point reyes national seashore and lighthouse

But there are several benches to stop and rest on the way up if you need them. At 62, I felt pretty good hiking all the way up without stopping. 1,439 likes, 13 comments - pointreyesnps on December 1, 2023: 'Happy 153rd Birthday to the Point Reyes Lighthouse First lit on December 1st, 1870, th. The views from here were spectacular, even though pretty much all I could see was the ocean. She was super helpful and answered all my questions. A nice ranger inside the lighthouse talked about its history AND its mechanics.apparently it's just like a clock.

The lighthouse is both beautiful and historically interesting. Be sure to bring a coat as the wind is often quite cold. A bit daunting I must say! Like the grand canyon, remember that if you go down, you must walk back up the steps. Located just an hour's drive from a densely populated.

Point Reyes National Seashore was established to preserve and protect wilderness, natural ecosystems, and cultural resources along the diminishing undeveloped coastline of the western United States. At that point, you arrive at the top of the 313 steps down to the lighthouse. Stop by the Bear Valley Visitor Center for help with planning your visit. From the lighthouse parking lot, the half mile hike to the lighthouse gift shop and visitor center is fairly easy and presents beautiful vistas in all directions. Browse exhibits on the historic Point Reyes Lighthouse, whales, seals, sea lions, wildflowers, birds, and maritime history.This is awesome! Visited on a Monday in May 2023 and there were flowers everywhere. Located 45 minutes west of Bear Valley on the Point Reyes Headlands, at the end of Sir Francis Drake Blvd., the Center is a 650 meter (0.4 mile) uphill walk from the parking lot. You can see the original, 1867 clockworks and first-order Fresnel lens during limited hours, weather permitting. 6:00 AM - 12:00 AM Visit website Call Write a review About Drenched in fog most of the year, this lighthouse is one of the foggiest in the country, and is a great whale-watching spot in the fall and spring. You can explore how the lighthouse was built and learn about the lives saved during its 125-year history. Located at beautiful Drake’s Beach this center contains exhibits focused on 16th-century maritime exploration, marine fossils, and marine environments. The Lighthouse Visitor Center is on the west side of Point Reyes peninsula.

Just west of the Center’s parking lot is the 0.6-mile paved Earthquake Trail that takes you on an informational walk through key features of the San Andreas Fault zone. Visitor CentersĮxcellent exhibits, maps, and park information can be found at this center. The preserve is also rich in raptors and shorebirds. The peninsula includes wild coastal beaches and headlands, estuaries, and uplands and the northernmost part is maintained as a reserve for tule elk. The Point Reyes Lighthouse as viewed from a boat. This is one of the most popular of all the hikes in Point Reyes so don’t expect the place to yourself. The mix of commercial and recreational uses-historic ranching and oyster farming-was the reason the area was designated a National Seashore rather than a National Park. The Palomarin Trailhead to Wildcat Beach, via the Alamere Falls, is a great longer hike in Point Reyes to do with beautiful forest scenery and the epic Alamere Falls along the way. It is a nationally important nature preserve within which existing agricultural uses are allowed to continue. The southern half of Point Reyes National Seashore is a 71,028-acre designated wilderness area with more than 70 miles of trails and several hike-in campgrounds. Point Reyes National Seashore Association website >

Point reyes national seashore and lighthouse