The One Northern California Town Everyone Should Visit At Least Once
With the new year right around the corner, you may find yourself looking ahead to the experiences and travels you hope to have in the coming year. If you haven’t yet had the pleasure of visiting Point Reyes Station, it is one of those towns that should be on your radar. Home to roughly 500 people, this Northern California town, near the Tomales Bay, is easy to miss. However, what awaits you here is truly magical: coastal waterfalls, nights illuminated by glowing bioluminescent waters, and whale watching throughout the year. By the end of the article, you’ll already be envisioning your next trip here, too!
Point Reyes National Seashore
Point Reyes Station serves as the perfect basecamp for exploring the breathtaking Point Reyes National Seashore. The park covers more than 71,000 acres of designated wilderness and offers over 70 miles of hiking trails and various hike-in campgrounds. You’ll find at least 1,500 species of plants and animals here, along with sandy beaches, brushy hillsides, open grasslands, and forested ridges. Several trails are located near Point Reyes Station, such as the Sky-Bear Valley Loop. Hikers can begin this loop from the trailhead at the Bear Valley Visitor Center and enjoy a path through dense forest, coastal scrub, meadows, and coastal grasslands. The views of the ocean along the hike are unbeatable.
Although Alamere Falls calls for a short drive from town and a fairly long hike, the payoff makes the effort worthwhile. These falls dramatically cascade about 40 feet from a tall cliff down onto Wildcat Beach. Lastly, keep your eye out for whales while along the seashore. Point Reyes National Seashore is one of those lucky locations that receives whales almost year-round. In the summer or fall, you might spot humpback whales, blue whales, or fin whales, while the winter and spring bring gray whales. Throughout the entire year, you might have the chance to see minke whales or even orcas.
Bioluminescence and Water Recreation
Point Reyes Station lies near the shores of Tomales Bay, a narrow inlet along the Pacific Coast. Perhaps most amazingly, the bay’s waters light up with bioluminescence at night, a phenomenon caused by tiny dinoflagellates, or single-celled plankton, that shine blue and white as they move. One of the best ways to witness this marvel for yourself is by signing up for a kayaking tour. Blue Waters Kayaking offers three-hour night excursions, taking passengers out on the bay on dark nights to see the bioluminescence and learn about it from a guide. Each paddle stroke creates a small splash of light, and you also might spot blue trails from moving fish or bat rays.
If you prefer to kayak during the daytime, Blue Waters Kayaking offers rentals and daytime tours as well. Travelers can opt to explore the waters on the Heart's Desire Beach Kayak Tour, a four-hour day tour that begins at Tomales Bay State Park, paddling through the area’s peaceful coves and inlets. If you want to see lots of wildlife on your excursion, consider the Tomales Point Exploration Tour, which begins near Nick’s Cove and takes you near the shoreline of the national seashore to see harbor seals, tule elk, birds of prey, and rays.
Farms & Meaderies
To live like a local during your time in Point Reyes Station, consider visiting one of the nearby farms or meaderies, some of which have been in the community for decades. Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company has been operating as a dairy farm since the 1950s. Starting out as a farm that produced milk, the farm shifted to cheese production in the early 21st century and has been making renowned products ever since. You can visit this farm and enjoy a cheese tasting for yourself, with options that range from self-guided samplings to a full seasonal chef’s lunch led by a “cheese concierge” who walks you through the farm’s story and offerings.
If you haven’t ever had the chance to visit a meadery, you must do so in town. Point Reyes Station is home to the Heidrun Meadery, which produces mead, a wine made from honey instead of grapes. The mead here is famous for its champagne-like style, offering a light, dry, and refreshing sip. For a deeper look at how it is produced, make sure to sign up for a tour that features a facility walk-through, a chance to see the estate’s bees at work, and a tasting of the sparkling mead.
Culinary Scene & Entertainment
While you are in Point Reyes Station, you’ll have the chance to visit and dine at some phenomenal establishments. For breakfast, you’ll find a couple of great coffee shops and bakeries in town. Toby’s Coffee Bar is certainly memorable, as a coffee shop that opened in a feed barn back in 2006. You can pick from a wide range of beverages, including espresso, cold brew, iced tea, and hot chocolate, and pair your drink with a freshly baked pastry. At some point, you will likely want to stop for lunch or dinner at The Station House Cafe, known for its farm-to-table menu and occasional live music. For more live tunes, The Old Western Saloon keeps a full event calendar year-round.
A Memorable Destination
There are so many towns throughout California to visit, but Point Reyes Station is undoubtedly a special one. Not only can you have a tremendous coastal experience exploring the Point Reyes National Seashore, but you can also enjoy an afternoon at a local cheese farm, meadery, or cozy cafe in town. And to top it all off, a memorable night of music at the Old Western Saloon awaits! Once you have been, do not be surprised if you keep finding reasons to return.
