Pt. Reyes - CA

“Wondering if there are any CA Bay area locals that pack at the Pt. Reyes sites? I'm hoping to plan a trip in Sep-Nov when the crowds go down a little.”

“I've dayhiked out there and always thought it would be cool to stay at those sites. Maybe next time I'm in SF.”

“I have stayed at all the campgrounds at one time or another. It is kinda feels like the Epcot Center of backpacking but is a lovely place. Last spring I did a loop from the Sky Camp parking area to Coast Camp the first day and up to a second night at Sky Camp. If I was clever I could figure out how to post a link to my webshots album from that trip. Palomarin (?) trailhead to Wildcat Camp also makes a nice backpacking trip. Glen Camp is a lovely campground but is seems to be so close to the ocean but not be able to see it.”

“I've backpacked there a few times and talked to others who have. Small animals can be a big problem with your food. Use the 'bear boxes.' The sites are assigned. Some are nicer than others. Since you're close, you might want to pick the site you want, then plan your trip around when it's available.

We use Point Reyes for day hikes when inland gets too hot. I would choose the Sierras over Point Reyes for backpacking year around, but I have friends who really like it there, and it's too far for a day hike for them.”

“Ditto on two of the above comments... I loved Pepper's description.. "the Epcot Center of backpacking" HAHAAHA, so true!

And Wanna's "small animals can be a problem" statement is quite an understatement in my experience. We actually had skunks running across our bivy sacks at night and had a raccoon jump up & steal a sandwich out of someone's hand WHILE THEY WERE EATING IT!. I have a photo of a skunk running off with my son's food sack in his mouth... they are very very agressive there.

That, of course, is a result of all the people who go there who have fed them, etc. (can you say "touron?")

Anyway, if you HAVE to go somewhere, and for some reason can't get to the Sierra, the views are nice :)”

“I loved Pt Reyes! We went during the week in October and practically had the whole place to ouselves. I keep hoping to get down that way again!

Wanderer - Just ONE more reason why I have a tent that zips me inside! MtnSteve has a funny story about a kid screaming in the middle of the night while a skunk was sitting on his chest!”

“The hike out to Tomales Point is nice, lots of wildlife; elk, fox, and smaller fauna including a bunch of colorful sea anemone at the Point. Since you live out there I'm sure you know, but I'll say it anyway...brace yourself for constant and significant wind gusts.
last edited: 8/18/05 3:33:22 PM”

“Once when I was camping at Coast Camp a nearby camper had a skunk follow her into her tent. She and her boyfriend ended up leaving the tent to the skunk and doubling up with another couple in their tent....”

“I'd be up for a November trip perhaps...”

“I used to live in San Francisco and have been to Pt. Reyes for both day hikes and overnights. I stayed at Glen Camp the day after Thanksgiving a few years back and it was really nice, although not having the sea view is a bummer. We got treated to watching the fog slip through the pine trees and retreat back to the sea while we ate breakfast.

My brother and I used to do a hard, fast 12 miler from the Bear Valley trailhead, up to the highest point in the park and down to the sea, along the coast and back...it was a great workout and had fantastic views the whole way.

Now I am getting homesick...”

“Bongo, my husband and I do that same hike for our day hikes.”