Limantour Beach, California
Visitors to the magnificent Point Reyes Peninsula about an hour's drive north of San Francisco will find a varied coastline composed of rugged sea cliffs, sheltered estuaries, craggy rock formations and miles of gorgeous Pacific beaches.
Limantour Beach, a narrow spit of land facing the relatively calm waters of Drake's Bay, is one of the park's more user-friendly coastal access points, with free parking available near the beach and plenty of room for beach-goers to spread out over the soft sand.
The Limantour Beach parking area caps the end of Limantour Road, which begins near the Point Reyes National Seashore's Bear Valley Visitor Center and winds 11 miles over the coastal hills to Drake's Bay. Nude sunbathers favor the dunes to the right as facing the ocean, while people with dogs must stay on the central and southern sections of the beach.
For the best wildlife-viewing, turn right toward Limantour Spit to encounter harbor seals and various species of shore birds along the estuary.
Even on the hottest days of late summer and early fall, come prepared for cold wind and fog blowing in off the Pacific, and swimmers should brace for frigid water temperatures. Toilets are available near the parking lot, but the park provides no other visitor services at the beach.
Information at the NPS website, or call 415-464-5100
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