This was our first visit here. My daughter is obsessed with all things beaches and oceans. This…read morebeach is very easy access from the parking lot. I checked the time of low tide so we could arrive when she would get a chance to see all that is the tide pools. She had an absolute blast and I was so happy to just watch her go about her way exploring and creating more memories.

Bolinas is a strange little town. The downtown, what there is of it, looks like it hasn't been…read moreupdated in 80 years, except for a few newer buildings on Brighton. Go west, young man, and it has the feeling of Carmel with smaller trees. Its history is what makes it strange: in the late 1960s, the hippies moved in, the water supply got maxed out so no more new water permits have been granted since then, and residents started tearing down the signs on Highway 1 that pointed to this town. I've been told that, as the hippies are dying off, families and wealthy people are moving in, so it's slowly becoming more normal. But Bolinas is still a world apart, and intends to stay that way. It does have one unusual feature, though: Agate Beach Park. "Beach" is almost false advertising. The sand is a longish walk north. You don't come here to laze in the sun or barbecue some weenies. You come here to explore the tide pools, gaze in wonder at the cliffs, notice that you can see San Francisco from here, and enjoy the remoteness of the place. Marin County takes care of the place, but when you get to the bottom of the stairs, there is NO development at all. Any development would take away from the natural features. And, in a way, the unique flavor of Bolinas add to the charm. No signs point the way, just as no signs tell you to turn here to get to Bolinas. Agate Beach Park is the edge of town, as far away from tourists as you can get. Driving here is like getting immersed in Bolinas counter-culture. There are no crowds here, and not likely to ever be any. If that interest you, then you'll like this park a lot. By the way, you can also climb to the top of the bluff and get some good views and photos. Basically, Agate Beach Park is where you can explore another place where the Great Eternal Artist did some of His best handiwork, and not fight the crowds to do so.

People who have never been to Oregon will tell you that this is one of only two tidefalls (a…read morewaterfall that flows into the ocean) on the entire West Coast. People who believe AllTrails will tell you that this is one of only two tidefalls in California. (If you use Alltrails, you aren't allowed to hike with me, by the way.) Neither of these statements are anywhere close to true. As a matter of fact, there are at least two tidefalls on this one beach, and there are many more in areas that are not easily accessible to the public. Tidefalls are common along the coasts of Oregon, Washington, and Canada. There are several tall tidefalls in Cape Perpetua alone. That being said, Alamere Falls might be the biggest, prettiest publicly accessible tidefall in Northern California. I recently hiked Alamere Falls for the first time in nearly ten years, and I couldn't believe how much had seemed to change. First of all, the road to the Palomarin trail was hell in a compact vehicle. Even going like two miles per hour, I got a little motion sickness from the thousands of deep potholes. The road is so bad that it almost seems beyond repair. At this point, it's probably only suitable for high clearance vehicles, although I did not notice any signs warning of such. Secondly, I'm pretty sure I was the only sober person on the trail. The vibes were so, so weird. Consider packing your (legal) weapon of choice. Thirdly, I was certainly the only person to take the 'legal' trail down, although I gained some new perspective on this. While the trail that I took is ostensibly the trail recommended by NPS, one does have to wonder why it is so overgrown. It feels like, "Obviously, no one ever really hikes this trail," because it's nowhere near clear or well-trodden. Certain areas of the trail were so overgrown that it was impossible to see my feet, and difficult to find my footing. These areas were chalk full of poison oak, stinging nettle, poison hemlock, and a wide variety of (harmless) snakes. By contrast, much of the "social" trail was four feet wide, flat, and clear. Which made me wonder-- which trail is really safer? The cliffs at the end of the social trail are constantly crumbling. The risk of falling, breaking a leg, or at least spraining an ankle, seems high. But by contrast, the risk of spraining an ankle on the recommended trail seems high, too. And the stinging nettle hurt a lot, but only for a few hours. My personal recommendation is to take the recommended trail, but wear solid boots, long pants, and tall, colorful socks. Tuck your pants into your socks, or wear gaiters. Use permethrin or your tick repellant of choice. While the official Palomarin Trail may be very long and difficult, it's also worth the trouble. The ocean views and wildlife were unbelievable. I actually saw a mother deer nursing two spotted fawns in the middle of the trail. On the beach, I found agates, fossils, shells, giant bull kelp, snowy plovers, and lots of by-the-wind-sailors jellyfish in multiple stages of life and decomposition. The waterfall itself is pretty-- but make sure to check the tide!! I never do, and I almost always get stranded. The first time I ever hiked this trail, I actually had to climb up a cliff in terror and wait 3 hours for the tide to recede. But that doesn't need to happen to you if you remember to check the tide before you come out, while you still have service.

