Along the Point Reyes shoreline, at the base of the headland are sea stacks, smooth granite rocks, wave-carved sea caves, and coarse-sand pocket beaches. The variety of surfaces makes the area attractive to many different kinds of clinging plants and invertebrates. Censuses have shown that the headland area is the principal location in the country for breeding birds. Particularly numerous are common murres, thousands of which nest in the summer on the rocks almost directly below the lighthouse, and Brandt's and pelagic cormorants. You can also find sea lions on offshore rocks, and an elephant seal breeding colony near Chimney Rock. Grey whales pass this area on their annual winter migration south to Baja California, where calving takes place in warm lagoons. This is Coast Miwok land.
Source: Experience the California Coast; Beaches and Parks from San Francisco to Monterey
The National Park Service offers a Ranger-Guided walk to Kule Loklo, a replica Coast Miwok village, a free, curriculum-based, ranger-led program focusing on Kule Loklo and the Coast Miwok to third- and fourth-grade school groups, and the public can particulate in the Big Time Festival, held annually at Kule Loklo in July.
Learn how to visit Point Reyes National Seashore.
