Secret Cave Beach(Point Reyes National Seashore)

Located in the town of Point Reyes Station, Secret Cave Beach is a one-mile-long, narrow, and remote beach in the southern area of a park named Point Reyes National Seashore.  Secret Cave Beach is situated on the southeast side of the point where Santa Maria Creek meets the North Pacific Ocean. Also known as Secret Beach of Point Reyes and Point Reyes Crater, Secret Cave Beach is surrounded by many trails, rock arches, and caves. Secret Cave Beach is an incredible place for photography as there is a very beautiful and small waterfall at the southern end of the beach. Secret Cave Beach is also filled with many hikers and mountain bikers.Secret Cave Beach can only be accessed by walking 12 minutes south from Sculptured Beach.

Secret Cave Beach offers many amenities including natural rock sculptures, caves, trails, a waterfall, and a hidden cave on the south side of the beach that leads to a round steep-walled amphitheater.

There are a couple of fun activities at Secret Cave Beach including hiking, beachcombing, and beach exploration. If you are looking for additional activities, you can walk 20 minutes north to Coast Campground where you can camp.

Getting to Secret Cave Beach requires a little bit of work – after you get off of Highway 1, drive down to 1 Bear Valley Road where you will find free parking at the start of a trail called Bear Valley Trail. After parking, you will have to hike five miles west on the Bear Valley Trail and the Coast Trail to get to Sculptured Beach.

If you are looking for attractions near Secret Cave Beach, you can drive 35 minutes to Muir Beach Overlook Trail which leads to Muir Beach Overlook, a cliffside park that was a U.S. Army coastal observation post during World War II. It offers incredible views of Pacific coastal cliffs and migrating blue whales between November and June. If you like hiking, there are other longer trails here as well – the new and multi-use Dias Ridge trail on a ridgeline offers incredible views of the Pacific Ocean, the trail on the east side leads to Coyote Ridge, and the trail on the south side leads to Point Bonita Lighthouse. Named after naturalist John Muir, Muir Woods National Monument is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and is home to 240 acres of redwood forests. Another great attraction near Secret Cave Beach is Mooncow Bay, a historical landmark that features a great vista point to picnic or camp.

If you get hungry, you can drive 25 minutes to many restaurants near Secret Cave Beach. The Italian Aurora Sausalito - Ristorante e Pizzeria serves excellent thin-crust pizzas, homemade pasta, seafood, and vegan items.  The Trident is an iconic 1960s-themed restaurant that is built over water featuring many international cuisines and a bar. Another good restaurant near Secret Cave Beach is the beachfront vegetarian-friendly restaurant Barrel House Tavern that offers steaks, waffles, burgers, beverages, and desserts.

If you are looking for a hotel near Secret Cave Beach, there are many hotels within a 35-minute drive. The 4-Star pet-friendly hotel Victorian-designed hotel Cavallo Point Lodge features a pool, bar, sauna, spa, restaurant, and gym.  Hotel Sausalito & Suites is a 3-Star, 14-bedroom, and two suites hotel overlooking Vina Del Mar Park. If you are looking for an affordable hotel near Secret Cave Beach, the 2-Star Smiley’s Saloon, Hotel & Kitchen offers ocean view rooms.