Point Reyes National Seashore

The Point Reyes National Seashore is an hour’s drive northwest of San Francisco on the Pacific Coast Highway and is maintained by the National Park Service.

The national seashore is actually a peninsula, the Point Reyes Peninsula, which is separated from the mainland by Tomales Bay. The bay is about 15 miles (24 km) long and was formed because it is part of the San Andreas Fault, which runs through California.

Our Pick of the California Guides

Where is the Point Reyes National Seashore?

The Point Reyes National Seashore is in Marin County, California, about an hour’s drive northwest from San Francisco, across the Golden Gate Bridge and along the Pacific Coast Highway. You go through Stinson Beach and eventually reach the tiny community of Olema, where you’ll find the Visitor Center for Point Reyes.

Google Map showing Point Reyes National Seashore

Map (c) Google Maps

How Big is the Point Reyes National Seashore?

The Point Reyes National Seashore covers an area of 71,028 acres, or 111 square miles (287 sq kms). It has 100 miles (161 kms) of shoreline. It was created in 1962 and is designated as both a national seashore and a park preserve, and is maintained by the National Park Service.

Point Reyes Lighthouse

What to Do at the Point Reyes National Seashore

The seashore has beaches that have been voted the cleanest in California. There are plenty of trails, so get yourself a good map or get information at the Visitor Center. There are estuaries, headlands with dramatic views, a lighthouse, a lifeboat station, and uplands too – it isn’t all at sea level! The highest point is Mount Wittenberg, which is 1,407 feet (429 meters) high.

Kule Loklo

Close to the Visitor Center you can visit Kule Loklo, which is a recreated Coast Miwok village, the Coast Miwok being the indigenous people who originally lived around Point Reyes, in Marin County, and in Sonoma County.

Wildlife at the Point Reyes National Seashore

If you like wildlife you’ll love Point Reyes, especially if you’re a keen birdwatcher. In all, some 45% of all bird species in the whole of North America have been seen at the Point Reyes National Seashore. At the northern end of the peninsula is a reserve of tule elk, a species of elk that is only found in California. You can also see seals, elephant seals, and see whales offshore when they are migrating.

Best Time to Visit Point Reyes National Seashore

You can visit Point Reyes all year round, but spring is a good time to see the best of the wild flowers. Most rain falls from November to April, with the summers fairly dry. From June to October the average maximum temperature is in the 70s (over 21C), while in winter it can fall to near freezing.

Where to Stay at Point Reyes

More Information

Visit the official National Park Service website for the Point Reyes National Seashore.

Other California coast pages

Free Things to do on the Pacific Coast Highway
There are lots of free things to do on the Pacific Coast Highway and here's our list of ten of them including wildlife, the best free views, and free museums.
Stanford Inn by the Sea Mendocino
The Stanford Inn by the Sea in Mendocino on the California coast is an eco-resort with yoga classes and the award-winning Ravens Restaurant.
Santa Barbara
Standing on the Pacific Coast Highway in California, Santa Barbara is an attractive resort with a historic downtown, sandy beaches, a mission, and good museums.
Best Beaches in California
Pacific Coast Highway Travel's list of the best beaches in California with beaches in Santa Monica, Big Sur, Malibu, Carmel, Cambria, La Jolla and Coronado.
Santa Catalina Island
Santa Catalina Island, or Catalina Island, is off the shore of Southern California and reachable from Long Beach, San Pedro, Newport Beach, and Dana Point.
Best Time to Visit Mendocino
PCH Travel picks the best time to visit Mendocino, with a monthly summary of the weather, plus hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.
Point Lobos State Reserve near Carmel and Monterey, with photos
A walk around the Point Lobos State Reserve near Monterey and Carmel provides lots of photo opportunities, especially of the Harbor Seal Birthing Area.
Morro Bay
Morro Bay is a delightful small town on the California coast roughly halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles and noted for the huge Morro Rock.
Bodega Bay
Bodega Bay is a small California coastal town on the borders of Marin County and Sonoma County, and the filming location for Alfred Hitchcock's the Birds.
Unique Inns on the Pacific Coast Highway
Unique Inns on the Pacific Coast Highway include some of the best independently-owned boutique hotels, spas, and lodges in California, Oregon and Washington.
Dana Point
Dana Point in California is the official start or end of the Pacific Coast Highway, and its attractions include whale watching, and Doheny State Beach.
Laguna Beach
The Pacific Coast Highway goes right through Laguna Beach, a relaxed artsy beach resort whose attractions include shopping, galleries, dining, and beaches.
San Simeon
San Simeon is a tiny town of a few hundred people close to Hearst Castle on the California coast midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica in California is famous for its pier, and beaches, and is one of the best west coast vacation spots, with hotels, restaurants, surfing, museums.
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz on the Pacific Coast Highway in California has its famous boardwalk, beaches, wine tastings, Surfing Museum, Mission, and Marine Discovery Center.
San Clemente California
San Clemente in California is a small city on the Pacific Coast Highway midway between San Diego and Los Angeles, noted for its beaches and surfing.
La Jolla, in southern California
La Jolla in southern California is north of San Diego off the Pacific Coast Highway and has museums, restaurants, hotels, beaches, and the Birch Aquarium.
Pismo Beach
Pismo Beach is a small beach town on California's Central Coast, a resort famous for surfing and clams.
Carlsbad
Carlsbad is a beach city north of San Diego in southern California famous for its flower fields, LEGOLAND resort and water park, surfing and SEA LIFE Aquarium.
Visiting Hearst Castle
This Visiting Hearst Castle page gives all the practicalities including location, types of tour, length of tours, how long to allow, and much more information.
Whale Watching in California
Whale watching in California is one of the most popular things to do along the Pacific Coast Highway, in places like San Diego, San Francisco and many more.
Vagabond's House Inn
Historic and romantic Vagabond's House Inn Bed and Breakfast in Carmel is a great place to stay with free wine and cheese and generous breakfast.
Newport Beach
Newport Beach is a small city on the Pacific coast of southern California, right on the Pacific Coast Highway and noted for its beaches and surfing.
Moss Beach Hotel
For a Moss Beach hotel just off the Pacific Coast Highway, the Seal Cove Inn offers good accommodation north of Half Moon Bay, minutes from the ocean.
Pelican Inn and Suites in Cambria on the Central Coast of California
The Pelican Inn and Suites in Cambria on California's Central Coast has oceanfront views, swimming pool, gardens, and is right on the beach near Hearst Castle.