National park · United States
Point Reyes National Seashore
Go for a full day, not a quick stop: enter free at Bear Valley, drive to the lighthouse before 10:00, and walk the 8.2-mile Bear Valley–Arch Rock or the 10-mile Tomales Point trail; skip weekends and July–September fog if you want the coast views.Go for a full day, not a quick stop: enter free at Bear Valley, drive to the lighthouse before 10:00 AM, and walk the 8.2-mile Bear Valley–Arch Rock or the 10-mile Tomales Point trail; skip weekends and July–September fog if you want the coast views.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
287 km²111 sq mi
approximate
Established
1962
Best months
Apr–May, Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 287 km²111 sq mi
- About 111 square miles (287 km²) of land on the peninsula and Tomales Bay shoreline; the boundary also includes a marine zone (check).
- Established
- 1962
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Point Reyes National Seashore protects the tip of a narrow peninsula that juts about 15 miles (24 km) into the Pacific, an hour north of San Francisco in western Marin County. There is no entrance gate and no entrance fee: you pay only for extras such as backcountry camping reservations, guided kayak tours or horseback rides. The park holds the 1870 lighthouse on the headlands, over 147 miles (237 km) of trails, a tule elk reserve at Tomales Point, and winter colonies of northern elephant seals at Chimney Rock. Fog is the defining condition: July to September the outer coast and headlands are often grey and windy while Bear Valley and Tomales Bay, sheltered behind Inverness Ridge, stay sunny and 10–20°F warmer. Plan a full day rather than a quick lighthouse stop, start early because parking at Bear Valley and the lighthouse fills by mid-morning on weekends, and treat April, May and October as the clearest months for coast views.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1962.
Size and age
287 km²111 sq mi · national park since 1962
About 111 square miles (287 km²) of land on the peninsula and Tomales Bay shoreline; the boundary also includes a marine zone (check).
Why go
- A whole peninsula of open coast an hour from San Francisco, with no entrance gate and no fee.
- The 1870 lighthouse on the headlands: 300 steps down, whale watching from January to May.
- Two long, flat trails — Bear Valley to Arch Rock and Tomales Point — that suit most walkers.
- Elephant seals at Chimney Rock in winter, tule elk at Tomales Point all year.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanGrey whale migration starts; elephant seal colony active; rain likely
- FebWettest month; seals pupping at Chimney Rock
- MarWildflowers begin; whales peak mid-month; Drakes Estero closed to boats
- AprWildflowers, northbound whales with calves, mild walking
- MayClearest coast views before the fog sets in
- JunFog builds on the outer coast; inland still sunny
- JulHeaviest fog on headlands and beaches; warm and clear at Bear Valley
- AugFog and wind on the coast; busiest month
- SepFog often clears late month; crowds thin
- OctDriest, clearest stretch; best light for the lighthouse
- NovCool and clear; rain returns late month
- DecElephant seals arrive; short daylight
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grey whales (from the lighthouse and Chimney Rock)Jan–May · Most often seen mid-January and mid-March; cows and calves pass April–early May. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Northern elephant seals (Elephant Seal Overlook, Chimney Rock)Dec–Mar · Males arrive December, females give birth soon after; colony can reach about 100 animals. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes |
| Tule elk (Tomales Point reserve)All year · Resident herd inside the reserve; keep well back. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Harbour seals (Drakes Estero and near the lighthouse)All year · Pupping season 1 March–30 June, when the esteros are closed to boats. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Spring wildflowers (Chimney Rock, Abbots Lagoon)Mar–May | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Birdwatching (Abbots Lagoon, Tomales Bay)Sep–Feb · Over 45% of North American bird species have been recorded on the peninsula. | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From San Francisco
US-101 north, Sir Francis Drake Boulevard west through Fairfax to CA-1, then the Bear Valley Road entrance.
1–1.5 h
From San Rafael
West Marin Stagecoach bus toward Point Reyes Station, then a taxi or bike to Bear Valley.
1–1.5 h
From Point Reyes Station
Sir Francis Drake Boulevard or CA-1 to Bear Valley Road; about 5 km.Sir Francis Drake Boulevard or CA-1 to Bear Valley Road; about 3.1 mi.
10 min
From Olema
CA-1 north to Bear Valley Road; the visitor center is about 2 km off the highway.CA-1 north to Bear Valley Road; the visitor center is about 1.2 mi off the highway.
