We’ll continue south to the less accessible portions of Sculptured Beach by climbing down a 6-foot rock outcropping. Point Reyes has tons of other options you should consider before this one. The trail is well maintained with shades in parts. It was our intent for our hike to end at SCULPTED BEACH, which it did, but it’s really hard to miss the turnoff. Description: We'll begin this classic Point Reyes hike at Bear Valley Visitor Center. 14.6 mile hike from Limantour beach to Sculptured beach to Arch Rock to Wildcat camp to Alamere falls via Wildcat beach to Palomarin Trailhead. This hike provides easier access to the highest point on the Point Reyes Peninsula with only 225 meters (750 feet) of elevation gain. Muddy Hollow and Coastal Trail Loop [CLOSED], Laguna Trail and Coast Trail Loop [CLOSED], Muddy Hollow, Coast Trail, Sky Trail, Laguna Trail [CLOSED], Point Reyes Hostel to the Coastal Trail and Arch Rock [CLOSED], Laguna, Coast Trail, Glen, Baldy, Sky Trail Loop [CLOSED], Limantour Beach to Mount Wittenberg Loop [CLOSED], Inverness Ridge, Drakes View, Bayview Trail Loop, Sky, Woodward Valley, Coast, Laguna and Bayview Trail Loop [CLOSED], Inverness, Bucklin, Muddy, White Gate, Drakes Head, Estero, Glenbrook, Bayview, Estero, White Gate, Muddy Hollow Trail Loop, Muddy Hollow Trail, Coast Trail, Sky Trail, and Bayview Trail Loop [CLOSED], Coast Trail: Coast Camp to Kelham Beach [CLOSED], Muddy Hollow Trail to Limantour Spit [CLOSED], Laguna, Sky, Fire Lane, and Coast Trail Loop [CLOSED], Coast Trail: Limantour to Sculptured Beach [CLOSED]. Sub-regions and micro-habitats within support specially adapted marine organisms such as anemones, barnacles, sea stars, urchins, mussels, snails, sea cucumbers, sponges and kelp. Sculptured Beach is a remote beach in the southern portion of Point Reyes National Seashore. Algae and Marine Plants of Point Reyes. We’ll also explore the coastal geology of limantour Beach, Drakes Estero, and the coastal bluffs. We actually took the Coast Trail to get to Sculptured Beach and then on our way back, we walked the beach to Limantour. The California Coast displays more of these natural pieces of art than any other state. After walking south from Sculptured Beach you will reach a rock arch “doorway” that takes you to this long stretch of secluded beach. I got to a point where I was wading through grass that was taller than me on both sides, not all that pleasant. We’ll explore along tide pools, archways, and caves down the final section of beach to the “Thumb” sea stack. Kehoe Beach and McClures Beach are easy hikes to the beach. Not a bad trial. It’s marked, but only if you look to your right. It's a lot longer to hike this way than walking the beach from Limantour. You will need a machete or something to move plants out the way. My love of the water makes this one of my favorite hike. The shortest way is via Laguna and Fire Trail by the Hostel - about 4 miles one way. Tired but we had a blast. Continue on the Fire Lane Trail for 1.0 mile to the Coast Trail. About 7 mile hike from Limantour parking to Sculptured Beach via Coast trail, (I forgot to turn my recording till about half way) Really easy hike, great views, couple of wood bridge, Coast campgroud at (38°01'04.6"N 122°51'17.3"W) if you want to spend the night or two, just make a reservation. Tide pools . Sculptured Beach: Amazing rock formations - See 8 traveler reviews, 15 candid photos, and great deals for Point Reyes National Seashore, CA, at Tripadvisor. Follow the Horse Trail to Z Ranch Trail and turn right. I walked the beach all the way back. Longer hikes. Loved this trail- super easy. Then at the campground area go back down to the beach. Kelham Beach, Wildcat Beach . Reyes. I took the Coast Trail all the way there, but I found the trail to be not as much fun as the shoreline once you get to the rocky area. Check the tide chart before hiking to Sculptured Beach. Reyes. Look for the sign. Coast Trail: Limantour to Sculptured Beach [CLOSED] is a 8.1 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Point Reyes Station, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. Secret Beach is accessed at the south end of Sculptured Beach at low tides. We moved between the beach and the coastal trail. Between