Exploring Point Reyes

Its weekend and time for yet another camping trip. Past the Golden Gate Bridge, CA-1 became Shoreline Hwy with popular Muir and Stinson beaches and beautiful Bolinas Lagoon filled with water birds for the next few miles. 

Upon reaching the Bear Valley visitor center, we took the Earthquake trail along the San Andreas Fault, the sliding boundary between the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate. We drove to southwest end of the park to Point Reyes lighthouse. As Point Reyes is the windiest place on the Pacific Coast and the second foggiest place on the North American continent, this lighthouse well served its purpose for more than a 100 yrs before being replaced by an automated light in 1975. As expected it was very windy and cloudy as opposed to the weather at the entrance. There were historic ranches all the way and lot of cattle grazing on the vast open grasslands. There was also oyster farming (purchasing/bbq facilities to shucking tutorials for these “best tasting” oysters) in and around, because of which it is called national seashore not national park.

Chimney Rock trail reminded us of hurricane hill trail in Olympic national park which was short(0.9mi) and sweet with scenic panoramic views to unexpected elephant seals and dears. 

Drakes beach was calm, surprisingly flat and the white sandstone cliffs shone in sunset. 

 We had to return in the evening as there was no car camping available within the park and the lodging options were full. There is so much to explore: kayaking in Drakes Estero, Tule Elk Reserve, Tomales point, beaches and trails…we are definitely going back!