Hiking Point Reyes

This Saturday, my husband and I drove the (almost) 2 hours from the East Bay to Point Reyes National Seashore. I wanted to show him one of my favorite coastal hikes in the area, the out, and back ~10-mile hike to Tomales Point.

The trailhead

While getting to the trailhead takes some determination (think 10 miles of farm road after many back roads), the trailhead is easy to find, and parking is ample.
Park in the lot provided, use the (normally clean) port-a-potties, don your wind jacket, and set out for the coastal hike.

The trail This almost 10-mile hike is an out-and-back, mostly dirt adventure that only has about 500 feet in elevation gain. This is an ideal hike for newbies and families because it’s only one path, and virtually impossible to get lost.

Follow along the path while enjoying views on all sides. The majority of the trail is well-maintained so you can enjoy the beauty of the ocean as well as keep an eye out for the elk, deer, falcons, and the plethora of other animals that call this place home.

Hike through the sand to enjoy lunch with a dramatic view

The last mile or so of the trail tends to be sandy and is not maintained, so be prepared to slog through sand while dodging shrubs and other plant life. The point is an excellent area to sit and have a picnic lunch; that is, if the 20-mile hour winds don’t blow you down first.

Be sure to not linger too long, because if the sun goes down, and you didn’t bring a light, it can be a little creepy walking back, hearing the elk near the path (but not really knowing exactly where they are) rooting and snorting around.

More details:

• Dogs are not allowed on the trail.
• The best time to go is in the winter and spring: less fog and more wildflowers.
• Bring a light windbreaker/rain shell.
• Bring binoculars to get a zoomed-in view of the protected elk, deer, falcons, seals, and other wildlife.