Limantour Beach

The beach is backed by the Limantour Spit dunes, with Estero de Limantour on the far side of the spit, a productive wildlife area. That combination of open sand, dune grass, wetland, and pale cliffs across the bay is what makes this a photographer's beach as much as a walker's one.

Sightings are never guaranteed. Keep your distance from any wildlife you do find, and leave shells, driftwood, and other natural objects where they are.

• Harbor seals are often seen offshore or basking near the western end of the spit
• Shorebirds feed in the wetlands and along the beach in fall
• Ducks are abundant in winter
• In spring, mother gray whales guide calves along the shoreline

Walk. You can head southeast for miles on soft, wide sand, or west along the spit toward the estero side. Beyond that: picnicking, birding, marine-mammal watching, and photography. Fishing is permitted along much of the Drakes Bay side, but not in Estero de Limantour or along the western end of Limantour Spit. A permit is required for any wood fire on Point Reyes beaches.

• Pets are allowed on about two miles only, from the main parking lot southeast until the beach turns rocky, on a leash no longer than six feet. Pets are prohibited west of the main parking lot on Limantour Spit, so the spit walk is a people-only outing
• No camping on the beach
• No glass containers, no metal detectors, no drones anywhere on seashore lands and waters
• Pack out or properly dispose of your waste

The setting is exposed, and it can be windy or foggy, which turns a mild beach day into a cold one fast. Bring layers and expect no shelter. This is still an ocean beach: water can be as cold as 50°F / 10°C, and hypothermia, sneaker waves, and rip currents are real hazards here, so treat the surf and tide with respect rather than assuming the calmer-looking water is safe for swimming or wading. There is no drinking water, so arrive supplied. And if you're bringing a dog, plan your walk around the pet section rather than the full length of the beach.