Limantour Beach

LIMANTOUR BEACH: This spacious beach is a wonderful spread to relax, take long walks, or simply enjoy a refreshing swim during the summer months. It is an oasis of soft sand, rolling dunes, wildlife and a picturesque backdrop that looks like something taken from a postcard. North of the beach there is a wonderful spot to view seals and sea lions called Limantour Spit. While this beach is exquisite and a wonderful place to spend the day, there is no regulation for nude sunbathing and on a warm summer’s day, there is likely to be one or two nude bathers on the beach.

CLIMATE: As with any of the beach areas on the Northern California coast, the weather is changeable and layered clothing is highly recommended. Obviously, the climate is cold to chilly during the winter months.

POINTS OF INTEREST:
Point Reyes National Seashores
Education program for groups/Phone: 415-464-5139
One hour north of San Francisco, so a trip to the city is doable.
Migration of the California Gray whales
View tule elk
Breeding grounds for elephant seals

Visitor Centers for Point Reyes:

Bear Valley Visitor Center
The visitor center is completely accessible with a gently ramped, multilevel interior. All displays are well placed for use or viewing from a seated position. Restrooms and a telephone on the outside information board are accessible. Designated parking is located in front of the center.

Point Reyes Lighthouse Visitor Center
Parking close to the Lighthouse is available by arrangement. Call 415-669-1534 or 415-464-5100 x2 x5. The visitor center, observation deck, restrooms and a telephone are all fully accessible, but the lighthouse itself is not.

Ken Patrick Visitor Center and Drakes Beach
The complex includes a visitor center, cafe, picnic area, telephone, restrooms and showers which are all accessible. There are several designated parking spaces. There is no beach access.

Wheelchair Available
Inquire at the Information Desk at the Bear Valley, Ken Patrick or Lighthouse Visitor Centers for free use of a wheelchair.
Trails

Earthquake Trail
This 0.6 mile paved trail is self-guiding. A picnic area, restroom and two designated parking spaces are located at the trailhead.

Kule Loklo Coast Miwok Cultural Exhibit (Assistance required.)
The first part of the 0.4 mile dirt trail to Kule Loklo is quite steep. There are no accessible restrooms. Inquire at Bear Valley Visitor Center for more information on accessing Kule Loklo.

Bear Valley Trail to Divide Meadow (Assistance advisable.)
This gradual 1.6 mile well-packed dirt trail leads through Douglas Fir forests alongside a stream to a woodland meadow. There are a few uphill and somewhat rocky sections which are passable with assistance. Pit toilets at the meadow are not accessible.

Five Brooks Pond (Assistance advisable.)
This 0.7 mile dirt loop trail around the pond is a lovely place to picnic or bird watch. There are no accessible restrooms.

Abbotts Lagoon
A gentle, soil-cemented trail leads 1/4 mile to an overlook of the lagoon. Restrooms are accessible and there are two designated parking spaces. No beach access.

Historic Pierce Ranch
A soil cement trail tours this 1880s dairy ranch. A telephone in the upper parking lot is accessible.

LODGING:
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http://www.budgetinn.com/
http://www.hojo.com/HowardJohnson/control/home
http://www.marinsuites.com/
http://www.pointreyesseashore.com/

©Copyright 2006 Carla Iacovetti