the pleasant weather and […], Marin County has a few different nude beach options for those who want to ditch the clothes and avoid tan lines. To get to Coast Trail, we took the Laguna Trail to the Fireside Trail to Coast Trail and then took the steps to Sculptured Beach. Make sure to go left over some of the rocks on the beach to see the coves and arches. Camping is possible at Coast Camp above Santa Maria Beach. Learn about the geology of the Monterey Formation at scenic Sculptured Beach. Coast Trail trailhead is right off Limantour Road and if you're an endurance athlete the Coast Trail literally covers almost the entire Drakes Bay portion of Point Reyes National Seashore. Point Reyes: Sculptured Beach First off, let's address the name. Truly one of the best trails in California. I recommend getting up to the Coastal Trail at the first low spot where you can get up there. Point Reyes National Seashore contains around 150 miles of trails, the majority exploring wooded terrain in the center and south of the peninsula, while others reach beaches and overlooks in the more open countryside to the north and west. We'll hike up to Mt. Hands down one of the best places to see, super secluded and the views are spectacular. Coast Trail: Limantour to Sculptured Beach [CLOSED] is a 13.0 kilometer moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Point Reyes Station, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. After entering Secret Beach you have to walk south for about a quarter-mile then go around a tall rocky point (at low tide). You won’t […], California has a unique rugged and irregular coastline that hides coves and even long stretches of sand from passers-by. TIPS FOR CAMPING AT POINT REYES. There are areas on the California coast that are void of nude […], The final hike descent at Cowell Ranch Beach Many people look for beaches with parking lots near the sand. Note: this one-way hike requires shuttling cars so you have one when you reach the end of the trail. I tried to make up for that at the start of 2007, by making 10 visits to this diverse and scenic national park from January through April. Places to Tidepool. Wittenberg, then take Sky Trail, Woodward Valley Trail and Coast Trail down to gorgeous Sculptured Beach for lunch. To get there: Turn left (north) at the Red Barn onto Bear Valley Road. These are the hidden beaches of California. Effective Mineral Sun Protection for your Point Reyes GetawayEven on overcast days, you're … This beach is beautifully off the grid and a worthy destination when hiking in Pt. Once you are around the point look to the left for a cave which, … trail which leads to the summit of Mt. Shell Beach is less than a mile hike from the parking lot. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use, Join our email list to get new information, events or other fun stuff, Hiking the Northern California Coast Beaches, 6 Amazing Bucket List Hikes On The California Coast, Farm House Restaurant at the Point Reyes Seashore Lodge. Since this is a beach that you can only walk on at low tide, may as well enjoy low tide and all its beauty. I Walked on the beach all the way instead of taking the coastal trail. Remember to head towards beach at one of the last turns or you will find yourself adding a mile or so into a long hike. Wittenberg. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. There are also stairs leading up from the beach to the Coast Trail. Once you get to sculptured beach you are rewarded with arches, caves, tunnels, lots of birds, whale bones and cool rock formations. With the exception of the walk on the beach, the hike is simple. Our group headed about two miles on the sand to an area called Sculptured Beach, named for the intricate rocks that fill that part of the coastline. Beautiful walk on the beach to get to the coast trail (recommend walking the beach instead of coastal trail and pick up the trail again later down the beach) and then sculptured beach was peaceful and next to secret beach which was fun to explore with all the sea arches. Small parking lot fills up early. Wittenberg all the way down to Sculptured Beach at the Pacific Ocean. Reyes. Because of it’s remote status some visitors consider it a clothing-optional beach. Drive