Point Reyes National Seashore commonly gets a good deal of rain; most of the rain falls throughout January, and July on the other hand is the driest. If you get bored of Point Reyes National Seashore, you could also go to close by Nicasio Reservoir; why not take a little trip to
Lagunitas Creek while you're here. Near Point Reyes National Seashore you come across the Sky Trail which is a tremendous hiking trail; you ought to without doubt pop by lovely Santa Maria Beach while you're here.
You're in all probability interested in lakes, Wildcat Lake
is one of those nearby; Glen Campground is a perfect local campground. There are a lot of enjoyable things to do to suit everyone. There is a great hiking trail near Point Reyes National Seashore called the Old Pine Trail, and on a nice day it's a great idea to spend the day at
Teachers Beach.
Point Reyes National Seashore is a stunning place where everyone has a great time. Be careful coming to Point Reyes National Seashore, you might not ever wanna return back home again. Point Reyes National Seashore is not the only location nearby, Soulajule Reservoir
is a nearby lake, and going for a hike on the Beatty Trail is always a wonderful adventure.
Point Reyes National Seashore contains unique elements of biological and historical interest in a spectacularly scenic panorama of thunderous ocean breakers, open grasslands, bushy
hillsides and forested ridges. Native land mammals number about 37 species and marine mammals augment this total by another dozen species. The biological diversity stems from a favorable location in the middle of California and the natural occurrence of many distinct habitats.
Nearly 20% of the State's flowering plant species are represented on the peninsula and over 45% of the bird species in North America have been sighted. The Point Reyes National Seashore was established by President John F. Kennedy on September 13, 1962.
CONTACTS Email - PORE_Webmaster@nps.gov Fax- (415) 663-8132 Write to
Point Reyes National Seashore
Point Reyes, CA 94956 Phone
Visitor Information - (415) 464-5100
Headquarters -
(415) 464-5100
Volunteer Information - (415) 464-5225
TRAVEL BASICS
Operating Hours, Seasons
The park is open daily (with overnight camping available by permit only) from sunrise to sunset throughout the year. Visitor center hours are
as follows: Bear Valley Visitor Center, weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., weekends and holidays 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Lighthouse Visitor Center, Thursday through Monday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Lighthouse stairs and exhibits (weather permitting), 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Lens
Room open as weather & staffing permit, all Lighthouse facilities closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays; Ken Patrick Visitor Center, weekends and holidays, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. All visitor centers are closed December 25. Getting There
PLANE - The closest major
airports are San Francisco International and Oakland Airport. You will most likely need to rent a car to reach the park. CAR - Point Reyes is located approximately 22 miles north of San Francisco on Highway 1 along the west coast of California. Travelers may approach the park
from the winding scenic Highway 1, either northbound or southbound. You can also reach the park via Sir Francis Drake Boulevard or Point Reyes/Petaluma Road. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - Limited public transportation is provided by Golden Gate Transit. To contact GGT's automated
phone system call (415) 923-2000. To reach Point Reyes National Seashore by bus, you will want to take the #65 bus from the San Rafael Transit Center at 3rd and Hetherton. The bus runs only on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Weather & Climate
Point Reyes Peninsula's
climate is characterized by warm, dry summers and cool, rainy winters, similar to the type of climate that prevails on the Mediterranean. There are constant winds of moderate to strong velocity on the exposed headlands and outer beaches. Headlands and beaches on the Pacific Coast
are subjected to frequent heavy fogs. Such heavy fogs are most common in the months of July, August and September. Sunshine and higher temperatures occur inland. The east side of Inverness Ridge and the beaches of Tomales Bay are sheltered from the summit of the ridge westward
to the ocean, leaving sunny areas for picnicking and swimming. Inland temperatures in the summer are often 20 degrees warmer than temperatures on the Headlands and outer coast. The rainy season is December through March. We recommend bringing and wearing layers. Getting
Around
You will need a car to visit areas beyond Bear Valley, such as the lighthouse and the beaches. FEES/PERMITS
Activity Fee
SHUTTLE BUS
$3.50 per person over 12yr for Day
On weekends from New Year's to Easter when the weather
is good, the west end of Sir Francis Drake Blvd is closed to vehicle traffic. Shuttle buses transport visitors to the lighthouse and Chimney Rock areas. Shuttle tickets may be purchased at Drakes Beach. The shuttle buses run approximately every 20 minutes and service the headlands
area from Drakes Beach to the Lighthouse parking lot to Chimney Rock parking lot back to Drakes Beach. Children 12 years and under ride free. Shuttles are cancelled if weather is poor.
