Point Reyes National Seashore
add photosFor the park brochure, go to http://www.nps.gov/pore/parknews/upload/newspaper_visitorguide_2007.pdf
For a list of trails and guided hikes, go to http://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/hiking_guide.htm
SEASONAL EVENTS
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Gray Whale Migration
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Elephant Seal Breeding
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Bird Migration
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Harbor Seal Pupping
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Peak Flower Blooms
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Tule Elk Rut
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Big Time Festival
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Sand Sculpture Contest
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7 Reviews for Point Reyes National Seashore
26
311 family found this helpful
"Great for nature lovers"
This park is a favorite for some easy hiking or bike riding. Some trails can be tough for very small kids but the scenery is beautiful even if you just sit down to a picnic. It's a great place to get away from the city while spending time with family.
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It's helpful1 family found this helpful
"Bike riding in the woods"
We spent the day exploring and rode our bikes on several trails. It took us a few hours for the whole trip on easy to middling dirt trails to make it to the end. The hiking is great too! We made a point of stopping at the visitor center to get a better idea of where we were and learn about the historical significance of the area. Be sure to bring snacks or food because there isn't a restaurant in the immediate area. Traffic was a bit of a bear getting in so starting early is a good idea unless time isn't an issue. Have a great time!
'10
0 families found this helpful
"Absolutely beautiful!!!"
My Dad is from the Bay area and we came here as kids although I think it is much better suited to older kids who can hike and and more adventurous. My little ones were a little bored and the trip was more for me as I love the beauty of the Northern Cali ocean to the Southern.
0 families found this helpful
"oyster!"
You could watch so many animals very near San Fransisco!! elephant seals, wheals, elks, bobcat....and happy cows! but great things about this park is you could buy a reasonable very tasty oyster all year long. try at that time with their original cactail sause!!
0 families found this helpful
"Fun with the Family"
When the English explorer Sir Francis Drake sailed his Golden Hind into the great curve of Drake’s Bay in 1579, he knew this was a bit of earth like no other. Part of the
national seashore, the bay remains largely as it was 400 years ago—fringed with sandy beaches and tidepools alive with anemones and crabs, sometimes even rays and leopard sharks. North from the point—Point Reyes, where the lighthouse stands—are miles of beaches accessible from Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. Exposed to the full force of storms and pounding surf, these beaches are unsafe for swimming or surfing. The headlands, tidepools, sea stacks, lagoons, wave-carved caves, and rocky promontories are alive with birds—endangered brown pelicans, cormorants, surf scooters, sandpipers, grebes, terns—and sea life such as giant anemones, sea palms, urchins, fish, and even the occasional great white shark offshore of Tomales Point.
At the visitor center are exhibits, guidebooks, trail maps, and daily postings of whale sightings. Rangers are on hand to orient you to the diverse ecosystem and the
many destinations within the huge park.
Short, easy walks near the Bear Valley visitor center include Kule Loklo Trail to Miwok Village, where an ancient Indian site has been re-created. On the Earthquake Trail are photos of the effects of the 1906 earthquake and signs explaining earth movement; the entire peninsula was once located some 250 miles to the south!
The Coastal Native American Summer Big Time takes place here in July, with demonstrations of crafts, skills, music, and dancing. October brings the Acorn Festival,
a celebration of Miwok Indian history.
During the summer, a visitor’s center operates at Drakes Beach off Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, where you can see exhibits on maritime exploration and marine environments, and a minke whale skeleton (415–669–1250). Here also are restrooms, an outdoor shower, picnic tables, barbeque grills, and a casual cafe.
The weather can be foggy and windy on any day of the year, so warm jackets are advisable; check weather at (415) 663–1092.
2 families found this helpful
"Beautiful"
Almost everything north of the Golden Gate Bridge is beautiful. We love Point Reyes National Seashore. There are many hikes both easy and moderately difficult. There is also horseback riding to the coast, but we skipped it. It would be fun for older kids. Once at the coast, we found a beautiful waterfall and tidepools to explore full of starfish, etc. We camped near the coast and hiked back to the car the next day. Tons of nature and very secluded. Well worth the visit.
2 families found this helpful
"Good for people of all ages"
My family tries to come out to Point Reyes every few weeks. We have been to the Bear Valley Visitor Center which has a small museum on the inside and it has a small loop trail out front called the Earthquake trail with children's artwork along the trail. There are several things to do and see in and around this area. Two beaches that are very kid friendly are Limantour Beach which is pretty flat and has plenty of space to fly kites or just run around; Drakes Beach is also nice because of the tide pools and also wildlife surrounding the area, you can definitely spot the elk on your way to the beach :)
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