Here is a day hike with a little bit of everything for the adventurous trekker! Commanding views of the Pacific Ocean, cascading streams, tree-lined trails meandering past serene lakes, and one magnificent waterfall crashing onto a desolate beach.
To get there, drive through Stinson Beach, pass the small town of Bolinas, and head on to Mesa Road towards the Palomarin Trailhead. If time permits, explore the
Point Reyes Bird Observatory, and visit their Bird Banding Laboratory during winter months.
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| Scenic Trail Views From the Palomarin/Coast Trail |
Allow about four hours to complete the eight mile round-trip trek along this part of the Coastal Trail. The Coastal Trail portion has wide-open vistas and is a fairly flat, easy trail that meanders along the cliffs of the Pacific Ocean. You'll get your fix of ocean views here! Continuing on, you’ll see beautiful Bass Lake and Pelican Lake, and red-tailed hawks coasting above - just out of reach. About a mile past Bass Lake, you’ll find the Alamere Falls detour.
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| Pelican Lake and Detour Sign to Falls |
From here it's less than a half-mile to the beach and the falls. The poison oak is more overgrown here, so watch where you step in this narrow section of trail. It’s a very good idea to wear long sleeves and long pants. The trail will begin to get rockier and steeper and there is a short section where you will have to be careful as you pick your way down. But if you pay close attention, it’s more than worth it. You’ll be rewarded with one of the most spectacular spring waterfalls in the state. I would recommend caution if attempting to navigate the fifty foot climb down to the beach to view the waterfall from below. It is steep and narrow, and the rock is not stable. I chose to stay at the top and sit with the wildflowers while watching those much braver than me scale down the cliff toward the beach. There are plenty of scenic spots to have a lunch and simply admire the sounds and view.
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