Permits
BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING (INDIVIDUAL SITE,1-6 PEOPLE)
$10.00 per site,
per night for Day
There are four hike-in campgrounds with individual sites. Boat-in only camping is permitted on Tomales Bay. Backcountry permits are available at the Bear Valley Visitor Center or by reservation. Reservations are strongly recommended (especially for
weekends) and may be made Monday through Friday 9 am to 2 pm by calling(415) 663-8054.
BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING (LARGE GROUP SITE, 15-25 PEOPLE)
$30.00 per site, per night for Day
There are three hike-in campgrounds with group sites. Boat-in only camping is permitted
on Tomales Bay. Backcountry permits are available at the Bear Valley Visitor Center or by reservation. Reservations are strongly recommended (especially for weekends) and may be made Monday through Friday 9 am to 2 pm by calling(415) 663-8054.
BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING (SMALL
GROUP SITE, 7-14 PEOPLE)
$20.00 per site, per night for Day
There are three hike-in campgrounds with groups sites. Boat-in only camping is permitted on Tomales Bay. Backcountry permits are available at the Bear Valley Visitor Center or by reservation. Reservations
are strongly recommended (especially for weekends) and may be made Monday through Friday 9 am to 2 pm by calling(415) 663-8054.
CAMPING
Backpacking Camps - General Information
Open All Year
Point Reyes offers backpackers four campgrounds
to choose from. (There is no car camping at Point Reyes National Seashore. Dogs are not allowed on any trail or in the designated campgrounds.) Each campground has designated sites. The cost is $10/site/night for sites of up to 6 people, $20/site/night for group sites for 7-14
people, and $30/site/night for group sites for 15-25 people. A credit card is required for phone reservations. Payment is due at the time the reservation is made. There are no refunds given for weather, illness, etc. Once the payment has been made, the site is guaranteed for your
stay. However, a permit must still be picked up before beginning your trip. Those arriving after the visitor center has closed (usually after 5 pm), should look for their permit in the after hours box on the information board in front of the building. Each campsite has a picnic
table, food storage locker and a charcoal brazier. (Only charcoal may be burned in the grill, not wood.) Each campground has pit toilets and a water faucet. Water may need to be treated using iodine tablets, boiling for one minute or filtering with a commercial filter. Do not drink
water from streams without treating.
For More Information on this campground please call 415-663-8054, 9-2, M-F
Boat-in Beach Camping on Tomales Bay
Open All Year
BOAT-IN CAMPING ONLY (no hiking). No dogs allowed. Boat-in camping is allowed on national
seashore beaches on the west side of Tomales Bay, beginning north of Indian Beach. No human waste is permitted in the bay or onto park beaches so campers must bring portable facilities or limit camping to Marshall Beach or Tomales Beach, where pit toilets are available. There is
no potable water available. There are seasonal closures on some beaches. Check with the seashore reservation office for updates. The cost is $10/site/night for sites of up to 6 people, $20/site/night for group sites for 7-14 people, and $30/site/night for group sites for 15-25
people. A credit card is required for phone reservations. Payment is due at the time the reservation is made. There are no refunds given for weather, illness, etc. Once the payment has been made, your site is guaranteed for your stay. However, a permit must still be picked up before
beginning your trip. Those arriving after the visitor center has closed (usually after 5 pm), should look for their permit in the after hours box on the information board in front of the building.
For More Information on this campground please call 415-663-8054, 9-2
M-F
Coast Camp
Open All Year
Backpack or bicycle only. No dogs allowed. Coast Camp is nestled within a small coastal valley with easy access to the beach and tidepools. It includes one of the easiest hikes of all routes to Point Reyes campgrounds. The shortest
hike to this camp is 1.8 miles. The beach is within easy access from the camp.
For More Information on this campground please call 415-663-8054, 9-2 M-F
Glen Camp
Open All Year
Backpack or bicycle only. No dogs allowed. Glen Camp is a quiet and secluded
camp deep within the Douglas fir forest. The shortest hike to this camp is a moderate 5 miles by foot or bicycle. It is a 2.5 mile strenuous hike to the beach.
