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Credit 1 Pam Starr
2 Alyn Robert Brereton
3 Julie MacKinnon
4 Linda Pittman
5 Parham Pourahmad
6 Larry Whiting
7 Randall Finley
Visitation: 2.2 million
Area: 71,070 Acres
Lat: 38.090668
Lon: 122.921226
Nearby Services
Gas-Point Reyes Station,, 2.5 MilesFood-Point Reyes Station, 2.5 MilesLodging-Olema, 0.5 Miles
Site Facilities
Brochure/Species List Bus Accessible Camping/lodging
Drinking Water Fee Gift Shop/Bookstore
Interpretive Signs Lookouts Restrooms
Trails Trash Cans Visitor Center/Ranger Station
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Top Banner Photo Credits
Pam Starr
Alyn Robert Brereton
Julie MacKinnon
Linda Pittman
Parham Pourahmad
Larry Whiting
Randall Finley
Point Reyes National Seashore - Site # 172
One of the best birding areas in the western United States and a site of international ecological significance with over 45% of North American avian species and nearly 18% of California's plant species.
PremiumPremium - the most significant sites, worth visiting if you have limited time. Premium sites have high wildlife values year-round, staff on site, interpretive programs and/or displays, and well-developed facilities.

Brown Pelican at Abbots Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore. Photo by Harvey Abernathey: 1024x707.84 : 1024x1365.3333333333 Elephant Seal at Point Reyes National Seashore. Photo by Jessica Weinberg: 1024x685.48760330579 Elk-bugling: 1024x576 Tule Elk at Point Reyes National Seashore. Photo by Alex Fisher: 1024x1280.5335556482 Marbled Godwit landing at Limantour Beach. Photo by Harvey Abernathey: 1024x1009.1594202899 Seagull wtih clam at Limantour Beach. Photo by Harvey Abernathey: 1024x664.96 Point Reyes National Seashore. Photo by Jen Joynt: 1024x682.66666666667 Point Reyes National Seashore. Photo by Jessica Weinberg: 1024x685.48760330579 Juvenile Coho Salmon at Point Reyes National Seashore. Photo by Jessica Weinberg: 1024x685.48760330579 Coyote at Point Reyes. Photo by Jen Joynt: 1024x682.66666666667

Background: Host to 430 bird species. Thirty-eight threatened and endangered species exist within the Seashore. Fir and pine forests border bay, maple and oak woodlands. Meadows, streams, lakes, and lagoons lie near a coastline dotted with beaches, dunes, and tidepools. Two major estuaries attract scores of shorebirds and waterfowl, including sanderlings, greater yellow-legs, northern pintails, Brant and Brown pelicans. Coastal trees are resting stops for migratory birds, some, such as western flycatchers and Anna's hummingbirds, breed here. Tomales Point sustains resident tule elk, black-tailed deer are everywhere. Harbor seals, sea lions, elephant seals and California gray whales pass close to Point Reyes Lighthouse, and the coastal cliffs are a summer nesting site for common murres. At dusk, watch myotis bats flying from the red barn near the entrance.

The Habitat: The Seashore contains a variety of habitats and unique geology.

The Experience: Wading birds and gulls are seen year-round. Look for songbirds in fall, with some eastern migrants. Shorebirds are common in fall and winter and waterfowl stay from November thrugh April. Look for nesting ospreys and red-shouldered hawks. Raccoons, skunks, gray foxes, and brush rabbits are active year-round. Bats can be seen from March to May. More than 850 flowering plants. Seals and sealions are present yearround. Elephant Seals and California Grey Whales are visable in December through April.

Wildlife and Where to Find It: Car, hiking, kayaking and horseback riding (some trails only).

Viewing Tips: Visitor centers at Bear Valley, Drakes Beach, and Lighthouse. Camping by permit only. BEWARE OF LOOSE ROCK AND STEEP CLIFFS.

Nearby Viewing Sites: Samuel P. Taylor State Park, Tomales Bay State Park, Audubon Canyon Ranch (Bolinas Lagoon), Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Mount Tamalpais State Park, Marin Municipal Water District

Festivals & Events: 

Visitor Information: Marin County Convention & Visitors Bureau - (866) 925-2060 toll free - http://www.visitmarin.org/
Viewing Site Hours of Operation are:
Staff On-site: Yes
Open: Everday
Hours: 24 hours
Year Round: Yes

Road Information:   Paved.  Dirt. 
 Roads available year-round.
Road Hazards: 
 Number of Parking Spaces: 1100
Parking Fee: No
Proximity to viewing area:0-6 miles
 Pull-Through Parking: Yes
Parking Notes: 

How to Get There: Located approximately 30 miles north of Sausalito. Take Highway 101 North to Richmond Bridge/San Anselmo exit (#450B). Go west on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard 20.9 mi. to Olema. Turn Right on SHORELINE HWY(CA-1) and go 0.1 mi.
Turn Left on BEAR VALLEY RD - go 2.2 mi. Turn left after large red barn. Bear Valley Visitor center is 0.2 mi on the right.
 

Contact Information
Managing Agency: National Park Service
Agency Site URL: http://www.nps.gov/pore
Physical Address:1 Bear Valley Road
Point Reyes, CA 94956
Agency 2:1 Bear Valley Road
Point Reyes, CA 94956
Manager Phone:415-464-5100 Contact Us:by Email
Site Phone:(415) 464-5100
County: Marin
Addition Website: