Rugged landscape where beautifully unforgiving waves crash into brown-grey sand, whales and sea lions are seen, and elk roam. Do not swim here! Warnings of sharks and dangerous waves are posted. We did an afternoon trip to watch the sunset and stopped at the south beach. While there are portapotties, there are no other facilities. If going for sunset, know that you will be slowly driving back across the park in the very dark night on winding roads. Watch for wildlife. Luckily, the only elk we saw up close while driving were along a (rare) fenced section of the road. read more

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This review is for Chimney Rock Trail which was a ~1.8 miles round trip that took ~40 minutes to complete. Chimney Rock Trail was located ~5 minutes away from Point Reyes Lighthouse. The drive into Point Reyes was somewhat long so I highly recommend doing both the lighthouse and the trail. The trail was mostly a narrow dirt path with minimal elevation changes. Great views on all sides of the Pacific Ocean! This whole area is known to get foggy so plan ahead if possible. Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/90kdG4NKUYc read more

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Absolutely beautiful! Must visit when in the Bay Area! Whether you're looking to hike a long way or just relax by the water, the views are guaranteed to be stunning. We went in January and still had a great time. Just a heads up, it can be really warm during the day but be sure to bring a jacket for later around sunset. If you're looking to hike, bring shoes that will grip well on rocks and are waterproof because some areas have water flowing through the sand. Enjoy the beautiful wildlife, including muscles in some areas. We visited a crater which was a great resting place. There is so much to see on this seashore! read more

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A rainy day in February couldn't keep us away and I'm so happy we toughed it out!! Northern California is absolutely stunning, this park highlights this fact In all the ways. Just a warning for those who follow google maps, you will lose service and end up down an old country road with horses. lol Also beautiful in its own rights, but not the destination I was going for. Take all the trails, stop at all the pull offs, see all the creatures, get lost in nature and come out richer on the other side read more

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Really nice area. When we went, the lighthouse was closed and a few other areas due to weather. That being said, the drive through is beautiful. We saw live footage of the seals. Visitor center is really interactive for kids. Grab a junior ranger book, and you can complete most if not all in the visitor center before heading out to explore. read more

Point Reyes National Seashore - Parks Near Me - Point Reyes Station, California

Point Reyes is one of those special, magical towns and a short distance to some of the most amazing birding places in the country with so many trails to explore. The region allows you to forget the craziness of the world, be in the moment and breathe fresh air. read more

Ahh the coast with the most , the fizzle to the hizzle, the end of the continental shelf and the amazing flora and shrub divided by the San Andreas Rift Zone which by the way split this region at Tomales Bay about 20K years ago , beautiful scenery a must when in Marin county and it's surroundings !!! read more

