Point Reyes Beach South

Drive to the parking area and walk toward the restroom building at the south end of the lot, then take the sandy path just north of it down to the beach. Please stay out of the dune restoration area west of the lot; it is fenced off for a reason. Parking here is generally ample, which is part of why this access is a reliable choice.

This is not a swimming beach. Sneaker waves can run far up the sand without warning, rip currents are a hazard, and the ocean water may be as low as 50 F (10 C), cold enough for hypothermia to set in fast. Practical rules: stay well back from the waterline and never turn your back on the ocean. Watch the surf for a few minutes before you walk down near it.

• Amenities: auto parking, flush restrooms including an accessible restroom, and trash and recycling receptacles.
• Dogs: allowed on South Beach on a leash no longer than 6 feet.
• Fishing: permitted from the beach.
• No camping or overnight parking at this access.

The wind can be strong, and weather here can shift quickly, bringing fog and cold, so bring a windproof layer even on a warm inland day. Clear afternoons and the hour before sunset are the standouts for photography and for watching the surf; if you want a quiet, big-sky beach walk with an easy approach from the car, this delivers.

This is the exposed, ocean-facing side of the peninsula, so it feels very different from the calmer Drakes Bay beaches. Waves arrive with real force, wind is usually part of the deal, and the horizon is uninterrupted. Visitors consistently praise the sweeping views and the payoff of late-day light and sunsets here.