Accessible Path: Yes w/ paved road & widened gravel pathway
Mileage: 0.25 miles one way (0.5 miles total)
Point Reyes National Seashore is a place of extraordinary beauty, but also a place where the line between wild and tame begins to blur. A place where rugged coastlines give way to protected harbors. A place where rolling hills meet canyons and bluffs. A place, even, where grazing dairy cows stare down the beach at sunbathing elephant seals. These seeming contradictions provide the perfect background for viewing the beauty of the Pacific Coast!
If you start your trip by driving along Highway 1, you're in for an additional scenic treat (we'll have more on this drive later). Just North of Olema you'll see signs for Sir Francis Drake Boulevard heading into the park - take the turn. Soon you'll be driving along side Tomales Bay, known for many things but famous for its oysters.
The drive along the calm bay soon takes a turn and you'll find yourself among the rolling hills of the Point Reyes headlands. Interestingly, you may even see some cows roaming about. When the area was designated at National Seashore in 1962, many historic ranches with origins dating back more than 150 years were still in operation. As part of the agreement with the National Park System, the ranches are allowed to operate through special use permit. Despite the presence of cows on the land, the beaches along within the park are consistently rated as some of the cleanest in the state.
Wind your way through the historic ranches, catching glimpses of those pristine beaches as you go. As you reach the end of the road, you'll find an intersection. To your right is the Point Reyes lighthouse, nestled along the Pacific coast. To your left is Chimney Rock and Elephant Seal Overlook marking the beginning of Drakes Bay. Be sure to take the short drive up to the lighthouse - there are many pullouts along the road to view the beauty of the Pacific.
After you've seen the lightshouse, make your way to the Chimney Rock/Elephant Seal Overlook parking area and park near the trailhead. Take in views of Drakes bay as you head North along the paved road, taking care to mind the slope. Soon you'll find a wide gravel pathway heading out along the bluff. Take the pathway, pausing along your way to look out across the bay and, if you're lucky enough, along the hillside itself for views of wild Irises.
The barks of elephant seals on the beach below will signal that you've almost reached the end. A wooden bench at the end of the trail is a perfect place to view the elephant seals, and the rest of the coastline along Drakes Bay. When you've had your fill and caught your breath, return on the pathway and make your way back to the parking lot.
On the drive out, take a left at the signs for South Beach or North Beach to get an up close view of the pristine beaches. Just be sure to watch for any cows crossing the road!
Comentários