Point Reyes National Seashore has more than 150 miles of trails for hiking, running, bird watching, and on a few routes – biking. However, the surf and tides in this area are dangerous, and rip currents and under-tow waves can be deadly. The National Park Service says this beach expands over 11 miles (18 kilometers), making for a significant “out and back” workout. Miles of solo beach walks Point Reyes Beachįrom two parking lots (north and south beaches), a runner or long hiker can travel on the sand for many uninterrupted hours. Hiking from several trailheads will allow the explorer a different experience at each beach. The beach seems to go on and on here in both directions, but some rocky outcroppings in the north end of Point Reyes cut the beach into sections. McClure's Beach is also known for its tide pools and sea animals nestled among the rocks and swirling water. On my last visit with CT and her friend Denise, we hiked to McClure's Beach, explored the coast, and dodged the high surf in a nearly empty stretch of endless sand. Hiking down to McClure's Beach McClure's Beach Historic Pierce Point Ranch Hiking in Point Reyes National SeashoreĪfter arriving at the end of the road, a parking area allows visitors to stop and explore Pierce Point Ranch, hike down a short trail to McClure's Beach, or continue northward for up to 5 miles (8 kilometers) through herds of elk and the end of Tomales Point. I have never seen elk outside of the mountain states of Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, or Montana – so witnessing and photographing huge herds of elk along the beaches of California is a real treat. My first move when I visit Point Reyes National Seashore is to take Pierce Point Road to see the herds of elk and the historic Pierce Point Ranch. Part of the large elk herd we saw Tule Elk Reserve The drive to Point Reyes is half the fun, too, as the bounty of exotic and beautiful scenery north of the Bay Area is hard to beat. Located just an hour's drive from San Francisco in the United States, Point Reyes is a peninsula that juts out into the cold, windy, and usually foggy Northern Pacific Ocean. Point Reyes location map Where is Point Reyes National Seashore? Today, more than one-third of the land is set aside as wilderness, and the National Park Service administers the park. In 1962, commercial development began to threaten the beauty and uniqueness of the peninsula, so the United States Congress authorized Point Reyes National Seashore to protect scenery and animal habitat. Point Reyes National Seashore is truly a memorable trip, where a day can be spent away from the modern world in a peaceful and historical location.Ĭattle ranches and dairy farms have been operating in the area since the 1850s, and they're still going strong.ĭriving carefully is essential, as cows and their baby calves can cross the road in front of you. CT strides toward a cliff in Point Reyes National Seashore That morning was twenty years ago, and since then, I have returned several times. I did not know it at the time, but I had accidentally stumbled into what has become one of my favorite spots for a memorable day trip. On this morning, I randomly drove onto some deserted roads and lovely narrow lanes where I was in the only car for miles around. I chose to drive north across San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge in the dark, loaded down with only my camera and an ambition to take some amazing photographs in a part of the world where I had never been. My intended destination when leaving the hotel on that autumn morning was undetermined. I thought it was a place where time has stood still for perhaps a century or more. On a cool and lonely morning, I watched emotively as the full moon set into a distant fog bank beyond the crashing waves in Point Reyes National Seashore.
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