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The Point Reyes National Seashore is a total must see in Marin County. Not only is this place filled with natural beauty and a bunch of neat things to do... hike; bird watch; look for whales, seal lions, tule elk (one by sea, two by land); swim; lounge; or what ever. Get this ... it is totally free. There are no fees. Free entry, free parking. Some sights to see are... First the Bear Valley Visitor Center. There are three visitor centers, this one is the very first one before entering the park. Pick up your free map, ask a Ranger any questions, fill up your water bottle with the filtered water dispenser, view the museum, and use the restrooms. I advise you to get a good old fashion map because cell coverage is spotty in the park. Tule Elk Preserve- Go ahead and try to spot the majestic Tule Elks. I hear they the best time of year to catch seeing them is late summer through early Fall. Point Reyes Lighthouse- It was built in 1870. Tour the lighthouse, grounds, and visitor center. But oh my, to get there you will need to walk 300 narrow steps with an incline. It is a workout. Elephant Seal Overlook- This overlook is actually accessible from a hiking trail from the lighthouse parking lot and overlooks South Beach. December through March is the birthing and mating season. . Bring binculars to view migrating gray whales or sea lions. Cypress Tree Tunnel- Take in the very picturesque view of two rows of gorgeous tall growth cypress trees lining a road towards the Art Deco designed old radio station. This sight is not in the park map. Just look out for it while driving to Drake's Beach. Safe swimming beaches- Drake's Beach- It has a food stand, restrooms, and a visitor center. Check out the beautiful white cliffs that some day look like the white cliffs of Dover, England. Limantour Beach- This beach allows horses. Yup i have seen folks riding horses along this beach and into the ocean. There are restrooms. Earthquake Hiking Trail- check out the 1906 earthquake fence. Ok, it is a replica, the real fence has long been torn down. Alamere Falls Hike- 13 mile hike to get to and back to the waterfall that cascades onto the beach, it is a long hike, pace yourself. Make sure you start early enough to get back before sunset. Chimney Rock Hike-1.8 mile RT hike to get to the Rock and back to the lot. Stop and view the historic lifeboat station. It is not open to view inside but you can walk the grounds. Abbots Lagoon Hike- Flat mild hike to the footbridge 2 miles RT and for an extra .8 mile head to the beach. Spring time is great time to see all the wild flowers blooming. This is not a swimming beach. McClures Beach Hike- Less than a mile RT to McClures BeachX But the trail is rugged and steep and you have to hike down a ravine to get to the cove like beach. Watch out for sneaker waves and tidal fluctuations. This is definitely not a swimming beach. Kehoe Beach Hike- 1.2 mile RT. Flat and easy hike until you hit the sand dune to get to the beach. This is the only trail in the entire park where dogs are permitted. This is not a swimming beach. This is just some of the activities the Park has to offer. read more

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What an underrated park with so much wildlife and beautiful shores. Only drawback was it is quite remote and most attractions are another half hour drive from entering the park. That said, I came early on a weekend morning around 8am, went to Chimney rock first (short, easy/flat, less than 2 mile roundtrip hike) and had the entire place to myself! There were elk grazing, quail and other birds, and hordes of elephant seals chilling on the beach below, audible almost throughout the whole trail. Afterwards, I stopped by the lighthouse -- the visitor center doesn't open until 10, so I only went to the observation deck and viewed the lighthouse from afar. It happened to be a clear beautiful day with a nice breeze and plenty of sunshine. On the drive back, I made quick stops at the cypress tree tunnel which had some neat history, as well as the Point Reyes shipwreck which is just outside of the park in the nearby town Iverness. Overall, a wonderful morning/day trip and super pleased with how much wildlife there was! read more

Point Reyes National Seashore - View at lighthouse parking lot - Parks Near Me - Point Reyes Station, California

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This park is AMAZING! Entrance is free, and the amenities are top notch. We did a three-day backpacking trip here and covered most of the park with some added day hikes that we drove to. We started and ended at Bear Vallley Visitor Center. We camped at Coast Camp and Wildcat Camp, and the Coast Trail views were stunning. The campsites had pit toilets, potable water, bear storage lockers, and picnic tables. The beaches were gorgeous. We didn't make it to Alamere Falls during low tide, but we saw it from afar. On our last day, we drove to Chimney Rock Trail and Elephant Seal Overlook. We saw some elephant seals and stunning cliffside ocean views. I also walked to Point Reyes Lighthouse, which was small but pretty. There is a good number of stairs to get down to the lighthouse and back up. The visitor center over there is tiny, so I recommend going to Bear Valley Visitor Center. read more

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One of my favorite go-to spots for R&R and to escape the hustle and bustle of work, city, responsibilities. The fresh sea breeze, rolling green hills with friendly deer, cows, the deep blue sea, and the sandy cold beach with sea lions are some fond memories. Take a break from the windy dizzying road it takes to get there by stopping by Marin French cheese company and grabbing some picnic items- wine, cheese (the best Brie), sandwiches, chips, fruit. Then visit the iconic lighthouse, have a picnic by the beach, take a hike around the area and take in all of the beautiful surroundings. If you get lucky, when gazing into the deep blue depths of the ocean, you may see some whales in the distance! read more

