Point Reyes National Seashore: A Must-Visit Destination in Northern California

Point Reyes National Seashore | Introduction

Point Reyes National Seashore is a popular Northern California destination located in Marin County. This stunning coastal reserve is situated about 30 miles north of San Francisco, approximately a 1.5-hour drive away. The coastline stretches for 70 miles, and the park covers more than 280 square kilometers. Visitors can enjoy breathtaking ocean views and a variety of coastal landscapes, including sea caves, dunes, and rocky cliffs. It is also an excellent spot to observe elephant seals, gray whales, and rare bird species, making it one of the most beautiful attractions in the San Francisco Bay Area.

With its cool climate, Point Reyes National Seashore is suitable for visiting year-round, but spring and fall are particularly special times to witness blooming wildflowers or the spectacular migration of gray whales along the coast.

Point Reyes National Seashore | Itinerary

Point Reyes National Seashore is perfect for a day trip from San Francisco, with the Point Reyes Lighthouse being a common main destination. A sample itinerary is as follows:

• Morning: Start your visit at the Bear Valley Visitor Center before entering Point Reyes. If you’re interested in ecology and history, the Visitor Center’s Natural History Museum is worth a stop. Then head to the Point Reyes Lighthouse, the park’s most iconic landmark, passing the Cypress Tree Tunnel on the way. After visiting the lighthouse, drive to Elephant Seal Overlook, and have a picnic there or at Drakes Beach.
• Afternoon: Head to Abbotts Lagoon for a leisurely walk. The trail is about 3 kilometers round trip, taking you through wetlands with rich birdlife and wildlife. In the spring, you can also see blooming wildflowers.

On the way to the Point Reyes Lighthouse, you’ll often spot grazing cattle on the hillsides. Point Reyes is one of the few areas in the National Park System where cattle are still present. There are several historic ranches here that produce dairy products such as milk and cheese. If you have time, visit the Historic Pierce Point Ranch, a 19th-century ranch site. Its museum provides detailed insights into the region’s dairy industry.

Point Reyes National Seashore | Attractions

Cypress Tree Tunnel

Located not far from the main entrance, the Cypress Tree Tunnel is formed by two rows of towering Monterey cypress trees. Their canopies interlock to create a natural green tunnel. The tunnel is especially popular for photos during soft morning or evening light when the sun beams through the treetops. This naturally formed tunnel has existed for over 70 years, and the trees at either end are tall and majestic, with intertwining branches.

At the end of the tunnel stands a historic building that once housed the KPH Radio Station, built in 1929. This station was one of the busiest radio communication centers in the world during its time, adding historical significance to the Cypress Tree Tunnel.

Point Reyes Lighthouse

The Point Reyes Lighthouse is one of the most iconic landmarks of Point Reyes National Seashore. Located on a cliff, it has been guiding ships safely since 1870.

The parking area near the lighthouse offers the best vantage point to admire the long coastline of Point Reyes Beach. On clear days, the coastal views are stunning.

The lighthouse, built in the 1870s, is steeped in history. To reach it, you’ll need to walk about one mile and climb 307 steps. While the climb may be challenging for some, the views along the way are well worth it.

The lighthouse was constructed to guide ships safely past the Point Reyes Peninsula’s coastline at night, helping them avoid crashing into the shores or reefs. The interior of the lighthouse has now been converted into a museum, showcasing the life of past lighthouse keepers and historical events that occurred along the surrounding coastline. The lighthouse is usually open on weekends, but opening hours vary by season, so check ahead if you plan to visit.

Near the lighthouse trail is the Sea Lion Overlook, where visitors can spot sea lions. This area is also a popular spot for whale watching, especially during the winter and spring months when migrating gray whales pass by.

Elephant Seal Overlook

Elephant Seal Overlook is the best spot to observe elephant seals, one of the largest seals in North America. Adult males can weigh up to two tons and reach over four meters in length. They are known for their distinctive large noses and deep, rumbling calls. While elephant seals can be seen year-round, the best time to visit is during winter (December to March), when they gather on Point Reyes beaches to breed. During this time, male seals fight fiercely for the attention of females, while the females give birth to their pups. From the overlook, you can see large groups of seals lounging on the beach, interacting with each other, and tending to their newborn pups.

Nearby, you can also visit the Historic Point Reyes Lifeboat Station for a closer view of the seals if you don’t mind walking a bit farther.

Point Reyes National Seashore | Recommended Trails

Chimney Rock Trail

Chimney Rock Trail is located near Elephant Seal Overlook, and the two share a parking area. It’s one of the classic trails in Point Reyes, situated on the eastern edge of the peninsula. The trail is about 3.2 kilometers round trip, running along the edge of a cliff, offering unparalleled views of the Pacific Ocean and the rugged cliffs below. On clear days, the contrast between the blue sea and the green cliffside vegetation is striking.

Abbotts Lagoon

Abbotts Lagoon is a peaceful wetland known for its rich birdlife and wildlife, making it perfect for birdwatching. The trail is about 3 kilometers long and easy to walk. The wetland and lagoon ecosystem is particularly unique, especially during spring when many migratory birds stop by, and wildflowers bloom in abundance.

Coast Trail

Coast Trail is about 12 kilometers long (one way) and is one of the longer trails at Point Reyes. It begins near Limantour Beach, and the most famous section leads to Alamere Falls, a waterfall that flows directly into the Pacific Ocean. The trail runs along the Point Reyes coastline, taking visitors through grasslands, wetlands, and cliffs, with countless viewpoints offering breathtaking ocean views. The trail is mostly flat and can be comfortably traversed by bike.

Point Reyes National Seashore | Camping Experience | Coast Campground

For a more immersive experience, you can try camping at Point Reyes National Seashore. The campsites here are quite popular, and the national park scenery is unmatched by other campsites. However, campsites at Point Reyes are either hike-in or bike-in, making access a bit more challenging. The upside is that it’s very quiet.

• Comfort: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

• Space: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

• Facility Cleanliness: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

• Location: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

• Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

We camped at the Coast Campground, located on a hillside near the beach. Because it’s walk-in or bike-in only, it’s not easy to access, but it offers a deep connection to nature. The campground is accessible via the Coast Trail. We chose to bike in, riding 6 miles with minimal gear. Most of the trail is easy, though the final ascent to the campground is rocky and requires carrying the bike.

The ground at the campsite is flat, but pitching a tent by the beach can be tricky due to the strong winds. However, once the tent is up, it feels quite rewarding. With strong winds, no cell signal, and fewer typical camping luxuries like chairs and tables, it’s a peaceful and relaxing experience. The campsites offer beautiful ocean views, and you can barely hear any other visitors—truly a chance to blend in with nature.

The campsite isn’t huge. With two bikes and a four-person tent, we filled up the space, but privacy was excellent, and we weren’t disturbed by anyone nearby. The campsite and restrooms are well-maintained, though the toilets are a bit of a walk downhill from the campsite.

Wildlife is active at the campground. The next morning, we found raccoon footprints all around our tent and even on the tent itself. There are reports of aggressive raccoons stealing food, which seems to be true. Additionally, during a nighttime walk to the beach, we encountered a mountain lion watching us from a nearby ridge. Not wanting to risk a hungry encounter, we quickly returned to camp to stargaze instead.

In the morning, we returned to the beach and discovered that it had been quite busy with wildlife overnight. There were raccoon tracks everywhere, as well as some round tracks, likely left by rabbits.

Further reading

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