Point Reyes National Seashore contains unique elements of biological and historical interest in a spectacularly scenic panorama of thunderous ocean breakers, open grasslands, bushy hillsides and forested ridges.
Native land mammals number about 37 species and marine mammals augment this total by another dozen species. The biological diversity stems from a favorable location in the middle of California and the natural occurrence of many distinct habitats. Nearly 20% of the State's flowering plant species are represented on the peninsula and over 45% of the bird species in North America have been sighted.
The Basics
Location:
35 miles north of San Francisco
Hours:
The park is open daily (with overnight camping available by permit only) from sunrise to sunset throughout the year.
Visitor Center hours are as follows:
Bear Valley Visitor Center, weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., weekends and holidays 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.;
Lighthouse Visitor Center, Thursday through Monday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Lighthouse stairs and exhibits (weather permitting), 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Lens Room open as weather & staffing permit. All Lighthouse facilities closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays;
Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center, weekends and holidays, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
All Visitor Centers are closed December 25. Visitor Centers may close at 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. Call 415-464-5100 for hours of operation on these holidays.
Season:
Open year-round, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday & Sunday 8am to 5pm.
Address:
Point Reyes National Seashore
Point Reyes, CA 94956
Point Reyes is located approximately 35 miles north of San Francisco on Highway 1 along the west coast of California. Travelers may approach the park from the winding scenic Highway 1, either northbound or southbound. You can also reach the park via Sir Francis Drake Boulevard or Point Reyes/Petaluma Road.
Climate
Warm, dry summers and cool rainy winters characterize the Point Reyes Peninsula's climate, similar to the type of climate that prevails on the Mediterranean.
No Entrance Fees. Camping fees start at $15 per night per site.
Things To Do
There are many activities in which visitors may participate during their trip to Point Reyes. We recommend that visitors stop by the Bear Valley Visitor Center as they enter the National Seashore in order to get better oriented to the park and to find out what activities are available during their stay. Visitors interested in learning more about the human and natural history of the Point Reyes area can participate in free ranger-led programs. Leisurely drives wind their way over Inverness Ridge and through the pastoral lands to beaches, to the historic lighthouse, and to wildlife viewing areas, such as the tule elk range on Tomales Point or the Elephant Seal Overlook near Chimney Rock. Birdwatching is exceptional throughout the seashore, especially during fall and spring migrations. The Point Reyes headlands and park beaches are excellent places to view the annual gray whale migration, which is best from January through April. Many visitors enjoy picnicking at beaches or at some beautiful vista along the park’s trails. Over 140 miles of trail beckon hikers, mountain bikers, and horse riders to explore the backcountry. NOTE: Some restrictions apply to trail usage by bikers and horses, so please pick up free park maps with specific trails marked at a visitor center.
Hiking
The National Seashore has over 225 kilometers (140 miles) of hiking trails to explore. Trail maps for the north district trails and south district trails are available at the Bear Valley Visitor Center. There are many ways to customize your hike to accommodate your physical and time limitations. Stop by the Bear Valley Visitor Center for current trail information and suggested hikes.
To keep your adventure safe and enjoyable, and to protect park resources, please observe the following:
Observe trails: Stay on trails to prevent erosion as well as to avoid poison oak, stinging nettles and ticks. Do not shortcut on switchbacks. Please do not enter closed areas. They are closed for your safety and resource protection.
Caution along cliffs: Stay away from cliff edges. Loose soil can give way suddenly and you may fall. Do not climb cliffs.
Clothing: Dress appropriately. Wear layered clothing and be prepared for changing conditions.
Food & water: Always carry food and water for longer hikes. Dehydration is a common cause of exhaustion, fatigue and headaches.
Drinking water: The protozoan Giardia lamblia may be present in natural sources of water and can cause severe illness. Do not drink water from streams and all other natural sources without treating. Water may be treated by boiling, filtering, or using iodine or other chemical water purifiers. Potable drinking water is available at visitor centers and in campgrounds.
