Drakes Estero Beach(Sunset Beach)

Located in the city of Inverness, Drakes Estero Beach is a small and narrow beach situated on the shores of Drakes Estero in the center of Point Reyes National Seashore. Also known as Drakes Bay, Drakes Estero Beach has tidal flats, sand bars, and a great spot for birdwatching in Drakes Estero State Marine Conservation Area. Drakes Estero Beach is a part of the Point Reyes National Seashore and Phillip Burton Wilderness Area. Drakes Estero Beach is a perfect destination for kayaking, picnicking, – and watching birds, seals, and coyotes. Please note that the beach is closed from March to June every year during the harbor seal birthing period. 

Restrooms are the only amenity available at Drakes Estero Beach.

There are many fun activities at Drakes Estero Beach including kayaking, birdwatching, wildlife watching, hiking, and picnicking.

Getting to Drakes Estero Beach is very easy – after you get off of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, you can drive five minutes south on Home Ranch Road to reach the Drakes Estero Trailhead where you will find a free parking lot nearby. The four-mile-long Drakes Estero Trail leads south from the lot through a park to the beach.

If you are looking for attractions near Drakes Estero Beach, you can drive 55 minutes to Bodega Marine Reserve, a natural and marine reserve that is spread across 362 acres and is a great vista point for taking Instagram-worthy pictures and viewing the North Pacific Ocean and Bodega Bay. The Links at Bodega Harbour is an 18-hole oceanfront golf course featuring a golf shop, gallery, restaurant, yacht club, live music, and hosts many tournaments. The Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center is dedicated to the works of Charles M. Schulz, creator of Peanuts comic strip, and is home to a three-and-a-half-ton sculpture depicting the evolution of Snoopy – a character in the comic, Schulz’s studio, and three rotating galleries. Another great attraction near Drakes Estero Beach is Elk Reserve, a national park that is an awesome destination for camping, picnicking, and watching Tule Elk, pelicans, cormorants, and seagulls.

If you get hungry, you can drive 30 minutes to many restaurants near Drakes Estero Beach. The American restaurant-bar Coastal Kitchen serves burgers, sandwiches, soups, cocktails, beers, and has a long wine list. Tomales deli + café is a vegetarian-friendly restaurant that offers breakfast, brunch, and lunch options. Another good restaurant near Drakes Estero Beach is Huria’s, a woodfired restaurant featuring NY-inspired pizza Napoletana, North African dishes, wine, and desserts.

If you are looking for a hotel near Drakes Estero Beach, you can drive 45 minutes to many nearby hotels. The 3-Star Bodega Bay Inn welcomes pets and features ocean view rooms, fire pits, and a sculpture garden. If you are looking for affordable hotels near Drakes Estero Beach, the 3-Star pet-friendly hotel Tomales Bay Resort & Marina offers a pool and kayaking, biking, canoeing, and hiking tours – and the 2-Star Bodega Harbor Inn is a pet-friendly hotel.