Point Reyes is a beautiful peninsula in Northern California offering beaches, a lighthouse, and adorable shops. Don’t miss these stops in Point Reyes!
What to do in Point Reyes, California
Point Reyes is one of our favorite areas to visit in California. Parts of it feel other-worldly and you’d never guess you were even in California. Point Reyes is an easy day trip from San Francisco or Napa, so if you’re visiting those areas, take advantage of its proximity.
Where to stay in Point Reyes
One of the great things about Point Reyes is that it’s one of the only places in coastal California that feels like it hasn’t been built up with beachside resorts or homes. Much of the area is a national seashore, so can’t be developed. There are a few Airbnbs and Bed & Breakfasts in Point Reyes Station and the surrounding areas as well as several hotels. Here’s a coupon for $40 your first Airbnb booking.
Point Reyes Lighthouse
One of the most stunning sites in California, the Point Reyes Lighthouse. Point Reyes is the windiest place on the Pacific Coast and the second foggiest place on the North American continent, making a lighthouse in this location an absolute necessity. The lighthouse is situated toward the bottom of the cliffs so it can be seen below the fog line. The lighthouse was opened in 1870 and was a working lighthouse until 1975. I love the book The Light Between Oceans and have always been fascinated by lighthouses, so this was a real treat!
If you visit the Point Reyes Lighthouse you can park and walk in about a half mile to the visitor’s center. Along the way be sure to check out where the park rangers live. Not a bad view! From there you can walk down 300 steps to the lighthouse. Beware, those 300 steps will hurt on the way back up! Take in the incredible views of the open ocean ahead! Hopefully, you can catch it on a clear day. We totally lucked out!
Monterey Cypress Tree Tunnel
When I first saw a picture of these cypress trees, I thought they were the dark hedges of Ireland! I’ve been to the dark hedges in Ireland and these are even more majestic! They can be a little tricky to find. When you’re about 10 miles from the Point Reyes Lighthouse, look for a big clump of trees to your right.
Point Reyes National Seashore
This large expanse of protected shoreline offers many hidden beaches and coves to explore. Some of our favorite beaches are:
- Limantour Beach
- Drake’s Beach
- McClure’s Beach
Point Reyes Station
The small beachside town of Point Reyes Station has a population of about 350 and several small, local shops. The town owes its name to the train that ran through the town for 59 years, ending in 1933. Stop in at the Bovine Bakery for a bite to eat and meander next door to Point Reyes books to find a good read to take to the beach.
Go for a Drive
Wherever you go in Point Reyes, you’re sure to have amazing views out your window. Driving this beautiful part of the world is one of the best parts of visiting Point Reyes. Be sure to say hi to the happy California cows for me!
Have you been to Point Reyes? What else is there to do here? I’d love to hear from you. Get in touch with me via Instagram or Facebook.
