Point Reyes National Seashore extends like a fingertip into the sea, creating one of California's most dramatic coastal landscapes. This 71,000-acre peninsula, located just an hour north of San Francisco in Marin County, combines working farmland with pristine wilderness: It’s the sort of place where dairy ranches dating to the 1850s share space with elephant seal colonies and herds of tule elk. Along the coast and tucked into rolling hills, small towns preserve the region's agricultural heritage while offering visitors a taste of the region’s renowned farm-to-table cuisine.
Wake up on the Water at Nick’s Cove
Begin your Point Reyes adventure at Nick's Cove, a collection of beautifully restored historic cottages perched above the peaceful waters of Tomales Bay. Each unique accommodation combines rustic charm with luxurious touches—think vintage maritime decor, wood-burning stoves, and deep soaking tubs with views of the water. The onsite restaurant is popular with locals and serves up the sort of fare you would expect: cioppino, fish and chips, crab rolls, and lots of oysters. The property's location in tiny Marshall (population 400 or so) sets the tone for a day of coastal exploration in a part of California that moves at a leisurely pace.
Savor the Local Flavors of West Marin
Sign up for a Food & Farm Tours excursion to discover why this region has become synonymous with sustainable agriculture: Owner Alexandra Fox is a Marin County native who knows everyone and everything associated with the local culinary scene. With Fox leading the way, the journey begins at Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co., a fourth-generation dairy farm where happy Holstein cows graze on hills overlooking the bay. In the farm's culinary center, sample their award-winning Original Blue and Toma cheeses while learning about the family's commitment to land stewardship and animal welfare.
Continue to Hog Island Oyster Co.’s waterfront farm, where millions of oysters mature in the pristine waters of Tomales Bay. Watch as farmers tend to the oyster beds, and learn about the delicate process—which can take up to three years—of bringing these bivalves to market. A tableside shucking demonstration reveals the art of opening these briny treasures, followed by a feast of fresh oysters enjoyed at picnic tables overlooking the bay. The combination of fresh sea air, stellar views, and just-harvested seafood explains why so many locals couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.
Must-See Coastal Landmarks
Drive west through pastoral ranchland to reach the Cypress Tree Tunnel, an Instagram-famous attraction where gnarled Monterey cypress branches form a living archway leading to the KPH Maritime Radio Receiving Station. This Art Deco building, still used by the Coast Guard, creates a striking contrast against the windswept landscape. Built in 1929, the station and its distinctive approach have become one of Point Reyes' most photographed locations, particularly beautiful in early morning light or misty conditions.
Visit the Point Reyes Lighthouse
Just a few miles further, the Point Reyes Lighthouse stands sentinel on one of the windiest, foggiest points on the Pacific Coast. Descend 313 steps to reach this historic beacon, which guided ships safely past Point Reyes' treacherous headlands from 1870 to 1975. Rangers share tales of the lighthouse keepers who once maintained the first-order Fresnel lens through fierce storms and dense fog, and they know plenty about the local flora and fauna too. The journey down the steps (and especially back up) is rewarded with panoramic views of the rugged coastline—on clear days, you might spot migrating whales or the distant Farallon Islands.
End the Day with a Scenic Hike
Finish off your day with a hike along the Chimney Rock Trail, a relatively easy 1.75-mile round trip that showcases the peninsula's dramatic meeting with the sea. The path winds along coastal bluffs, offering spectacular views of Drakes Bay, raptor sightings, and perhaps a few interactions with earth-bound creatures. In spring, wildflowers carpet the headlands, while any time of year might reveal harbor seals lounging on the beaches below. The trail's western terminus provides an ideal vantage point for watching the sun sink into the Pacific Ocean, painting the sky in vivid shades of pink, orange, and purple.
From oyster farms to lighthouse steps, dairy pastures to coastal trails, Point Reyes offers visitors a rare combination of working agricultural landscape and protected wilderness. While one day only scratches the surface of what this region has to offer, it's enough time to understand why this peninsula has captivated travelers, farmers, and naturalists for generations.