Point Reyes

Point Reyes is a prominent coastal headland and protected seashore on the Pacific coast of northern California, administered largely as Point Reyes National Seashore. The peninsula features rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, estuaries and a network of trails and historic structures.

Key visitor attractions include the historic Point Reyes Lighthouse on the headland, the Tomales Point ridge where tule elk are often visible, and beaches and lagoons used for wildlife viewing and hiking. Coastal overlooks provide seasonal sightings of migrating whales.

The landscape is geologically notable because the San Andreas Fault runs across the peninsula, producing visible fault features and influencing local topography. The area contains historic ranches, lighthouses and remnants of early settlement alongside protected natural habitats.

Point Reyes lies on the Pacific coast of Marin County, roughly northwest of San Francisco and accessible by road via Inverness and Olema; the seashore spans a long coastal peninsula with multiple trailheads and visitor facilities.

• Park status: The site includes a working 19th-century lighthouse and is part of Point Reyes National Seashore, a protected coastal landscape managed by the U.S. National Park Service.
• San Andreas Fault: The San Andreas Fault crosses the peninsula and is visible in landscape features and mapped fault traces on the seashore.
• Wildlife: Tule elk are commonly seen on the Tomales Point trail, and seasonal whale migration can be observed from coastal overlooks in winter and spring.

What to See #

• Point Reyes Lighthouse: An historic lighthouse on the headland that was constructed in the 19th century and is a noted visitor destination within the national seashore.
• Tomales Point: Tomales Point is a narrow northern promontory known for its population of tule elk and coastal prairie habitat.
• Drakes Beach: Drakes Beach is a broad sandy shoreline on the seashore's western edge used for beach visits and tidepooling.