Backpacking Point Reyes National Seashore
Oakland, CA
Trip Highlights
- Pacific Ocean Views
- Scenic Camping
- Gorgeous Waterfall
- Diversity of Wildlife
- Coastal Hiking
- Tide Pool Exploring
Description
This 3-day backpacking trip in Point Reyes National Seashore offers a perfect blend of coastal exploration, pristine wilderness, and opportunity 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 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!
$1245 Per Person
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 3
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
This trip follows well maintained trails, with moderate distances, elevation changes and backpack weights.
Hiking Distances:
Up to 6 miles
Backpack Weight:
25-35 pounds
Terrain:
Moderately Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
Up to 1000 feet
Heights Exposure:
Light
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS TRIP
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 25-35 lb backpack for 4-6 hours
- Maintaining balance and footing on moderately rugged terrain
- River and creek crossings, walking in sand, hiking across slippery rocks, roots and/or logs
SOLITUDE LEVEL 2
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
We rate this California hike a solitude 2. You can expect to have as much as an hour of solitude at a time.
Private Trips
Travel in perfect company by booking a private trip exclusively for your group!
Our sliding scale for private trips is based on the final number of guests in your group. Rates are per person and do not include sales tax, national park fees or guide gratuity. The final rate is based on the actual number of guests on the trip and may adjust based on cancellations or additions.
Please Note: you can also enjoy a private trip at our normal scheduled rates by filling any empty tour to capacity. However, if group members drop from the tour those spots will automatically become available on our website for instant booking. By purchasing a private trip at the rates listed below, your trip will remain exclusive to your group regardless of cancellations.
PRIVATE RATES FOR THIS TRIP
- 2 People: Rate x 2.5
- 3 People: Rate x 1.75
- 4 People: Rate x 1.25
- 5+ People: Rate x 1.15
*all rates are per person
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ITINERARY
Day 1
- Drive time: 1 Hour
- Mileage: 6.3 mi/10.1 km
- Elevation Gain: 950 feet
- Elevation Loss: 1000 feet
Our adventure begins as we travel to the starting trailhead near Bear Valley Visitor Center. 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 nestled on a bluff near the beach. We will spend the evening listening to the rhythmic crashing of waves against the shore as your guide prepares a delicious dinner.
Day 2
- Mileage: 4.5 mi/ 7.2 km
- Elevation Gain: 550 ft
- Elevation Loss: 550 ft
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: 6.3 mi/10.1 km
- Elevation Gain: 1000 ft
- Elevation Loss: 950 ft
- Drive Time: 1 hour
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.
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.
TRIP DATES & BOOKING
AVAILABLE TO BOOK
This trip is available and bookable online! Click on the date to register now or contact us online to book through our award-winning customer service team!
GOING FAST
This trip has 1 or 2 spots remaining and is bookable online! Click on the date to book now or contact us online to book through customer service.
REQUEST A RESERVATION
This trip is exclusively booked through customer service due to logistics with lodging, permits, staffing, availability, or something else. Please contact us online or call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to request a reservation.
Don't see your dates? Call us! We may be able to add new trip dates.
800-715-HIKE (4453)Trip Details
What's Included
- Top-of-the-line tent, backcountry sleeping pad and multi-day backpack
- High quality, synthetic sleeping bag (professionally laundered after every use) – or bring your own.
- Use of trekking poles
- All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
- 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.
- Comprehensive, roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Oakland, CA and back
- All necessary entrance fees and permits
- Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device (InReach Explorer or satellite phone)
What's Not Included
- Clothes, raingear, and footwear (see recommendations)
- Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
- Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
- Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about what to pack.
Meals: What to Expect
All of our hiking and backpacking tours include a diversity of tasty meals packed full of critical carbohydrates, proteins and fats. We carry foods that travel well in the backcountry – rice, pastas, lentils, beans, couscous, packaged meats, nuts, breads, oatmeal, granola, and more.