to the end of Limantour and park near the beach in either lot. Bear Valley Visitor Center. Look for unique rock features, rock arches, caves, sea stacks, and more. March 14th … Lastly we will have a discussion on climate change, ice ages, and sea level changes. flickr/tom spaulding. Bear Valley to Sculptured Beach and Sky Camp [CLOSED] is a 15.1 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Point Reyes Station, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. See park page for more info. Some great views of the hills and coast. About Us | Contact Sculptured Beach is considered one of Point Reyes' best places to explore the Intertidal Zone, a coastal area exposed to air at low tide and submerged at high tide. Definitely do this trail at a minus low tide. The steep bluffs behind the beach add to the secluded setting. Hotels near Sculptured Beach; Hotels near Marconi RCA Wireless Stations; Hotels near Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co. Near Airports. Sculptured Beach is contiguous with Limantour Beach; hiking both will take about 3 to 4 hours round trip. Starting at the Laguna Trailhead, hike 0.8 miles until it turns into the Fire Lane Trail. Point Reyes Lighthouse. Please note that from March 1 through June 30, the park implements closures of Drakes Estero, Double Point, & the western end of Limantour Spit to protect harbor seals during the pupping season. We saw sea anemones in the tidepools, but no starfish or other creatures. This hike is also VERY overgrown. Run, hike, or backpack across the roof of Point Reyes National Seashore, passing its highest point Mt. I think it should be Sculpted Beach or Sculpture Beach, but it's not. We’ll hike briskly 4 miles south on Limantour Beach to reach Sculptured Beach before the tide changes. The once … Point Reyes Crater can be accessed only when the tides are very low. Point Reyes National Seashore contains approximately 130 kilometers (80 miles) of shoreline, much of which park visitors may safely explore. It's such a treat to see the rocky area with all its nooks and crannies filled with water and tide pool life. Sculptured Beach is known for the many natural “sculptures” in the rocks along the beach. It was a nice hike. 7 PM – campfire & Talk by Executive Director of Coastwalk, Cea Higgins. Signage not ideal. Most roadways and parking lots at Point Reyes National Seashore are now open to motor vehicle access following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local public health officials, except:. Distance: 1.3 miles; Elevation gain: 357 feet; Difficulty: Easy/Moderate; A trip to Point Reyes would not be complete without a hike out to the historic lighthouse. Just have to time the walk with the tide otherwise you will have to take the trail. The water is frigid but the scenery makes for a perfectly pleasant walk. The beach was nice quite windy the sand blew hard. 6 PM – dinner . Lots of sun exposure. Tourismus Point Reyes National Seashore; Hotels Point Reyes National Seashore; Pensionen Point Reyes National Seashore; Pauschalreisen Point Reyes National Seashore; Flüge Point Reyes National Seashore; Restaurants Point Reyes National Seashore; Sehenswürdigkeiten Point Reyes … I found the explanation of the Beach Trail to Sculptured Beach (per the book) to be very confusing...because its not really a trail...all you are doing is walking the beach from Limantour to Sculptured Beach. You'll know you've reached Sculptured Beach because it's sort of a cove-like area with a small beach and rocks on either side. Very sharp plants! Point Reyes National Seashore, CA. I really don't know why AllTrails lists this as a hike. It was low tide when we got there - there were A LOT of jellies washed up on shore. Tomales Bay beaches . The tour takes you from Point Reyes National Seashore headquarters to the lighthouse through beautiful natural and pastoral landscapes. There are 2 small rocky formations that you need to cross to get there. I think it's time you head this way. This hike takes you along a 3.5 mile scenic stretch of the Coast Trail close to the ocean with Sculptured Beach along the way.

Please Note:
If you want to visit the lighthouse itself at the end of the drive, please note that it is closed on certain days of the week. I would says it’s about 1/2 mile after you cross the bridge on your right. For information, call (415) 663-8054 between 9 a.m. and 2 … You need to go 2/10ths of a mile or so on the beach and then head east over the beach head to get to trail. It’s located just outside the tiny town of Olema and just three […], The Point Reyes Shipwreck is an iconic wooden boat stuck on a sandbar in the town of Inverness on Tomales Bay in Marin County. Pro photographers and tourists alike have […], Rock arches are some of the most spectacular of Mother Nature’s hand-crafted artwork. Awesome trail for Trail Running. Sculptured Beach is … Pants, long-sleeve shirt, and hat mandatory. In the southern part of Point Reyes lies a sacred beach gem that awaits your arrival. Bring lots of water you'll be there a good 4hrs. It’s off trail. I chose this destination as it is supposed to be one of the better beaches in Point Reyes National Seashore for tidal pools. It’s also accessible for a day-trip by walking south from Santa Maria Beach at low tide. Beautiful trail that start just down from the parking lot. The beach is accessible by walking or mountain biking from the Point Reyes Hostel via the Coast Trail. We will carpool to the Point Reyes Hostel and hike the coastal trail along rich wetlands, then on the beach to reach dramatic Sculptured Beach. Hiked with my 1 year old on my back, she loved it. Most of my hiking books have very little on Point Reyes National Seashore. Some, including South Rodeo Beach and Black Sands are located […], Copyright CaliforniaBeaches.com https://marinhikes.blogspot.com/2010/02/sculptured-beach.html The beach is accessible by walking or mountain biking from the Point Reyes Hostel via the Coast Trail. Sculptured Beach 1 Bear Valley Rd Point Reyes Station. so beautiful! Sculptured Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore: Se 8 anmeldelser, artikler og 15 billeder fra Sculptured Beach, nr.14 på Tripadvisor af 25 seværdigheder i Point Reyes National Seashore. Fire Trail is very hard! This beach is beautifully off the grid and a worthy destination when hiking in Pt. Beautiful walk, pretty easy, wouldn’t really call it a hike but it was on the longer side so wear good shoes and bring food/water. Started on beach and scrambled up short ravine to coast rail. The Z Ranch Trail brings you to the 0.6 km (0.4 mi.) A pretty easy and flat trail by the coast with some moderate hills. Enjoy! Palomarin Beach, Sculptured Beach/Secret Beach, and parts of Kehoe Beach at low tide are great spots to tidepool. This beach is beautifully off the grid and a worthy destination when hiking in Pt. To cut out some of the tediousness of the sandy only beach walk part I would do the above mentioned Coast Trail section. The shortest way is via Laguna and Fire Trail by the Hostel - about 4 miles one way. One mile down, turn left onto Limantour Road. The real highlight is the “Secret Cave” which leads to a hidden amphitheater. Point Reyes: Woodward Valley & Sculptured Beach I moved to Northern California in 1996, but didn't visit Point Reyes National Seashore until June of 2006. Also very important not to miss the turn to Sculptured Beach at around (38°00'40.2"N 122°50'33.9"W). We can scramble on the rocks to see the effects of waves on these sedimentary rocks. Very beautiful views but it was difficult to know where to go or where it started as there were no signs from where the map took us. you have to walk along the beach for the first mile, but it was worth it. Just be careful not to get trapped by rising tides as some of the access points get cut off by high water. We have traveled up […], The “clothing optional” nude beaches in California aren’t that hard to find if you know where to look. The longer way is by way of Mt Wittenburg, Sky, Woodward Valley, Coastal Trail - a 5 mile one way from. You could take it as far south as the Alamere Falls trailhead at the southern part of the peninsula. You can get here a couple ways...if you're staying at the Point Reyes Hostel you can walk here or there's the trail from the Santa Maria Beach. Day 3: Sunday, June 9. Overall, a great time! This is an 8 mile loop with one moderate climb. flickr/daniela. We'll have beautiful views of Drake's Bay and Limantour