5 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Bear Valley | Visitor center, Earthquake Trail, Kule Loklo, Bear Valley Trailhead, picnic area. | Open sunrise–sunset; free. |
| Point Reyes Headlands and lighthouse | Lighthouse, Chimney Rock, Elephant Seal Overlook, whale watching. | Open sunrise–sunset; lighthouse stairs and exhibits 10:00–16:30, closed Tue–Wed.Open sunrise–sunset; lighthouse stairs and exhibits 10:00 AM–4:30 PM, closed Tue–Wed. |
| Drakes Beach and Drakes Estero | Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center, minke whale skeleton, estero kayaking. | Beach open; estero closed to boats 1 March–30 June. |
| Tomales Point and Pierce Point Ranch | Tule elk reserve, historic ranch, McClures Beach. | Open sunrise–sunset; ranch self-guided trail. |
| Great Beach (North and South Beach) | Over 16 km of open ocean beach with heavy surf.Over 9.9 mi of open ocean beach with heavy surf. | Drive-up access; dogs on a 6-foot leash allowed, but not north of the North Beach entrance. |
Sketch map
- 1Bear Valley Visitor Center · Headquarters≈38.041, -122.800Map ↗
- 2Point Reyes Lighthouse · Viewpoint≈37.998, -123.016Map ↗
- 3Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center, Drakes Beach · Headquarters≈38.028, -122.962Map ↗
- 4Chimney Rock Trailhead · Trail≈38.020, -122.995Map ↗
- 5Pierce Ranch · Village≈38.190, -122.955Map ↗
- 6Tomales Point Trailhead · Trail≈38.189, -122.955Map ↗
- 7Point Reyes Station · Town≈38.069, -122.807Map ↗
- 8Palomarin Trailhead · Trail≈37.934, -122.747Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance | Free | vehicle | No entrance fee at Point Reyes; parking is free. |
| Point Reyes Lighthouse | Free | person | Free; stairs and exhibits open weather permitting. |
| Backcountry camping permit | Free | permit | Reservation fee applies; 2026 estimate, check current rate and availability. |
| Beach fire permit | Free | permit | Free permit from Bear Valley Visitor Center; fires only on designated beaches. |
| Guided kayak tour on Tomales Bay | US$60–120 | person | 2026 estimate from local outfitters; rentals cheaper. |
| Guided horseback ride | US$70–370 | person | 2026 estimate; price depends on ride length. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Backcountry camping permit or guide
Beach fire permit or guide
Drakes Estero and Limantour Estero boating no permit
Park rules
- Dogs
- Allowed on a 6-foot leash at Great Beach and Kehoe Beach, but not north of the North Beach entrance or south of the Kehoe trail, to protect snowy plover habitat.
- Elephant seals
- Do not approach closer than 100 yards (90 m); stay behind posted barriers and follow volunteer guidance.
- Fires
- Beach fires only with a free permit from Bear Valley Visitor Center, on designated beaches.
- Drones
- Not allowed without park permission (check).check
- Mountain biking
- Single-track trails are closed to bikes; riding is limited to park roads and the few signed bike routes from Bear Valley.
- Camping
- Overnight stays only in designated backcountry sites with a permit; no car camping in the park.
Where to stay
Near the park
Point Reyes Station
Inns, motels and rentals; the closest town with shops and restaurants, about 5 km from Bear Valley.Inns, motels and rentals; the closest town with shops and restaurants, about 3.1 mi from Bear Valley.
Near the park
Inverness
Small inns and cottages on Tomales Bay, closest to the lighthouse road.
Near the park
Olema
A few lodges and campgrounds at the CA-1 junction.
In the park
Backcountry campsites (Wildcat, Coast Camp, Sky Camp)
Walk-in sites with a permit; no fires outside designated spots.
Safety
Sneaker waves and rip currents on the Great Beach high
Fog and wind on the headlands medium
Cliff edges at Arch Rock and Chimney Rock medium
Long trails with no water medium
Ticks and poison oak on inland trails low
Accessibility
- Bear Valley Visitor Center, the Earthquake Trail and the paved path to Kule Loklo are wheelchair accessible.
- Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center at Drakes Beach has accessible exhibits and parking.
- The lighthouse stairs, Chimney Rock and most beach trails are steep or sandy and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked trails; the dunes and headlands are fragile and eroding.
- Keep 100 yards (90 m) from elephant seals and never block their path to the water.
- Pack out all rubbish; there are few bins outside Bear Valley.
- Use the West Marin Stagecoach or carpool — parking at Bear Valley and the lighthouse fills by mid-morning on weekends.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Point Reyes National Seashore?
Nothing. There is no entrance fee and parking is free. You pay only for extras such as backcountry camping reservations, guided kayak tours or horseback rides.
What are the best hikes in Point Reyes National Seashore?
For most walkers: Bear Valley Trail to Arch Rock (8.2 miles round trip, shaded) and Tomales Point (10 miles round trip, tule elk, little shade). Short options are the Earthquake Trail (0.6 miles), Chimney Rock (1.2 miles) and McClures Beach (1.2 miles, steep descent).
When is the best time to visit Point Reyes National Seashore?
April, May and October for clear coast views and mild walking. January–March is best for wildlife (grey whales, elephant seals) but wet. July–September brings heavy fog and wind on the headlands, though Bear Valley and Tomales Bay stay sunny and warm.
Do I need a reservation to visit Point Reyes?
No for day visits. You do need a permit for backcountry camping and a free permit for a beach fire, both from Bear Valley Visitor Center. Guided kayak tours and horseback rides should be booked ahead.
Can I see the lighthouse any day?
The lighthouse stairs and exhibits are usually open 10:00–16:30, weather permitting, and closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The lens room opens only when staffing and weather allow.
Is Point Reyes a good day trip from San Francisco?
Yes — about 1–1.5 hours by car each way. Leave early: the lighthouse parking and Bear Valley lots fill by mid-morning on weekends, and the fog often clears later in the day.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go