Abbots Lagoon is a great option for a short and sweet hike that will show you lots of what Point Reyes has to offer. The hike is about one mile each way. It starts in a small, clearly labeled parking lot, and ends between a lagoon and sand dunes, a few hundred yards from the ocean. Continuing to the ocean is allowed, but the trail is not maintained after the lagoon, which means you have to hike over some small sand dunes. Bikes are not allowed on the sand dunes, but there is a bike rack at the end of the trail where they can be locked up. I noticed people fishing at the lagoon, which is apparently allowed (according to Google) if you follow all of the state and park rules. There must be a lot of fish in the lagoon, because there were plenty of egrets and herons there to hunt them. Professional-looking photographers were also abundantly present. Out of all the trails I hiked in Point Reyes over the past few weeks (which was almost all of them), I saw the most California Golden Poppies on this trail. There were also lots of other wildflowers, although I wouldn't be able to name every single one. On my way back to my car, I encountered a couple who told me that they had just seen an otter scooting down the trail. While I didn't personally witness this, it sounded pretty cool. This trail is short, lush, and relatively flat. I wouldn't call it the best trail in Point Reyes, but for one mile each way, you get a lot of bang for your buck. read more

See all

This is a nice quiet walk about 2 miles out and back to the bride and a half mile longer if going past on an unmarked trail through sand dunes to the ocean. Out here it's very quiet and calm with lots of birds and wild rabbits. This seems to be a known place for birders and wildlife photography and I saw a handful of people with long camera lenses. It's a pretty easy hike and not strenuous at all which is good to take kids or older people but for me if I'm going to drive all the way out here I prefer something longer and more strenuous. The Tule Elk Preserve is down the road and I'd recommend doing that in addition. read more

See all

We found this place by accident. We were heading home from Stinson Beach and came across this Lagoon. There's not a whole lot of shade, but this area is closer to the ocean that it is much cooler. I suggest you bring an umbrella if you don't want an uneven tan. :0) The lagoon is not visible from the road, but there's a limited parking area out of nowhere. We were curious why everyone are heading out to the trails. We figured they knew where to go. From the parking lot we Also saw a sign that said Abbott's Lagoon so we followed it. We can also see a body of water from afar......but not sure how far it would be to walk there. The trail is actually pretty nice and the excitement of not knowing what to discover once you reach the end point had me curious. Be prepare to walk a good mile. But don't worry it's an easy trail without hills. A little dry but lots of wildlife. The birds here don't like to fly.....they like to walk on trails (It's so strange). There's also butterflies and lizards everywhere. We even saw a huge coyote from far distance. Thank God it was far. The more you walk the better view you get. The only bad part is, you have to go back on the same path you took getting there. Going back is not as fun. :0) Overall, This place is good for social distancing during weekday. I'm not sure how busy the trail during the weekends. Epic view. I guarantee you'll be amazed. read more

See all

While it's true that I'm lucky enough to be able to hike directly from my front door into dedicated open space, it's also true that one tires of the same trails day after day. When it was mandated (and for quite a while after), I complied, but now that we're once again able to drive to open space expanding my range is a welcome change. On this day, it was Abbotts Lagoon. For a long time now I've had a simple little Falcon Guides book of "Best Easy Day Hikes" in San Francisco's North Bay. Broken down between Marin, Sonoma, and Napa Valley, the hikes in this guidebook peak at a level that's roughly equivalent to my daily trek. But sometimes taking it easy is welcome and that's how I felt about the Abbotts Lagoon hike, a flat expanse that runs about 3 miles round-trip and about which the guidebook's author says "if I could hike only one trail, I would head out to Abbotts Lagoon". The trail is imminently followable, with a small, free parking lot and restrooms at the (well marked) entrance. Though it's a mere 1.5 miles from the trailhead to the ocean, you can expand your hike by walking endlessly along the grey, windswept, and rustically beautiful shoreline before turning back to retrace your steps. Alternatively, bring a towel and make a beach day out of it. Spending time in the Point Reyes National Seashore is always a meditative, moody experience. Given that I visited on the weekend, I was relieved to find the trail wasn't crowded and those who sought it out were the considerate type: only 1 party failed to don masks as they passed by. Like all of Point Reyes' hiking trails, dogs are not allowed here. If you're tiring of the usual and longing for some serious beauty, pristine air, and mind-clearing open space a visit to Abbotts Lagoon will likely supply all of that. read more

