point reyes lighthouse

We stayed at the Black Heron Inn outside of Point Reyes Station so it was about a 45 minute drive to the lighthouse. The scenery on the drive was beautiful and the hike down to the lighthouse was great. We saw whales and then got to tour the lighthouse. The climb back up is a little tough but seeing the lighthouse was worth it!

We loved the lighthouse. Remote. Very nice in a heavy fog. It was a real trek to get up the 300 steps to the lighthouse. There are rest stations along the way, however.

was the lighthouse worth the trek down those 388 (i think it was 388) steps? not really but i only did it because why not?! it wasn't as bad as i thought it would've been. and when i finally reached the top again, i was rewarded with some whales! i wouldn't come here again unless it was for whale-watching. but all in all, it was a cool experience.

Worth the stair climb but it is rigorous. Lots of nice views even if you do not want to tackle 300 stairs

Point Reyes is a wonderful experience - not only in terms of the place but the drive to the place as well. The drive gives some idea that the place is towards the end of the land. They have maintained the old light house tower and the machine as well. One has to walk down many steps (around 300) to reach the old light house. This is optional. You can enjoy the grand view of the Pacific ocean from the hill itself. It is very windy out there. Ensure that you carry enough jackets.

At the end of a long road, past many ranches and very wild scenery, is the lighthouse. The docents were great, the displays were very informative and the views were inspiring. Lots of steps, so not for the infirm.

This is such a beautiful spot. Check the schedule and make sure you go when the stairs to the light are open. Also, just realize it is 300 steps down to the light.

The Point Reyes lighthouse surroundings were truly a treat for the eyes! Once you get there, of course! It is a drive to get to the entry--but the drive is gorgeous--through rolling hills and pastures. We were there on a winter weekday early in the day, so the crowds were not an issue. Once you get to the primary parking area, it is about a 1/2 mile walk towards the lighthouse. Then you have a walk down 308 stairs. The walk back up those stairs is challenging! It was a foggy morning, but once we got to the lighthouse, we were actually below the fog.Once we got to the lighthouse (which was open) we were able to walk through the lighthouse building itself. A ranger was also available to provide some historical information. The real thrill was seeing 7 whales on their migration (February). The ocean views were stunning.I would strongly suggest that you check the website to make sure the lighthouse is open (it is closed certain days of the week) prior to the drive. (Although the drive is lovely in and of itself.) I would also strongly consider if everyone in your party is able to handle the stairs--as they are the equivalent of a 30 story building. Young children might be challenged and if parents have to carry them up the stairs--oh my!

The visit started out a bit on the stressful side, I was about 5 miles from the lighthouse when signs indicated the road was closed. It was a beautiful sunny day, not windy at all considering the location, but I guess on the weekends as a general rule they force you to park at Drakes Beach and buy a $7 ticket (per person) for the shuttle. The shuttle is actually a large tour bus, so it’s pretty comfortable. It makes 3 stops – Drakes Beach, the Lighthouse (to see the whales), and Chimney Rock (to see the elephants seals). It stops at each location every 15-20 minutes, but it’s kind of annoying to have to wait around for the shuttle to get from one place to the other. I would definitely have preferred to drive my own car to each location, but like I said there wasn’t any choice. Once I finally got to the lighthouse all of my frustrations with the shuttle were forgotten. Even though the grey whales have usually headed south by this time of year, there were still a bunch of them swimming around by the lighthouse. The park rangers at the Lighthouse Overlook have binoculars that you can borrow to watch the whales. This was the first time I’ve ever seen whales in the wild, I spent two hours doing nothing but watching them and it was amazing! There was also a huge murres bird colony on the rocks below the overlook (you’ll also need the binoculars to see them), and they look just like penguins. After that I hopped on the shuttle again and exited at the Chimney Rock stop to see the elephants seals. The park rangers have about 4 sighting scopes setup to view the seals. But you’ll definitely hear them before you see them. As I was walking down the path to the viewing spot, it sort of sounded like a bunch of monkeys making noises, but it was the seals. I’m not sure if the grey whales will still be hanging around at this point, but I think it’s still worth a trip to see the lighthouse and the elephant seals.

Love to come here often. Its quite a drive, past farms with lots of cows, but the drive irself its awesome. If you're lucky, you gonna see lots of hawks, quails, deers, cows of course, and elks! Im yet to see lots of whales here, saw one for a brief moment before the fog covered everything, but during elephant seal season you can see lots of them at chimneys rock and lots of new puppies!! You can hike from the lighthouse to chimney rock but would recommend it earlier in the day and when its warm. Fog can move in really fast and it gets pretty cold!

In the winter, on a day when there is no wind, you can come out and see the Farallon Islands-and during the whale migration be treated to the site of gray whales.

While the scenery is beautiful and the ocean spectacular, I found the lighthouse disappointing. The drive from the Sacramento region was nearly 3 hours then you need to take a shuttle bus to the site itself, walk up ½ mile to the top of the hill then take a nearly 30 story steep narrow step walk down to the small lighthouse. There is a sign at the top of the stairs warning of the strenuous nearly 30 story climb; not for the weak or disabled. Walking down was not a problem but yowsa walking back up was no fun. My husband and I are in our 50s and should be in better shape I guess because my legs were shaking by the time we got back to the top.There are two small lookout platforms; one at the top of the steps with minimal seating which was packed and another platform at the lighthouse itself but there is no place to just sit and enjoy. There are some rocks there that we saw people sitting on. Nothing really to do at the lighthouse except stand and gaze out over a chain link fence at the ocean and walk around the small lighthouse. We didn’t feel like just standing there for too long so we only stayed a little over an hour then back in the car for our 3 hour drive home. Been to the coast here many times and just didn't enjoy this trip. We should have just gone to the beach.

It is a long drive through the seashore area to the lighthouse, but so worth it. Absolutely beautiful and the tour was interesting. It is quite chilly there so be sure to at least have a windbreaker. Lots of steps so not handicap accessible.

As a photographer, I am always looking for something with drama. Unless you are shooting from a boat, save your gas and time.

Very good place to observe California shore. Enjoyed every minute up there. Also a good exercise to go down to a lighthouse - about 300 steps.