Horses: If horses are passing on the trail, step to the downhill side and greet the rider so the horse knows you are there; do not touch the animals.
Trail information: There may be trail closures in effect. Please check at the visitor center before heading out on the trails.
Point Reyes National Seashore offers many ways for visitors to learn more about the park. Ranger-guided programs give visitors the opportunity to explore the wonders of Point Reyes with a Park Ranger. Programs are offered each weekend on both Saturdays and Sundays.
The Point Reyes National Seashore Association offers Field Seminars. Whether it's a natural history trail walk, a photography or art class led by one of our nationally (and internationally) known professionals, or a simple family outing for a fun adventure in nature, the Point Reyes Field Seminars offer something for everyone.
The Miwok Archeological Preserve of Marin (MAPOM) is a Park Partner. They support Kule Loklo, the reconstructed Indian village at the Park, with volunteers, demonstrators of California Indian skills, and financial support for festivals. They provide adult classes in California Indian skills in the spring and fall. For more information, contact Sylvia Thalman via email or via snail mail at MAPOM; PO Box 481; Novato, CA 94948.
Outdoor Bird and Wildlife Viewing
Point Reyes National Seashore is home to wide diversity of wildlife. Nearly forty species of land mammals and at least a dozen species of marine mammals may be seen here. Birders scouring the Point Reyes peninsula have identified nearly half of the bird species found in North America. The park is home to one of the largest populations of tule elk and hosts a thriving breeding ground for the once nearly extinct elephant seal. Jutting 10 miles into the Pacific Ocean, Point Reyes offers one of the best spots for viewing the migrations of the California gray whale. Nearly half the park has been designated as a Wilderness Area. Quite possibly, you may encounter wildlife during your visit to Point Reyes. But there are no guarantees when it comes to wildlife watching. Even if you set out to see a particular species, you may not see it at all.
The key to experiencing the wildlife and the wilderness at Point Reyes is to take your time and to find a quiet space to do it. And above all, be aware of your surroundings. But finding wildlife isn’t very difficult, if you aren’t too particular. Just by stepping out the door of the Bear Valley Visitor Center you are likely to see gophers or gopher snakes, Turkey Vultures or Great Blue Herons. You might even notice native black-tailed deer or the non-native, often white, fallow deer. However, the best wildlife watching requires patience and the willingness to venture out on the trails, just to enjoy the surroundings. It also requires a sense of ethics. Everything we do may affect wildlife and wild lands.
Wildlife watching is more than a momentary pleasure. It is a practice that can sharpen your senses and teach you about relationships between living things and the earth. It may cultivate an understanding of your own relationship to other living things, strengthening your bond to nature. Ultimately, it can awaken a sense of responsibility for the wild lands and the wildlife protected here at Point Reyes National Seashore and beyond.
Abbotts Lagoon
The easy 1.5-mile trail takes you past a fresh water pond to a footbridge crossing the brackish lagoon. If you continue along the sandy lagoon shoreline, you will be rewarded by the dramatic views of the open ocean and along the Great Beach. The three different water sources provide diverse habitats for the wildlife in the Abbotts Lagoon area. This is one of the best fall and winter birding sites in the park; shorebirds, waterfowl, sparrows, hawks and osprey are commonly sighted. Consider yourself one of the fortunate if you spot a Golden Eagle or a Peregrine Falcon eyeing the shorebirds!
Drakes Estero
A 1-mile, downhill walk through a deserted Christmas tree farm provides the observant hiker opportunity to see owls perched in the pine trees. Further along the trail is a footbridge, which offers an excellent vantage point from which to view wading egrets and herons, many species of shorebirds, as well as hawks and osprey. Drakes Estero offers the best birding opportunities during the fall migration and winter layover. When the mudflats are exposed at low tide, a plethora of life on a much smaller scale is visible. Crabs and other invertebrates scampering on rocks and in the mud below the footbridge may be seen playing their part in nature's vast food web. The largest harbor seal breeding colony in Point Reyes (and 20% of California's mainland harbor seal population) can be seen at Drakes Estero.