For optimal taste and energy, we supplement all our meals with spices, herbs, oils, cheeses, butter, sugar, and fruits and vegetables (fresh and dried). In addition, we provide you with with an assortment of trail mix, snacks, and dried fruits to eat at your own discretion.
We regularly accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher and non-gluten diets and will make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee.
Gear We Provide
We provide all group gear which includes the following:
- Deuter or Osprey backpacks
- Sierra Designs, Kelty or Big Agnes tents
- Sierra Designs, Big Agnes and Mountain Hardware synthetic-fill sleeping bags (or bring your own)
- Thermarest or Big Agnes sleeping pads
- Leki trekking poles
- Cooking stoves and cookware
- Company-issued first-aid kit
- Emergency communication device(s)
Guest Packing List
When you register for this tour you’ll receive access to a printable, downloadable trip information packet with a detailed packing list specific to this trip (click here to see it now.) All trips require a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots, rain gear, a recommended clothing system, a headlamp or flashlight, a hydration system (water bottles and/or bladder) and other items specific to each trip.
Additionally, some guests choose to bring their own sleeping bag. We supply high quality, synthetic fill bags that are professionally laundered after every trip. Synthetic fill is non-allergenic, insulates when damp and stands up well to repeated washings, but is heavier and bulkier than down. If you’re able to bring your own down sleeping bag, there are multiple benefits. If not, we’ve got you covered!
Trip Logistics
How Do I Register?
Reserve your spot today! In the Trip Dates & Booking section of this page, the green and red dates are bookable online by simply clicking on the date, and blue dates must be booked through our customer service team for a variety of possible reasons. To email our customer service team, you can click here to get the ball rolling. Our adventure consultants will confirm availability, and if you’re ready to register we’ll email you a link to a registration profile. You’ll have 72 hours to complete your profile (and that of any dependents) and pay the deposit.
Feel free to call us for more info – we’re here 7 days a week!
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.
Essential Eligibility Criteria
Essential Eligibility Criteria (“EEC”) have been specifically identified to help you understand the skills and abilities necessary to participate on each Wildland trip, and they apply uniformly to all potential trip participants, irrespective of the presence or absence of any disability.
Once you identify a trip in which you may be interested, please carefully review the EEC and itinerary details. If after reviewing the EEC that apply to your desired trip, you determine you need an accommodation in order to meet the EEC, please contact us prior to registering to discuss your requested accommodation.
The EEC exist for your own safety and the safety and enjoyment of all participants. If you are unable to meet the EEC for the trip, with or without an accommodation, you are not eligible for that trip. If you register and arrive for a trip for which you do not meet the EEC, you will be disqualified from participation on the trip and will be dismissed or evacuated from the trip without a refund.
Guide Shifts
The guide(s) for this trip work daily shifts from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. During off hours (9 p.m. to 5 a.m.) the guides’ time is their own, and they are free to sleep, rest, take personal time, postpone guest requests until the next morning, and any other legal, reasonable activity people engage in when not working. We ask all guests to respect the guides’ off-duty hours by not waking or asking anything of them unless there is a true emergency. Also, state law requires that employees receive an uninterrupted 10 minute break every four working hours, so guides are required to take four 10 minute breaks between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m.
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)
Weather in Point Reyes
The weather in Point Reyes varies seasonally. To be fully prepared, please follow the recommended clothing list closely (this list comes as part of your trip packet when you register). Read below for average high and low temperatures in the Point Reyes area:
| Average Temperatures (Fahrenheit) | ||||||
|
Month
|
hi
|
low
|
Precip Days | |||
|
April
|
66°
|
47°
|
5 | |||
|
May
|
69°
|
49° | 2 | |||
|
June
|
75°
|
52°
|
1 | |||
|
July
|
79°
|
53°
|
0 | |||
|
August
|
79°
|
54°
|
0 | |||
|
September
|
80°
|
55°
|
0 | |||
|
October
|
75°
|
53°
|
4 | |||
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
Of course campsites vary tremendously 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 backpacking adventure. We carefully design our itineraries with campsites in mind.
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