Point Reyes is a beautiful peninsula in Northern California offering beaches, a lighthouse, and adorable shops. Don’t miss these stops in Point Reyes!
Unforgettable Things 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.
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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 rental homes and Bed & Breakfasts in Point Reyes Station and the surrounding areas as well as several hotels. Here are our favorite Point Reyes hotels:
The Quails Nest Cottage
Located near Point Reyes Station, this place has a terrace that lets you enjoy the stunning views of Mount Tamalpais and Tomales Bay. Plus, it’s conveniently located near some of the best restaurants in town!
The Quails Nest Cottage is a spacious holiday home equipped with 3 bedrooms, a TV, and a fully equipped kitchen that provides guests with a dishwasher, an oven, a washing machine, a microwave, and a toaster. Check the rates here.
HI Point Reyes Hostel
The HI Point Reyes Hostel is a great budget-friendly option for travelers looking to explore the area. Only a 5 minutes drive from Limantour Beach, this hostel is located on Point Reyes National Seashore.
They have a shared bathroom and hardwood floors for a cozy atmosphere. Guests can relax in the common room, or enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hostel’s restaurant. Check out their rates here.
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. It’s in the western-most end of the Point Reyes Headlands and Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. 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 this Point Reyes Cypress tree tunnel, 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 near 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 Point Reyes beach is the:
- Limantour Beach
- Drake’s Beach
- McClure’s Beach
Lastly, the Tomales Bay beaches. This is where the Point Reyes shipwreck is located and there are some really interesting stories about it. The area is usually packed with locals, making it a great spot for people-watching.
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!
Bonus tip:
If you want to learn more about Point Reyes, visit Bear Valley Visitor Center. They have exhibits and lots of books to help you get familiar with the area. Plus, there are some great trails around the center such as the Tomales Point trail that will let you explore the beauty of this place. Don’t forget to bring your camera – you won’t want to miss out on capturing all the stunning views!
Point Reyes Tour
Discover Point Reyes
Get to explore Point Reyes National Seashore, home to wide expanses of grasslands and beaches, unique wildlife, lighthouses, and many more fascinating sights! Your local expert tour guide drives you through Marin County, you will see diverse and amazing ecosystems, each with its own rich flora and fauna. You’ll get to see over 1,500 species of both plants and animals.
This tour is the perfect way to experience the beauty of Point Reyes at its fullest – you’ll have plenty of time to explore, take photos and make some unforgettable memories.
Point Reyes FAQ
Point Reyes is definitely worth a visit. With its stunning panoramic views, abundant wildlife, and incredible hikes, it’s an outdoor paradise that can’t be missed
If you want to make the most of your time at Point Reyes, I recommend spending at least three hours touring the park. There’s a lot to explore, from the sprawling beaches and breathtaking mountain views to the rich biodiversity of its forests and meadows.
There are more than 120 known village sites of the Coast Miwok Indigenous tribe on the park’s land.
During our stay here, we knew that August until October is the best time to visit Point Reyes. You’ll be able to spot local tule elk, as this is their rutting season and see the spring sprouts beautiful wildflowers at Chimney Rock.
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.
