Lone Cypress | Pebble Beach, California - Atlas Obscura
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Lone Cypress

Pebble Beach, California

This lonesome Monterey cypress has survived centuries of wind, salt, and at least one attempt at arson. 

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Standing on a granite hillside off California’s scenic 17-mile drive in Pebble Beach, the Lone Cypress is a western icon. It has been called one of the most photographed trees in North America.

The Monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) looks out over Carmel Bay. Though its age is unknown, it is believed to have stood at this spot for at least 250 years. Centuries of wind and salt spray have taken a toll on the tree, but with the help of a retaining wall and cable supports, it remains standing. It even survived an arson attempt in the 1980s.

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July 12, 2023
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