Point Reyes Beach North

Overview

About Point Reyes Beach North

Why stop

Wide-open surf and sunset views
Long beach walks and possible seasonal whale watching

Heads up

Dangerous surf and sneaker waves
Exposed, windy and often cold conditions

This is the mid-point access to Point Reyes Beach, an undeveloped stretch of sand running roughly 11 miles from Tomales Point and Kehoe Beach in the north to the Point Reyes Headlands in the south. The scene is simple and huge: broad sand, low dunes, and heavy Pacific surf with an unobstructed west-facing horizon. It is also one of the few spots in the park where you can drive to the edge of the beach, so the payoff comes fast.

Parkwolf’s verdictWhy stop here

Map

Where it is

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Full map

BeachPoint Reyes Beach North38.07715, -122.97583

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Plan your stop

Before you go

Best time to go

Leashed pets are welcome at North Beach, on a leash no longer than 6 feet. From March 1 through September 30, pets, kites and kiteboarders are prohibited north of the parking lot to protect western snowy plover habitat; the beach south of the lot remains open to leashed dogs. Camping on the beach and overnight parking are prohibited, and a wood fire requires a permit.

Getting there and access

Park at the northernmost Point Reyes Beach parking lot; searching for North Beach Parking Lot is the reliable way to find it, and from the mapped Point Reyes Beach North location you continue west about 0.4 miles to the lot.
From the lot it is a very short walk down through the dunes to open sand. Coming back means a climb back up through soft sand.
At the parking area you will find auto parking, restrooms with flush toilets including accessible restrooms, trash receptacles and a dumpster. There are no facilities down at the waterline.

4 active Point Reyes alerts

ClosureOld Tocaloma/Platform Bridge closed to vehiclesDo not drive across the Old Tocaloma/Platform Bridge; it is closed to all vehicular traffic until further notice.Official details
ClosurePalomarin Beach Trail closedPalomarin Beach Trail is closed to all visitors, employees, and residents until further notice; do not use the trail. - The trail is closed because unstable and failing sections have made it unsafe.Official details

See all 4 alerts

A park ranger sits on a dash-mounted phone, talking, as Parkwolf’s Tour Guide plays “Army Cutworm Moths: A Grizzly Bear Buffet” on Grand Loop Road below Dunraven Pass in Yellowstone — Parkwolf Tour GuideThe highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.

Point Reyes Tour Guide

Your drive to Point Reyes Beach North, narrated.

Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Point Reyes National Seashore. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.

Recorded for this place

Point Reyes Beach North

0:00 / 0:29

“You're approaching the access road for Point Reyes Beach North; the parking lot is farther west.”

Plays as you drive up to Point Reyes Beach North in the Parkwolf Point Reyes Tour Guide.

More about Point Reyes Beach North

What to doWalk. With miles of beach in both directions, you can go as far as your legs and the wind allow.

Walk. With miles of beach in both directions, you can go as far as your legs and the wind allow.
Watch the surf and the sunset. The beach faces west, and heavy breakers plus a low sun make this a strong late-day photo stop.
Scan for whales. Gray whales pass offshore during the winter migration in December and January and the spring migration in March and April. Look for blows on the horizon and treat any sighting as a bonus rather than a sure thing.
Fishing is permitted, subject to current park rules.

Safety on this beachThe ocean here is genuinely dangerous.

The ocean here is genuinely dangerous. Water temperatures can be around 50 F / 10 C, and the beach sees large surf, sneaker waves, and rip currents, with hypothermia a real risk for anyone swept in.

This is not a swimming beach. Do not swim or play close to the breakers.
Stay well back from the water's edge and never turn your back on the ocean.
Keep children and dogs close, especially where wet sand shows how far waves have already reached.

Honest drawbacksThis is an exposed coast, so expect wind, blowing sand, fog and chill even when inland Point…

This is an exposed coast, so expect wind, blowing sand, fog and chill even when inland Point Reyes is pleasant. Bring a windproof layer, and plan on looking rather than wading. Visitors after strong surf or gray days sometimes find the beach more bracing than relaxing, which is part of its character.

Wildlife

Wildlife in Point Reyes

All Point Reyes wildlife maps

2,552 sightingsNorthern Elephant SealMost seen around 11 AMSighting map

127 sightingsGrey WhaleMost seen around noonSighting map

109 sightingsHumpback WhaleMost seen around 10 AMSighting map

29 sightingsSteller Sea LionMost seen around noonSighting map

203 sightingsCalifornia Sea LionMost seen around noonSighting map

352 sightingsHarbor SealMost seen around 7 AMSighting map

Sighting maps show where each species has been reported across Point Reyes. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.