Elephant Seal Overlook
From December through March a breeding colony of elephant seals can be observed from this excellent vantage point above beautiful Drakes Bay. Elephant seals, hunted nearly to extinction, have made a remarkable comeback. These marine mammals spend almost all their lives in the deep ocean waters, diving to depths of a mile in search of food. Adult male elephant seals, which can weigh up to 5,000 pounds, have a huge overhanging proboscis (nose), hence their name. The males are the first to arrive here, in December, to stake out a claim on the beach. Then pregnant females begin to arrive and soon give birth to a single pup. Subadult and juvenile animals arrive and the colony can number close to one hundred animals.
From the Overlook you can witness the fascinating behavior of these animals, including male dominance contests, birthing of pups and the interactions of mothers and pups. You will hear the distinctive vocalizations of females, pups and the powerful trumpeting of the adult males (bulls) which can be heard for over a mile.
During weekends and holidays, highly trained docents staff the Overlook. They have binoculars, spotting scopes, and a wealth of information to share with you.
Five Brooks Pond
Five Brooks Trailhead is an excellent observation area for birds and winter-run salmon. No one knows the origin of the name "Five Brooks" but five seasonally appearing creeks empty into Olema Creek within a one-mile section near the current trailhead. A 110-lot subdivision was once planned for this area which now provides habitat for Pileated Woodpeckers, swallows, warblers, and thrushes. The pond was a mill pond for the Sweet Lumber Company which harvested trees at Five Brooks between 1956 and 1963. Today the pond provides a winter resting-place for Green-backed Herons, Grebes, Hooded Mergansers, and Ring-necked Ducks. In the early evenings, bats may be seen swooping over the pond in search of their daily insect meals. Salmon working their way up Olema Creek may be viewed from the bridge at the immediate entrance to the trailhead area during the winter run, approximately December through February.
Five Brooks is located on Highway 1 approximately five miles south of the Bear Valley Visitor Center.
Lighthouse
At the end of California's longest peninsula, the Point Reyes Lighthouse offers a spectacular place from which to view wildlife. Turkey Vultures, ravens, and hawks are regulars. Peregrine Falcons are a treat to see. A colony of approximately 12,000 common Murres has established itself on the rocks north of the Lighthouse and can be viewed from the observation deck above the Lighthouse during the spring/summer nesting season. The cypress trees along the walkway to the Lighthouse are good "bird traps." On foggy days during the fall migration, unusual songbirds, warblers, and grosbeaks may be seen. Land mammals such as native black-tailed deer are commonly seen; gray foxes and long-tailed weasels are occasionally seen. Marine mammals such as harbor seals and sea lions are a thrill to watch when sunning themselves on the rocks or diving and feeding in the open ocean. Whether it's sunny and clear or foggy and wet, the gray whale migration occurs January through early May. Gray whales swim about 5 mph, 24 hours a day with a 4 to 7 week layover (late January through early March) in Baja California and are most frequently seen from the Lighthouse area in mid-January and mid-March. The last to leave Baja are the cows and calves. Therefore, they are the last northbound whales to be seen, April through early May.
Olema Marsh
Olema Marsh is one of the largest freshwater marsh areas in Marin County and is a peaceful birdwatching spot. Once a part of the nearby Bear Valley dairy ranch, the milking barn has been converted to a park residence. (Please do not disturb tenants.) Kingfishers and Red-winged Blackbirds are common among the tules and cattails. In autumn, migratory water birds rest in the marsh. It is a good spot for migratory water birds in winter. During high tides, egrets and herons may be seen feeding. Olema Marsh is located off Bear Valley Road, about two miles north of the Bear Valley Visitor Center.
