Welcome to Point Reyes

The peninsula is a popular recreational destination for the nearby San Francisco Bay Area, especially for hiking on its many trails and sea kayaking the shores of Tomales Bay and the coast. Point Reyes National Seashore offers some of the finest birdwatching in the United States. More than 70,000 acres of habitat harbor an incredible variety of bird life. Nearly 490 avian species have been observed in the park and on adjacent waters.

Point Reyes National Seashore:
Headquarters, 1 Bear Valley Rd., Point Reyes Station, CA 94956; 415-464-5100;
Location: Western end of Marin County;

70,000 acre region preserved by the US National Park Service as a mix light-agricultural and recreational area. Planning included the continuation of the historic ranching and oyster farming along with the preservation of the grasslands and open scenic vistas. It is also home to a wide range of wildlife and over 1000 species of vegetation.

Tule Elk Preserve:
The northernmost part of the peninsula is maintained as a reserve for tule elk, which are readily seen there. The preserve is also very rich in raptors and shorebirds.

Point Reyes Lighthouse:
Established in 1870, The Point Reyes Lighthouse attracts whale-watchers looking for the Gray Whale migrating south in mid-January and north in mid-March. The station is frequently blanketed by week-long periods of fog and few years pass that do not see violent gales of 75 to 100 mph.

Point Reyes Lifeboat Station:
Built in 1927, it is the last remaining example of a rail launched lifeboat station that was common on the Pacific coast.

Kule Loklo Village:
Kule Loklo, a recreated Coast Miwok Native American village, is a short walk from the visitor center.
Kule Loklo Big Time Festival - Late July - There is currently one annual public festival at Kule Loklo, the Big Time, held in late July, which features California Indian dancing and Native American crafts.

Welcome to Tomales Bay

Tomales Bay is a long narrow inlet of the Pacific Ocean in Marin County effectively separating the Point Reyes Peninsula from the mainland of Marin County.

Phillip Burton Wilderness:
More than 30,000 acres of the Point Reyes National Seashore are designated as the Phillip Burton Wilderness, named in honor of California Congressman Phillip Burton, who wrote the legislation creating the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and was instrumental in helping to pass the California Wilderness Act of 1984.

Park Wildlife:
Catch a glimpse of some of the animals that make their home here as wildlife abounds throughout the Seashore. Along the coast you may find marine mammals such as whales, seals, and sea lions. A closer look reveals an abundance of bird life feeding near the tideline. Forested areas are home to bobcat, coyote, raccoon, or skunk scurrying off. Plenty of deer and elk to be seen at the Tule Elk Preserve.

Hiking Trails:
In addition to the several beachfront trails, look for these other great hiking adventures that expose you to the great diversity of flora and fauna of Point Reyes.

More Point Reyes Weblinks:

NPS Website - NPS Visitors Guide
Pt Reyes - National Seashore Association - Non-profit support group
Kule Loklo Village

Ranch & Agricultural Operations:
Stables and guided equestrian tours to over 120 miles of scenic riding trails in Point Reyes California.

Marin County Adventure Tours
Explore the Golden State - (Keyword: Marin County)

Exciting high adventure opportunities for exploring, boating, camping, hiking, watersports, weekend retreats and more.

Ranch & Agricultural Operations:
Stables and guided equestrian tours to over 120 miles of scenic riding trails in Point Reyes California.

Woodville Ranch - Dogtown CA - 10-acre Arabian Horse Vacation Ranch
Five Brooks Ranch - Olema CA - Equestrian Vacation Ranch & Tours
Old Point Reyes Schoolhouse - Pt Reyes Station CA - Conference and Event Complex
Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company - Dairy Operation
Olema Ranch RV Resort & Campground- Pt Reyes Station CA - one-of-a-kind outdoor family destination
Audubon Canyon Ranch- Bolinas CA - Bolinas Lagoon Preserve supports a major heronry of Great Blue Herons and Great and Snowy Egrets.
Lingonberry Farm- Pt Reyes Station CA - Swedish Style Bed & Breakfast Ranch on a scenic knolltop.
Marin Sum Farms- Pt Reyes Station CA - all natural grass fed beef farm.
Roundstone Farm- Olema CA - Bed & Breakfast Ranch

Park Wildlife:
Catch a glimpse of some of the animals that make their home here as wildlife abounds throughout the Seashore. Along the coast you may find marine mammals such as whales, seals, and sea lions. A closer look reveals an abundance of bird life feeding near the tideline. Forested areas are home to bobcat, coyote, raccoon, or skunk scurrying off. Plenty of deer and elk to be seen at the Tule Elk Preserve.

Hiking Trails:
In addition to the several beachfront trails, look for these other great hiking adventures that expose you to the great diversity of flora and fauna of Point Reyes.

• Bear Valley Trail - the most popular trail hike in the park. Taking off from the visitor's center, it travels mostly streamside through a shaded, fern-laden canyon, breaking out at Divide Meadow before heading gently downward to the coast, where it emerges at the spectacular ocean view at Arch Rock.
• Mt Wittenberg Trail - trails head upward toward Mt. Wittenberg, at 1,407 feet, the highest point in the park.
• Earthquake Trail - 0.6 mile loop starts at visitors center and runs directly over the San Andreas Fault, deep underground. The trail provides descriptions of the fault and the surrounding geology, and there is a fence that was pulled 18 feet apart during the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake.
• Lighthouse Trail - At the western end of the Point Reyes Peninsula is the historic Point Reyes Lighthouse, reached by descending 308 steps.
• Chimney Rock Trail - Noted for its spring wildflower displays, it starts near the Lighthouse. As befitting a national seashore, Point Reyes offers several beach walks.
• Limantour Spit Beach Trail - winds up on a narrow sandy beach, from which Drakes Beach can be glimpsed across Drakes Bay.
• Tomales Point Trail - popular for ocean vistas from higher ground.
• Palomarin Trail - trailhead at the park's southern entrance outside the town of Bolinas.

Backpacking Campgrounds:
Pt Reyes features four hike-in campgrounds: