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Watch the Sunset at Point Reyes Lighthouse

Inverness, California

3.7/5
based on 3 reviews

Description

Added by Joel Bear

Beautiful scenery. Ocean sunset. Coastal hiking. Good surf. Photographically stunning with great viewpoints driving into the seashore. Changing weather.

From San Francisco, drive north over the Golden Gate Bridge and onto the scenic Route One. Plan to spend a full day on the round trip if you're going for the first time; along the drive, you'll most likely want to stop every ten minutes to check out the charming seaside towns or the stunning coastal vistas.

When you reach Point Reyes, turn left onto Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and take this road all the way to the lighthouse. (Side note: don't come in the winter, since this road is closed due to storms.) The road is beautiful, taking you along deltas, past open farmland, through forests, and out to the ocean. When you reach the end of the road there will be a parking lot; leave your car and walk the rest of the way to the lighthouse.

Even if your drive up to Point Reyes is foggy and stormy, there's a good chance the fog will clear by the time you arrive. Get ready for a sunset over the Pacific—and make sure you have enough warm clothes so that you can enjoy it!

Note:
  • The lighthouse stairs are open from 10am - 4:30pm
  • The lighthouse is closed on Tuesday, Wednedsay and Thursday
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Features

Chillin
Photography
Hiking
Beach
Easy Parking
Forest
Scenic

Watch the Sunset at Point Reyes Lighthouse Reviews

Watch for whales in the spring! The rangers at the lighthouse shared that whales far from shore are typically humpbacks, and whales close to shore are typically gray whales. Great photo opportunities around the lighthouse.

Loved this stop and it seemed like I just could not get enough photos. It is one the foggiest and -as mentioned- windiest points in the United States, so make sure to plan for that. We went early in the morning and had the place to ourselves for about an hour, and by the time we got back to the parking lot it was completely parked up with people circling and looking for spots, so my suggestion would be to arrive earlier rather than later. But whatever the time, make sure to make this stop!

This point is supposedly one of the windiest points on the Pacific, so bring a jacket. There is a small parking lot, which can get crowded, but there is parking leading up to the parking area.

My birthday trip :)

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Chimney Rock

Drake's Beach, Pt. Reyes

Walk along Limantour Beach

Photograph the Cypress Tree Tunnel in Point Reyes

Hike the Estero Trail

Hike the Laguna Trail & Coast Trail Loop