Point Reyes Beach (North and South Beach)
- Length
- More than 11 miles
- Swimming
- Not safe; large surf
- Dogs
- Leashed; seasonal limits
- Plover closure
- Pets and kites Mar 1-Sep 30 north of lot
- Fishing
- Wildlife & birding
- Dog-friendly
- Restrooms
About this beach
Point Reyes Beach, also called the Great Beach or Ten Mile Beach, runs more than 11 miles from Kehoe Beach to the Point Reyes Headlands. North Beach and South Beach are its two drive-up parking areas; Kehoe Beach is reached by a 0.6-mile trail at the north end.
Not a swimming beach
The surf here is frequently large. The National Park Service says it isn't safe to play near the water's edge, let alone swim, and sneaker waves have pulled people into the ocean. Never turn your back to the water. It's a place to watch heavy surf, sunsets and, in December-January and March-April, migrating gray whales.
Seasonal closures
Western snowy plovers nest north of the North Beach lot. From March 1 through September 30, pets, kites and kiteboarding are banned from the North Beach lot to Kehoe Beach. On weekends and federal holidays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, all public use is banned between the North Beach lot and the mouth of Abbotts Lagoon. From December 15 to March 31, beaches near the Point Reyes Headlands close for elephant seals.
Getting there & access
Getting there
North Beach and South Beach have drive-up parking lots in Point Reyes National Seashore; North Beach is a short walk down the dunes. Kehoe Beach is a 0.6-mile walk from its trailhead.
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.
- Fishing
- Allowed at North Beach and Kehoe
- Park
- 415-464-5100
What's here
Restrooms
Flush restrooms at North Beach; vault toilet at Kehoe
Dog-friendly
Leashed dogs with seasonal limits
Fishing
Fishing at North Beach and Kehoe
Wildlife
Gray whales, snowy plovers
Rules & official resources
- Pets on a 6-foot leash or shorter at North Beach; no pets north of the parking lot March 1-September 30; no camping or overnight parking; fishing permittednps.gov ↗
- At Kehoe Beach, leashed pets are allowed north of the trail year-round, not south of it March 1-September 30; fishing permittednps.gov ↗
- Weekends and federal holidays, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day: all public use prohibited between the North Beach lot and the mouth of Abbotts Lagoon; beaches near the Headlands closed December 15-March 31 for elephant sealsnps.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 ↗
Reviews
N/A
0 reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share what to expect.
Pros who serve Point Reyes Beach (North and South Beach)
- ACAnchor Custom CanvasNovatoNot on Dockya yet
- CBCarlos Boat WorksSan RafaelNot on Dockya yet
- HMHelmut's Marine ServiceSan RafaelNot on Dockya yet
- KSKKMI SausalitoSausalitoNot on Dockya yet