive well before 4:30. Parking inside the reserve is small (roughly 100–150 spaces) and it fills early; arriving before 9:00–9:30 AM or after ~3:00 PM gives you the best shot at driving in. .
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is open to day users from 8:00 AM until sunset; the entrance station opens at 8:00 AM and parking is limited to designated lots. For a less stressful experience, get there near opening. .
17-Mile Drive is a picturesque, self-drive loop (private road) with a small vehicle gate fee (about \$12) and it’s open sunrise–sunset; it’s easy to fit after a mid-day activity because it’s a driving/touch-and-go kind of stop. .
Typical Moss Landing whale-watching trips run roughly 2.5–4 hours depending on operator and sightings, so plan your Tuesday mid-day timing around the tour length and return time/parking at the harbor. .

Recommended, low-stress plan (concrete)

Tuesday AM: Whale watching from Moss Landing (you already have this booked). Expect the cruise to take around 3–4 hours including boarding and disembark — so you’ll likely be done around midday or early afternoon. .
Tuesday early–mid afternoon (best choice): 17-Mile Drive first, then Point Lobos — After the whale trip, drive 17-Mile Drive (it’s a relaxed, scenic drive with multiple lookout stops). That won’t take long and lets you enjoy the coastline without worrying about parking lines at Point Lobos. Head to Point Lobos afterward with the goal of arriving no later than ~3:30–4:00 PM so you can get in before the 4:30 PM cutoff for new entries; many visitors note that arrivals after ~3:00 PM have a better chance as others are leaving. If you get to Point Lobos by ~3:00–3:30 PM you should have time for the main overlooks and a short loop before official close. .
Wednesday AM: Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park (early start) — Drive down Hwy 1 to Pfeiffer Big Sur and aim to arrive at or shortly after the 8:00 AM opening. Parking is limited and the morning is the best time to secure a spot for the more popular trails (and it’s cooler for hiking). Spend the morning on a hike in Pfeiffer (Pfeiffer Falls + Valley View Trail is a compact, rewarding combo) and then take your time driving back up the coast or stopping at scenic pullouts. .

Alternate plan (if you prefer to avoid any risk of missing Point Lobos entry)

Tuesday mid-afternoon: Go straight to Point Lobos (~3:00 PM arrival target). Walk the highlights (e.g., Cypress Grove, China Cove/Whaler’s Cove) — you don’t need a full day to get the best scenery. Point Lobos closes to new entries ~4:30 PM and the park closes at 5:00 PM, so plan accordingly. .
Wednesday: Use the whole day for Pfeiffer Big Sur (arrive early) and, if you have energy, slot 17-Mile Drive into the afternoon on your return if you didn’t do it Tuesday. 17-Mile Drive is flexible on time because it’s a drive with short stops. .

Point Lobos — parking & trail logistics (your specific question)

There are several small parking lots at different trailheads inside Point Lobos; some visitors park and then walk the network of trails in that area, while others drive between lots to start from particular trails. Because the lots are small and spaced along the loop, if you find a spot, parking and hiking from that lot for a couple of hours is simplest. If the reserve lot is full, roadside parking along Highway 1 is common and free — you then walk in from the highway entrance. Many visitors recommend trying for either early morning (<9:00 AM) or after ~3:00 PM to improve chances of getting a parking spot inside the Reserve. .
Suggested trails for a short-but-satisfying visit: Cypress Grove Loop + Bird Island/Sea Lion Point views (compact and iconic), or the Whaler’s Cove/China Cove connectors if you want coves and coastal photos. If you prefer to park once and explore, pick the lot closest to the trail(s) you most want and walk from there — the trails interconnect and you can make a nice loop without having to move your car. .

Pfeiffer Big Sur — timing & trail suggestions

Arrive near opening (8:00 AM) to maximize parking availability and cooler hiking temps. The Pfeiffer Falls + Valley View loop is a compact, rewarding option inside the park; if you want a longer hike you can explore parts of the Big Sur River gorge or combine a short beach stop at nearby Pfeiffer Beach (note: Pfeiffer Beach has separate, small parking and can be busy — allow extra time). .

Practical tips & timing summary

After your whale watch, factor in time to return to your car, grab a late lunch, then decide quickly. If you want the least stress about Point Lobos entry, plan to be at Point Lobos by ~3:00 PM latest (Park rules say no entry after ~4:30 PM). If you’re running later, do 17-Mile Drive first and try Point Lobos another time. .
Bring shoes for uneven coastal trails, layered clothing (it can be windy/cool at the shore), water, and a small snack. Cell service can be spotty in Big Sur and at some coastal pullouts — download directions if needed.
If you’re flexible about exact stops on 17-Mile Drive, it’s a great “fill” for the afternoon because you can spend as long or as short as you like and still get lovely views. The gate fee is refunded with a qualifying purchase at Pebble Beach resorts if you dine there. .

In short: your intuition was correct — Point Lobos is easier to visit later in the day than earlier (because of turnover), but remember the official closure times (no entry after ~4:30 PM). Best overall flow for low stress: whale watch Tue AM → 17-Mile Drive right after/early afternoon → Point Lobos by ~3:00–4:00 PM (if you still have time) → Pfeiffer Big Sur early Wed AM.

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