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    Estero Trail

    4.7 (15 reviews)

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    Kath S.

    **EXPLORING NEW TRAIL** Estero Trailhead to Sunset Beach Trail Length: About 8 miles RT Level: Moderate Time: Depends on how fast you go. It took us almost 4 hours RT with stops for photos/videos and snacks at Sunset Beach. Parking: Yes. At Estero Trailhead (Medium Size lot) Restroom: At Estero Trailhead (2 Restrooms) Take photos/videos but Leave NO Trace. Estero Trailhead to Sunset Beach is such a beautiful long hike with varying scenery. Nice ocean view along the trail. We passed by lots of grazing cattle and about 3 cow gates. We saw some deer, snakes, birds, crabs, cow patties and even seals. It gets really windy in the afternoon, so don't forget your windbreaker/jacket. Bring plenty of water, too and soak up the view.

    Estero trail bridge
    Karalina H.

    Excellent hike! We did about 13 miles and it took us almost 6 hours. Very long but definitely worth it. Lots of wildlife. We saw a rubber Boa, an American badger, lots of birds, seals, otters, crabs, and of course some cows. The tide was low so we had a chance to see some ocean life including starfish. Bring lots of water and a hat, there is not that much shade. Amazing beach at the end where you can take a break and have some lunch. Some of the trails are not well marked so pay attention to the navigator, we use AllTrails app for that. Definitely one of my favorite hikes!

    California Quail
    Carissa K.

    Estero Trail (ET) is my current favorite at Point Reyes. We researched our trip before we got there and wanted to hike it during our short time there. It turned out to be even better than I thought. It has amazing views of a lagoon, coastal foothills and ocean--there's even a bit through the forest before you get to a bridge at the inlet of Home Bay, the foot of the tidal lagoon. The destination is the secluded Sunset Beach and picnic site. ET is good for hikers and mountain bikers both. There are no blind turns and surprise encounters between bikers and hikers, and bikers yield to hikers on the trail. It's a 7.8-mile round trip, rated easy to moderate, with connector links available for longer rides for mountain bikers (a 12-mile route is the best according to others). We didn't make it all the way to Sunset Beach, unfortunately, but we would have if we'd at the time. Next time, Gadget! ET is a great place for bird watching as we encountered several different types: California Quail, Great Blue Heron, Grebes and Scoters. I can't wait to go back. Point Reyes is my favorite spot in the whole world.

    Joey W.

    One of my favorite trails! You see lush green fields and bodies of water before the ocean. An easy 8 mile hike where we saw snakes, cows, deer, crabs, and seals! It ends at a nice beach where you can take in the view while eating lunch.

    Estero Trail
    Kaori M.

    This is GREAT trail. Start at Estero Trailhead-Estero trail-Sunset Beach trail. Official trail stops before the beach, but there is an unofficial trail reaches to Sunset beach. Nice ocean view along the trail. At the small bay during Estero Trail, you can observe birds, crabs, small fish. and all the way along the trail (Estero and Sunset), cows, rabbits, deer :)

    Our lunch spot at Drakes Head! (Sunday 2013-05-26)
    Ziyan C.

    We did the Estero Trail to Drakes Head hike (http://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/hiking_guide.htm) - I'd had knee surgery a couple months ago and this was a nice low key hike without too much elevation change but the reward of an AMAZING view at the end: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/estero-trail-point-reyes-station?select=hBsr6Ee-WmDWn19fIKtpMA#hBsr6Ee-WmDWn19fIKtpMA http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/estero-trail-point-reyes-station?select=SAsR2xqYhz4cQdw2UHlscw#SAsR2xqYhz4cQdw2UHlscw http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/estero-trail-point-reyes-station?select=SAsR2xqYhz4cQdw2UHlscw#SWU95fYCfEtLb6668tkVOA Most of the hike is through fields and is uncovered (with a brief walk through some woods at the start), plus some crossings over lagoons. There are a lot of grazing cows and at one point the trail merged with a cattle trail and we got off trail for about quarter of a mile before hitting a dead end. Grazing cattle: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/estero-trail-point-reyes-station?select=SAsR2xqYhz4cQdw2UHlscw#QbODkd4_VBvTkFxogzfmmQ Towards the end you are going down the peninsula and are surrounded by more and more water, and all of a sudden you're at the end with a steep drop-off in front of you: you get this amazing view of the Pacific, with sand bar spreading through the shallow aqua-blue water below you. We could see plenty of wildlife in the water and the air around us, and it was the perfect place to sit and eat lunch. It was the end of May, a beautiful weekend, and we only ran into one two other people on the trail - one mountain biker.

    Low tide
    Julie K.