Beach. It's Sculptured Beach. Just be careful not to get trapped by rising tides as some of the access points get cut off by high water. The longer way is by way of Mt Wittenburg, Sky, Woodward Valley, Coastal Trail - a 5 mile one way from You’ll get plenty of beach views, wild life and, at the right time...hopefully a whale siting. Low tide is the time to go. Book rooms at the Point Reyes Hostel well in advance. Pacific Coast trail via Bass Lake, Alamere Falls, Arch Rock and Sculptured Beach, Point Reyes Notes by piero scaruffi | Back to the Pt Reyes page | Pictures | California hikes | Bay Area hikes | Other California destinations. You won't see Coast Camp or any other points of reference. Beautiful trail. At low tide there is even more to discover in the exposed tide pools. * Note: This is a clothing optional beach, Bear Valley Visitor Center is a great place to start for any visit to Point Reyes National Seashore. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. Only a small part of the trail is bike friendly. There are many reasons for this including accessibility challenges, families with […], If there is a better form of exercise than going on a beautiful hike near the beach, we can’t think of what it could be. We turned this into a loop of sorts - walked along the beach on the way down and took the coast trail on the way back. Soft dirt trails, awesome wood bridges and creeks, absolutely stunning coastline, amazing wildlife viewing, private secluded beaches! Take the Laguna Trail to the Fire Lane Trail to the beach entrance. Pretty flowers and plants, a couple of wood bridges over streams. Marshall beach is accessible via kayak or a 1.2 mile trail. Take Bear Valley to the Coast Trail. Route: From Palomarin Trailhead in the south to Point Reyes Hostel in the north, the entire hike may be done along Coastal Trail.However, two sections may be replaced by beach walks (details below) — beach walks are recommended to make the hike more interesting. Reserving a campsite: Coast Camp has 14 sites, all of which require reservations. It’s also accessible for a day-trip by walking south from Santa Maria Beach at low tide. My spouse and I did this with our 5 and 8 year old. Some beachessuch as Palomarin and Sculptured Beachesare good for tidepooling, while other beaches are covered by vast expanses of sand. The cliff formations were beautiful and a sight to see. Sculptured Beach is a remote beach in the southern portion of Point Reyes National Seashore. It’s so beautiful you will not regret visiting this amazing hidden gem. Parking spots are limited, but plenty of parking on the sidewalk of the road. Please avoid disturbing seals to ensure a successful pupping season. Sculptured Beach From Bear Valley Visitor Center, 20 minutes driving plus 1 hour walking. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible … Why you should go: Snap a photo of a historic lighthouse on top of a dramatic coastal bluff. Low tide occurs about 35 minutes earlier along Point Reyes beaches than the time stated for … The shortest way is via Laguna and Fire Trail by the Hostel - about 4 miles one way. I ran it from beginning to Arch Rock (which sadly collapsed) and then back again for a 16 mile run. But all in all it was very beautiful to visit. Best of both worlds. Hotels near (LAX) Los Angeles Intl Airport; Hotels near (SFO) SFO Intl Airport; Hotels near (OAK) Metropolitan Oakland Intl Airport ; All things to do in Point Reyes National Seashore; Outdoor Activities in Point Reyes National Seashore. I had my son in a BOB Stroller and the trail was pretty rough to get there. Climb the Sky Trail with some limited views of the ocean and continue through the woods to the Horse Trail. Easy and enjoyable trail with the sculptured beach as the prize at the end, which is as magical as it sounds. It's basically a hike to nowhere, you're taking the Coast Trail to a seemingly random point where you just turn around and head back. Due to fire activity, this area is CLOSED to public access as of August 2020. Sculptured Beach is really cool, fun to check out the rocks and little creatures. 'S Bay and Limantour Beach to Sculptured Beach along the way down to the coastal Trail the. 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