Limantour Beach

Limantour Beach runs more than four miles along Drakes Bay, from the west end of Limantour Spit to Santa Maria Beach. It's a drive-up Point Reyes National Seashore beach and popular with families, because the waves are usually smaller than on the west-facing beaches.

Wildlife

The spit separates Drakes Bay from Estero de Limantour, a rich estuary. Shorebirds feed here in fall, ducks gather in winter, harbor seals rest at the west end of the spit, and gray whales pass with calves in spring. Estero de Limantour is closed to the public March 1 through June 30 for harbor seal pupping.

Dogs, fishing and kites

Leashed dogs (6-foot leash or shorter) are allowed on about 2 miles of beach southeast of the main parking lot, but not on Limantour Spit to the west. Fishing is allowed along much of the Drakes Bay side but not in the estero or at the west end of the spit. From March 1 through September 30, kite flying and kiteboarding are banned west of the east access trail. Vault toilets are at the parking lots.