Point Reyes National Seashore
The San Andreas Fault separates Point Reyes geology from the mainland while fog, upwelling, dairies, Coast Miwok history, tule elk, elephant seals, and shipwreck history overlap across the peninsula.
Artwork inspired by Chiura Obata
The San Andreas Fault separates Point Reyes geology from the mainland while fog, upwelling, dairies, Coast Miwok history, tule elk, elephant seals, and shipwreck history overlap across the peninsula. No single overlook summarizes it. Three anchors prevent a superficial visit: established is 1962, coastline is 80 miles, and homeland is Coast Miwok.
Use Bear Valley to choose one ecological zone and one cultural landscape, then treat driving distances and fog as real parts of the park. Roads are narrow, ranch areas remain active, beaches have dangerous surf, wildlife closures change seasonally, and lighthouse stairs close in high wind.
- Established
- 1962
- Coastline
- 80 miles
- Homeland
- Coast Miwok
Quick guide
- Orient from
- Use Bear Valley to choose one ecological zone and one cultural landscape, then treat driving distances and fog as real parts of the park.
- Follow the evidence
- Compare tule elk with Point Reyes Lighthouse, then use San Andreas Fault to test what the site is trying to communicate.
Know before you go
- Orient from
- Use Bear Valley to choose one ecological zone and one cultural landscape, then treat driving distances and fog as real parts of the park.
- Follow the evidence
- Compare tule elk with Point Reyes Lighthouse, then test that reading against San Andreas Fault.
- Place in context
- Established: 1962; Coastline: 80 miles; Homeland: Coast Miwok
- Plan the arrival
- For Point Reyes National Seashore, use Bear Valley Visitor Center, 1 Bear Valley Rd, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956 as the reviewed public arrival point. Before visiting Point.
Good to know
Roads are narrow, ranch areas remain active, beaches have dangerous surf, wildlife closures change seasonally, and lighthouse stairs close in high wind.
Notice these
- tule elk
- Point Reyes Lighthouse
- San Andreas Fault