Sunset Beach Trail
Trail length: 7.8 miles roundtrip
Time: 4-5 hours
Terrain: Grasses, coastal scrub, creek, marsh, estuary
Restroom? Yes, at Estero Trailhead
Parking: medium parking area at Estero Trailhead
Dates visited: 11/11/16, 9/25/20
Favorite plants on this trail:
Plant list from the Marin chapter of the California Native Plant Society
Favorite spots:
Exploring the rocky tide pool areas at the end of Sunset Beach
Views of the ocean, Drakes Head and Drakes Beach from the end of the point
Exploring the incredible rocks along the beach to the end.
Along the shore of Drakes Estero, Sunset Beach is a narrow band of sand with rocky tide pools. The trail from the Estero Trailhead to Sunset Beach and back is 7.8 miles roundtrip. Walking at a very leisurely pace, it will take 2 to 2.5 hours each way. The trail turns from gravel to dirt at the Sunset Beach Trail marker. After passing the Sunset Beach Trail marker, you’ll hike for about 20 minutes with views of the Estero to the right, until your first peek of the Pacific ocean in the distance. Another 10 minutes will put you at the marsh pond right before the mouth of the Estero. Keep walking through the marsh to the lovely wooden bench in memory of Ralph Tierney. Follow the trail to the small sliver of beach. I spotted river otter and mule deer tracks in the sand. In low tide, you can walk to the very end along the rocks. The rocks are full of personality — smooth rocks with intricate patterns of lacy holes on top and huge round rocks. Expect to spend some time examining these amazing geologic formations. At the end, where the rocks meet the water, you’ll find tide pools. You can see the protruding arm of Drakes Head overlooking the Limantour Estero to the left and the tip of Drakes Beach and Chimney Rock in the far distance to the right.
panoramic view: Drakes Head in the distance to the left and drakes Beach on the right
Volunteer Opportunity: Habitat Restoration
Join the Habitat Restoration Program (HRP) at Point Reyes National Seashore to help protect and restore endangered plant and wildlife habitat at Abbotts Lagoon, the Lighthouse Bluffs, the Estero area, and other high-value habitat areas at Point Reyes National Seashore. Visit some of the most beautiful areas in the park and learn about local plant ecology while you work alongside park staff to carry out ecological restoration projects. Get involved, meet new people, and make a positive impact on your environment!