See all

Gorgeous, quiet, easy walk to coastline. Lots of wildlife, birds, beautiful lush landscape. Greeted at the end by empty beautiful pristine beach. Lots of dunes nearby for kids. Nice spot for a picnic and hang out for the afternoon. Great for families with young kids.! Totally worth the visit. A favorite of mine. read more

See all

It was a rainy day in the Bay Area in March when we were all told to self isolate. I had been feeling cooped up in our small 1 bedroom apartment so was seeking some nature and ocean therapy. My botanist husband suggested Abbotts Lagoon since he'd heard of some great rare plants in the area. The trail is super easy and flat from the parking lot to get to the lagoon (and eventually the ocean). You'll start off on a dirt, cross a manmade walkway, and then find yourself hiking on the sand dunes before reaching the Pacific. During this time of year, the hills are a beautiful lush green color and beautiful vibrant flowers have begun to flourish. We saw many birds and event a rabbit on the trail. Do note that this area is super windy so even if temperatures are high, I really recommend bringing layers and something to cover your ears with. read more

See all

Excellent place to view wildlife! There are tons of birds, and we've also seen river otters, bobcats and coyotes. There are beautiful native plants along the trail down to the lagoon, which is flat and gentle and reasonably accessible. It's about 1.25 miles to the bridge over the lagoon, but it's well worth the walk! read more

California Trip Part 2 #10 After I finished up at McClures Beach, I still wanted to hike something more substantial so I looked at my map and decided to check out Abbotts Lagoon (AL) southwest of Tomales Point. It was a cool, misty day, which kept the tourists away. When I arrived, there was a nice almost empty parking lot and restrooms. The 1.5-mile walk to the beach was diverse with coastal shrub and gorgeous scenic landscapes. At one point, you walk across a bridge over a stream between two lagoons (one is fresh water) and spread out before you is sand dunes. These sand dunes are home to the endangered snowy plover. And sometimes you can find peregrine falcons at AL. Wildlife thrives at AL including other birds, wildflowers and even a Brush rabbit (see my photos). The peaceful hike was exactly what I was looking for and finished up my time at Point Reyes. read more

See all

This is an easy flat hike/walk that is just over 2 miles round-trip. The narrow dirt trail passes a fresh water pond and a brackish lagoon on its way to the ocean. It is possible to see a lot of wildlife year around, and in the spring there is a profusion of wildflowers The Coast Miwok lived in the area around these lagoons before the arrival of European settlers in the 19th century. Starting in the 1870s the area was used for dairy and cattle ranching. There are still active historic dairy farms in the area. In the 1940s the area was used by the Navy for dive bombing practice. To reach this trail take Pierce Valley Road and watch for the sign to turn into the parking lot or for your GPS it is located at 38° 7′ 3″ N, 122° 57′ 12″ W read more

Abbotts Lagoon - View from the Dunes - Beaches Near Me - Inverness, California

See all

Gorgeous vistas, *killer* wind! Honestly - some of the most intense wind I've ever walked through in my life, and far and away the worst I've ever experienced on a beach. That said, it's got to calm down sometime, and when it does I'm sure this hike is a much more pleasant one. Dress warm, regardless, and wear shoes you don't mind getting sand in. You'll start at the trailhead, then go through some plains/marsh grass, up a slight dune path, and then pop out at the beach. There are terns, quails, and coots (little black water birds that scoot against the wind in the lagoon) - great bird watching, and bird bone-finding, if you look in the sun-scorched and wind-torn dunes for them, lol! Round-trip took us about 1.5 hours. We had a fantastic time on this hike, but I wouldn't recommend going out of your way for it. I'd love to come back in the spring or summer and see if things have calmed down. If you're in the area, though, check it out! read more

See all

This was a beautiful hike across coastal scrub and marshland to gorgeous lagoons and dunes to a pristine beach. So many distinct ecosystems in on short level hike. Point Reyes is an amazing gem. We even saw a small group of Tule elk just up the road. read more

