Point Reyes
National Seashore

The area 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.

VISITATION:

2.6 million annually. Peaks are from May to August and again in January. Winter visitation is primarily centered on viewing the annual gray whale migration along the California coastline.

LOCATION:

Point Reyes Station, CA

ADDRESS:

Point Reyes National Seashore
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956-9799

TELEPHONE:

(415) 663-1092 or fax (415) 663-8132

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:

The park is open daily 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 5:00 p.m., Lighthouse stairs and exhibits, 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.

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:

Weather at Point Reyes varies not only from day to day but from hour to hour. From February through July, mild weather carpets the land with a host of brilliantly colored wildflowers. Summer is the time when fog can blanket the coastal areas while the inland valleys remain warm. Fall and winter provide opportunities for viewing migratory gray whales as the fogs of summer retreat and clear skies can prevail. Dress in layers while visiting the seashore since you may begin a hike in 75 degree sunshine and finish it along the coast where cooler temperatures (50 to 60 degrees) and ocean breezes can change quickly.

DIRECTIONS:

State highway 1 provides direct access from the north and the south. It is a scenic, winding road. U.S. 101, further east, is a freeway. East-west roads, such as Sir Francis Drake Highway, connect these two highways. Sir Francis Drake Highway begins off Interstate 580 crossing the Richmond Bridge. You may also access Sir Francis Drake Highway where it crosses Interstate 101 in the town of Greenbrae.

TRANSPORTATION:

To Park: Golden Gate Transit is the only public transportation available from the San Francisco area. For schedule and fare information: (415) 923-2000.
In Park: personal vehicle or bicycle.

FEES, COSTS, RATES:

No entrance fees. A charge for backcountry campsites was initiated in July 1997. The cost is $10/site/night for individual sites that can accommodate up to 8 people. Group sites are available for a fee of $30/site/night. Reservations for camping permits may be obtained up to two months in advance by calling the backcountry reservation desk at (415) 663-8054 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday (Pacific time).

A transportation use fee has been implemented for shuttle services on weekends and holidays, weather permitting, from Drakes Beach to the Lighthouse and Chimney Rock. Sir Francis Drake highway is closed to private vehicles beyond South Beach between 9 am and 5pm when the shuttles are operating. Park at Drakes Beach to catch the shuttles. The last shuttle leaves Drakes Beach at 3:30 p.m. Arrive before 3 p.m. to insure that you are able to purchase tickets before the departure of the last shuttle at 3:30 p.m. There is a fee for the shuttle bus system for individuals over 12 years old.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
Visitor Center/Exhibits:

Three visitor centers highlighting the diversity of the park are available. The Bear Valley Visitor Center, located at park headquarters near Olema, is a barn-like structure that contains 2,500 square feet of exhibits and dioramas. All of the major ecosystems are represented along with cultural history of the area. An auditorium plays an introductory slide presentation on request. Backcountry campground permits are issued from the center. Hours are weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and weekends and holidays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is closed December 25th. The Ken Patrick Visitor Center, located at Drakes Beach, houses a 250 gallon salt water aquarium, a 16 foot minke whale skeleton, five to nine million year old whale fossils, a cross section of a 16th Century cargo vessel, an interactive touch screen computer, sales area and much more. Hours are weekends and holidays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is closed December 25th. The Lighthouse Visitor Center, located at the most westerly point of the Point Reyes peninsula, gives the visitor information on the lighthouse and lifesaving services performed over the 125 years of its use as well as natural history information on whales, seals and wildflowers. Hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Thursday through Monday. It is closed Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and December 25th.

Trails, Roads:

Over 140 miles of hiking trails allow the visitor to explore Point Reyes and all its splendor. Some of the trails allow bicycles, although they are not allowed in the designated wilderness; pick up a free hiking trail map that differentiates hiking and biking trails. Horses are allowed on most trails and beaches but some restrictions exist. Pets are not allowed on trails at Point Reyes. They may visit North and South Beaches, Kehoe Beach, and Palomarin Beach, but must be on a leash no longer than six feet. Additional information on nearby parks where hiking with pets is permitted, may be obtained at information centers.

Programs/Activities:

A list of free naturalist activities is published in the tri-annual newspaper. Programs on lighthouses and lifeboat stations, gray whales, seals and sea lions, wildflowers, birds, geology, Native Americans, tidepools and much more are offered throughout the year.