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The area is nice, the walk down the light etc, but the park rangers or workers always in a bad mood. Senior people don't want to be there. Very sad.I had a great time is not that i didn't enjoy but workers should be a little more customer services friendly & nice. read more

No entry fee and a few different camp locations. Great place to backpack. During the fall the monk seas come in so the lighthouse area is usually closed. Different types of terrain and so many trails. read more

Point Reyes National Seashore - Trails - Parks Near Me - Point Reyes Station, California

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We had such an incredible time seeing the lighthouse and listening to the elephant seals on the shore. There were around 200+ elephant seals during our visit and the sounds they made were equally funny and peaceful. It was one of those special travel moments that you know you'll never forget. The drive to this area is fairly long and windy but the walking path to the seals is fairly easy and short. The walk up to the lighthouse (separate area) is about a 10-15 minute walk with a fairly decent grade on a paved path. Both spots were special and worth the trek. Do yourself a favor and pick up some food at Inverness Market on your way back out of the park ;) you won't regret it! Stop at the Visitors Center for a nap and seasonal tips on what to see and do. read more

Visited the spot for the weekend and got a good vibe .. The sand Dunes is the hidden gem above the hill ... Some mobile Refreshment or a coffee shop is missing around.. read more

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Point Reyes National seashore is one of the most amazing locations in the United States. You must read up on the geology of this place before coming. The entire point Reyes peninsula is on the west side of the San Andreas fault. That means it is on the Pacific tectonic plate and traveling to the north. Point Reyes used to be hundreds of miles to the south. The hiking and biking opportunities are limitless. The coast is absolutely shocking. The hikes are relatively easy since there is not a lot of elevation gain or loss. Close to the coast you must definitely be careful because the cliffs are sheer. read more

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With food being my main focus of Yelp reviews, Point Reyes that I have literally been going for day trips for over 20 years escaped my review radar. The park is as diverse as the Bay Area itself and even with over 20 visits, there are still new discoveries like my recent one of the Cypress Tree Tunnel that was planted in the 1930s. With beaches, hiking, wildflowers in the spring, cows, a tule elk preserve (a must-see for me all 20 years), and a lighthouse (which is temporarily closed because of Covid), you can easily spend a week in the area - https://aroundthebayandaway.blogspot.com/2021/06/point-me-to-point-reyes.html Luckily it is only 1 1/2 hour drive away for me so annual day trips works, however, I definitely would not mind spending the night in the future so I can experience it during the quieter morning or evening hours. read more

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Point Reyes was pretty cool, there are several different trails and points of interest depending on your style. The beach is really pretty, when we went the waves were pretty big and kept rolling in which was awesome to see. We also saw some really cool trees and an old shipwreck. If you're driving through the area it's definitely worth checking out. The visitors center is closed at the moment but they have information available on the boards outside. There are also bathrooms located at the north beach as well as across from the visitors center which are in pretty nice condition. read more

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What is there to say that hasn't already been said about this beauty?! Point Reyes is one of my absolute favorite places period. I've been coming here for years and each and every visit is just as amazing as the first. This place never gets old. Never ever. Breathtaking. That pretty much sums it up in a nutshell. These views just cannot be duplicated. From the awe inspiring coastal views to the fresh air embedded deep within those beautiful Redwood forests; Point Reyes is just something that you have to experience for yourself. Especially if you're up north or in the Bay. The Bear Valley Trail used to be me and my family's go-to and also a very popular and heavily trafficked trail. Family friendly, full of wild life, surrounded by beautiful Redwoods, plants, and the beautiful coast creek. It's a straight shot to Arch Rock which provides one of the best views within the entire park. I've been up there when the only person who has spoken English was me. This National Seashore is world renowned, and people from all over the world come here to see it. How lucky I am to have it so close by. Now that I've gotten older and more active, I go for the more challenging trails. The hikes up to Mount Wittenberg, Alamere Falls, and Kelham Beach are far more difficult than on Bear Valley, but oh so rewarding. My latest discovery was the Sky Trail. A super steep jaunt through a remarkably lush Redwood forest with peek-a-boo views of the vibrant California coastline. It was pretty numbing. And being able to make it down to the super secluded Kelham Beach was like icing of the cake. This park has something for everyone to enjoy. For me, it has everything that I absolutely adore in a park. Perhaps this is why everyone else really loves this park too. It definitely gets its' fair share of visitors, but there are so many trails that will allow you to get lost in the beauty of woods. If you haven't experienced Point Reyes National Seashore Yet, then what are you waiting for? The time is now. read more

