Point Reyes South Beach(Point Reyes National Seashore)

Located in the City of Inverness in Marin County, Point Reyes South Beach - also known as South Beach and South Beach at Point Reyes Beach - is a long golden sand beach with many rocky portions.  Point Reyes South Beach is positioned on the eastern side of Point Reyes National Seashore and is part of the famous 11-mile-long Point Reyes Beach - also known as Great Beach and Ten Mile Beach - that stretches from north to south, with South Beach located on its southern end.  The beach is tucked between Tomales Point Beach at its north and Point Reyes Headlands at its southern end, which has a beautiful background of low sandstone bluffs and offers Instagram-worthy views of the Pacific Ocean, especially during sunset.

Point Reyes South Beach does not have lifeguards or any other amenities except restrooms, so plan your trip accordingly. 

Point Reyes South Beach offers many fun activities, including swimming, sunbathing, wildlife watching, fishing, and relaxing.  If you are planning to go into the water near the beach, we recommend being careful, as the water here is known to have sneaker waves and unpredictable rip currents.  If you enjoy fishing, Point Reyes South Beach offers amazing fishing opportunities, but please make sure that you are in compliance with the local fishing regulations.  Hikers can explore the nearby hiking trails, including the famous Drakes Estero Trailhead, Point Reyes South Beach Overlook, and South Beach Trail Point Reyes, which offer unique insight into local biodiversity.  Depending on the time of the year, visitors may also spot many sea animals in the water near the beach, including elephant seals, dolphins, sea lions, and migratory whales.  To enjoy the Point Reyes South Beach camping experience, visitors may book a camp at the nearby campground, popularly known as Coast Campground.   Dogs are allowed on the beach if they are on a leash, and the beach is open from sunrise until sunset.  It is worth noting that the beach is closed from December 15 to March 31, as it serves as a nesting site for elephant seals.

Point Reyes South Beach does not offer an access path for people with disabilities.

Getting to Point Reyes South Beach is easy - the beach has a free parking lot located at the end of Point Reyes Beach South Road, which is easily accessible by Sir Francis Drake Boulevard.

The beautiful landscapes of Inverness Point Reyes have served as a backdrop for numerous films and television shows, including scenes from the movie "The Fog" (1980) and the TV series "Big Little Lies."

There are many attractions near Point Reyes South Beach.  The Point Reyes Lighthouse is a sixteen-sided, 35-foot-tall lighthouse positioned on the rugged cliffs of Point Reyes National Seashore that has guided sailors through treacherous waters with its powerful beacon for more than a century.  The nearby visitor center offers visitors the opportunity to explore the lighthouse and discover more about its maritime history.  Point Reyes National Seashore is spread over 71,000 acres and is home to rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, coastal scrub, grasslands, forests, marshlands, and diverse wildlife.  Visitors can enjoy numerous outdoor recreational activities, including hiking, birdwatching, beachcombing, and watching wildlife, including tule elk, harbor seals, elephant seals, and a variety of bird species.   Bolinas Museum is a small museum that has a gallery showcasing interesting exhibits, artifacts, photographs, archives, and related memorabilia on the local history of northern California and Marin County.  Elephant Seal Overlook is a vista point where visitors can spot the colony of rare elephant seals and many other animals, including sea lions, dolphins, and whales, between December and April.  If you are looking for another attraction near Point Reyes South Beach, the Earthquake Trail is a small hiking trail located within Point Reyes National Seashore that allows hikers to explore the San Andreas Fault Zone, where the North American and Pacific plates collide and visitors can observe forces of change.  It has many amenities, including restrooms, picnic areas, and two parking lots.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Point Reyes South Beach.  Saltwater Oyster Depot is an upscale restaurant that serves delicious oysters, seafood, and gourmet dishes.  Vladimir's Czech Restaurant serves amazing soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches, seafood, pork, and poultry dishes.  Tony's Seafood Restaurant offers outdoor seating and serves incredible soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches, seafood, pasta, tacos, and oysters.  Station House Cafe serves seafood, meat, pork, and poultry dishes.  If you are looking for another good and affordable nearby restaurant, Tap Room serves delicious salads, soups, sushi, tacos, nachos, sashimi, and burgers.

If you are looking for nearby Point Reyes South Beach hotels, there are many great options nearby.  If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 5-Star Mountain Home Inn is 38 minutes away by car and offers many amenities, including whirlpools, fireplaces, a fitness center, complimentary breakfast, and a restaurant.  A more affordable hotel is the 4-Star Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa, which offers several amenities, including a spa, a fitness center, and an Italian restaurant.  Another moderately priced option is the 4-Star Cavallo Point Lodge, which has many amenities, including whirlpools, fireplaces, a fitness center, a spa, and a restaurant.  A more reasonably priced option is the 3-Star  Tomales Bay Resort & Marina, which offers a few amenities, including an outdoor pool and a boat launch.    If you are looking for another good and affordable nearby hotel, the 3-Star Olema House offers several amenities, including whirlpool tubs, fireplaces, a garden, and a games room with a pool table.