See all

Labor Day 2015 was a hot 1 all around the SF Bay Area. Something a lot of people don't know, including some NorCal residents, is that September is the Bay Area's true Summer. With the combination of high temperatures & an extra day off work, folks were fleeing the heat to the beaches in droves. I was no exception. Only I didn't want to go where all the droves were going. Having seen Abbotts Lagoon in a newsletter that generally showcases beautiful but less traversed outdoor places, I figured I'd give it a shot. Getting there is the same scenic drive as going to Point Reyes Lighthouse, only at the last fork in the road you go right instead of left. To get to the beach, it's a roughly 1.5 mile easy hike on Abbotts Lagoon Trail from a parking lot with restrooms right off Pierce Point Road. Along that way, there was plenty of bird wildlife watching opportunities, some cows lazily grazing in a field, the serene Abbotts Lagoon itself, & finally sand dunes just before the beach. The roaring Pacific was pounding the beach with some gnarly surf, so this isn't a get in the ocean & swim around kind of beach. Getting in up to the ankles is probably as far as it's safe to go. Much more importantly, for me, in the middle of afternoon on Labor Day there was maybe a dozen or so other people out there. Solitude, bright Sun in the sky, a bunch of birds, & Big Blue. Nice. & the birds really did have the run of the place. Whole large areas of the beach were roped off temporarily closed for Western Snowy Plover nesting. Apparently the birds don't want to be around droves of humanity either. I can't blame them. Even with the diminished real estate, though, there were few enough of us out there to still have swaths of space to spread out. After sufficient sun & sand time, it was the reverse easy & peaceful 1.5 mile-ish hike back to the car. For mind-clearing decompression, it was about as good a day as any gets. On 1 of the busiest beach days of the year, on 1 of the hottest days of the year around the Bay, I found my spot to cool off & truly get away. That spot was Abbotts Lagoon. read more

Without a doubt, on a clear day, the most beautiful place on this here Earth. Take Sir Francis Drake Blvd until you get to Olema. Turn right on Inverness. Turn left on Bear Valley. Then after 5 miles or so, right where the sign directs you either to Abbott's Lagoon or to the Lighthouse. There is a small parking lot with newly constructed bathrooms by the trail head. Sorry, puppy lovers, no dogs. The trail is about a mile, maybe 2 miles long. No real elevation change. Less of a hike, more of a walk. During the first part of your hike, pull out your binoculars. Birders must love this place, as there are all kinds or rare and gorgeous birds flocking about from one lagoon to the next. You'll cross a couple small bridges that take you over creek beds and see sand dunes. How rare and how stunning. You almost feel like you're in a desert, the way the smooth sand has created these beautiful dunes like a mini valley of mountains. You might feel tempted to kick your shoes off and stop here, playing in the perfectly smooth sand, drawing hearts and names with plus signs enclosed in other hearts. You can succumb to this urge, or, you can keep going. Keep going, past the hundreds of birds by the water to your left, through a small trail that's almost impossible to find on the way back, and you will hit the ocean, where the sea meets the land and relentlessly splashes reminders of natural beauty against the shore. My last time I came out here (yesterday), there was a small group huddled in the sand on the way to the beach. The two men had guitars and were singing a soft, folksy melody. The two women were chatting laughing, journlaling, joining in on various versus of song. The beach is unending. Literally, as far as your eye can see from left to right, the ocean's waves splash a shimmering mist onto the shore. There are small groups of families out there, kids running around building sand castles and chasing the dog. There are groups of friends, huddled in circles, some cuddled with their significant others, others laughing and reminiscing. There are joggers, padding down the shoreline with short shorts and headphones on. I laid in the soft, golden sand and fell asleep. I'm not sure for how long. An hour, maybe two. And let the sun darken my skin. I felt completely safe, and gloriously alive. My advice: check the weather before you head to Point Reyes, anytime you head out to Point Reyes. More importantly, check the cloud cover. Though still beautiful on cloudy, foggy days, it is cold, freezing almost, and wet. The most beautiful days, the closest to perfection you will find in California and maybe even the world, will be on a day with little cloud cover, the sun high in the air, a lunch packed, the water bottled filled, and pillow for the glorious nap until the warm sun at the edge of the Earth. read more

See all

Haven't enjoyed a nice hike in the Bay Area like this one in a long time. This was a trail with emerald green scenery that cuts through a wasteland-like lagoon, but leads you towards the Pacific Ocean. I've never seen such a clear beach without kelp, rocks, or any other debris. It was just soft and foamy waves that melted on to the sand. The sound of the waves were definitely mesmerizing. I'm also grateful that they have a pretty decent parking lot lol. read more

See all

I'm somewhat reluctant to ever write reviews about Point Reyes National Seashore because it's my favorite place on earth and selfishly I want to keep it all to myself. I suppose it's time to let a few people in on the secret (if you don't know already) because I know Yelpers will appreciate it's beauty. If you don't, well then unfriend me right now. Abbotts Lagoon is an easy hike out to the pacific ocean and I'd reccomend it to beginners and anyone that loves being near water. I've been doing this hike since I was 3 years of age and it never gets old. Granted those early days were in my parent's backpack but, it's still the same to me. If you're an avid "birder" I'd also say this place is for you. The sheer amount of wildlife you encounter on your way out to the ocean is insane. My pictures don't do the beauty justice, so go check this place out for yourself. Just remember to respect the area and pick up after yourself or I'll find you... read more