    I've wanted to come here since reading about the leopard sharks and bat rays that congregate in Drakes Estero at certain times of the year. So when some friends organized a BBQ at Drakes Bay Oyster Farm (just a short drive past the trail), I took the opportunity to cross another place off my to-go list. The Estero Trail is 9 miles in all, and leads through grassland, forest, and marshes on the way to the water. Due to time constraints and the fact that we're trying to get back into shape, we only hiked 2 miles out. But even in that short distance, the scenery was beautiful and we saw plenty of wildlife. The portion of the trail we hiked was excellent for beginners--pretty much flat, with some easy hills. One of the steeper ascents gave us a panoramic perspective on one of the bay's inlets, which we witnessed at low tide. I loved how the pools of water looked like liquid fingers outstretched on the mudflats. At the crest of that same hill, there's a gate we passed through to continue on the trail. We stopped to rest on the cliff overlooking the bay, watching the sea birds dive into the water. After watching a few minutes more, I noticed there were dark shapes moving near the shore. Then I saw what looked like black dorsal fins breaking the water; whatever they were seemed to be swimming in pairs. Then I realized that it was single creature: a bat ray, whose undulating wings were cutting the water in tandem! Even at that great distance, the rays (suddenly I could see many of them) seemed big--maybe 4-5 feet across? What an amazing sight! I didn't think anything could surpass that perfect moment, but I was wrong. On the way back, a fellow hiker stood stock still on the trail, with camera raised. Sure enough, as we crept closer, we could see the deer he had his lens trained on. It seemed undisturbed by our presence, and we were able to watch it meander in the brush alongside the trail. Estero Trail is probably deserving of 5 stars for its natural beauty, but I'll save that for when I conquer the entire trail--and maybe get a close-up look at a bat ray.

    Found this view walking along the beach on the Sunset Beach trail
    Brandi T.

    This hike was definitely worth the hour drive from San Rafael. We did the Sunset Beach Trail which was 8-8.5 miles total. It wasn't difficult at all. The beach however isn't an actual beach full of sand. The shore is completely covered in rocks but it's worth trekking through to see amazing views. We also saw seals, otters, deer, hares and even a snake along the hike. During low tide, the estuary will look empty but you'll see several crabs along the shoreline.

    Jeff A.

    Did the roughly seven mile trail segment out to Sunset Beach and really enjoyed it. After descending a bit down a hill through some trees, you spend most of the hike ascending and hiking along a ridge that tracks the shoreline. Great views of the estero and beyond, though be aware its mainly exposed with little shade. Passing through the cattle gates is a fun twist as you'll often get a close encounter of the bovine-kind. My only issue (and it's a small one) is that this specific trail isn't a loop (though you could easily make one by joining up a few other trails).

    Driving on the road out

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    Review Highlights - Estero Trail

    We didn't make it all the way to Sunset Beach, unfortunately, but we would have if we'd at the time.

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    Point Reyes National Seashore - Tomales Point Trail - Tule Elk Preserve, Point Reyes National Seashore

    Point Reyes National Seashore

    4.7(404 reviews)
    5.9 mi

    How fortunate we are to have Point Reyes National Seashore. The headquarters is fantastic- maps,…read morerecommendations, nice restrooms & plenty of free parking. Today we chose the Bear Valley hike trail. The path is wide and mostly flat and even includes a bathroom midway. As you walk you are able to hear the beautiful sounds of the babbling brook along the route. Being late Spring we were able to spot a good amount of wildflowers- buttercups, poppies, bleeding heart, foxglove and more. We encountered several equestrian's throughout our hike.

    Sea How You Are A…read more71,000-acre park that was founded in 1962 and whose eastern boundary consists of a little thing called the San Andreas Fault. It's also home to over 900 plant species (50 of which are endangered), over 40 species of mammals, and over 400 different birds. Point Reyes is unlike any other park we've ever been to in that it's such a unique area that includes a small town, farmlands, estuaries, beaches, headlands, and so much more. If this is your first time or you're planning your first time, I'd try to allow for at least two full days to really get a feel for this place, and the best part is it's all 100% free to visit! Here's a quick guide to the best of the best things to do here (Pro Tip: There are multiple other Yelp pages with lots of more specific reviews for each of these locations). * The PR lighthouse is a must-see, and with the 308 stairs you'll need to get there, you'll definitely get your steps in! * There are multiple Visitors Centers, but if you only want to visit one, I'd recommend going to the one at Drake's Beach where you might get a glimpse of elephant seals during their breeding period (Dec - March). * Tomales Point Trail at the Tule Elk Preserve is my mostest favoritetest trail on Earth. It's relatively flat with very little uphill, but it is over nine miles if you want to get to the point and get back. And, yes, you'll want to get to the point. Otherwise, what's the point? ;) Just be sure to bring water and some snacks to cover you for those 9+ miles. This will also be your best chance to come face-to-face with the infamous Tule Elk. * Drake's Estero if you want to do some kayaking (check website for rules and dates). * McClures Beach if you want to hang and picnic. Great for tidepooling but not so much for swimming. Seriously. Don't do it. * Chimney Rock Trail is a relatively low effort for high reward spot for some spectacular views. There's plenty of other places to check out, but this should help get you started. Enjoy!

