Park Headquarters on Bear Valley Rd., W of town, (415) 464-5137. Park: daily sunrise-sunset. Bear Valley Visitor Center: M-F 9-5, Sat-Sun 8-5. Free.
Known for its beaches and hiking trails, this 71,000-acre refuge has plenty of other interesting things for visitors to do. Point Reyes National Seashore has 147 miles of hiking trails, most of which are open to horses. Mountain bikes are permitted on some trails, and walk-in backpacking campsites are available by reservation for a fee ((415) 663-8054). Guided trail rides, buggy rides, hayrides, and overnight pack trips are available at nearby Five Brooks Stables.
Many activities cluster around the Park Headquarters. The Bear Valley Visitor Center houses a working seismograph and a variety of nature displays. The Morgan Horse Ranch, where pack and trail animals are trained, is adjacent. (The Morgan was the first American horse breed.) A short unpaved path leads to Kule Loklo, a Coast Miwok Indian village that has been replicated using the same types of tools and materials as the Native Americans themselves originally used. Two short and easy loop trails begin here. The .5-mile self-guided Woodpecker Trail leads through forest and meadows and features interpretive signs describing plants and animals, and the .6-mile-long self-guided Earthquake Trail follows the San Andreas fault and passes a spot where the Pacific plate moved 16 feet north in about 45 seconds during the infamous 1906 earthquake. Additionally, the popular 4.1-mile Bear Valley Trail winds through meadows, fern grottoes, and forests before ending at the ocean.
To reach scenic Limantour Beach, after you leave the visitors center take Bear Valley Road, turn left and drive 1.3 miles to Limantour Road and turn left (this is by a hostel). An easy 1-mile trail leads on to Limantour Spit where Drakes Bay will be to your left and the Estero to your right.
The 1870 Point Reyes Lighthouse is about 20 miles away from headquarters, in the Inverness area. Winds have been recorded blowing here at 133 miles per hour--the highest rate in the continental U.S. The bottom line is that it can get mighty windy, cold, and wet at this scenic spot. The lighthouse is reached by maneuvering 300 steps down the side of a steep, rocky cliff. It is a popular spot in winter for viewing migrating gray whales. Shuttle buses (fee) depart regularly then from the Drake’s Beach visitor center.
Drake's Beach offers easy beach access. The Ken Patrick Visitor Center here has maritime history displays and a 250-gallon salt water aquarium.
On Tomales Point, a herd of approximately 450 elk is often seen grazing in the Tule Elk Reserve. Found only in California and once hunted almost to extinction, these elk are descended from a group of 10 brought here in 1978. Late summer is rutting season, when the males “bugle” to attract females. The Historic Pierce Point Ranch is open for a self-guided tour of its buildings, including a barn, bunkhouse, and blacksmith shop. This area is dotted with historic ranches that were once part of a Mexican land grant and that now are leased from the park. Cows are plentiful, and it is refreshing to see them out here in the wide-open green spaces instead of stuffed into a stinky dirt feedlot.
The Point Reyes National Seashore Association offers seminars and classes in natural history, environmental education, photography, and art. To request a free catalog, call (415) 663-1200.
View the NPS Point Reyes Natuional Seashore webcam. Positioned at the lighthouse, when the webcam shows good weather, it is generally also excellent everywhere else on the seashore.
2020 pandemic update: During this period when we are emerging from shutdown, we need to carefully consider activities to feed our spirit. Always visit a destination's website to check current pandemic regulations and schedules.
Some parts of this park are temporarily closed. Check the website for most recent information. I enjoyed walking the Kule Loklo trail and didn't run into anyone going or returning. Blessedly, clean restrooms are open across from the Bear Valley visitors center.
More pandemic updates.
Things to do in nearby Point Reyes Station.
More ideas for exploring Northern California.
images c2018 and 2020 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
Known for its beaches and hiking trails, this 71,000-acre refuge has plenty of other interesting things for visitors to do. Point Reyes National Seashore has 147 miles of hiking trails, most of which are open to horses. Mountain bikes are permitted on some trails, and walk-in backpacking campsites are available by reservation for a fee ((415) 663-8054). Guided trail rides, buggy rides, hayrides, and overnight pack trips are available at nearby Five Brooks Stables.
