Backpacking Point Reyes National Seashore
Guided Backpacking Trips
3 Days, 2 Nights 18MI / 29KM
Trip Highlights
This 3-day backpacking trip in Point Reyes National Seashore offers a perfect blend of coastal exploration, pristine wilderness, and opportunities to see wildlife, making it an unforgettable experience. Point Reyes is a 71,000 acre peninsula situated about an hour north of San Francisco and is renowned for gorgeous ocean views; a rare and beautiful beach waterfall; abundant wildlife including Tule Elk, Whales, Elephant Seals and much more. We hike through Douglas Fir forests glistening with ocean mist, vibrant wildflower meadows, rugged coastline trails covered in lush ferns and sandy beaches with stunning ocean views. Point Reyes National Seashore offers a peaceful and rejuvenating escape from city life, camping under the stars, breathtaking scenery and much more!
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Pacific Ocean Views
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Scenic Camping
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Gorgeous Waterfall
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Diversity of Wildlife
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Coastal Hiking
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Tide Pool Exploring
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Trip Details
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Trip Type
Guided Backpacking Trips -
Trip Length
3 Days, 2 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
Up to 6 miles -
Group Size
2-6 Guests
Receive a PDF info packet via email which includes:
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
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Is This Trip Right For me?
This trip follows well maintained trails, with moderate distances, elevation changes and backpack weights.
Difficulty Level
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Solitude Level
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Trip Itinerary
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
Day 1
Drive time: 60 minutes
Mileage: 4-6 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 800-1000 feet
Our adventure begins as we travel to the starting trailhead. The air is crisp with the scent of coastal flora as we hike through dense Douglas Fir forests and open meadows dotted with wildflowers. The trail gradually descends towards the coast, offering glimpses of the Pacific Ocean in the distance. After a few hours of hiking, we will arrive at our camp for the next two days. You will time to relax while your guide prepares a delicious dinner.
Day 2
Mileage: 4-6 miles
Elevation Gain: 500-1000 feet
Today we wake up to the sound of seabirds and spend the day exploring the rugged coastline of Point Reyes. After breakfast we will pack light and start a hike to a quieter, more secluded corner of this coastal wilderness past two separate lakes. After lunch we will finish out the day with a highlight of the trip, a beach hike to Alamere Falls. This waterfall is one of only two coastal waterfalls in California and drops 30 feet over a cliff onto the beach below, creating a mesmerizing scene where freshwater meets the salty waves of the Pacific Ocean.
Day 3
Mileage: 4-6 miles
Elevation Gain: 800-1000 ft
Drive Time: 60 minutes
On our final day, we have breakfast, pack up camp and begin our hike back towards the trailhead. We will ascend through the forested hillsides soaking in the coastal wilderness and take a moment to pause at scenic overlooks to capture panoramic views and perhaps spot migrating whales offshore. Arriving back at the trailhead, your guide will prepare lunch as we reflect on the past three days of adventure, grateful for the opportunity to explore such a pristine and remote corner of California’s coastline.
Trip Dates
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What's Included
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Top-of-the-line tent, backcountry sleeping pad and multi-day backpack
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High quality, synthetic sleeping bag (professionally laundered after every use)
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Use of trekking poles
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All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
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Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
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Comprehensive, roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Oakland, CA and back
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All necessary entrance fees and permits
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Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device
What's Not Included
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Clothes, raingear, and footwear -
Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
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Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
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Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Accommodations
Backcountry Sleeping
TENT CAMPING
Sleeping on backpacking trips is in premier 1-person, 2-person or 4-person backcountry tents. Solo travelers, and anyone else who requests it, are issued single tents. Top-of-the-line self-inflating sleeping pads and synthetic-fill sleeping bags (professionally laundered after every trip) are also provided.
Backcountry Cuisine
FRESH & DELICIOUS
Meals from breakfast Day 1 through lunch the last day are fully included and prepared by your guide. We never use dehydrated backpacking meals, instead serving freshly prepared, delicious backcountry cuisine made with a variety of common and specialty ingredients that travel well in the wilderness.
Amazing Campsites
IN THE ACTION
Campsites vary by destination, trip and even by the individual day of a trip. However, you can expect to camp in beautiful areas that put you right in the action to make the most of your trekking adventure. We carefully design our itineraries with campsites in mind.
Trip Logistics & FAQs
Where Do We Meet?
This trip originates in Oakland, California with an orientation meeting the evening before the trip begins at the Holiday Inn and Suites Oakland Airport Hotel at 6 pm. We recommend staying at this hotel, as we will depart directly from here on the morning of Day 1 and return to this hotel on Day 3. Your guide will be in contact approximately 10 days before the trip start date to coordinate the pre-trip orientation.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel to Oakland
The Oakland Airport is one of the most easily accessed destinations in the country. Many major cities in the United States and internationally offer direct flights into Oakland. We recommend staying at a hotel near the airport.
Start/End Times
Your guide will inform you of the first day’s departure time at the orientation meeting. Generally, you can expect it to be around 7 AM, although the exact time will depend on current weather and road conditions. We will drop you off at this hotel on the final day normally before 7 PM (this time is not guaranteed, as a variety of circumstances can influence our exact return time).
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 10 and older to join scheduled tours (approval on a case by case basis)
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