Vacations-Away

Pt. Reyes National Seashore   is found about an hour north of San Francisco,

Tule Elk     Meadow Flowers       Ranches        Beaches & Headlands        Resources

It has a human history of Miwok Indians, English and Spanish explorers, Mexican landlords and dairy farmers. Geologists equate the terrain and formation with the Tehachapi Mountains 310 miles to the south.  Pt. Reyes rides on the northern edge of the Pacific plate and moves about 2" per year northward.  The plates grind together on an area known as the San Andreas Fault, cause of the 1906 earthquake when the plate leapt 20'.  In 1579 Sir Frances Drake sailed his ship into what is now known as Drake's Bay at the southern end.  In 1595 Sebastian Rodriguez Cermeno ran his ship San Agustin aground during a violent storm.  Ming China has been found from the wreck.  Spanish explorer Don Sebastian Vizcaino named Pt. Reyes on January 6 1603 while sailing by the rocky headlands he named La Punta de Los Tres Reyes (the day of the feast of the three kings).  In 1821 an independent Republic of Mexico was founded.  During this time there were three principal landholders through land grants, called the Lords of Pt. Reyes, they were: James Berry, Rafael Garcia, and Antonio Osia.  After the United States defeated Mexico and conquered California, the land ended up in the hands of a San Francisco law firm. The land was then divided into dairy farms for the law firm partners.   The land is now a national seashore.  The remaining dairy farms are "pastoral" in ownership, to be eventually turned over to the seashore park.

Tule Elk  

At the northern most end near McClure's Beach a large herd of magnificent Tule Elk roam openly on the steep and rocky pastures above the ocean.

Meadow Flowers abound . . .

Queen Ann's Lace    California Poppy   Coastal Lupine      Top

Beaches and Headlands    McClure's Beach

The land area of the peninsula is approximately 12 miles by 5 miles.   Top

Resources

Centers  There are three visitor centers: Bear Valley Visitor Center 415-663-1092    Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center 415-669-1250  Lighthouse Visitor Center 415-669-1534

Lodging There are many B&Bs.  To find immediate availability call 800-539-1872 {this service will give you vacancies for the evening}.    We stayed at the Summer House, part of the Blackthorne B&B.  Very private with a gorgeous view of Tamales Bay and the coastal hills 415-663-8621.

Restaurants  There are a number of excellent restaurants.  Recommended are:

            The Olema Inn 415-663-9559 an 1876 two-story Victorian farmhouse

           Mankas' Inverness Lodge 415-669-1034 a 1917 hunting lodge which grills in their open fireplace

The Station House Cafe 415-663-1515 large menu, bar, live music.  This were we ate.  It was excellent.  We recommend the salmon cakes and the homemade oyster stew.

There are many hiking trails and beaches.   It is a natural wonderland worth several days of your exploration.  Top

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