See all

This trail is so remote that it's out in the middle of nowhere except a couple of cows. The trail is a couple of miles of mostly flat land. If not close to the ocean, it would have been very hot. Otherwise, I find this easy hike pleasant. read more

See all

If you like bird watching, beaches, headlands, great photo opportunities, a hike for the kids and do not mind the drive, this is the hike for you. This hike is very beautiful. It is also another one of those many "desolate" Point Reyes hikes I talk about that people are coming to more and more. The people themselves are fine and they mostly are friendly locals like myself. This hike combines the beach habitat with a healthy lagoon and headlands habitat. I would have given this hike five stars but when I hiked there, hoards of bugs attacked me. I can handle some bugs but swarms of them for half of the hike is another story. Without the bugs, this hike is magnificant so I would recommend it on a clear winter day or on a day with some fog in the summer (it may have more people then.) Directions: From 101, go on Sir Francis Drake into West Marin until you reach Route 1. Go up it until Sir Francis Drake Blvd picks up again. After Inverness, Pierce Point Rd branches off to the right. Take it and soon, you will see the Abbots Lagoon parking lot to your left. The hike: Begin by walking onto a flat trail surrounding by coastal scrub and grassland. This is the Point Reyes headlands and the terrain stays the same until the hike nears its end. Expect to see some cows grazing nearby. Along the way, there are observation signs describing the cultural and ecological history of the area. As long as the bugs do not visit, you should be happily snapping away with the camera. You will know the hike is ending soon once you hit the lagoon and the bridge. Immediately, you will enter an almost pristine dune habitat. Remember to walk on the designated trail because this habitat could easily fall apart with human disturbance. Then you will reach the beach. The views from it are wonderful and you can see both up and down the coast. This is a fantastic place to watch seabirds because they are so numerous. Also, snowy plover nest here and they are an endangered species so let's hope their nests expand. Remember not to enter the roped off areas. The hike to the beach is a 3 mile round trip. When you are here, you will say, "So this is California 200 years ago." You can continue walking along the beach for more views and more relaxation. This is an out and back hike so you can turn around anytime you like. There is an option of walking up to Kehoe Beach, walking to the road and then south along the road back to the Abbots Lagoon trailhead. It is more than 8 miles long and people tend to drive fast on Pierce Point Rd. A few last words: Check the tide tables if you plan to take a long walk on the beach. Also, DO NOT turn your back on the ocean because people have vanished along this wild coastline with large rip currents. My friends tell me this is a great place for animal tracks. Also remember not to leave your trash here. I know it's just one can but if everyone said that too, would the beach and area look clean and pristine? I think not. read more

Abbotts Lagoon - The Dunes - Beaches Near Me - Inverness, California

A very easy flat walk to the lagoon and to the beach. It's high traffic with other visitors so don't expect solitude or quiet on your visit. The lagoon is pretty and if you keep walking you get to the secluded beach at the ocean. This was beautiful and tranquil. The walk on the beach was longer since it's all loose sand. a nice way to spend an afternoon. read more

If you're looking for a relatively short hike with no elevation change, this is the one for you! Plus you get pretty views of the lagoon and a beach at the end. This is westward-facing, so the water will be very windy (and have big waves!). read more

A beautiful and peaceful place. One of a seemingly endless number of spots to hike, jog, walk, sit or simply be. As many times ad I've been in this area, I've never felt like it was at all crowded. read more

Oh man, wildlife sightings galore. And hardly anyone there (particularly during the week) -- the marshy groves by the lagoon itself is home to scores of hummingbirds, other birds -- saw some pelicans, rabbits, deer, what a magical place. read more

One of the most beautiful places I've ever been. So peaceful and mesmerizing. The waves are huge but it's such a calming place. Feels like it's so isolated. Definitely worth the hike. If you ever get the chance to go here, hike all the way to the beach!!! read more

This hike is perfect for beginners. For the most part the trail is on stable ground. You will run into steeper ground and some small trenches, but overall it's a smooth walk. The first part of the trail is beautiful and green. There is a bench pretty early on that gives you a view of the lagoon, and the ocean in the distance. The second half of the trail is on the beach. A few sandy hills stand between you and the Pacific. Again, the beauty here is amazing. I even (sort of) befriended a seal. The best part of the whole place is how quiet it is. There is pretty much no cell service (another plus), and they do have public restrooms in the parking lot. This place is definitely a treasure. read more