California State Parks - Monterey Natural Resources

Our Mission

The mission of the California State Park system is to provide for the health, inspiration and
education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state's extraordinary biological
diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for
high-quality outdoor recreation.

The California State Park system is responsible for almost one-third of California's scenic
coastline, and it contains the largest and most diverse natural and cultural heritage holdings of
any state agency in the nation. Of California’s 280 state parks, only 16, including Point Lobos,
are classified as Natural Reserves. Reserves are specifically designated to protect native plant
and animal life, along with other natural resources.