For More Information on this campground please call 415-663-8054, 9-2 M-F
Sky Camp
Open All
Year
Backpack or bicycle only. No dogs allowed. Sky Camp lies on the western slope of Mt. Wittenberg overlooking the Pacific Ocean. In clear weather, this area has wonderful ocean views. The shortest hike for this camp is 1.3 miles on foot or bicycle. It is a 4.5 mile moderately
strenuous to hike to the beach.
For More Information on this campground please call 415-663-8054, 9-2 M-F
Wildcat Camp
Open All Year
Backpack or bicycle only. No dogs allowed. Wildcat Camp is a vigorous 5.5 mile hike to the southern coast of the Seashore.
The shortest hiking route is the coast trail from Palomarin. The only biking route is 6.7 miles from Five Brooks on the strenous Stewart Trail. In route you pass Bass Lake, a popular destination for many hikers. The beach is a short walk from camp.
For More Information on
this campground please call 415-663-8054, 9-2 M-F
FACILITIES
BEAR VALLEY VISITOR CENTER
Open All Year Mon. - Fri. 9 am - 5 pm, Sat. - Sun. 8 am - 5 pm
Phone - (415) 464-5100
Location - Bear Valley Road in Olema, CA.
Closures
- Closed December 25.
Exhibits - The Bear Valley Visitor Center was designed to blend in with its natural surroundings and with the histroically significant ranching culture of this area. It is located in the heart of the Olema Valley. The interior exhibit space provides
a glimpse into the diverse ecosystems and cultural heritage of the park and includes a weather station, seismograph, touch table, auditorium, and book sales area.
Available Facilities - The park's primary visitor center provides an orientation to the park's roads, trails
and general history. A dramatic slide program is available upon request. Restrooms are available 24 hours a day. Reservations and permits for backcountry camping, as well as beach fire permits can be obtained here.
KENNETH C. PATRICK VISITOR CENTER
Open All Year Weekends
and Holidays, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Memorial Day to Labor Day Friday - Tuesday, 10 am - 5 pm
Phone - (415) 669-1250
Location - 30 minutes from Bear Valley on Drakes Beach off Sir Frances Drake Blvd.
Closures - Closed Monday through Friday and December
25.
Special Programs - Labor Day Sunday Sand Sculpture Contest each year.
Exhibits - Located at beautiful Drakes Beach, exhibits in this facility focus on 16th century maritime exploration, marine fossils and marine environments. A 250 gallon salt water aquarium
highlights life from Drakes Bay. A minke whale skeleton is suspended from the ceiling.
Available Facilities - Restrooms and outdoor shower are available. There is a pay phone, picnic tables, and bar-b-que grills nearby. Drakes Beach Cafe is located next door.
LIGHTHOUSE
VISITOR CENTER
Open All Year Thursday through Monday, 10:00 am - 4:30 pm
Phone - (415) 669-1534
Location - 45 minutes from Bear Valley on the Point Reyes Headlands, at the end of Sir Frances Drake Blvd. There is a .5 mile walk (mostly uphill) from the parking
lot to the Lighthouse Visitor Center.
Closures - Closed Tuesday and Wednesday every week. Closed December 25.
Exhibits - The visitor center offers exhibits on whales, wildflowers, birds and maritime history.
Available Facilities - Restrooms are available.
POINT
REYES HISTORIC LIGHTHOUSE
Open All Year Thur. - Mon. 10:00 am - 4:30 pm Weather permitting
Phone - (415) 669-1534
Location - The lighthouse itself is a short 0.5 miles from the parking area down some 300 steps - the equivalent of 30 stories.
Closures
- Closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Closed when wind speeds exceed 40 miles per hour.
Special Programs - The lens room and clockwork area are open as staffing and weather conditions permit. Evening programs illuminating the historic light occurs on the first and third
Saturday each month, April through December. There is no fee. However, reservations are required. Please Call (415) 669-1534 10:00 am - 4:30 pm.
Exhibits - The equipment building exhibits the fog signal used at Point Reyes. The historic lighthouse has exhibits panels
on the history of the light and the keepers. The lens room includes the original clockworks and the 130 year old first order Fresnel lens in working condition.
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