Beaches A to Z
Point Reyes has beaches on three sides of the peninsula. Ocean-facing beaches are on the west and south sides, and beaches line the east and west sides of Tomales Bay. There’s something for everyone — from intense surfing to leisurely sunbathing and bonfires.
“...all things are one thing and that one thing is all things—plankton, a shimmering phosphorescence on the sea and the spinning planets and an expanding universe, all bound together by the elastic string of time. It is advisable to look from the tide pool to the stars and then back to the tide pool again.
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Drive up beaches
Point Reyes Beach/Great Beach
Less than a mile hike
Longer hikes
Sculptured Beach
Wildcat Beach
Tide pools
Read about Tide Pool Safety
Agate Beach/Duxbury Reef, the most prolific in the area
Kehoe Beach (to the right)
McClures (to the left)
During a minus tide, you can tidepool among the rocks between Kehoe and McClures
Palomarin Beach
Sculptured Beach/Secret Beach
Tomales Bay beaches
Hearts Desire is easily accessible from the parking lot or a less than one mile hike from the small (free) parking area at the Jepson Trailhead.
Marshall beach is accessible via kayak or a 1.2 mile trail.
Shell Beach is less than a mile hike from the parking lot.
Read more about beaches and rules on the Point Reyes National Seashore website.
Ocean Beaches
Agate Beach/Duxbury Reef
At the southernmost end of the Point Reyes peninsula is Duxbury Reef, a large shale reef extending out from Duxbury Point at the south end of Agate Beach. You can access Duxbury Reef from Agate Beach in Bolinas. Here, you will find exceptional tide pools to explore when the tide is low. Get details
Drakes Beach
The western side (toward the lighthouse) has more tide pools and more Northern Elephant Seals, especially at the far western end. The eastern span of Drakes Beach leads to the mouth of Drakes Estero. At the western edge of the parking lot is the trailhead for the Peter Behr Overlook. It's a short 1/4 mile hike to the top of the cliffs with dramatic views of Drakes Beach at the overlook. Get details
Kehoe Beach
This is a popular spot for local dog owners — one of the few places in the National Seashore that allows dogs (on leash). It’s an easy flat hike of less than a mile to the beach. To the left of the trail is a freshwater creek that produces a large marshy area, home to birds, reptiles, insects and many other critters. To the right of the trail about a quarter or half mile along the beach are tide pools. When the tide is very low, you can climb over the rocks connecting Kehoe Beach to McClures Beach. Get details
Kelham Beach
Getting to Kelham Beach requires a long hike. Once you get to the Kelham Beach trailhead, it’s a short climb (500 feet) down 141 steps to reach the beach. Clearly, this is not a drive-up-and-bring-your-cooler kind of experience! The beach is secluded, cut off on both ends by rocky promontories. Explore the small waterfall near the stairs and relax after a long hike. Get details
Limantour Beach
Limantour Beach is at the end of Limantour Road, the most beautiful drive in Point Reyes. It’s a picturesque beach that’s ideal for a sunrise or sunset stroll. Limantour Beach is part of the long arm of Drakes Bay. Its south-facing direction provides protection from the rough ocean and sneaker waves that are common at the Great Beach on the west-facing side of the peninsula. Get details
McClures Beach
McClure's Beach is a geologic wonderland. Some of the most ancient rocks in the Bay Area are exposed here. It's a short hike starting on a sandy path, remains of ice age sand dunes. The path becomes decomposed granite and winds gradually down a wide ravine. Wildflowers dot the banks and a seasonal creek carries water to the beach on the left. Get details
Palomarin Beach
From the Palomarin Trailhead in Bolinas, hike a short 1.4 mile out-and-back trail to the rocky shore and tide pools of Palomarin Beach. Arrive at the parking lot before 10am on weekends to get a spot.
On September 24, 2020, Palomarin Beach Trail was determined to be unsafe due to unstable and failing sections of the trail and is closed to all visitors, employees and residents until further notice.
Point Reyes Beach/Great Beach (North Beach and South Beach)
With access points at North and South beach, Point Reyes Beach (“Great Beach”) is an 11 mile stretch of shoreline with intense surf and sneaker waves. When walking along the shore, keep you eyes on the water — both to watch for incoming waves and whales. Dogs on leash are allowed. At the south end of the beach near the Lighthouse headlands, Northern Elephant Seals congregate on the beach. Point Reyes Beach is a popular nesting spot for the threatened Western Snowy Plover in the summer.
Sculptured Beach and Secret Beach
About two miles southeast along Limantour beach, you’ll come to Sculptured Beach, a good place for tidepooling. When the tide is very low, you can pass through Sculptured Beach to Secret Beach, where you can explore sea caves and interesting rock formations. Check the tides before you go. The best time (really, the only time) to visit Secret Beach is during a minus tide, which is rare, so you’ll need to plan ahead. Frank Binney leads an adventure to explore the caves of Secret Beach once or twice a year through the PRNSA Field Institute — register early as it fills up fast. Another route to access Sculpture Beach is starting at the Laguna Trailhead near the Clem Miller Environmental Center and the Point Reyes Hostel. Take the Laguna Trail which turns into the Fire Lane Trail, then turns into the Coast Trail. Take a left at the Coast Trail north-south junction (toward Coast Camp) and hike past the junction with the Woodward Valley Trail. Look for an unmarked trail that leads to stairs down to Sculptured beach.
Wildcat Beach
Wildcat Beach is a long hike from the Palomarin Trailhead or a long bike ride from the Stewart Trailhead at Five Brooks. Wildcat Camp is a popular hike-in camping spot and provides easy access to Wildcat Beach and Alamere Falls.
Tomales Bay Beaches
Chicken Ranch
Just north of Inverness, Chicken Ranch is a favorite sunbathing and kayaking put in beach. Park along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. Bluewaters Kayaking offers kayak and standup paddleboard rentals nearby.
Hearts Desire Beach
Hearts Desire Beach in Tomales Bay State Park is great for families with small children. It’s in a small cove with shallow, warmer water and a sandy beach. Amenities include flush toilets, outdoor showers, picnic tables and grills. A platform in the water is fun for kids to swim to and jump off. A short hike along an interpretive trail goes to the quieter Indian Beach for those who prefer fewer crowds.
Marshall Beach
The beach is accessible by hiking a little more than a mile from the trailhead or kayaking on Tomales Bay to the beach. This is the only beach in Point Reyes where camping is allowed. Get details
Shell Beach
Park at the end of Camino Del Mar Road and hike downhill for about half a mile to Shell Beach. It’s a small, secluded beach with pit toilets. A short trail connects two small beaches or you can walk between them at low tide. Get details