There’s a magical place along the Northern California Coast that will sweep you off your feet. Point Reyes Station is a quaint town but then you have Olema, Marshall, Stinson Beach, Inverness, and more within the West Marin area. This area is wildly romantic and if you’re looking for things to do in Point Reyes, California please keep reading.
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Things to Do in Point Reyes, California
There are so many things to do in Point Reyes, CA. Below is a list broken down into different categories.
Things To See
The area is probably best known for its Cypress Tree Tunnel, the Lighthouse, and the Point Reyes Boat. But you also have the national seashore, hiking, oysters, and dairy farms that make incredible cheese. Here’s a little more on each location.
Cypress Tree Tunnel
The Cypress Tree Tunnel will have you feeling like you’re stepping into a fairytale. Please note that this is a popular tourist stop so to avoid the crowds consider going super early or during the week.
Point Reyes Lighthouse
The Point Reyes Lighthouse has some of the most beautiful views. It’s stunning to see from afar or climb down the many, many steps.
Point Reyes Boat
The boat is a shipwreck that is popular amongst photographers and content creators. It’s stuck on a sandbar in Inverness on Tomales Bay.
Point Reyes Hiking
If you’re looking for hikes there are TONS of trails and state parks to explore. If you love waterfalls, coastal hikes, or just being outdoors check out the below spots.
Point Reyes Hikes Under 4 Miles
- Chimney Rock Trailhead | 1.9 miles | easy | out & back
- Abbotts Lagoon Trail | 3.6 miles | easy | out & back
- Elephant Seal Overlook Trail | .5 mile | easy | out & back
Waterfall Hike
Alamere Falls is the “waterfall hike” and there are several ways to get there. Here are a couple of ways to get there.
- Alamere Falls via Coast Trail from Palomarin Trailhead | 12.2 miles | moderate | out & back
- Alamere Falls via Olema Valley, Bolema, Lake Ranch, Coast Trail | 14.6 miles | moderate | out and back
Hikes Over 4 Miles
- Tomales Point Trailhead | 9.4 miles | moderate | out & back
- Estero Trail | 21.2 miles | hard | out & back
- Bear Valley Trail to Coastal Trail | 10 miles | moderate | out & back
- Sky Trail and Bear Valley Loop | 10.5 miles | moderate | loop
- Mount Wittenberg | 4.1 miles | moderate | out & back
State Parks & National Park Service Maintained Areas
Point Reyes Beaches
Here are some of the best beaches…
- Drakes Beach
- Hearts Desire Beach
- Limantour Beach
Where to Eat
There are tons of places to eat in the area. I’ve broken it down by where to go in town, the best places for oysters, and a list of the best places for cheese! Yes, the area is well-known for dairy farms and the cheese is some of the best in the U.S.
Point Reyes Station Restaurants
- Side Street Kitchen – coastal California eatery
- Cafe Reyes – wood fire pizza, oysters & more
- Palace Market – grocery store that serves buffalo gelato that will change your life! (purchase at the cashier then head to the meat counter to pick up)
Neighboring Towns
- Nick’s Cove – Restaurant & Cottages in Marshall
- Sir and Star – Restaurant in Olema
- Inverness Park Market – Market & Deli in Inverness
If You Love Cheese, Check Out…
If You Love Oysters, Check Out…
- Hog Island Oyster Co – Restaurant in Marshall
- Saltwater Oyster Depot – Restaurant in Inverness
- Tomales Bay Oysters – NOT a restaurant but if you know how to shuck your own oysters you can pick up fresh ones here.
TIP: bring a cooler!
Things to Know
Cell Service is Spotty
Cell service can be spotty in areas outside the towns. If you need Point Reyes directions to get around download an offline map so you always know where you are. I recommend the Maps.me app or downloading the area of the map on the Google Maps app. This allows you to get directions offline.
Point Reyes Weather
The weather can differ depending on the area. If you want to know what the weather is like where the town is check Point Reyes Station weather here. And if you’ll be spending time on the coast you can check Point Reyes National Seashore weather.
The Area is Large in Size
To get a better understanding of the area and how big it is check out this Point Reyes National Seashore map.
Where to Stay
Point Reyes Station is small in population but the West Marin area is big! When looking for a place to stay in the area think about what you want to do. If you want to be closer to the restaurants consider booking somewhere in town.
Maybe you’re looking for something more quiet or remote take a look at the other surrounding towns. Or if you want to visit a hike staying near the trailheads is best. And If you’re visiting as a part of a day trip you can also stay in San Francisco or in another one of the more populated Marin County cities then spend the day exploring.
Point Reyes Hotels
There are a small number of hotels in Point Reyes and the nearby towns of Inverness, Olema, Marconi, Marshall, Nick’s Cove, and Tomales or if this is just a stop along a road trip there are tons of options in San Francisco or the surrounding Marin County cities.
Booking.com
Point Reyes Camping
Interested in camping? Point Reyes National Seashore camping is only backcountry hike-in and boat-in camping. If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path experience definitely check out the campgrounds.
There are 12 sites that can accommodate 1-6 people and two sites that can accommodate parties of 7-12.
Need A Car?
Check out RentalCars.com for affordable rental cars.
If you’re planning to visit other parts of California be sure to check out my list of underrated spots in California here. And some of my other Northern California favorites include the Mount Shasta area, Lake Tahoe, and the Eastern Sierras. And if you love national parks be sure to check out Sequoia National Park, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and Yosemite National Park.
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2 comments
I need to visit Point Reyes. Thank you for sharing!
I hope you do! It’s a beautiful place.
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