Point Reyes is a peninsula located about an hour north of San Francisco and full of outdoor fun. The coastline is rocky and unruly at the northernmost point. As you drive farther along the peninsula, you find long stretches of beautiful sandy beaches and sea life.
The small town of Point Reyes Station stands in the middle of this beauty, surrounded by hiking trails, beaches, historic buildings, a national seashore park, and farmland. My family spends a few weekends a year tromping around the Point Reyes area.
Here are our top five things to do with your kids in Point Reyes:
Before you go
- Cell phone reception is minimal to nonexistent in many areas in the park. Be aware that you may not be able to pull up maps or make phone calls while exploring the park.
- The closest gas station to the National Seashore is in Point Reyes Station. Be sure to have enough gas to get you around the National Seashore and back.
- The area can be windy! It is known as one of the windiest parts of the California coastline. Be prepared for wind; bring layers.
- Closures sometimes can restrict visitor access to main areas of the park. Check the National Park website for announcements and closures. Some areas are closed periodically to protect the animals, such as elephant seal pupping season (spring) and snowy plover nesting season (summer).
What we packed
- Standard diaper bag essentials
- Comfortable shoes, clothes, sunscreen, and hats
- Baby carrier
- Camera
Top 5 Kid-Friendly Activities to do in the Point Reyes Peninsula of California
The Point Reyes National Seashore has much to offer families when it comes to a day or weekend trip from the East Bay Area. Our favorite things to do are:
- Hike along Tomales Point.
- Stop by the Bear Valley Visitor Center.
- Visit the Coast Miwok Village.
- Play on the beach.
- Watch for whales.
- Drive to the lighthouse.
- See the historic Pierce Point Ranch.
We always find new things to do each time we visit Point Reyes National Seashore. Read more about our favorite activities on the blog.
Visit Point Reyes Station
The town of Point Reyes station is considered the “gateway” to the Point Reyes National Seashore. In the 1880’s, Point Reyes Station was a port and railway terminus. Currently, CA HWY1 runs straight through the town’s center.
I suggest strolling through Point Reyes Station with your family and stop in their unique shops, restaurants, and old buildings. We always pop into the feed store to look for baby chicks, the Palace Market for snacks and essentials, and Bovine Bakery for baked goods.
If you get a chance, be sure to visit the West Marin Community Thrift Store for some local second-hand goodies.
Go for a hike
The Tomales Bay Trailhead is located along HWY 1 on the east side of Tomales Bay, just a ten minute drive from Point Reyes Station. It is an easy 2.6 mile hike through grassy land with random grey boulders spotting the hillside.
Close the cattle gates behind you as you enter and keep an eye out for cattle.
Our kids enjoyed taking the easy stroll through the pasturelands, looking for birds and wildflowers. We hiked for about 20 minutes before we headed back to our car.
You can’t miss the aging boat lying sideways along the beach across from the Inverness Park Market in the town of Inverness, along the north side of the Point Reyes Peninsula.
The S.S. Point Reyes was a fixer upper fishing boat that didn’t get the attention it needed, and was left by its owner along the shores of Tomales Bay.
There is a small trail along the shore to see the ship. It is possible to get up close to the ship at low tide and take pictures.
Visit the beach
Although there are quite a few beaches along the Point Reyes National Seashore to see, Inverness has some great options for Tomales Bay-facing beaches with moderate weather, smaller waves and sandy shores just perfect for families with young kids.
Our favorite was Chicken Ranch Beach. Be sure to park along Sir Francis Drake Blvd to reach Chicken Ranch Beach, a small, sandy beach along the shores of Tomales Bay. The bay sand is coarse, but just as fun to scoop with sand toys.
We brought a sunshade, beach toys, towels, and ukuleles to enjoy a relaxing day at this beach next to quite a few other families.
Where to eat in Point Reyes with kids
Point Reyes Station has quite a few local restaurants to check out. Here are our favorites:
Once you’re inside Palace Market, head straight to the back of the store to get in line for the deli counter.
The sandwiches here are freshly made and kid approved. We usually pick up sandwiches at the Palace Market before venturing out to the Point Reyes National Seashore.
The market also has other must-have items, like chips, diapers, and smores ingredients, depending on your needs.
Stop at the Inverness Park Market on your long drive down the Point Reyes peninsula to pick up gourmet sandwiches, soup, and drinks.
This little market is a great place to stock up on picnic items in Inverness along the drive to start exploring the surrounding area.
As you turn left into Point Reyes Station along HWY 1, you can’t miss the large outdoor patio and signs for Café Reyes.
They serve wood fired pizza, fresh local oysters, and a myriad of drinks on large picnic benches with umbrellas.
Where to stay with kids in Point Reyes
There are a few Airbnb and Hotel options available in the area. Our family prefers to camp when we visit the Point Reyes peninsula.
Check out our blog posts about camping at Olema Campground, just minutes away from Point Reyes Station.
Or, check out camping at Samuel P. Taylor State Park, located about a 20-minute drive further south.
There is something mystical and magical about the Point Reyes peninsula. Every time my family goes to Point Reyes, I feel like I find something new that I love.
We can always find something kid-friendly to do, that my partner and I also want to do. Whether it is thrift shopping with my preschooler, chomping on the creamiest ice cream I’ve ever had from Palace Market, splashing on the beach in Inverness, or hiking through grassy pastures, Point Reyes never disappoints.
Although the attractions and businesses in Point Reyes can get crowded on the weekends, I am always happy to see that many of the visitors are BIPOC and families with young children.
What are your favorite Point Reyes activities? Did I miss any? Share in the comments below.
Puerto Rican & Indigenous mama of two. Bay Area native. Salsa dancer. Backpacker. Doula. Angel (she/her/hers) is a co-founding member of the Beautiful Brown Adventures team. She has traveled to over 30 countries and loves to explore the world with her two daughters & partner - one ice cream shop at a time.
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