The Monterey Cypress is easily one of my all-time “favorite” trees. It takes so many different forms and shapes, and because of its appearance, it looks like an exceedingly ancient tree, and looks like it was pulled out of a fairy tale.

The Monterey Cypress is only endemic to a few very small locations in the entire world, which are in and around the Monterey/Carmel area. However, in modern times it has been planted all over the world, with a notable population of Monterey Cypress being found in New Zealand.

In the Monterey area, one will find these trees all over, as they can be found on streets, near the coast, in the hills of Monterey, on 17-mile drive, the shores of Pacific Grove, in Pebble Beach, in Carmel, and elsewhere. They are the most iconic tree of the local area. Point Lobos and an area along 17-mile drive both contain small stands or groves of Monterey Cypress which are apparently old growth. Along the 17-mile drive one may come across the famous “Lone Cypress”