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We did an early morning hike to the Secret Amphitheater and it was beautiful! Being there early and at low tide allowed us to see a whale, crabs, starfish, seals and sea urchins. No cell reception in a lot of areas. Easy parking lot with garbage cans and bathrooms before getting to the beach. read more

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Amend the plans for whatever you're doing and head to Point Reyes. The drive may be a little out of the way, but you'll forget all about that as you trek above the cliffs on the way to the lighthouse. Add a couple hours for coming/going, since you'll drive and then walk a ways to get to the end. But the end is worth getting to. Miles of blue sky meeting blue seas, and windy breathtaking views as you trek toward the lighthouse destination. The stairs aren't for the faint-hearted, and you'll either have to come back up or just move in down at the bottom. The visitor center does close around 5 pm though, so living here may be off the table. The best thing is to remember to take your time on the journey; this is one stop that you'll remember fondly long after you leave. I'll hope to return one day soon ready for some more wind hair-tousling. read more

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We spent out whole Sunday exploring the seashore at Point Reyes. It seems so many people romanticize "long walks on the beach" by rarely do they make the effort to make it happen (judging by how much elbow room we had out there on a beautiful weekend). Point Reyes is just one of the jewels in the crown that is Northern California nature experiences. We are truly blessed to have so much well-protected natural beauty in our midst that there is always somewhere to go to get away, breathe deeply, and take it all in. Put Point Reyes National Seashore on your list of must-do experiences, and then make it happen! You'll wonder why you took so long read more

