Drakes Beach
- Waves
- Usually calmer (Drakes Bay)
- Dogs
- Not allowed
- Fishing
- Not allowed
- Facilities
- Visitor center, restrooms, water
- Wildlife & birding
- Restrooms
About this beach
Drakes Beach is one of four Point Reyes National Seashore beaches you can drive to. A wide, seasonal stretch of sand sits below white sandstone cliffs that were laid down in a shallow sea 10 to 13 million years ago.
At the beach
The waves of Drakes Bay are usually much smaller than on the west-facing Point Reyes beaches, so it's a family favorite, but the water can be as cold as 50°F and sneaker waves and rip currents still happen. The Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center, a bookstore, picnic tables, flush restrooms and drinking water are by the parking lot. Marin County tests the water weekly from April through October.
Rules
Dogs and fishing are not allowed at Drakes Beach, and there's no overnight parking. The elephant seal colony at the western end of the beach is closed to all entry year-round; extra closures can come during pupping season.
Getting there & access
Getting there
Drakes Beach is one of the four Point Reyes National Seashore beaches you can drive to.
Point Reyes rules
Glass containers are banned on all Point Reyes beaches. Drones and metal detectors are prohibited throughout the National Seashore, and a permit is needed for any wood fire on a beach. Leave shells, rocks and fossils where they are.
- Elephant seals
- West end closed year-round
- Park
- 415-464-5100
What's here
Restrooms
Flush and accessible restrooms
Visitor center
Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center and bookstore
Picnic
Picnic tables near the visitor center
Wildlife
Elephant seal colony (closed area)
Rules & official resources
- Pets prohibited at Drakes Beach; fishing prohibited; camping and overnight parking prohibitednps.gov ↗
- The Drakes Beach elephant seal colony at the western end is closed to all entry year-roundnps.gov ↗
- Glass containers prohibited on all Point Reyes beaches; drones and metal detectors prohibited in the National Seashore; wood fires on any beach need a permit; collecting shells, rocks and fossils is prohibitednps.gov ↗
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Pros who serve Drakes Beach
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