Wow--absolutely spectacular, magical, and truly epic!…read more Alamere Falls is one of the most breathtaking hidden gems along the California coast, tucked inside Point Reyes National Seashore. What makes it so special is that it's a rare "tidefall," where the waterfall flows directly into the ocean--something you can only see in a couple of places in California, including McWay Falls. Watching the water cascade over the rugged shale cliffs onto the beach below is simply unforgettable. The surrounding landscape feels wild and untouched, adding to the sense of adventure. Upstream, the smaller cascades create a beautiful lead-up to the main falls, making the entire hike feel like a journey through nature's artwork. This spot is not just a destination--it's an experience. From the scenic hike to the dramatic ocean views, every moment feels rewarding. If you're looking for something unique, peaceful, and awe-inspiring, Alamere Falls absolutely delivers.

Main trail is COMPLETELY overgrown. Heed the sign and don't take the main trail down. There is a…read moreshorter, steeper trail by the south parking lot but they both require the use of a rope ladder to get down the final 15 feet. Rather shaky on the way up. Just above the rope ladder there is another section of rope to help you ascend to where you can walk again. (Go right, not left.) The beach itself is very picturesque--lots of bluffs, a few small waterfalls, and a few sandy sections but mostly rocks. The tide pools I noticed were pretty small, probably not worth the journey especially if you have any gear with you (see above re: rope ladder). It is slow going walking along the rocks and seaweed, but it is a rather long beach. In my two hours there I saw NOBODY.

Simply put, I just love this beach! It's an amazing reward to be graced with the shallow waves of…read morePalomarin Beach after embarking on a 4.5 mile hike and a short rock climb down the embankment. I've been to this beach a few times now so far, and its' beautiful views and calming waves never cease to amaze me. Palomarin Beach is located within Alamere Falls Park which is a subsidiary of Point Reyes National Seashore. This beach is only accessible through a few hiking trails within Alamere Falls Park. The shortest way to get to this beach is to take the Palomarin Beach Trail via the Palomarin/Coast Trail. This trail measures .6 miles one way, and will lead you directly down to the beach. If taking this trail, you'll have to scale down some steep rocks and cliffs. It's not impossible, but you'll need to have some upper body strength to climb up and down the rocks. If you've never been here before, I would suggest coming with someone just in case you need help getting up and down the steep cliffs. If you're not into rock climbing but don't mind the trek of a long hike, you can take the Palomarin (Coast) Trail all the way down to the beach. There's no rock climbing involved on this trail, however it's 6.5 miles one way. My favorite way to get down to this beach is via the Alamere Falls Trails. Not only does this trail take you down to the beach, but it also leads to the beautiful Alamere Falls! The hike to Alamere Falls is about 4.5 miles one way. You'll take the Palomarin Trail to Alamere Falls trail and it will lead you right down the beach. Like the Palomarin Beach Trail, this trail will involve some rock climbing down steep cliffs and rocks and you'll also have to hike through a short narrow path that contains poison oak and poison ivy. Totally doable as long as you're prepared for it. What's so great about this beach is that since it's located below the cliffs, it provides an amazing view of the California coastline, Every view will be picture worthy. The tides were low during my last visit, but they change depending on the season. You can put your feet in, but the waves can be pretty ferocious, so I wouldn't recommend swimming. The water is so white and clear and the sand is soft on your feet, so walking along the beach is perfect. There are a couple of flat rocks beneath the cliffs that are shaded. It's a nice place to sit and have lunch if you bring it with you. I will warn that the trail to the beach is a very popular one. So, if you want to beat the crowd, coming early is your best bet. Either way, this beach is totally worth a visit, especially if you're planning on hiking to Alamere Falls.

There is a windy, curvy road to get to Stinson Beach. Along the way are Muir overlook, and others…read morestopping points with gorgeous views some with pathways down to the beach. There are well maintained public restrooms. Parking does get crowded past noon on a weekend. Weather in May is perfect, warm enough for swim wear, shorts and tank however not scorching hot. Super pet and little children friendly. There are also lots of markets, eateries to pack some savory food to go for a picnic on the beach.

