Point Reyes Station was named after a railroad that passed
through the area from 1874 to 1933.
Previously called Olema Station, the old
train depot is now a post office and the engine house stands as a testament to
the heritage of this great coastal town. Along Main Street / A Street /
Highway 1 / Shoreline Highway, historic buildings date from 1898 and include a
former store, hotel and ballroom. Nearby restaurants include Cafe Reyes Pine Cone Diner, Point Reyes Station Inn, Station
House Cafe, Taqueria La Quinta and Whale Of A Deli.
Popular for day trips from
San Francisco Bay area, the
region attracts a local audience eager to explore the scenic beauty and many
trails that afford easy hikes and a wealth of bird watching. For
tourists, the drive between San Francisco and California's northern coast
with its towering redwood forests does not offer an abundance of fast food
restaurants or chain convenience stores. The atmosphere is small town,
rural and laid back. Don't expect to stop for the night at Howard Johnson's
or the local Marriott Hotel. Grab a map before you go and plan to spend a
fair amount of time driving along the windy roads that hug the hills above
the inlet to the ocean. The drive is gorgeous and you will find
yourself spellbound by the incredible vistas.
Point Reyes National Seashore and Tomales Bay are walking
distance to and offer views of Black Mountain and Inverness Ridge. Hiking, biking,
horseback riding, Point Reyes Bird Observatory, whale and seal watching offer things to see and do for the outdoor
enthusiast.
Earthquake Trail is a
half-mile (0.6 mile) paved trail with a
picnic area. Other
trails and points of interest include Kule Loklo Coast Miwok Cultural
Exhibit,
Bear Valley Trail to Divide
Meadow and
Five Brooks Pond,
Abbotts Lagoon
and historic Pierce Ranch,
an 1880s dairy ranch accessible via a dirt trail.
Point Reyes Seashore
beaches include Limantour Beach and North and South Beach.
While none offer beach access, Limantour Beach features a paved trail along
a freshwater marsh. North and South Beach have parking lots and paved paths
along scenic dunes with ocean views.
Other spots of scenic beauty worth investigating include
Morgan Horse Ranch
and Mount Vision. Mount Vision Road off Sir Francis Drake Highway includes a
10 to 15 minute drive that leads to Mount Vision. It features several vistas to Tomales Bay, Drakes Bay and Estero.
Point Reyes Bird Observatory
features a small visitor center and information on opportunities to observe
bird banding from sunrise
until noon. Call 415-868-1221.
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