Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

I am planning to a trip to Point Reyes National Seashore. It it big. The lighthouse is on the agenda but I need advice as to other locations. Tomales Bay is 12 miles long with 24 miles of shoreline. That does not include the Pacific Ocean on the other side. Any tips??

Photocraig

Be sure to visit Drake's Beach. It is on the Pacific Ocean and it provides some long beach scenes with the lighthouse. And there is an interesting stream outlet with some great mini landscapes. And there is a heard of Tule Elk int he park that make for some easily accessible "mega Fauna" photos. The morning fog gives a ghostly other worldly feel, and as it clears at ground level it becomes the world's largest softbox.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

Very nice - thank you kindly

Photosmoke

I would recommend you take a long lens , a great place to photograph

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

Will do - thank you

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

It's a pretty good hike, but Alamere Falls has some interesting photo ops.
Lots of different flowers along the various trails.
The nudist beacht may offer some unique shots as well!! :lol:
It will depend on your photographic goals as to what you should seek out.
Good luck. ;-)
SS

Haydon

SS always has intriguing suggestions :-o

Avranches Loc: Bonita Springs, FL

Point Reyes Light is beautiful. But, access to it is limited to certain days. My information tells me Thursday thru Mondays. You should check this out. It is a difficult light to access--it is at the bottom of numerous steps and difficult to climb back up unless you are on the younger side and athletic. But, at 70, I did it with a couple of rests climbing the steps.

I suggest you go on the internet and access "Lighthouse Friends.com." You can search lighthouses by state and see their locations. There are a lot of good lighthouses along the Pacific Coast Highway in California.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

8 miles round trip. Is it better in the spring with more water?

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

Many thanks! I will check it out...

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Lucky you !! you're going to one of the most beautiful places in the country and it won't be crowded! A few of my favorites from a couple of wonderful visits there:
1. The lighthouse of course. Ask at the visitor's center about conditions, sometimes even when its open it isn't open. But well worth the hike and battling the wind.
2. Pearce Point Ranch (old farm buildings, very fun to explore) and McClure's beach right next to it. The tule elk are often near here too.
3. Drakes Beach
4. the road that goes to Chimney Rock (elephant seal overlook, old lifesaving station, etc)
5. Tomales Bay including both sides of the state park.
6. But in truth, one of my favorite parts of Reyes is the road that leads through the farmlands. The horses, sheep, and even the cows are gorgeous in the special light there.
7. Do not despair if there is fog. Rejoice. You have a huge soft box in which to make photographs, light will appear eventually and it is likely to be spectacular.
8. The eucalyptus not only smell wonderful, they are wonderfully photogenic. Esp in fog, at sunrise/sunset. You'll find dozens of ways to photograph them in their rows.
9. If you ramble beyond Reyes, there's wine country quite near to the northeast, Muir Woods just to the south, and just north past Tomales is Bodega Bay, which was made famous in an old Hitchcock movie the Birds, and is very photogenic. You'll also find an old church Ansel Adams photographed there.

This is a wonderful place to explore, a photographer's paradise. You may want to check Harold Davis's website, he's a prolific pro photographer who lives near there and posts tons of photos.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

Lovely description.. thank you most kindly. I am looking forward to the fog, farms and coast... and hope to get lost in it all.

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

All points considered, the previous suggestions are all good. If you have an option for seasons, Spring or early Summer would provide the best in foliage condition and color. If we get any rainfall this year, that area of the coast is known for the wildflower displays. I would call ahead to the park headquarters to find out when the peak wildflower time is. They have many groups that take people out for photo classes. Just an advance thought for shooting.

Of course if you are interested in the elk, the Fall/Winter would be best.

If the Lighthouse is your main interest, any time of the year. Fog and overcast is more abundant during the warmer months as the offshore current is cold and temp differences between the land and ocean are greater during those months. Therefore, winter and cooler months don't have as much fog.

It is a beautiful place regardless of the time of year. Just give yourself time to shoot and don't try to see everything on one trip. Your shots will show you spent time enjoying as well. I enjoy the walk to Abbot's Lagoon and out to the coast.

Happy shooting and be sure to share them with us upon your return.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

Many thanks - and surely will share...

griffj98

I live two hours from Point Reyes and proposed to my wife there many years ago. Be sure and stop at North Beach and South Beach for good views of the Pacific and surf. Stay out of the water there as it is difficult to get out of the surf. If you want to wet your toes Drake beach is safe for wading. The cafe there is open on weekends and holidays.
There are many historical and active cattle ranches at Point Reyes that were grandfathered in when the Seashore was established in the sixties. Very photogenic! Like one fellow posted, McClure Beach and an abandoned dairy in that area are nice for pictures. If the oyster farm is still open stop there and get a few shots of the shuckers in action.
I usually stay at Motel Inverness in Inverness. Nice views of Tomales Bay from behind the motel