10 Amazing Things To Do In Point Reyes You Need To Check Out

Point Reyes is one of the most other-worldly places you can find along California’s coast. If you’re looking for some unique outdoorsy things to do, Point Reyes is an excellent destination for it.

Located just north of San Francisco, is a stunning and diverse coastal area known for its rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, and diverse wildlife. It is also quite a huge space, allowing wildlife to maintain a safe distance away from humans so that they can thrive.

This untouched landscape really blew my mind when I visited Point Reyes as part of a California road trip, and I highly recommend it for outdoor enthusiasts. If you’re ever in the Bay Area, you need to check this out!

In this article, I’ll share about the amazing things to do in Point Reyes so that you can have the best outdoor experience here. Come and witness the landscapes created by tectonic plate movements, and the incredible wildlife displays in Point Reyes.

What are the best things to do in Point Reyes

If you like learning about geography, going to Point Reyes will feel like you’re going on a field trip.

You can see on the map that Point Reyes has an odd triangular shape that appears to be sliding past the mainland. That’s actually because Point Reyes is located on a totally different tectonic plate and has indeed been moving southwards slowly over the years.

Overall, Point Reyes is an excellent destination for a day trip from San Francisco. Let’s see how we can explore this amazing landscape!

1. Visit the iconic Point Reyes Lighthouse

Visit the iconic Point Reyes Lighthouse, perched on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The views are breathtaking, and you might even spot migrating gray whales during the winter months.

This beacon has been guiding ships along the dangerous coastline since 1870 and you can even take the steps down to the lighthouse. It’s extra moody when it gets foggy, as you can imagine the conditions that ships had to navigate through in the past.

Do note that the stairs down to the lighthouse close at 4pm, so it’s better to visit earlier rather than later. Nonetheless, you can still access the observation deck at the top for sunset.

Along the way, you’ll pass by the South Beach Overlook and Leaning Tree before arriving at the Point Reyes Lighthouse. Overall, it’s a scenic spot and only requires a short walk from the parking lot. It can get a bit windy here though, so bring layers to stay warm.

2. Look out for Tule Elk on Tomales Point Trail

Embark on the Tomales Point Trail, an amazing hiking experience that leads you through the untouched beauty of Point Reyes National Seashore. This trail stretches along the peninsula all the way to Tomales Point, where Tule elk, deer and other wildlife roam freely in their natural habitat.

At the end of the trail, you’re rewarded with a view of the Tomales Bay to the east and the expansive Pacific Ocean to the west. It’s truly a feast for the eyes that captures that essence of Point Reyes.

Each season brings a unique thing to look out for. For example, in spring you get to enjoy wildflower blooms. In fall you may get to see the Tule elk in their mating season where they will be rutting.

For safety reasons, make sure not to get too close to bluffs as many of the cliffs in Point Reyes are unstable and prone to collapsing. When in doubt, just stay close to the main trail.

This round trip hike is 9.4 miles (15 km) in total if you’re going all the way to the northern end of the peninsula. That took us roughly 4 hours, though you can choose to turn around after 2 to 3 miles instead of going all the way to 4.7 miles one-way. Do also bring sufficient water and snacks, as there are limited amenities along the trail.

3. Relax on Limantour Beach with a picnic

Limantour Beach is a serene coastal haven known for its expansive sandy shores and tidal pools. It’s popular for taking leisurely strolls along the beach as you admire the view of the coast. It is easily accessible as there are parking lots nearby as well as vault toilets.

You can also pack a picnic and enjoy it on the beach. Do keep an eye out for birds and seals and be sure to carry any trash out with you to protect the wildlife. It may get windy here too, so bring a sweater.

4. Hike to Alamere Falls

One of the most popular hiking trails in Point Reyes is the hike to Alamere Falls from Palomarin Trailhead. It is a long trail that may be moderately challenging, though the reward of seeing Alamere Falls is worth the effort. This 40-foot-tall (12 m) waterfall flows directly to the beach, which is not something you normally get to see up close.