There is a lot of exploring that can be done at Point Reyes National Seashore. In fact, I was a little overwhelmed by all the places and areas I wanted to see. It's tough to sort of maintain an efficient way of exploring. I definitely repeated myself in terms of driving past places I had already seen. But...most of all, the seashore can be navigated around by plugging all the destinations into Google Maps and letting your phone be your guide. Although at times cell phone reception wasn't existent, for the most part there was enough signal strength to get me from attraction to attraction. I'd like to relay my itinerary and some of the worthwhile sights, landmarks and hikes I trekked across on my Point Reyes journey... Before that...let me just give a few quick details about Point Reyes... - It's free to visit. No charge for exploring as long as you'd like. - Point Reyes is located about 55 miles northwest of San Francisco right along the water's edge of the Pacific Ocean. - I used about 2.5 days to visit all the interesting spots and locations. When I was here back at the end of July, 2021...I discovered that the weather in morning times was extremely overcast with fog, and it wasn't until about halfway through the day that the skies cleared up and allowed me to enjoy the scenic coastal views along Point Reyes. I'd say just to be prepared for unpredictable weather that may play havoc with your Point Reyes adventure. Although I'm certain that I'll run out of room to write...I'll try and keep the places I visited to a minimum and overall, just very clear and concise. Sorry if I go off on tangents, lol. - Stop in at the Bear Valley Visitor Center. Here you can purchase souvenirs, get your Parks Pass stamped and speak with a park ranger about questions you may have, sights and attractions you may want to see, and any concerns about the conditions or weather. I stopped by early morning and was able to get 10 minutes of valuable time with the park ranger to "pick their brain". - Chimney Rock Trailhead - 20 miles from the VC. A short roundtrip walk with views looking along the coastline. Good for pictures. - Elephant Seal Overlook - located next to Chimney Rock Trail - short path to observation point looking down on a beach with elephant seals resting below. - Point Reyes Lighthouse - the most popular sight and activity at Point Reyes. Parking was a nightmare. I got fortunate to find a space along the side of the road and then simply walked. Along the walk...the views of the beach down the shoreline were stunning! The skies were sunny, and the background of the beach was epically colorful! The lighthouse is only open from 10am - 3:30pm. To arrive at the lighthouse, you must take 313 stairs down to the viewing platform. These 313 stairs are a workout! Be prepared especially when trekking back higher to be breathing heavy! The lighthouse tower was closed when I visited. Still, just being here was an iconic moment at Point Reyes. This lighthouse overlooks the everlasting waters of the Pacific Ocean. You feel as if you're standing at the edge of eternity. One thing...it was so congested with tourists while I was here. Getting good photos were hard to come by. For me, just way too many people. I would rather have been in a much more remote attraction far away from people breathing down my neck. Still, the lighthouse is a Must-Do, even if only briefly getting in and getting out, and then getting far away from too many random strangers. - South Beach - 6 miles from the lighthouse. A pleasant area to walk along the beach and soak up the fresh air surroundings. - Tomales Point Trail - 18 miles north from South Beach - this was my last activity on my 1st day here. The hike is 3 miles along a maintained path and then another 1.7 miles on open land. A total of 4.7 miles each way that will lead you to what seems like the official end of Point Reyes. The hike is moderate in difficulty, but along the way I grabbed some photos of the coast near the starting section and then ran into a ton of roaming elk by themselves and in herds. That was a cool surprise. And finally, I went as far to the edge of the shoreline as possible with another chance to view out to the limitless ocean waters in such a primitive part of California. I felt miles away from reality. A great ending to my day with a picturesque sunset as well. - Estero Trail - located 12 miles from the VC. I took this hike for 3.2 miles each way on relatively flat ground to Drakes Head Trail and then ventured another 1.6 miles to Drakes Head. So, a total of 4.8 miles to Drakes Head and another good moment for admiring the majestic backdrop and setting here at Point Reyes. - Cypress Tree Tunnel - 4.2 miles from Estero Trail. Here a 1/2 mile walk underneath magical looking trees. It's as if you you're transported back in time with southern charm. - McClures Beach - 13 miles from Cypress Trees. My favorite beach. This is my Point Reyes National Seashore summary. read more

This place is truly beautiful but so hard to get to! If you get car sick like me, the winding bumpy roads are no joke! Took us like 2 hours to get there and back! Can't drive too fast for fear of the roaming cows. So much wildlife here that my boyfriend and I were so mesmerized! We saw deer/elk, coyotes and cows! By the way there's a hole in the ground when you get there for a bathroom so be prepared to bring your own wet wipes and hand sanitizer! It can be very windy and foggy here so be prepared!! read more

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3/8/2019: Skulking Point Reyes allows me ample quiet time clearing my foggy head from enduring hours of fighting, driving through a plethora of traffic jams in order, arriving at this awesome location. The fresh, crisp air immediately eliminated my fogginess! Hearing the seagulls' wining, the ocean shoreline began sizzling as the waves approaches the sand quickly recycling the same lulling motion, the sun shining brightly, and hearing people's joyous giggling put a gargantuan smile on my face. Ahhhh~I'm here! Aside, I'm thankful the Samuel P. Taylor Ranger gave me the updated Point Reyes' brochure: Apparently, I noticed several improved, land features, i.e., new roads, new buildings, and key name changes, too! Still, I sadly realize I will only be able seeing a few places today due to the limited amount of hours plus, my inability hiking miles upon miles of vast land Point Reyes possesses-I NEED A HELICOPTER~LOL! read more

