Point Reyes Lighthouse

Point Reyes Lighthouse is perched on a ledge at the Point at the farthest distance from the park entrance. Unfortunately there is no beach access from the lighthouse, but Point Reyes National Seashore has many sandy beaches to choose from including the south end of The Great Beach which is nearby. Also close to the lighthouse is Chimney Rock which as hiking trails and a seal rookery to check out.

From the lighthouse parking lot it is nearly a half-mile walk to the visitor center. From the visitor center the path descends 300 stair steps to the lighthouse itself. Your efforts to drive and hike down here will be rewarded with an informative visitor center, a stunning lighthouse, and if it is not a foggy day, excellent views too.

The visitor center and the lighthouse days vary throughout the year so check the NPS website before your trip. Typically the hours are 10am – 4pm on the days it’s open (Thurs-Mon in summer). The stairs are closed during high winds so check the weather forecast before committing to this trip. Bring a camera for sure and pack warm clothes because even when it’s not raining the wind and humidity can make it a cool place to be outside walking around. If you are here during the winter months whales can be spotted offshore so consider binoculars or a zoom lens for your camera.

To get there start at the Point Reyes National Seashore Bear Valley Visitor Center and drive Bear Valley Road to Sir Francis Drake Boulevard which ends 19 miles later at the lighthouse lot. Allow several hours of drive time to get out here and back again. In the winter months you must take a shuttle bus from the parking lot at Drakes Beach.

In November of 2019 the lighthouse re-opened after an extensive refurbishment. This year-long project was the first restoration since the lighthouse was built in 1870. If you haven’t been to the lighthouse before, you should go see the new and improved version of it.

Address

27000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd
Inverness, CA 94937

Phone

415-669-1534

Park Name

Point Reyes National Seashore

Owner

National Park

Pet Details

No dogs allowed

Fees

Free parking, fee for shuttle in winter months

Activities

Photography, Whale Watching, Hiking, Sightseeing

Amenities

Lighthouse, Visitor Center, Restrooms, Interpretive Signs, Viewpoints