Sea Lion Overlook
Follow the steep 54-step staircase down the side of a cliff and look straight down. It might appear to be a rocky shoreline, but keep looking and listening. If a "rock" moves or barks, it's probably a California sea lion! Sea lions have hair and blubber to keep them warm, but they need to haul out on the rocks to sun themselves and get warm between forays into the 53-degree ocean water. Sea lions may be seen and heard year-round at this site. Sea lions can be easily distinguished from harbor seals because they are much larger and can use their back flippers to move easily. Harbor seals are unable to rotate the pelvis and therefore must travel on their bellies. Sea lions also have external ear flaps. In the spring, you may see nesting Brandt's Cormorants. They are bigger than the Double-crested And Pelagic Cormorants, and have bright blue throat pouches during breeding season. This is a good gray whale watching site, especially in April when the cows and calves swim close to the coastline on their northbound migration.
Tule Elk Preserve
The tule elk herds had virtually disappeared by 1860, 13 years before the state awarded them complete protection. In the spring of 1978, two bulls and eight cows were brought in from the San Luis Island Wildlife Refuge near Los Banos. The elk were contained within a temporary, 3-acre enclosure to allow for adjustment to their new surroundings. That summer, six of the cows bore calves. In the fall, 17 elk were released from the enclosure on Tomales Point to 2,600 acres of open grassland and coastal scrub. By the summer of 1988, the population was at 93 animals. The population census taken in 2000 counted over 400 elk.
Horseback Riding
Horses and other pack animals are permitted on most established trails and beaches at Point Reyes National Seashore. They may not travel off trail because conditions are not maintained for their safety, and their presence can negatively impact the environment. Stop by a Visitor Center for a trail map.
Safety and Etiquette
Stinging nettle is a common plant at Point Reyes National Seashore. Horses can react strongly if they are stung by this plant's small needle-like hairs. In extreme cases, horses have died after extensive exposure to this plant. Some trails may be overgrown at certain times of the year with nettle. Both horse and rider should avoid this plant. The best way to do this is to stay on the trail.
Horse riding etiquette and rules for safety at Point Reyes National Seashore are the same as at other parks:
Carry plenty of water!
Always take a trail map with you. Study the map carefully before beginning your trip so that you will know the names and locations of trails. In the event of an accident, this will assist rangers in locating the injured party quicker.
It is best not to ride alone. In case of an accident, send someone to the nearest visitor center or ranger station or call 911. Give a good description of your location and the nature of injury to both horse and rider.
Allow plenty of time for your ride. Trails over Inverness Ridge can be steep and physically stressful for your horse. Plan adequate rest stops.
Please share the trail. Horses have the right of way: hikers yield to horses and are asked to stand on the downhill side of slopes, and bicyclists yield to both horses and hikers.
Remain alert. Remember that interactions can occur with little warning on curves and hills. Slow your horse to a walk when encountering other trail users.
To control erosion and lessen impact, do not short-cut trails or switchbacks.
Do not leave pack animals unattended for extended periods of time in campground areas, unless you are camping at the site and have obtained a permit for overnight use.
Areas Closed to Horses and Pack Animals
On Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, the following trails (Map) are closed to horses and pack animals:
Bear Valley Trail between the Mt. Wittenberg Trail and Glen Trail junctions
Meadow Trail and Old Pine Trail
Horses and pack animals are not allowed in the following areas at any time:
Drakes Beach
Self-guided interpretive trails such as the Earthquake Trail, the Woodpecker Trail, or Kule Loklo
Dunes and vegetated areas on beaches.
Off trail in campgrounds, picnic areas or vicinity.
The following areas have seasonal closures:
Dunes and areas above the high tide line on the Great Beach are closed June 15 - September 15 to protect the nests of the endangered snowy plovers.
Elephant seals occur on the southern portion of South Beach during winter and spring seasons. This area is closed when seals are present. The Marine Mammal Protection Act requires that you stay at least 90 meters (100 yards) away from any marine mammal you encounter.
