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The horses are used by the park rangers to patrol backcountry trails. the dairy ranch was established in 1858.Ī half-mile trail guides visitors through the working Morgan Horse Ranch. Trailhead: North end of Pierce Point RoadĪ short, self-guided trail leads visitors through the historic Pierce Point Ranch. Learn about the flora and fauna of the area on this 1-mile loop trail as it passes through fields and trees. Tour a replica of a Coast Miwok village on this 0.8-mile round trip walk.Ĭaution: Check with rangers or lifeguards that conditions are safe for your planned activities. While hours vary during the season, the center is open daily except on Christmas. Numerous trails lead out from the Bear Valley Visitor Center.
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The center is handicap accessible and has restrooms open 24-hours a day. Books and maps of the park are available in the store. Audio-visual programs are shown in the auditorium.
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Displays include a seismograph and touch table. Exhibits provide information about the ecosystems and cultural heritage of the National Seashore. The Bear Valley Visitor Center in the Olema Valley is the hub of park activities. Patrick Visitor Center Bear Valley Visitor Center Hours and days of operation vary by season. They have restrooms and outdoor showers available 24 hours a day. The visitor center is handicap accessible. Suspended from the ceiling is a minke whale skeleton. They also have displays about marine environments and fossils. The Patrick Visitor Center's exhibits tell the story of maritime exploration in the 16h century. The interior of the lighthouse is open Fridays through Mondays from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM, except during times of high winds. The Point Reyes Lighthouse is about a tenth of a mile from the visitor center, down about 300 steps. The visitor center has exhibits about the lighthouse as well as maritime history and marine wildlife. Days and hours for 2015 have yet to be determined. Located at the tip of Point Reyes, the visitor center is only open Friday through Monday in the winter. Lighthouse Visitor Center and Point Reyes Lighthouse Three visitor centers are located in the National Seashore - Bear Valley, Lighthouse, and Kenneth C. Among the best places for birding in the park are Bear Valley, Bolinas Lagoon, Five Brooks Pond, Limantour, and Estero Trail.Īs soon as the winter rains arrive salmon and trout begin to migrate up the streams to spawn. The birds are found throughout the park's varied habitats, including coastal scrub, estuaries, grasslands, and forests. Nearly 500 species of birds have been observed in the park's 70,000 acres. The best place to observe them is in the Tule Elk Reserve at Tomales Point. The tule elk herd at Tomales Point is one of the largest populations in California. For the latest information on elephant seals at Point Reyes, see Seasonal Updates for Elephant Seals.įacilities: Parking, restrooms, picnic areas, visitor center, lighthouseĪttractions: rugged coast, scenic trails, beaches, wildlife,ĭogs discouraged. From December through March visitors can watch the elephant seals from the Elephant Seal Overlook near Chimney Rock. During popular whale watching times, park at Drakes Beach and take the shuttle bus to the Lighthouse ($7).Įlephant seals began returning to Point Reyes in the 1970s and have been increasing their numbers ever since. For mothers and calves close to shore come in early May.
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The best time of year to see whales are Mid-January and mid-March. The most popular spots are around Chimney Rock and the Lighthouse. Point Reyes is one of the best spots along the California coast to observe the annual winter migration of gray whales. Point Reyes National Seashore Wildlife Whales
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