Headland Cove Surf, Point Lobos Once the domain of the Ohlone peoples, the area around Monterey and Carmel, Calif. offers a rich diet of ocean views, cliff-hanging hikes, wildlife and colonial history. During a recent five-day visit, I encountered it all. At Point Lobos State Reserve, the Pacific Ocean meets the California coast along a dramatic 100 million year old rock formation eroded with inlets carved out by the relentless pounding of the blue surf. Sea lions, otters and seals play among the waves and haul out on the sandy beaches. Cannery Point, Point Lobos State Reserve Miles of hiking trails criss-cross the cypress groves and meadows that comprise the interior of the Reserve, but the cliff-edge trails around the park's perimeter provide the best views and most challenging hikes. A steady foot is called for; a fear of heights is less than helpful here. Along the South Shore Trail, I explored the nine-foot intertidal zone for kelp, alga and small mollusks. At Sea Lion Point, I climbed a steep and rocky staircase leading to a trail that can be dangerously exposed to the incoming waves. The Lone Cypress While I spent a good amount of time exploring Point Lobos, I also drove a few miles north to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The crowds were a bit much the morning I visited, so after making a quick circuit of the former sardine cannery, I headed out to recharge myself with lunch and a nap. In the late afternoon, I drove the scenic 17 Mile Drive. This is a must-see, from the famed Pebble Beach Golf Course to the impressive homes and stunning ocean views. Along the drive, I encountered cool gray fog rolling ashore through the hills, and just a few minutes later I was standing in brilliant sunshine facing a strong ocean wind with salt spray attacking my camera. Basilica of the Carmel Mission For local history, I checked out the Carmel Mission, the second of the 21 Spanish missions that colonized California. The current church dates from 1793 and is where Padre Junipero Serra, the Franciscan founder of the missions, is buried. It is an active parish and has been undergoing a long period of restoration. Sunset, Point Lobos These cultural and scenic detours were well and good, but they always lead me back to Point Lobos. Bird Island in early morning launches hundreds of cormorants and gulls to search for food. Back along the Cypress Grove trail, I repeatedly came upon the same two mule deer, morning and evening. At times they approached within a few feet of me as I was photographing them, happily grazing on the nourishing grass and unperturbed by the clicking shutter. And out at Sea Lion Point, I took in the same sunsets the Ohlone enjoyed here for thousands of years.