Cypress Point - Pebble Beach, California
Posted by: 
hotshoe
N 36° 35.003 W 121° 58.313
10S E 591975 N 4049149
Attractive sign about Cypress Point
Waymark Code: WM60YW
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 03/14/2009
Views: 7
Text of the sign:
"Cypress Point Lookout
Do you see
snow or trees?
In 1542, the explorer Cabrillo called this
point of land Cabo de Nieve -- Cape Snow --
to describe the white landscape before him.
No one's sure what he saw. In 1774, Tomas de la Pena,
a missionary, gave this western-most point on the Monterey
Peninsula the name La Punta de Cipreses, or Cypress Point.
The name stuck and became official in 1967."
"Cabrillo may have seen snow when he sailed
past this point in October of 1542.
At that time the world's climate was colder
than it is today."
"Surrounding you are
the majestic trees for
which Cypress Point
was named. During Cabrillo's time this species was near
extinction. It occurs naturally in only two places - from
here to Pescadero Point (four stops to the south) and at
Point Lobos (south of Carmel). Today, Monterey Cypress
have been planted worldwide, usually near coastlines."
It's possible that the "snow" was bird droppings on the rock, as in nearby Bird Rock (although the rocks of Cypress Point are not bird coated nowadays) or it's possible that Cabrillo was referring to the white sand in the cove just a few feet from the point.
This sign is along Seventeen Mile Drive, which requires a per-car admission. Bicyclists and pedestrians are free.
Group that erected the marker: Pebble Beach Company
Address of where the marker is located. Approximate if necessary:
Cypress Point Lookout parking lot, Seventeen Mile Drive
Pebble Beach, CA USA
93953
URL of a web site with more information about the history mentioned on the sign: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
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