The Winter Guide to Point Reyes For Outdoor Lovers

By Emily Leikam on June 19, 2023
9 min read

Point Reyes National Seashore is a prominent cape on the Pacific Coast that is beaming with natural beauty. Reminiscent of the rugged coast of Ireland, the landscape encompasses dramatic cliffs, natural beaches and native wildlife. This area of California is a great place to appreciate one of the many unique communities dotting the west coast. Outdoor adventurers can enjoy activities such as hiking the many trails, observing elephant seals along the beach, savoring local cheese with a glass of wine, mountain biking, kayaking and so much more. 

Just a short drive from the Bay Area, Point Reyes is a great place for a quick day trip or a longer weekend getaway. The little community is incredibly welcoming to travelers from all over; providing beautiful bed & breakfasts, cabins and secluded camping along the shores. With milder temperatures, less fog and lower crowds, wintertime is one of the best seasons to explore the area. Here’s an inside guide to what you can expect when visiting Point Reyes this winter:

Point Reyes National Seashore. Photo by: Tobias Kleinlercher

How to Get There

Point Reyes National Seashore is located in Marin County, about an hour drive north of San Francisco. From San Fran, you’ll take Highway 101 across the Golden Gate Bridge to the exit for Sir Francis Drake Boulevard heading west. You’ll follow this road for 21 miles then take a right on Highway 1 until you reach Bear Valley Road. Turn left on Bear Valley Road and, in just ½ a mile, you’ll see a big red barn with a sign for the visitor center. 

Where to Stay

If you find yourself lost in the beauty of this cozy coastal community, you may decide you’ll want to stay the night. There are plenty of great options, from campsites along the beach, where you can wake up to the music of the Ocean, to historic lodges that are surrounded by bountiful gardens. Here’s just a sampling of some amazing places to stay:

  • HI Point Reyes Hostel offers a male dorm, female dorm and a group, 10-bed dorm. They also have plenty of private rooms and a separate lodge with two large bedrooms. This is a perfect place to stay if you’d like a detox from any electronics as there will be no Internet connection here. 
  • Olema Cottages are a series of comfortable farmstead cottages in the quiet country hills of Olema, just 1/2-mile from the park entrance. This is a great option for a romantic getaway on a gorgeous property. 
  • Osprey Peak Bed & Breakfast is a Zen-inspired lodge that offers a peaceful place to rest with delicious organic breakfast options. 
  • Coast Camps is a campground along the beach with seven sites. This is ideal for anybody looking to wake up to an amazing sunrise on the sandy shores of Point Reyes.
  • Sky Camps is another campground with 11 sites and great views of Drakes Bay. This location is up on Mt. Wittenberg and requires a moderate uphill hike from the Sky Trailhead. 

Important note: There is no car or RV camping within the park parameters. Here’s a list of nearby campgrounds in Marin County, so you can stay close to your home on wheels.

Three-segment panorama of Point Reyes headlands from Chimney Rock Trail. Photo by: King of Hearts

Best Time to Go

Each season offers unique opportunities for activities and wildlife viewing in Point Reyes. The warmest temperatures will be mid-summer and early fall, offering a good chance to enjoy the beaches. August through October is a great time to visit if you’d like to spot the local tule elk, as this is their rutting season. Spring sprouts beautiful wildflowers at Chimney Rock and is an overall peaceful time to visit. 

Winter, however, is one of the best times to visit Point Reyes. The crowds dwindle down, so you will have a better chance at some solitude as you hike, sight-see or camp. During this time of the year, you have a high chance of spotting whales in the distance, breeding elephant seals and barking sea lions. Winter weather is still very pleasant and offers clear visibility, especially since this area of the coast tends to carry a lot of fog during other times of the year.

What to Do in the Winter 

There’s a lot to do and a lot to see in Point Reyes in the winter! From exploring and hiking to a plethora of activities and places to wine and dine, Point Reyes offers something for everyone.

Exploring

The historic Point Reyes Lighthouse, situated 10 miles out to sea on the Point Reyes Headlands, is the perfect place to explore. Built in 1870 to help steer ships in the fog between San Francisco Bay and points north, it is now part of the National Park Service. As you drive out to the Point Reyes Lighthouse, make a few stops along the way. 

A great place to stop is the site of the famous S.S. Point Reyes Shipwreck that has been around for over 100 years. The wreck can be found in the small village of Inverness, along Tomales Bay. There’s a small trail behind the Inverness Store that will lead you to the site. In fact, there are several areas around the treacherous waters of Point Reyes that you can see the remnants of past shipwrecks. Next, drive about 6 miles north to the Cypress Tree Tunnel, an incredible natural tunnel formed by intricate rows of beautiful cypress trees. You’ll want to have your camera out for this one, as it is like no other tunnel you’ve seen before. The best time to go is during sunrise when the sun rays magically make their way through the trees. 