Come early people take the very few picnic tables quick. Picnic tables have bbq pits but some areas…read moreare shared bbq pits. It was a bit windy but not cold during the 4th of July. Stinson market is in walking distance and have items you may need for bbq ing. Great help at the market. Thank you! Bathrooms had little to no soap. Smelled like urine from the morning time. Bring your own hand soap!

Beautiful hidden gem needs more parking.Has a restroom and a Taco Bell which is convenient.read more

It is 100% a nude beach, with a bit of a hike down a slope. There is no facilities or fresh water…read moreaccess down there so plan ahead. I went alone and no one bothered me, families come there also. Overall, really great experience, I had the beach to myself for a while. It's enjoyable, even on a foggy day

This place was definitely hard to find. We had to drive past the fire station on the right side and…read moreshortly after passing the fire station, you turn "left" into a residential street. The street signs aren't your traditional signs. It is small and creatively marked with colorful paint. It's not a paved road to get to the reef. There were ample parking at the lot. There are porta potties. Easy access to the reef for a 2 year old. There are some steps and then you are there. I personally think the wildlife is more interesting at Bean Hollow in Pescadero.

This isn't easy to find but well worth a stop if you've got some extra time near Point Reyes. We…read morecame by after spending most of the day in other areas of the park and didn't check on the tides before visiting. Sadly, we missed the minus tide which is necessary for any tide pool adventures. Still, it's a lovely spot and on a clear day, had some wonderful views. I could tell from the rocks that this would be a marvelous spot for spending more time, when the tide is right. Dramatic cliffs, unique rocks along the beach and just all around lovely. Now that I've scouted it out, I'll plan accordingly for my next visit.

OK. So you are driving up Route One just past Stinson Beach, and there is this huge lagoon on the…read moreleft, hills to the right as the highway snakes along the limited shore. The road seems to be trying to keep its skirts out of the water. I love this place because there are no trails, few markers and absolutely no crowds. Unless you count sea lion herds as crowds which I do not. It is a great place to watch nature. Sea life to be exact, with shore birds, waders, ducks and geese, and gulls. But the main attraction for me is the sea lions. The lagoon is broad and shallow with many large sand bars out in the middle. That is where 20 to 200 sea lions will be loafing and snoozing during the day. Splendid I say. The tides move in and out rather quick, so there are interesting dynamics to watch as the birds fish and mammals play here fishy fishy. There are no set places to look. Just some places where you can park by the road, and then adventure across to see what there is to see. You will need binoculars, because the expanse is wide and far, and the sea lions and bird life are completely uninterested in coming close. No amenities, go before you get here. Good place to spend a few hours in the warm sun loafing with the wildlife.

Its a peaceful lagoon on a beautiful drive from Stinson beach towards Point Reyes…read more I did not see sea lions, but was in a hurry to continue my drive onwards

I had forgotten just how gorgeous this hike is--the scenery is incredible the entire way. Be…read moreprepared for a steady climb through most of the route, with plenty of wooden stairs, gnarly roots, and rock steps, but the stunning views make every bit of effort worth it. There are many great spots to stop for photos, take a break, or enjoy a picnic--we did all three. Thanks to the recent rain, there was still plenty of water flowing, which made the trail even more beautiful. The picnic area at Laurel Dell is especially serene, with a babbling brook nearby. There's even an outhouse, which is always a welcome sight. I actually found climbing up much easier than descending as one has to really pay attention to their footing. We were happy seeing Alpine Lake again knowing we were close to end of hike.

Went here with a friend and her dog and had such a great time. Such a beautiful, peaceful hike and…read moredefinitely one of my favorites on Mount Tam. The drive in was beautiful too, the views of Alpine Lake along the way made the whole trip feel extra special before we even got to the trail. Be prepared for a lot of stairs, so it can definitely get your legs working, but the waterfalls make it completely worth it. Hearing the water and being surrounded by all the greenery made the whole hike feel so calm and relaxing. The views throughout the hike are gorgeous, and it's such a nice escape if you're looking for something peaceful and scenic. Definitely recommend checking out Cataract Falls if you're up for a little workout with a really rewarding payoff. Definitely will be coming back :)