1/5/2024 0 Comments Point reyes seashore![]() If you are there in the right season (December to March), you are almost guaranteed to see Elephant Seals just down from the parking lot. While you are out there, be sure to visit the historic Life Boat Station and Chimney Rock (a 1.8 mile hike round trip). The point is a 45 minute drive from the visitor center past several historic cattle ranches, herds of elk, and cut offs to some amazing beaches – Drakes, North and South beach. There are tons of birds and if you are lucky you may even spy a whale off in the distance. Enjoy the views because the 313 steps back up will take a few minutes! There is an observation deck and visitor center. You can walk 313 steps down to the where the lighthouse stands perched on a rocky outcropping looking out over the Pacific Ocean. Point Reyes LighthouseĪnother highlight is the Point Reyes Lighthouse, built in 1870. We walked past at least 3 herds of elk and the views from the end are well worth the hike. There are several of the old buildings with interpretive signs talking about life on the farm.įrom there, you can hike 3 miles on a maintained trail through the elk preserve and then continue on another 1.7 miles to the point along an unmaintained, but easy to follow sandy trail. The trail begins at the historic Pierce Point Ranch, a dairy ranch from the 1800’s that had been in operation until the 1970’s. It is great hiking along and seeing them grazing off to the side of the trail. Tule elk were reintroduced to this area in 1978 and today there are almost 300. Tule Elk PreserveĪnother highlight of Point Reyes is the Tule Elk Preserve located on Tomales Point. We had expected great views but there weren’t any because the trail went through pretty dense stands of Douglas Fir.īut there were lots of plants and flowers and fungi to keep us interested. We enjoyed a nice long hike along the Sky Trail and back along the Bear Valley Road Trail. Pretty incredible.īear Valley is also the jumping off point for many of the trails on this side of the park. There are interpretive signs on the paved loop and at one spot you can see how a fence shifted 16 feet in the quake. Take the short 1/2 mile Earthquake Trail from the visitor center to learn more about the 1906 earthquake. Something we didn’t realize was that the park is located on top of the San Andreas Fault. They have great exhibits about the park and the wildlife, including a replica of a giant elephant seal. We started our visit at the Bear Valley Visitor Center and Park Headquarters. Not to worry, the cows just stare at you as you pass by. And some of the trails go right through the pastures. It is tasty!Īs you tour around, you will pass these old ranches with contented herds of cows grazing peacefully. ![]() Be sure to buy some Point Reyes cheese when you are in the area. In the 1800’s, the growing population in the San Francisco bay area needed cheese and butter, and Point Reyes dairies became known for providing the highest quality, nick-named “Point Reyes Gold”.Įven though the area is now part of the National Seashore, the existing dairy farms were grandfathered in and many are still in operation. One of the things that most surprised us at Point Reyes were the dairy farms. There are over 150 miles of formal hiking trails and miles of beaches to explore. The park was established in 1962 and encompasses 32,000 acres of pasturelands, rocky ridges, valleys, forests, meadows and beaches. Located just 30 miles north of San Francisco, Point Reyes is easily accessible. ![]() One of the 10 National Seashores in the National Park System, and the only one on the west coast of the United States, Point Reyes was the last one we visited – number 10 of 10 – and our last national park unit in California. Our 5 days there were wonderful, but simply not long enough to take it all in. That’s what you get at Point Reyes National Seashore. Have you ever been somewhere and immediately you know that you will want to return? A place with long, deserted beaches marine mammals rocky headlands deserted coves lighthouses interesting history amazing hiking quiet forests abundant wildlife and bird watching backpacking and camping bicycling kayaking, paddle boarding and boating cute little towns with fun shops, brewpubs, wine tasting and local restaurants and much more….
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