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Point Reyes National Seashore

Designation: National Seashore

Location: California

Visit Official Park Website

📘 Park Overview

From its thunderous ocean breakers crashing against rocky headlands and expansive sand beaches to its open grasslands, brushy hillsides, and forested ridges, Point Reyes offers visitors over 1500 species of plants and animals to discover. Home to several cultures over thousands of years, the Seashore preserves a tapestry of stories and interactions of people. Point Reyes awaits your exploration.

🌤 Weather Information

The moderating influence of the Pacific Ocean creates a climate with no great extremes of heat or cold. Any season can bring interesting weather during your visit to Point Reyes National Seashore. Come prepared!

🚗 Directions

Point Reyes is located along the west coast of California approximately 30 miles (50 km) north of San Francisco. Travelers may approach the park from the winding scenic Highway 1, either from the north or the south. Visitors can also reach the park via Sir Francis Drake Boulevard or the Point Reyes/Petaluma Road.

Images

Waves wash in from the left onto a long, straight stretch of undeveloped, low-lying coastline.

Point Reyes Beach from the Point Reyes Lighthouse visitors' parking lot.

Credit: NPS Photo

A three-story-tall, white-sided, red-roofed lighthouse adjacent to three other small buildings.

Point Reyes Lighthouse

Credit: NPS Photo

A white, two-story art deco building beyond a green, grassy round-about.

The Historic RCA Coast Station KPH.

Credit: NPS Photo

A historic dairy ranch composed of white-painted buildings surrounded by dry grass and a few trees.

Pierce Point Ranch

Credit: NPS Photo

A few dozens of visitors walk along or sit on towels at a sandy beach on a sunny day.

Visitors enjoy a sunny day at Drakes Beach.

Credit: NPS Photo

Photo taken at sunset looking south from Tomales Point with a large granite boulder on the left.

Sunset on Tomales Point.

Credit: NPS Photo / Dan Wells

Herd of Tule Elk on Tomales Point

Herd of Tule Elk on Tomales Point.

Credit: NPS Photo

Hikers and horse riders on Bear Valley Trail.

Hikers and horse riders on Bear Valley Trail.

Credit: NPS Photo

Activities

Topics

Operating Hours

Sunday
Opens at 6:00AM
Monday
Opens at 6:00AM
Tuesday
Opens at 6:00AM
Wednesday
Opens at 6:00AM
Thursday
Opens at 6:00AM
Friday
Opens at 6:00AM
Saturday
Opens at 6:00AM

Entrance Fees

No entrance fees listed.

Entrance Passes

No entrance passes listed.

3-Day Weather Forecast

Tuesday, Mar 17

Sunny

Sunny

High: 89.4°F | Low: 49.6°F

Humidity: 45%

Wind: 8.1 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 1.5

Sunrise: 07:19 AM

Sunset: 07:21 PM

Moon: Waning Crescent (5%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 58.7°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Wednesday, Mar 18

Mist

Mist

High: 73.9°F | Low: 45.7°F

Humidity: 89%

Wind: 8.1 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 1.5

Sunrise: 07:18 AM

Sunset: 07:22 PM

Moon: Waning Crescent (1%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 53.2°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Thursday, Mar 19

Partly Cloudy

Partly Cloudy

High: 71.1°F | Low: 45.7°F

Humidity: 87%

Wind: 8.7 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 1.5

Sunrise: 07:16 AM

Sunset: 07:23 PM

Moon: New Moon (0%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 52.7°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Weather Alerts (1)

⚠️ Heat Advisory (Moderate)
▼

Heat Advisory issued March 16 at 9:51PM PDT until March 20 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Francisco CA

Effective: Mar 17, 2026 12:51am
Expires: Mar 17, 2026 6:00pm

* WHAT...High temperatures in the low to mid 90s across the interior
and 80s along the coastline.

* WHERE...The Bay Area and Central Coast.

* WHEN...Until 8 PM PDT Friday.

* IMPACTS...This level of heat affects most individuals sensitive to
heat, especially those without effective cooling and/or adequate
hydration. Impacts possible in some health systems and in
heat-sensitive industries. Hot conditions can cause heat illnesses.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Much above normal temperatures in the upper
80s to mid 90s are expected this week across the Bay Area and
Central Coast. Portions of the interior Central Coast may reach the
upper 90s starting mid to late week. Overnight lows in the upper
50s to low 60s will offer some relief to the lower elevations but
will offer minimal relief within the higher elevations. Conditions
will be much above normal along the coast this week but coastal
residents may experience more relief overnight than those across
the interior. The risk of heat related illnesses will increase with
each additional day of heating from this event.

Park Alerts

Water Interruption at Wildcat Campground and Glen Campground Information
Water is currently unavailable at Wildcat and Glen Campgrounds. Visitors should plan to bring an adequate supply of water for their trip. Refunds are available through Recreation.gov for those who wish to cancel their reservations.