    Photos
    Point Reyes National Seashore - Tomales Point Trail - Tule Elk Preserve, Point Reyes National Seashore

    Tomales Point Trail - Tule Elk Preserve, Point Reyes National Seashore

    Point Reyes National Seashore - Tomales Point Trail - Tule Elk Preserve, Point Reyes National Seashore

    Tomales Point Trail - Tule Elk Preserve, Point Reyes National Seashore

    Point Reyes National Seashore - Tomales Point Trail - Tule Elk Preserve, Point Reyes National Seashore

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    Tomales Point Trail - Tule Elk Preserve, Point Reyes National Seashore

    Chimney Rock - Point Reyes National Seashore - Sunset from the parking lot

    Chimney Rock - Point Reyes National Seashore

    4.7(32 reviews)
    5.9 mi

    "Where is the best place to get 360 degree views of the ocean?" Someone asked me this question last…read moreweek while I was hiking out at Tomales Point, and I've decided that the answer is Chimney Rock. (I mean, technically, the answer is actually 'from a boat in the middle of the ocean,' but I'm pretty sure they meant like, 300 degree views.) Chimney Rock is a thin straight of land that peeps out into the ocean. Or, in more technical terms, according to the NPS website, it is "the Eastern spur of the Point Reyes headlands." If you think of Point Reyes as being shaped like a double-headed wrench, the lighthouse and Chimney Rock are on the same side of the wrench, but they are the tips that oppose each other. Each one juts out into the ocean on its own. Of course, you could also get great, nearly all-around views at the lighthouse, but this requires hiking down 313 stairs. As opposed to the lighthouse, Chimney Rock is a much easier hike. In fact, this hike would have been a breeze, if not for the actual breeze, which was blowing at about 45mph. (Point Reyes is the second windiest point on the West Coast. If you are not able to maintain a very strong stance against the wind, then consider a different hike.) The hike was less than a mile each way. There were not very many wildflowers, but in some ways, this is actually an advantage over Tomales Point, because it allows for better unobstructed views. There are a lot of social trails at Chimney Rock. NPS has posted signs in front of these trails that say, "Unauthorized trail, hazardous cliffs. Please stay on authorized trails." I stayed on the authorized trails, not just because I'm a goody-two-shoes as a hiker, but because, as a California native, I understand cliff geology, and the very real risks associated with it. You may be thinking, "This cliff isn't really going to crumble and drop me into the ocean," but actually, this can and does happen all the time. (In fact, this actually happened to a member of my cohort at UC Santa Barbara.) A side hike can take you down to the Historic Life Saving Station. There is not a sign that says "this way to the life saving station," but you will know which trail it is because it is *not* marked with an unauthorized trail sign. (I have not yet taken that side hike, but it looks interesting.)

    Yelp has the wrong map location for this spot. A nice hike and we were close and personal with a…read morecoyote during our hike. We just kept still and it walked on by. Pretty cool! The easy walk itself is fairly short out and back with a mandatory turnaround at the end of the trail. Make sure you venture to the right toward the beginning to get that awesome sheer cliff ocean view. And be careful because that little 20 foot desire comes with some wind. Many folks miss this feature of the hike. Lots of flowers during springtime.

    Photos
    Chimney Rock - Point Reyes National Seashore - Chimney Rock

    Chimney Rock

    Chimney Rock - Point Reyes National Seashore - Chimney Rock

    Chimney Rock

    Chimney Rock - Point Reyes National Seashore - One of the cliff views

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    One of the cliff views

    Tomales Bay Trail

    Tomales Bay Trail

    3.6(7 reviews)
    5.5 mi

    Half these reviews are of the wrong place. There's the Tomales Bay Trail and the Tomales Point…read moreTrail which sound very similar so it's easy to get them mixed up but they are completely different places. The Tomales Point Trail is much farther out and the hike is in view of the ocean and features Tule Elk. That place is: https://www.yelp.com/biz/tomales-point-trail-tule-elk-preserve-inverness?osq=tomales+trail The Tomales Bay Trail is right outside of Point Reyes Station off the Shoreline freeway. The trail is about 2.5 miles and takes a little over an hour. Since it's so close to Point Reyes Station it's nice to go here if you are looking for a shorter hike and not wanting to go all the way out to the seashore or do a long Bear Valley trail. The trail is easy passing by two lagoons or ponds and views of the Inverness mountain in the background. Lots of wildflowers in the spring! Lots of birds, not always in eyesight but I could hear them everywhere. I kept seeing a black bird with a bright red markings, not sure what type of bird this is but it was pretty. There is no shade, most of the time this isn't an issue since Point Reyes is naturally cool or foggy but on a sunny day this can really creep up on you.

