Over 20 species of land mammals live at Point Lobos, and several other species – such as coyotes and mountain lions – occasionally enter the Reserve from surrounding areas. Visitors will have the greatest opportunity to see those that are active during the day. These include ground and gray squirrels, pocket gophers, black-tailed mule deer and brush rabbits. Ground squirrels are probably the most visible, as their favorite places to burrow are in the soil along near the shore and among the coastal scrub plants. Predators that eat small mammals and birds – such as bobcats and gray foxes – can occasionally be seen in the Reserve. However, many animals that live in the Reserve only become active at late in the evening, at night, or in the early morning, when the Reserve is closed. These include raccoons, skunks and dusky-footed wood rats. But visitors may see droppings (called scat) or footprints along trails anytime, a reminder that animals have recently walked that trail too.

Some reptiles also live at Point Lobos. A visitor can commonly see an alligator lizard, western fence lizard, or western skink sunning itself on a rock or scurrying around in the underbrush. No poisonous snakes have yet been identified at Point Lobos. However, a hiker might encounter any one of several kinds of harmless snakes, including the garter snake.