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| Bear Valley Visitor Center at Point Reyes National Seashore in Olema, California |
Many activities cluster around the Park Headquarters. The Bear Valley Visitor Center houses a working seismograph and a variety of nature displays. The Morgan Horse Ranch, where pack and trail animals are trained, is adjacent. (The Morgan was the first American horse breed.) A short unpaved path leads to Kule Loklo, a Coast Miwok Indian village that has been replicated using the same types of tools and materials as the Native Americans themselves originally used. Two short and easy loop trails begin here. The .5-mile self-guided Woodpecker Trail leads through forest and meadows and features interpretive signs describing plants and animals, and the .6-mile-long self-guided Earthquake Trail follows the San Andreas fault and passes a spot where the Pacific plate moved 16 feet north in about 45 seconds during the infamous 1906 earthquake. Additionally, the popular 4.1-mile Bear Valley Trail winds through meadows, fern grottoes, and forests before ending at the ocean.
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| Kule Loklo Coast Miwok Indian village at Point Reyes National Seashore in Olema, California |
To reach scenic Limantour Beach, after you leave the visitors center take Bear Valley Road, turn left and drive 1.3 miles to Limantour Road and turn left (this is by a hostel). An easy 1-mile trail leads on to Limantour Spit where Drakes Bay will be to your left and the Estero to your right.
The 1870 Point Reyes Lighthouse is about 20 miles away from headquarters, in the Inverness area. Winds have been recorded blowing here at 133 miles per hour--the highest rate in the continental U.S. The bottom line is that it can get mighty windy, cold, and wet at this scenic spot. The lighthouse is reached by maneuvering 300 steps down the side of a steep, rocky cliff. It is a popular spot in winter for viewing migrating gray whales. Shuttle buses (fee) depart regularly then from the Drake’s Beach visitor center.
Drake's Beach offers easy beach access. The Ken Patrick Visitor Center here has maritime history displays and a 250-gallon salt water aquarium.
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| car on desolate road passes cows at Point Reyes National Seashore in Olema, California |
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| sign at Drakes Beach at Point Reyes National Seashore in Olema, California |
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| Drakes Beach at Point Reyes National Seashore in Olema, California |
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| whale skeleton display at Ken Patrick Visitor Center at Point Reyes National Seashore in Olema, California |
On Tomales Point, a herd of approximately 450 elk is often seen grazing in the Tule Elk Reserve. Found only in California and once hunted almost to extinction, these elk are descended from a group of 10 brought here in 1978. Late summer is rutting season, when the males “bugle” to attract females. The Historic Pierce Point Ranch is open for a self-guided tour of its buildings, including a barn, bunkhouse, and blacksmith shop. This area is dotted with historic ranches that were once part of a Mexican land grant and that now are leased from the park. Cows are plentiful, and it is refreshing to see them out here in the wide-open green spaces instead of stuffed into a stinky dirt feedlot.
 |
| close-up of cows at Point Reyes National Seashore in Olema, California |
The Point Reyes National Seashore Association offers seminars and classes in natural history, environmental education, photography, and art. To request a free catalog, call (415) 663-1200.
View the NPS Point Reyes Natuional Seashore webcam. Positioned at the lighthouse, when the webcam shows good weather, it is generally also excellent everywhere else on the seashore.
2020 pandemic update: During this period when we are emerging from shutdown, we need to carefully consider activities to feed our spirit. Always visit a destination's website to check current pandemic regulations and schedules.
Some parts of this park are temporarily closed. Check the website for most recent information. I enjoyed walking the Kule Loklo trail and didn't run into anyone going or returning. Blessedly, clean restrooms are open across from the Bear Valley visitors center.
More pandemic updates.
Things to do in nearby Point Reyes Station.
More ideas for exploring Northern California.
images c2018 and 2020 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
updated 7-4-20
Will be in the Bay area in August. I just found out it us 1 hour and 20 minutes from where I will be. Doable!
ReplyDeleteA great choice of activities here. I love the idea of walking along the San Adreas Fault!
ReplyDelete