Natural History Wanderings

An update from Pt. Reyes National Seashore on what is now open and closed.

Now that the road to the Point Reyes Lighthouse is open following a major revamp of Sir Francis Drake Blvd., visitors are now able to walk to the observation deck and view the lighthouse from above. However, visitors should know that the Lighthouse Visitor Center and the narrow 313 stairs that lead down to the lighthouse itself remain closed due to COVID-19 precautions. We ask that visitors keep at least six feet away from other people not in their household while on the narrow pathway to and once on the observation deck. To ensure social distancing, please wait to go onto the small observation deck if it is crowded when you arrive. A hand-sanitizer station is provided at the start of the narrow pathway to the observation deck.

While the observation deck is open every day of the week, those that come on a weekend may encounter traffic metering to the headlands to reduce the number of vehicles in the small parking lots at the Lighthouse and Chimney Rock. Wait times in your car to drive to the Lighthouse and Chimney Rock may be anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour or more, depending on visitation. We always recommend coming on a weekday or early if you’re coming on a weekend. South Beach is currently still closed to the public at this time.