The round trip hike from Palomarin trailhead covers 13.7 miles (22 km) and takes approximately 6.5 hours with an elevation gain of 1,817 ft (554 m). You can also consider starting the hike to Alamere Falls from Five Brooks or Bear Valley Visitor Center if the Palomarin trailhead parking lots are full.

Make sure to check the timing of tides before walking on the beaches to avoid getting stranded against a cliff. It’s also safer to stay away from the cliffs because of the risk of falling rocks. Aside from that, make sure to prepare sufficiently for the hike by looking up the route and using a proper hiking backpack that’s comfortable enough to hold your food, water and jacket.

5. Enjoy a peaceful day at Drakes Beach

Drakes Beach is a tranquil area with a pristine stretch of coastline. Unlike the shores that face west, it is relatively calm as the waves are not as rough here. This is another beach that is easy to drive to, and there are picnic tables for you to spend the day at as well.

Here’s a fun fact – the surrounding cliffs are made of sandstone, and this area was once submerged underwater as the seabed. Isn’t nature and geography so cool!

Seals often frequent this beach as well, and at times there are seasonal closures here to protect them in their weaning phase. This usually happens from December to March, so do check for beach closures while planning your visit.

6. Admire scenic viewpoints along Chimney Rock trail

You can find the Chimney Rock trail not too far away from the Point Reyes Lighthouse. It offers scenic coastal views from the bluffs and is only 1.8 miles (2.9 km) long, requiring just 40 minutes to 1 hour and minimal elevation gain.

This place is also excellent for viewing spring wildflowers against the backdrop of Drakes Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Although there is no beach access, you may be able to see migrating gray whales from March to May.

7. Appreciate wildlife at Elephant Seal Overlook

You can also combine the Chimney Rock trail with a visit to the Elephant Seal Overlook as it is accessible from the same parking lot. The trail is relatively flat and leads you to a viewpoint that looks out to Drakes beach. Although it’s possible to see the elephant seals through the year, December to March is the best time to see them as that’s the time they return to mate and reproduce.

Bring binoculars along for a closer look if you have one. If you listen carefully, you can also hear the seals from the overlook.

8. Take a stroll at Abbotts Lagoon

Take a stroll around Abbotts Lagoon, especially during bird migration seasons. There are actually 3 parts to this coastal lagoon, and as you get close to the ocean the water gets saltier. You can choose to hike from the lagoon to Point Reyes Beach, which involves walking across footbridges and sand dunes. It is fairly easy with a round trip distance of 2.8 miles (4.5 km). That should take around 1.5 hours if you’re going at a leisurely pace.

9. Try beachside camping at Coast Campground

Beachside camping in Point Reyes’ Coast Campground is an excellent way to try out backpacking as the campsites require you to hike in. That means that you will need to bring your camping gear with you and hike to your campsite.

I also think it’s one of the best places to go camping in the winter because there are lower chances of fog and you get the beach all to yourself. I recommend camping at Coast Campground because the trail to get to camp is not too long, and you can access Santa Maria Beach easily from the campsite.

There are a few ways of hiking into Coast Camp:

1. Laguna Trailhead to Coast Camp (1.8 miles) – Most direct but slightly uphill, sometimes wet terrain
2. Coast Trailhead to Coast Camp (2.7 miles) – Flatter but longer
3. Limountour Beach to Coast Camp (1.4 miles) – More scenic but requires walking on the beach

We chose to go via Laguna Trailhead the first time as that was the most direct route that doesn’t involve walking on the beach. It’s actually quite a challenge to walk far when you’re walking on sand. If it’s been raining or you prefer a flatter route, try hiking in via Coast Trailhead.

Pro tip: The best sites in Coast Camp are between 1 to 7 as they are more private and might have a sea view.

10. Walk through the Cypress Tree Tunnel

On your way to the Point Reyes Lighthouse, make sure to drop by the iconic Cypress Tree Tunnel. You can either drive or walk through it, and is an excellent spot for photography. This natural arch is best photographed in the early morning or late afternoon as the sunlight will not be so harsh.

