Introduction:
Where? :
Point Reyes south section, take Sir Francis Drake Blvd and drive to the
direction of the lighthouse.
Google Map Link
What? :
People come here to see the close-up look at the huge Elephant seal and visit
the lighthouse.
When? :
You may see elephant seals on any given month but the best time to visit here
is December through March for the birthing and mating season, and in the spring
when adult females and juveniles haul out to molt.
My thoughts:
A highly recommended place to visit, an amazing place to see Elephant seal colonies.
My highway 1 north section trip planner link:
The
visit:
From hwy
1 take Sir Francis Drake Blvd into the peninsula. After 3.9 miles you can have
a short stop at Point Reyes Inverness Shipwreck, nice short stop on the way.
Keep going
on Sir Francis Drake Blvd in the direction of the lighthouse. The road may be
under construction, protecting against constant flooding in the lower sections.
After 9.1 miles from hwy 1 you will see a narrow road on your left, this short road will take you to the inner lagoon, not too much to do there except watching the view and birds.
After additional 1.1 mile you will see on your right the Cypress
Tree Tunnel.
Cypress
Tree Tunnel:
After
crossing the narrow single lane flooded section of Sir Francis Drake Blvd. you
will reach a right entrance to old KPH Radio Station. You can park your car on
the main road or drive inside the tree tunnel all the way to the end and park
at the small parking lot near the old building. You can visit the old KPH Radio
Station if it open.
The short
road surrounded on both sides by old Cypress Trees creating a “tunnel” where
the old house is at the end of it. This is the place to have a short walk and
take some pictures. If you want to take pictures without anyone else you must
come early morning at sunrise, otherwise you will share your visit with many
other people.
Keep driving
south on the main road and after 2 more miles you will reach the entrance to Point
Reyes Beach North on your right. Keep driving south and after 2 miles turn left
to the road that will take you to Drakes Beach.
On the
way down to Drakes Beach, look at the large grasslands on both sides of the
road, you may spot Tule elk herds, for better and close viewing of Elks I
recommend going to Pierce Point Ranch.
You can
also visit Point Reyes Beach South, Nice long open sandy beaches, not so much
to see other than spending time on the ocean beach.
During
winter months the road after that point is close to private vehicles and the
lighthouse can be access only by shuttle bus if available.
Drakes
Beach (Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center):
This is
the place where you can have close-up look at the huge Elephant Seal. They are
mainly available from December through March (the birthing and mating season). Latest
surveys count population of 1,500 to 2,000 individuals coming to Point Reyes each
winter.
During
2019 Drakes beach was “taken over” by Elephant seal male population, it is
amazing how close you can get to the animals lying on the beach.
At the last
time I visited this place (19/1/2020) the beach was close to access right at
the visitor center parking-lot, but you can see up close the huge Elephant
Seals males, some are only 1m away across the roadblocks.
This is
an excellent place to see (hear and smell) the fascinating behavior of these
animals. It is interesting just to stand there see their behavior, resting in
the sun, moving like big water balloon and throwing sand on their body to cool
themselves, or even to see male domination bloody battle.
During
the winter weekends this is also the place where bus shuttles are going to the
lighthouse and Chimney Rock.
Point Reyes Lighthouse:
After 2 years of renovation they reopen the old, 149th anniversary, lighthouse for visits.
At weekends the small parking lot at the end of the road is full so people park their car on the roadside leading to the lighthouse, once approaching look for available parking spot and walk to the end of the road.
There is a short 0.5 mile long paved trail to the viewpoint above the lighthouse.
From the viewpoint at the cliff top a long stretch of stair leading down to the lighthouse visitor center.
From the viewpoint (or other high viewpoints)
you may also spot Gray whales migrate (from December through May).
Just at
the lighthouse parking lot there is a very short trail to South Beach Overlook,
a nice viewpoint over the long open ocean beach stretching north for many
miles.
During
the winter the road to the Lighthouse may be closed on weekends & federal
holidays beyond South Beach to private vehicle traffic. You will need to take a shuttle-bus
from Drakes Beach that will take you to the lighthouse and Chimney Rock.
Check at the park website for lighthouse opening, it may be close to visit due to covid19.
Chimney Rock & Elephant Seal Overlook:
In order to get to Chimney Rock take left from the main road leading to the Lighthouse. The narrow road will lead you to the parking lot.
here you can hike down and left to Elephant Seal Overlook and if you take the trail near the restroom you will hike to Chimney Rock overlook.
From
the Elephant Seal Overlook, you can see the large colony of elephant seal down
in the water and on the beaches, you can see females with pups and mails in the
mating season.
You can
have a short hike to Chimney Rock Viewpoint or see the old Historic Point Reyes
Lifeboat Station.
www:
https://www.nps.gov/pore/index.htm
https://www.nps.gov/pore/learn/nature/elephant_seals.htm
https://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/kph_treetunnel.htm
https://www.nps.gov/pore/learn/historyculture/stories_communications.htm
Map:
https://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/upload/map_park_closures_201023.pdf
More Pictures:
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