Llamas are prohibited from all areas that are inhabited by tule elk.
Trail conditions vary throughout the year. Check with the Bear Valley Visitor Center before your ride for current trail information and special closures.
Camping with Horses and Pack Animals
Camping is by permit only in three established campgrounds. Permits must be obtained at the Bear Valley Visitor Center before starting your trip. Reservations are recommended and can be made in person at the Bear Valley Visitor Center.
The maximum number of horses or pack animals permitted overnight at Sky, Coast and Wildcat Campgrounds is six. Horses are not permitted over-night at Glen Camp. Llamas are not permitted at Coast Campground.
Pack animals and horses must be tied to hitching rails. Do not hitch animals to water supply faucets or picnic tables.
Grazing in the wilderness areas is prohibited. All feed for the animals must be packed in with you. In order to control the spread of non-native plants, please bring in only weed-free feed.
There is usually potable water available at each of the camps from faucets. Sky and Wildcat Campgrounds also have a water trough for horses and pack animals.
Overnight camping is also available at Stewart's Horse Camp. This is a privately managed camp located on Highway 1, 0.4 kilometer (1/4 mile) north of Five Brooks Trailhead.
Popular Trail Rides
From Bear Valley
Arch Rock. Take Bear Valley Trail. This is the most direct and level route to the ocean from this trailhead. Bear Valley Trail is not open to horses on weekends and holidays beyond the Mt. Wittenburg trail junction. Easy. 13.1 kilometers / 8.2 miles.
Mt. Wittenberg. Take Horse Trail to Z Ranch Trail to Mt. Wittenberg Trail to Bear Valley Trail to trailhead. Horse Trail begins behind the pastures used by the Morgan Horse Ranch, between the ranch and Kule Loklo. Please do not take horses into the Kule Loklo village. Moderate. 8.8 kilometers / 5.5 miles.
Inverness Ridge. Take Bear Valley Trail to Wittenberg Trail to Sky Trail to Coast Trail to Bear Valley Trail to trailhead. Strenuous. 17.3 kilometers / 10.8 miles.
Coastal Ride. Take Bear Valley Trail to Mt. Wittenberg Trail to Sky Trail to Woodward Valley Trail to Coast Trail to Fire Lane Trail to Sky Trail to Horse Trail to trailhead. Access to beach at Coast Camp. Strenuous. 20.3 kilometers / 12.7 miles.
From Five Brooks Trailhead
San Andreas Fault. Rift Zone Trail to Bear Valley and back. Mostly flat trail with cattle gates; can be extremely muddy during rainy season. Easy. 13.8 kilometers / 8.6 miles.
Wildcat Beach. Stewart Trail to Wildcat Camp and back. Access to beach at the camp. Return loops can be quite a variety of combinations. Moderate to Strenuous. 21.4 kilometers / 13.4 miles.
Lakes Tour. Olema Valley Trail to Bolema Trail to Lake Ranch Trail to Coast Trail to Wildcat Camp/Beach to Stewart Trail to Greenpicker Trail to Stewart Trail to trailhead. Strenuous. 22.6 kilometers / 14.1 miles.
Point Reyes National Seashore provides a variety of off-road biking opportunities traversing diverse habitats and terrains. You can explore trails through evergreen forests, coastal scrub, or along estuaries and beach bluffs.
Visitor Centers offer a free map of the park's trails, indicating which trails are designated for bike travel. Point Reyes permits biking only outside of wilderness areas along emergency access/dirt fire roads, paved roads and a few single-track trails.
Bicycles may be rented in Point Reyes Station.
Horseback riders have right-of-way on the trails with hikers coming second. Bicyclists must yield to both of these trail user groups. Be aware that many horses are easily spooked when approached from behind. Reduce your speed when approaching horses or hikers. When approaching from behind, announce your presence. Stop on the downhill side of the trail while horses pass. The speed limit on all trails, even when headed downhill, is 15 mph. Be courteous. If trails are dry and dusty, slow down even more so as not to leave hikers in a cloud of dust.