More Info

South Beach Restrooms Closed Information
The restrooms at South Beach are closed until further notice. The closest restrooms are at North Beach or Drakes Beach. Vault toilets are available at the Estero Trailhead, Chimney Rock, and Lighthouse parking lots.
Please be patient with us as we fix broken links on this website.
All 400+ nps.gov websites have undergone a redesign in which topics and pages have been re-positioned within the navigation on the left side of the page. This has unexpectedly resulted in numerous broken links throughout the website.
Multiple Seasonal Closures to Protect Wildlife Are Currently in Effect Information
Some beaches and other areas of the park are closed to all entry or to various activities (such as dog walking, kayaking, kite flying, or kiteboarding/kitesurfing) to better protect harbor seals, western snowy plovers & seabirds.

More Info

Stewart Trail Access from Five Brooks Trailhead Closed Park Closure
A portion of the Stewart Trail from Five Brooks Trailhead will be closed until July 22nd, 2025. Wildcat and Glen Campgrounds can still be accessed from Bear Valley or Palomarin Trailheads.

More Info

Annual closures to better protect elephant seal pups will be in effect from Dec. 15 until March 31. Information
Annual beach closures for the elephant seal breeding season start December 15 and go through March 31. Closures include the southern end of South Beach, the beach from the Lifeboat Station to Chimney Rock, the Fish Dock area, and portions of Drakes Beach. Please stay out of closed areas for your safety and the safety of the seals.

More Info

Drakes Beach Road open 10 am to 5 pm to better protect elephant seal pups. Park Closure
Drakes Beach Road now only open 10 am to 5 pm to better protect elephant seal pups. Northern elephant seals have returned to Drakes Beach and given birth close to beach access points. To better protect the pups during this important time, the parking lot will only be open when park staff and volunteers are present, every day from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. The beach itself will remain closed, but seals are viewable from the parking lot and Ken Patrick Visitor Center area during these ho

More Info

Beach Hazards Statement is in effect until 11 pm on Monday, September 1. Caution
The NWS has issued a Beach Hazards Statement for the Coastal North Bay, including Point Reyes, due to an increased risk of sneaker waves and rip currents. Be extra careful and vigilant if visiting area beaches. Never turn your back to the sea.

More Info

South Beach Restrooms Closed Information
The restrooms at South Beach are closed until further notice. The closest restrooms are at North Beach or Drakes Beach. Vault toilets are available at the Estero Trailhead, Chimney Rock, and Lighthouse parking lots.
Multiple Seasonal Closures to Protect Wildlife Are Currently in Effect Information
Some beaches and other areas of the park are closed to all entry or to various activities (such as dog walking, kayaking, kite flying, or kiteboarding/kitesurfing) to better protect harbor seals, western snowy plovers & seabirds.

More Info

The Lighthouse Visitor Center and stairs are closed on February 19th, 2026. Park Closure
Due to inclement weather, the Lighthouse Visitor Center and the stairs down to the Point Reyes Lighthouse will be closed on Thursday, February 19th.

Park Events

Songs of the Sea & Chantey Sing-along

Avast, ye saucy sailors! Come brave the perilous waters of Point Reyes and join us for a rollicking good time at Point Reyes National Seashore's Sea Chantey Sing-along. Meet at the Ken Patrick Visitor Center where we'll raise our voices together in songs of the sea. Bring your arsenal of sea chanteys and your desire to lead us all in a tune—or simply join in on the chorus, if that's what floats your boat.

This free event is for chantey singers of all levels. Due to the nature of sea chanteys, there may be lyrics that are not appropriate for children.

 

Location: The courtyard of the Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center at Drakes Beach. There are restrooms available on site.

Date: Jan 10, 2026 12:00am to Jan 10, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Songs of the Sea & Chantey Sing-along

Avast, ye saucy sailors! Come brave the perilous waters of Point Reyes and join us for a rollicking good time at Point Reyes National Seashore's Sea Chantey Sing-along. Meet at the Ken Patrick Visitor Center where we'll raise our voices together in songs of the sea. Bring your arsenal of sea chanteys and your desire to lead us all in a tune—or simply join in on the chorus, if that's what floats your boat.

This free event is for chantey singers of all levels. Due to the nature of sea chanteys, there may be lyrics that are not appropriate for children.

 

Location: The courtyard of the Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center at Drakes Beach. There are restrooms available on site.

Date: Feb 21, 2026 12:00am to Feb 21, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Songs of the Sea & Chantey Sing-along

Avast, ye saucy sailors! Come brave the perilous waters of Point Reyes and join us for a rollicking good time at Point Reyes National Seashore's Sea Chantey Sing-along. Meet at the Ken Patrick Visitor Center where we'll raise our voices together in songs of the sea. Bring your arsenal of sea chanteys and your desire to lead us all in a tune—or simply join in on the chorus, if that's what floats your boat.

This free event is for chantey singers of all levels. Due to the nature of sea chanteys, there may be lyrics that are not appropriate for children.

 

Location: The courtyard of the Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center at Drakes Beach. There are restrooms available on site.

Date: Mar 14, 2026 12:00am to Mar 14, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Visitor Center & Contacts

📍 Physical Address:
1 Bear Valley Road
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956

🏤 Mailing Address:
1 Bear Valley Road
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956

📞 Voice Phone: 415-464-5100

✉️ Email: pore_info@nps.gov

Park Location

👏 Fun Fact
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