Lodging and camping facilities:

Four (4) hike-in campgrounds are available in the park. Permits are required and may be obtained at the Bear Valley Visitor Center. Reservations can be made up to two months in advance by calling (415) 663-8054, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Fees for camping are $10/site/night, with group sites at $30/site/night. Campgrounds are equipped with running water and pit toilets. Each site has a picnic table and benches, a charcoal grill and a food storage locker. Wood fires are prohibited in the campgrounds, as are firearms and fireworks. Please note changes starting November 1, 1999.

A variety of bed-and-breakfast inns and a few motels are within five miles of the headquarters. RV camping is available at nearby Olema Ranch Campground (415) 633-8001, one mile from park headquarters, and Samuel P. Taylor State Park six miles from park headquarters, respectively.

Visit the Marin County Convention and Visitors Bureau web site at http://marin.org/mcenter/marin.html for a complete listing of lodging and camping in Marin County.

Food/supplies:

Neighboring towns all have grocery stores, delicatessens and restaurants.

Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities:

Each visitor center has a bookstore that is operated by the Point Reyes National Seashore Association. A concession operated cafe exists at Drakes Beach, and a youth hostel is located near Limantour Beach. Five Brooks Stables for rental horse riding is located at Fivebrooks, off of Highway 1. Call the stables at (415) 663-1570, for a listing of daily scheduled trail rides, and to make reservations.

Accessibility:

All three visitor centers are wheelchair accessible, and all three have wheelchairs for use. Bear Valley has a TDD, rest room, public telephone and designated parking spaces. The park film is close-captioned, and an assistive listening device can be borrowed for outdoor programs. The Earthquake Trail, a self- guided half-mile loop explaining the San Andreas Fault and 1906 Earthquake, is paved. Other accessible improvements throughout the park include: Limantour Beach (paved trail for birdwatching), Abbotts Lagoon (soil cement trail leading to an overlook, rest rooms at parking lot and parking spaces), and the Historic Pierce Point Ranch (soil cement trail with self-guided signs explaining the history of the 1880 dairy ranch).

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:

Trails may be used by hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. Leisurely drives throughout the seashore to beaches and wildlife areas; such as the tule elk range or historic lighthouse. Picnicking at beaches and trailheads is also recommended. Some restrictions apply to trail usage by bikers and horses, so please pick up free park maps with specific trails marked. Birdwatching is exceptional, especially during fall and spring migrations. The park beaches are also excellent places to view the annual gray whale migration, January through April.

RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:

Reservations are required for school groups wishing a ranger guided walk of the replica Coast Miwok village, the Morgan Horse Ranch, the Earthquake Trail, or the Lighthouse. Reservations are also needed for environmental education programs on wildflowers, whales, and habitat explorations. Call (415) 663-1092 for a reservation packet.

Permits are required for backcountry camping and may be obtained at the Bear Valley Visitor Center. Reservations may be made up to two months in advance by calling (415)663-8054, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Fees for camping are $10/site/night, with group sites at $30/site/night. Please note changes starting November 1, 1999.

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:

Begin your visit at the Bear Valley Visitor Center, off highway 1 near Olema; gateway to the seashore. Maps and information are available, as well as rest rooms and a picnic area. Short trails from this visitor center explore earthquake activity, Coast Miwok culture, and the Douglas fir forest for a basic overview of the park. Then head for the beaches, a scenic drive to the elk range or historic lighthouse!

SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS:

Several annual events take place throughout the seashore. The following is a list with approximate dates: Native American Strawberry Festival (April), Native AmericanBig Time Celebration (July), and Sandcastle Contest (Sunday of Labor Day Weekend, September).

VISITOR IMPACTS:

Check at park visitor centers for up-to-date information on road and trail conditions. Information is available on environmental hazards such as ticks, poison oak, or wildlife activity. The park has an active volunteer habitat restoration program to remove non-native plants and preserve the natural landscape. Also, the "Adopt A Trail Program" allows park visitors to work on trail construction and restoration. If you have some time to spare, call (415) 663-1092 for information on these volunteer opportunities.

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:

The Marin County Visitors and Convention Bureau web site may be accessed at http://marin.org/mcenter/marin.html for a complete listing of local, state, and national parks, and commercial attractions.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Write Information Request, Point Reyes National Seashore, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956-9799 or call (415) 663-1092.

______________________________

Last Updated:Monday, 06-Sep-99 16:16:07
http://www.nps.gov/pore/