Point Reyes National Seashore - 3/8/2019: The State Park Ranger gave me this map brochure. - Parks Near Me - Point Reyes Station, California

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Reading through reviews, I find myself chuckling at the 1-star and 2-star ones. All I will say about that is I'm glad you didn't enjoy Point Reyes and that you won't return. Stay away. I would much rather keep Point Reyes to those of us who can truly appreciate its magical beauty. I adore this place. I was born and raised in Maine. I have visited the entire east coast. And I have lived in Australia for 3 years. Point Reyes is easily in my top five places to visit. I love it for these reasons: 1) Amazing views--the ocean but also the hills. Reminds me of Ireland. 2) Abundant wildlife--we always see tons of animals when we visit 3) Peacefulness--honestly, I've never found this place to be "crowded." We always head out early (which also helps with seeing wildlife). Oftentimes, we're alone when we hike. Nobody around until we finish our hikes. I'm not trying to convince anyone because--hey--I'd rather keep it to myself. ;) But I want to spread love about my favorite place in California. Enjoy! read more

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Really amazing place, free besides parking at hearts desire beach (and maybe somewhere else?) great visitor center, But i will say hopefully they get the funding to put the Kule Loko exhibit / trail on the actual map more? And the exhibit really needs some TLC: there's a structure that's fallen apart, one vandalized, and the two big ones have had the signs obscured really to the point where you can't read it- like the ceremony room. No real trails along it either. I feel like we could do better by indigenous people in that way. Overall though- beautiful. Bit of a bumpy road to the elk reserve but it was worth it read more

This park is huge and I barely covered scratched the surface after 3 visits. Tree tunnel and the lighthouse are always a hit for people who like to drive. The lighthouse is currently closed because of covid. Some stretches are freshly paved which makes the drive super pleasant. They're also very windy! Hikes are lovely here and have a range of scenery. Every thing from grassy fields with lots of cows to waterfalls to ocean views. read more

Point Reyes National Seashore - By the lighthouse - Parks Near Me - Point Reyes Station, California

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BEAUTIFUL! One of my favorite places to visit! So relaxing and fun at the same time.

Wonderful visitor center. We happened to arrive just before the "Earthquake Walk" which was an easy 1/2 mile with a ranger, who gave a wonderful history and explanation of the San Andreas Fault area and earthquakes. Clean bathrooms, easy parking, nice picnic areas. Dogs need to be leashes! read more

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The way to the seashore is extremely long and very hard to drive. We saw several car crashes on the road. But it's really worth it! Even the view on the road is so fabulous, and the seashore scenery is breathtaking! This might be the most beautiful seashore that I have ever seen in my whole life. The sea is so blue and any random photo taken here is just like a postcard. read more

PRNS is a lovely drive through a few different landscapes. There are forests, coastal lines, ranches with tons of cows, cypress tree tunnels, lighthouses, and more. It's a stunning adventure just an hour or so north of San Francisco. The road out to the light house is pretty chewed up so take it easy on your drive out so you don't end up with a flat tire. There's not much of a phone signal out there so you might be a while. Stop at the visitor center for more info on adjacent drives, hikes, and other vistas worth seeing. And get your NPS stamp if you're a nerd like me and collects them along the way! read more

Gorgeous. Worth the drive. You have to see this place to believe it exists on Earth. I actually heard someone on a trail here saying he thought the beaches looked like something on an alien planet. Well guess what? it was on this one and it's here for you to see. We went up to the lighthouse even though it's undergoing renovation. Still an awesome sight to see. Breathtaking is probably the best adjective for it. The drive is interesting with the old farms (from the 1800s) and the changing landscapes. Make sure your car is up to snuff though. We had a bit of an accident on our way and by the time we were at the lighthouse, our car wouldn't start. A dangerous situation with no cell service. read more

Point Reyes National Seashore - Parks Near Me - Point Reyes Station, California

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