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 by the breathtaking view. I was able to see several Pacific gray whales and the park marshals were very informative in explaining the migration patterns. Watching the waves crash against the rocky shore was both mesmerizing and calming. The hike back up those 308 steps was a bit more tiring, but there were quite a few lookout points from which we could rest and admire the view of the ocean. I am eager to return this summer to explore the many hiking trails and learn more about the history of Point Reyes.
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
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