Limantour Beach

Terrain: sandy beach, dunes, marsh, coastal scrub
Restroom? Yes
Parking: large parking lot
Kid friendly? Yes
Dogs? Yes. Dogs are allowed on leash on the southeast side of Limantour Beach (make a left when you get to the beach).
Favorite plants: pink sand verbena (Abronia umbellata), silver lupine (Lupinus albifrons)
Favorite spots: 

  1. Basking in the heat of the dunes on a cold day.

  2. The view in all directions from the bridge.

Limantour Beach is at the end of Limantour Road, the most beautiful drive in Point Reyes. It’s a picturesque beach that’s ideal for a sunrise or sunset stroll. Limantour Beach is part of the long arm of Drakes Bay. Its south-facing direction provides protection from the rough ocean and sneaker waves that are common at the Great Beach on the west-facing side of the peninsula. To access Limantour Beach from the parking lot, walk down the trail past the toilets and picnic tables. Turn right, cross the bridge and pause to look in both directions and into the water below. You’ll see birds, crabs, and sometimes even playful coyotes hunting in the marsh. Continue along a gravel path past a bench where people stop to take off their shoes (or put them back on) before heading up and over the sandy dunes to the beach. It’s about a 5 to 10 minute walk.

In the spring, Pacific Gray Whales with their new calves travel north to Alaska. They swim close to the shore to stay out of the sonor range of orcas. In addition to whales, you’re likely to see dolphins, seals, sea lions, and many shorebirds and waterbirds.

Nearby Trails

Limantour has several easy nearby hikes. The Limantour Spit is a trail that runs between the dunes and marsh. It’s to the right, after crossing the bridge and right before the dunes.

The end of the Muddy Hollow Trail is to the right when walking down from the parking lot. The trail starts off overlooking the meandering waterways of the marsh.

Finally, walking in the southeast direction (to the left on the beach), you can easily access the Coast Trail from Limantour Beach and head for Coast Camp or farther along to the Woodward Valley Trail. Directions on where to park and how to find the tree marker to access the Coast Trail are on the Woodward Valley Trail page.

Sculptured Beach and Secret Beach

About two miles southeast along the beach, you’ll come to Sculptured Beach, a good place for tidepooling. When the tide is very low, you can pass through Sculptured Beach to Secret Beach, where you can explore sea caves and interesting rock formations. Check the tides before you go. The best time (really, the only time) to visit Secret Beach is during a minus tide, which is rare, so you’ll need to plan ahead. Frank Binney leads an adventure to explore the caves of Secret Beach once or twice a year through the PRNSA Field Institute — register early as it fills up fast.

And, last but not least, read Jules Even’s account in Bay Nature of visiting Limantour Beach as his last stop in hiking all the trails of Point Reyes.

Volunteer Opportunity: Marine Protected Area (MPA) Watch

Since August 2017, I've been volunteering with the Marin Marine Protected Area Watch (Marin MPA Watch). Marine Protected Areas are important, vulnerable coastal waters that have been designated for protection under California State Law. Volunteers do a simple survey of activity on the beach and offshore (using binoculars). Volunteers are vitally important to provide this survey information which informs MPA management and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

It’s a great way to:

  • get outside and breath some fresh ocean air

  • do easy exercise strolling on the beach

  • learn about tides

  • spend time with family and friends

  • feel good about volunteering

If you are interested in volunteering with the Marin MPA Watch, visit the Environmental Action Committee's MPA website.

“MPAs protect the diversity and abundance of marine life, the habitats they depend on, and the integrity of marine ecosystems. ”