Point Reyes Light House

iThe Point Reyes Light House is about 45 minutes away. Follow Sir Francis Drake until it ends at the Point Reyes Lighthouse Parking Area. From there, its 1/4 mile to the visitor center, and then 313 steps (20 stories!) down to the lighthouse itself. Parking is free. Dogs cannot go past the parking lot.

This is a great place for whale watching!

Limantour Beach

The closest beach is Limantour. Only 8 miles, 20 minutes from Blackthorne. Dogs allowed. Go right on Sir Francis Drake, turn right in 1/2 mile on Bear Valley Rd, turn right in 1/2 mile on Limantour Rd, take it to the end.

There are two parking lots. The first one you see is the big one. Its great. There is another parking lot that holds only 10 cars if you turn left before the big one. There are toilets at both. Dogs are allowed as long as you go left when you get to the beach.

You can walk at least 3 miles to the left of the parking, and if you go that far, you could go all the way to The Inverness Crater. It’s a giant sink hole. You can only get to the bottom of the crater at a few extreme low tides of the year. You can get to the top any time. https://www.strava.com/routes/3192923455854987734 (QR)

Bolinas Ridge Trail

The Bolinas Ridge Trail starts a short 3 miles away. Dog friendly. Great views. Lots

of cows. You can do an out and back starting at the trailhead at the top: https://www.strava.com/routes/3186358273542160202. (Or expert move, park at the top, do the loop shown, have someone walk 1/2 mile back up Sir Francis Drake to get the car. Lots of traffic, not a lot of extra room for hikers there.)

Or start at the bottom of the hill and do an easy out and back on a paved bike path. Park here next to the “historic bridge” (My German friend laughed at that. “You have different definitions of ‘historic’”) https://maps.app.goo.gl/LcLrWuJSENPyzB7q7

Heidrun Meadery

The Heidrun Meadery is a just 2 miles away, on Hwy 1 past Point Reyes Station. Open 7 days a week from 11am to 5pm.

https://www.heidrunmeadery.com/visit

They offer meads from local apiaries, with lots of outdoor or covered seating to sit and enjoy views of the farm while you sip. Walk around and see a couple beehives.

The Tap Room and Inverness Park Market

It’s only a 1/2 mile walk to the Tap Room at Sir Francis Drake and Vallejo Ave. They serve a few beers on tap, and dinner or lunch, including local oysters.

In the same building is the Inverness Park Market, which has a little bit of everything and a wonderful deli. https://invernessparkmarket.com/ (for Tap Room Menu as well.)

TAP ROOM MENU

MAINS

Sandwiches include your choice of green salad or house cut fries
Tacos and nachos do not come with salad or fries

West Marin Reuben 
House brined and smoked pastrami on grilled Brickmaiden sourdough rye batard, sauerkraut, Point Reyes Farmstead Toma cheese and our irresistible house dressing

Classic Market Cheeseburger 
Niman Ranch beef patty (7oz) on a sesame seed bun with: cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle
add bacon

Heart’s Desire 
Grilled seasoned tri tip on toasted ciabatta with: bacon, cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, house made BBQ sauce

Bo-Bo Supreme 
Grilled seasonal vegetables with house made romesco sauce, fromage blanc and organic mixed greens with lemon vinaigrette on house made flat bread

Fish Taco Trio 
Local rock cod, house made beer batter, Mexi slaw, crema, avocado, house made fire roasted salsa, organic corn tortillas

IP Nacho Plate 
House made tortilla chips loaded with melted jack cheese, organic pinto beans, house made guacamole and fire roasted salsa, crema and jalapenos
add one: grilled seasonal veggies, seasoned chicken, carne asada or carnitas

BBQ LOCAL OYSTERS

Your choice of house made BBQ sauce or garlic butter

FRY BAR…

and more

Lagunitas Creek

Lagunitas Creek travels along Sir Francis Drake. One mile South of Vallejo is an entrance to a trail with ~7 different points to access the creek. In summer, it’s as warm as a swimming pool, so good for a dip. Or a ride in the canoe. https://www.strava.com/routes/3306479696576269162

Visitor Centers

There are 3 different visitor centers. https://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm. One, on Bear Valley Road just 2 miles from Blackthorne, contains exhibits of local fauna, an auditorium that will show a 20 minute movie about the history of Inverness/Point Reyes (free, you need to ask for a viewing), and a few trailheads (no dogs). One of the trails is a 15 minute loop called Earthquake Trail (free, no dogs) lies on the San Andreas fault and has exhibits along the way about the fault and the 1906 earthquake, including the earthquake fence, which moved 16 feet during the 1906 earthquake.

The 2nd visitor center is above the Point Reyes Lighthouse. Its open when the Lighthouse is open and the wind speed is less than 40mph!

The 3rd is at Drakes Beach has exhibits on Marine exploration including fossils and a minke whale skeleton. About 30 minutes away.

Point Reyes Station

Point Reyes Station, 1.5 miles back on Sir Francis Drake then left on Hwy 1, is a small town literally on Highway 1 with the Palace Market (try the Buffalo milk soft serve), the Old Western Saloon, and Station House Cafe (a nice, inexpensive, sit down restaurant). Also places to get coffee and do a little shopping.

Highway 1 North

One hour North on Hwy 1 is Bodega Bay where Hitchcock’s The Birds was filmed. Its a tiny town which still remembers The Birds

Along the way are various beaches and trailheads, including Goat Rock. Most of the trails do not allow dogs. You can wander around the base of Goat Rock with dogs, and walk up and down the beaches without them.