    For years now I've driven by the Tomales Bay Trailhead and been consistent in remarking that "I…read morewant to hike that". I finally did, and when I'd almost fully back-tracked to my car I said "Well, done that. Don't need to do that again". I got home and told my son I'd hiked this nothing-burger trail. At first he didn't know which trail I was talking about then he was struck with a sudden recognition. "You're right" he said, "that's a nothing-burger". There's nothing wrong with his trail aside from there not being much to it. Parking at the trailhead is easy and free in a small lot. After going through numerous gates designed, I believe, to keep the cows in, hikers are presented with attractive views of Tomales Bay and the surrounding wetlands. The trail is neither challenging, steep, nor long but if you want to make it as long as possible head out to the end of the peninsula. Reach the end of that and return the way you came and you'll log a bit under 3.5 miles total. There's no looping here so backtracking is your sole option. Dogs aren't permitted though nobody appears to be checking. If you've also been driving by this trailhead for a long time know that crossing it off your own bucket list won't eat up too much of your day so you might as well. Pretty, easy, and short make this a worthy place to work off a few calories before heading further north for, perhaps, that platter of Hog Island oysters that's got you on this road in the first place.

    Photos
    Tomales Bay Trail - 9/2024

    9/2024

    Tomales Bay Trail - 9/2024

    9/2024

    Tomales Bay Trail - 9/2024

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    9/2024

    Blue Waters Kayaking

    Blue Waters Kayaking

    4.2(121 reviews)
    5.5 mi

    Eric led our tour on September 18th and our group was maxxed out with the most amount of people he…read morecould take in a single tour. He was awesome at making us feel prepared and his sense of humor really helped everyone feel at ease. I was especially impressed of how he helped 2 guests who were clearly scared of the kayak flipping over during the tour, primarily by being a calm, patient guide. I would definitely go back to him! Overall, our group was blessed to be out there on an overcast night, which allowed us to see a lot of the bioluminescent silhouettes of fish that swam under and around us throughout the tour.

    Booked the evening bioluminescence tour with Blue Waters Kayaking and had an amazing experience!…read moreBooking online was easy and then as a follow up, they send you more info and a waiver to send for your excursion. They do this particular tour on nights when there's little to no moonlight since that is when you will best see the sparkling creatures in the bay. It embarks from Miller's Boat Launch near Nick's Cove in Marshall. It's not far from Point Reyes, so if you're spending time at the seashore, this is a magical way to end your day. They begin at 8 with very detailed instructions for your gear and paddling. Between that and then launching the boats in your group, you actually get on the water about 8:45 and return to the dock around 11 pm. It was a windy and foggy evening, so unfortunately, there were no sunset views. But the novelty of paddling in twighlight in to the evening more than made up for that. We had flocks of pelicans flying overhead and once we got to darker areas, the real star of the show came out to sparkle. You can see the bioluminescence light up as you paddle or run your fingers in the water. We stopped a few times along some coves and even saw the sparkles lap up on the sandy shores. We had 3 guides -one leading, one in the middle and one at the back to make sure no boats were left behind. The ride out was a bit choppy but we had paddlers of all levels in our group and everyone did okay. The guides made sure to check in with everyone and we'd count off boats to make sure we all caught up, We got to hear information about the seashore and the surrounding waters and the local creatures. The time flew by and it was such a wonderful, magical experience. If you haven't night kayaked, I'd definitely say to try it once. I hope to travel with Blue waters again and try one of their day trips, While it's important to dress warm and wear waterproof shoes, they do provide dry bags, a waterproof top and of course all the safety gear for your excursion.

    Photos
    Blue Waters Kayaking - Tomales Bay ahoy

    Tomales Bay ahoy

    Blue Waters Kayaking - They allow dogs! Here we are on Lagunitas Creek.

    They allow dogs! Here we are on Lagunitas Creek.

    Blue Waters Kayaking - Before we geared up and I put my phone in the dry bag

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    Before we geared up and I put my phone in the dry bag

    Estero Trail - hiking - Updated May 2026

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