I had been dealing with quite a bit of stress prior to my vacation in California, to the point that I was questioning my whole direction in life. I spent several days in Point Reyes hiking and bird watching. The day before I left, I hiked out early to Arch Rock, met a bobcat along the way and meditated to the rhythm of the ocean below. The solitude of an early morning hike, put my life in perspective. My only company on that rock overlooking the Pacific Ocean was a gull, feathers ruffled in the breeze. As other humans arrived, I joyfully gave up my rock and sauntered back to the visitor center and a more centered life.
Sincerely,
Point Reyes National Seashore
This seashore, established in 1962, is the only national seashore on the West Coast. It features windswept beaches, coastal cliffs and headlands, marine terraces, coastal uplands, salt marshes, estuaries, and coniferous forests. Located on the Point Reyes Peninsula, 40 miles northwest of San Francisco, the park encompasses about 71,070 acres, stretched across more than 80 miles of undeveloped coastline. Within the park, 32,730 acres are designated wilderness or potential wilderness, constituting one of the most accessible wilderness areas in the country, and the only marine wilderness (Drakes Estero) on the West Coast south of Alaska. The park harbors an astonishingly rich array of wildlife species, some found nowhere else on Earth.
State(s): California
Established: 1972
“Parks are the places we go to for reflection, inspiration and education. They round out the experiences of our lives.”
National parks represent the best of America. Why do you care about protecting and preserving them? Tell us why parks matter to you!
Success! Thanks for sharing your story with us.
You’ll be notified by email when your story is approved and added to the collection on the My Park Story homepage.
In the meantime, you can share your own story page with your family and friends — and help us spread the word about these priceless memories and priceless places!
Here’s your unique story page link:
{{ storyUrl }}-
Greetings from Point Reyes National Seashore
Time seemed to slow to a halt as I stepped onto the sands of Point Reyes National Seashore. Amidst the vibrant wildlife that thrived here, I found myself reflecting on a quote by Oscar Wilde, "Nothing can cure the soul but the senses, just as nothing can cure the senses…
-
Greetings from Point Reyes National Seashore
Over the years our family explored the beauty of this park. We camped nearby, rode bikes on the Bear Valley Trail, had picnics on Pt. Reyes Beach, walked along Drakes Beach, fed seagulls, hiked on many trails out to the headlands. It was always a beautiful place to spend time…
-
Greetings from Point Reyes National Seashore
On a recent visit to Point Reyes National Seashore with my family, we walked down to the Point Reyes lighthouse. It was a crisp winter day, but perfectly clear. The hike down was fairly easy and felt invigorating. While I had seen photographs of the lighthouse, I was truly amazed…
Preserve Our Parks
Make a tax-deductible gift today to provide a brighter future for our national parks and the millions of Americans who enjoy them.
Donate Now