A Drive Through Time: A Ranching History of Point Reyes National Seashore

Enjoy this self-guided audio tour on your drive to the Point Reyes Lighthouse! This is the story of the magnificent Point Reyes National Seashore and its odd relationship with the dairy and beef ranches. “Cows in a park?” you might ask? Well, yes. They were here long before the park was formed and are a vital part of present-day Point Reyes. The tour takes you from Point Reyes National Seashore headquarters to the lighthouse through beautiful natural and pastoral landscapes. Please Note: If you want to visit the lighthouse itself at the end of the drive, please note that it is closed on certain days of the week. Also, due to its popularity in the winter months, traffic to the lighthouse is sometimes diverted to Drake’s Beach on the weekends where you can hop a shuttle over to the lighthouse. In either case, this tour will take you to the end of your drive. You can check with the rangers or online about the lighthouse schedule.