The maximum number of bicyclists in any one group is 10. Larger groups of cyclists will have to divide into groups no larger than 10. This size restriction is necessary for the safety of cyclists using public roadways and authorized trails within the Park. These roadways and trails are narrow and winding and will not safely accommodate large numbers of bicyclists.
Caution -loose dirt and gravel cover many of the trails. This slick surface can be difficult to maneuver in and can make for easy slide outs. The loose dirt can also hide potholes. These technical riding surfaces challenge even the most experienced bikers. Always wear a helmet, a long-sleeved shirt and long pants.
Although most visitors consider Point Reyes National Seashore to be primarily a park at which to enjoy the outdoors, there are three Visitor Centers in which one can find shelter and learn more about Point Reyes during inclement weather. In the Visitor Centers, one will find informative exhibits about the natural and cultural history of the Point Reyes area.
During inclement weather, visitors may also wish to visit the Jack Mason Museum in Inverness or the Bolinas Museum in Bolinas. There are also numerous art galleries in the vicinity.
Visitors may also request and view a number of audio-visual programs at the Bear Valley Visitor Center. Topics range from the Point Reyes lighthouse to birding.
Nearby Attractions
National Park Service Areas
Stinson Beach - Golden Gate National Recreation Area, 22 km / 14 miles
Muir Woods National Monument, 37 km / 23 miles
Fort Baker - Golden Gate National Recreation Area, 50 km / 31 miles
Marin Headlands Visitor Center - Golden Gate National Recreation Area, 56 km / 35 miles
Fort Point National Historic Site, 53 km / 33 miles
The Presidio of San Francisco - Golden Gate National Recreation Area, 54 km / 34 miles
Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail at the Presidio, 54 km / 34 miles
Pacific West Regional Information Center at Fort Mason - Golden Gate National Recreation Area, 56 km / 35 miles
San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park, 58 km / 36 miles
Alcatraz Island, 58 km / 36 miles
Rosie the Riveter / World War II Home Front National Historical Park, 48 km / 30 miles
John Muir National Historic Site, 75 km / 47 miles
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, 88 km / 55 miles
Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site, 96 km / 60 miles
Pinnacles National Monument, ~255 km / ~160 miles
Area Parks - California State Parks
Tomales Bay State Park, 11 km / 7 miles
Samuel P. Taylor State Park, 11 km / 7 miles
Mount Tamalpais State Park, 34 km / 21 miles
Area Parks - Marin County
White House Pool, 3 km / 2 miles
Agate Beach County Park, 21 km / 13 miles
Miller Park Boat Launch, 26 km / 16 miles
Marin County Parks, 1 - 48 km /1 - 30 miles
Marin County Open Space District, 16 - 48 km /10 - 30 miles
Marin Municipal Water District, 16 - 40 km /10 - 25 miles
Conference & Education Centers . . . Point Reyes Field Seminars, 100 m / 100 yards
Clem Miller Environmental Education Center, 13 km / 8 miles
Point Reyes Bird Observatory, 24 km / 15 miles
Miwok Archeological Preserve of Marin, 37 km / 23 miles
Upon arriving at Point Reyes National Seashore, many visitors stop by the Bear Valley Visitor Center. Here one can obtain information on current weather, road and trail conditions, or watch one of the orientation films. You can also pick up a camping permit here if you wish to stay overnight in one of the Seashore's campgrounds. In the immediate vicinity of the Bear Valley Visitor Center are a few short nature trails and other interpretive exhibits. A few of the more popular hiking trails start here as well.
Beyond the Bear Valley Visitor Center are roads that lead to beaches, trailheads, and other points of interest, such as the Lighthouse and Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Centers, and the Tomales Point Elk Reserve.