How to get to Point Reyes

The main contact point in Point Reyes National Seashore is in Bear Valley Visitor Center, where you can enquire about trails and campgrounds. It’s also a great stop to stretch your legs and learn more about Point Reyes before proceeding further in. You can find various ways of travelling within the park through this official page.

Bear Valley Visitor Center is located roughly 30 miles north of San Francisco, just off Highway 1. This map belwo from the NPS provides a simple way to visualise the routes.

Although you could take public transportation from San Rafael to Bear Valley Visitor Center, it highly limits your flexibility in exploring other parts of Point Reyes.

Driving directions from San Francisco to Bear Valley Visitor Center:

• Take US-101 N from San Francisco to cross the Golden Gate Bridge.
• After 9 miles, take exit 450B towards San Anselmo, merging onto Sir Francis Drake Boulevard.
• Turn right onto CA-1 N once you reach Olema.
• Shortly after, you’ll come to the intersection with Bear Valley Road.
• Turn left and follow signs towards “Visitor Center; Headquarters; Information”.
• After passing by a red barn on the left, turn left and bear left towards Bear Valley Visitor Center.

What to pack and wear to Point Reyes

• Layered Clothing: Coastal weather can be unpredictable. Bring layers, including a windproof jacket, to stay comfortable.
• Sturdy Hiking Shoes: If you plan to explore the trails, comfortable and sturdy hiking shoes are essential.
• Water and Snacks: Stay hydrated during your outdoor activities. Carry a reusable water bottle and pack some snacks.
• Sun Protection: Bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun, especially if you’ll be spending time on the beaches or trails.
• Binoculars and Camera: Capture the stunning views and wildlife encounters. Binoculars are handy for birdwatching and spotting distant wildlife.
• Daypack: A small backpack can be useful for carrying essentials and any items you pick up during your explorations.

Best time to visit Point Reyes

The best time to visit Point Reyes is during late spring to early summer from April to June when the weather is mild and wildflowers are blooming.

Spring (March to May):

• Wildflowers are in bloom, and the weather is generally mild though it can be windy.
• Migratory birds are active, making it an excellent time for birdwatching.

Summer (June to August):

• Dense fog that usually goes away by afternoon.
• Warm and dry weather for coastal activities and hiking.
• Considered the peak tourist season, so some areas may be busier.

Fall (September to November):

• Relatively clearer weather with less fog.
• Mild temperatures, occasional storms and fewer crowds.
• Good time for hiking and wildlife watching.

Winter (December to February):

• Most rainy time of the year.
• Ideal for observing elephant seals and migrating gray whales.
• Cooler temperatures, so dress accordingly.

Weather in Point Reyes

Here are some tables and charts for the weather in Point Reyes in both Fahrenheit and Celcius.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Rainfall (inches)	4.1	5.4	4.1	2.6	0.8	0.4	0	0	0.3	1.9	2.9	6.3
Daily Low (°F)	40	42	43	44	47	50	52	52	51	49	44	40
Daily High (°F)	58	61	64	65	68	72	73	73	74	72	65	56

Additional tips for visiting Point Reyes

• Check Trail Conditions: Before heading out, check for any beach or trail closures on the Point Reyes National Seashore website.
• Wildlife Etiquette: Respect wildlife by maintaining a safe distance and observing from a distance. Follow park guidelines for wildlife viewing.
• Weather Preparedness: Coastal weather can change rapidly. Bring layers and check the weather forecast before your visit.
• Parking Considerations: Some popular destinations may have limited parking. Arrive early or consider visiting during weekdays to avoid crowds.
• Visitor Center Visit: Start your visit at the Bear Valley Visitor Center for up-to-date information, maps, and guidance from park rangers.
• Pack Out What You Pack In: Help preserve the natural beauty by carrying out all your trash and leaving no trace.