Once you’ve got all your photos, head to the beach for some ocean vibes. Drakes Beach is a great place to start as it provides drive-up access, a visitor center and amazing overlooks that show off stunning sandstone cliffs. Or, if you’re looking for a more secluded beach, venture off to Sculptured Beach, which is the perfect area to go tide pooling. 

Point Reyes Station. Photo by: Ben Cliff

Hiking

With over 150 miles of well-maintained trails, Point Reyes has some stellar hikes. Here are a few must-do hikes while visiting the area:

Alamere Falls

One trail that should be added to your bucket list is to Alamere Falls. This is a 7.5-mile, out-and-back hike that will lead you to an extraordinary 40-foot tidefall rushing into the Pacific Ocean. This hike offers some amazing views with a chance to spot some gray whales in the distance. You’ll also have access to both Bass and Pelican Lakes. 

Tomales Point Trail

Another classic hike in this region is the Tomales Point Trail. This is a leisurely 9.4-mile hike that takes you along the rugged coastline, offering opportunities to get a good glimpse of the native tule elk. 

Mt. Wittenberg

If you’re looking for a bird’s eye view of the park, take an excursion to Mt. Wittenberg, the tallest point on the peninsula. The trail leads you through an enchanted moss-covered forest to the 1,300-foot summit overlooking the endless ocean. The trailhead can be accessed from the Bear Valley Visitor’s Center.

Activities

Besides hiking, there are plenty of outdoor activities to be enjoyed in Point Reyes. Winter is the best time of the year to go surfing as the waves are smooth and clean. Point Reyes Surf Shop offers surfboard rentals and all the gear you need to get started. Another fun activity on the water is kayaking. Tomales Bay is a popular area with an abundance of wildlife that you can view while floating out in the sea. Blue Waters Kayaking, an outfitter in the area, provides rentals and epic kayaking tours. If you’re not too keen about being on the water, then why not explore the vast trail systems created for bicycles. Or contact Five Books Ranch for a unique opportunity to take a horseback ride through the forests and along the white sand beaches. 

Juvenile male tule elk. Photo by: Frank Schulenburg

Food & Drink

Point Reyes restaurants are well known for the variety of seafood they serve. One place to start is at Hog Island Oyster Company in Marshall, CA. Here, you’ll be able to pick up a bag of fresh oysters for a nice picnic on the beach, or take a farm tour and learn how they sustainably cultivate their oysters. The Cowgirl Creamery is another destination that should be visited by any cheese lover. They sell award-winning, organic cheese that is some of the best in Northern California. After you’ve acquired your delectable cheese you could mosey on over to Point Reyes Vineyard Inn and Winery for some wine tasting on their beautiful outdoor patio. For something directly in town, head to Cafe Reyes; a local restaurant that will serve up your favorite wood-fired pizza, including a vegan marinara. 

What to Wear

Although the climate is pretty mild, Point Reyes can get chilly with some wind (especially at the Point Reyes Lighthouse) and rainfall in the winter. There will be highs of 60 degrees Fahrenheit and lows of 45 degrees. If you’re arriving for a day trip, it’s a good idea to bring some extra clothing just in case of unexpected rain. For the most part, the weather will be sunny, calm, and cool. 

An ideal layering system would be a comfy short-sleeve shirt, like our Valiant™ SS, as a base layer with a fleece coat, like the  Europa™ sweater on top of that. Depending on the day and what you prefer,  a windbreaker or rain jacket would be a nice addition to bring along, as well. Our Parajax™ jackets are a fantastic option as they are incredibly lightweight with a nice water resistant finish to keep you protected from wind and rain. You’ll also want a light beanie to cover your head, a pair of light gloves, comfortable hiking boots and a pair of water-resistant socks. Always be sure to check the weather report before your travels to stay updated.

Point Reyes National Seashore is a must-visit, hidden gem of an area on the coast of California. Its charm attracts anyone looking for a quaint place to explore while being near the rolling waves of the ocean. You may need more than one day when exploring the area as there is so much to do. If you’re camping, be sure to acquire an overnight parking permit and reserve your spot online through the park website. Follow the leave-no-trace principles and, if you can, bring a small bag with you to pick up microplastics along the beach.

Emily Leikam
Emily Leikam

Emily is an avid traveler and has been all around the world from Alaska and Iceland to Peru and Bali. Her home base is Nashville, TN and when not traveling you can find her hiking, practicing yoga or cooking/baking!

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