Point Reyes National Seashore Self Guided Driving Audio Tour

Experience the breathtaking majesty of northern California with this self-guided driving tour of Point Reyes National Seashore. Discover fascinating maritime history at the Point Reyes Lighthouse and the Point Reyes Lifesaving Station, then turn back the clock even further and hear true tales of the famed privateer Sir Francis Drake, who landed on these shores hundreds of years ago! Plus, take a detour up to Tomales Point for even more unforgettable ocean views!

After booking, check your email to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. These steps require good internet/Wi-Fi access. From there, follow the audio instructions and the route.

New, extra validity — now yours for an entire year! Use multiple times over multiple trips!

Welcome to Point Reyes National Seashore! This National Park has miles of unbelievable beach vistas, incredible stories of those who lived here, and of course… that famous Point Reyes Lighthouse way down at the tip of it all. Let’s get started!

Note: This 30-mile-long tour covers the essentials of Point Reyes National Seashore in 2-3 hours.

Just ahead, we’ll have the option to detour to the remote and windswept beaches of Tomales Point, one of the most popular destinations on the peninsula. The detour takes 45 minutes round trip. You’ll also want to budget a little time for walking around and taking photos

The Drakes Estero is coming up soon. If you’re wondering what an Estero is — don’t worry. It’s just a fancy term for a marshy inlet. If you’d like to walk a 2.5 mile round-trip trail through the estero, there’s a trailhead just ahead. I’ll point it out. In a minute, you’ll cross coastal grasslands and enjoy a scenic footbridge stretching over the bay.

If you’d like to hike the Drakes Estero Trail, turn left. Otherwise, continue driving.

Check out all of those cyprus trees ahead! That’s our next stop. The trees form a sort of tunnel. Where does it go? To the historic KPH Radio station! Uhh.. random, right? In the early 1900s, Morse code radio stations went up all up and down the United States coast. The Radio Corporation of America, or RCA, figured out where these stations should be to properly and efficiently communicate with ships at sea. One of the spots RCA chose was right here at Point Reyes! In 1929, they built the station, but they wanted to do justice to the beautiful landscape surrounding it. So they planted rows of cypress trees leading up to the new station.

Coming up soon is Point Reyes Beach, boasting 11 miles of sand and fabulous ocean views. To make it even better, people often report gray whale sightings from this beach in the winter and spring!

Coming up soon is Drakes Beach. It’s a popular beach amongst visitors here because it faces Drakes Bay. That means the winds aren’t as strong and the waves aren’t as intense as on the ocean-facing side. The beach boasts some white sandstone cliffs as a backdrop too.

To take a quick detour to the lifesaving station, see an overlook for elephant seals, and hike to Chimney Rock for ocean views, turn left at the fork.

The first life-saving station in Point Reyes sat on a plot of ranch land very close to the point at the end of this peninsula. It began operations in 1878. The station leader was called the “keeper”; the staff were called “surfmen.” They’d patrol the beaches looking for wrecks and listening for voices through the fog. And the system worked! That first station saved people from 14 major shipwrecks over the 37 years it was there.

Hundreds of thousands of northern elephant seals used to call the Pacific Ocean home. But then European settlers discovered they could use the seal blubber for oil. And by 1892, only around 75 individual seals were left up and down the entire coast of North America. Down from hundreds of thousands! Mexico and the US Government federally protected them in the 1920s, and thank goodness: the elephant seal population slowly boomed once again! In 1981, the first breeding pair was back at Point Reyes. And now, there are somewhere around 200,000 northern elephant seals along the Pacific Coast of the US and Mexico.

Coming up in just a moment will be Sea Lion Overlook. Here, 54 steps lead down to a coastal view you won’t soon forget… because it’s usually overflowing with sea lions! But how do we tell seals and sea lions apart? To identify one, check for ear flaps and folded-in back flippers. Sea lions use these back flippers to shuffle upright when trying to move on land. Males are about 8 feet long and females about 6 feet. Breeding season for sea lions is between May and August. During this time, the sea lions stay on the beach for as long as possible, defending their territory. This requires them to fast, and use their accumulated blubber to sustain them for months. They vie for females through calls, barks, and territorial fights with other males. For the rest of the year, sea lions roam the ocean, feeding. Females have a 12-month gestation period, usually giving birth in June or July

We’re coming up on the parking lot to see the South Beach Overlook and the Point Reyes Lighthouse. This is the only parking lot for the lighthouse, so I’d recommend parking once we get there. You can park on the street too, if the lot is full, but street parking near the lighthouse gets a little congested, especially if you’re here on a weekend.

Pretty soon, we’ll see a little tunnel of cypress trees not unlike the cypress tunnel by the radio station we saw earlier. They’re easy to spot because, as you may have noticed, there are very few trees here! If you cross under the tunnel of trees that bends toward the side of the hill and just beyond, you’ll see what people call the Leaning Tree. It’s a cypress that leans over the path, but doesn’t seem to ever fall.

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email with instructions. Follow the instructions right away: • Download the separate app • Enter the password • Download the tour • MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular.
• How to start the tour: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction. • Go to the starting point. (Note: no one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided). • The audio will begin automatically at the starting point. If you face audio issues, visit the FAQ. • Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
• Amazing Savings: why pay for an expensive, crowded, and limited bus tour — priced per person! — when you can have ONE amazing audio guide on your OWN phone for your WHOLE group?
• Flexibility and Convenience: • Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. It’s perfect for tailoring your exploration and revisiting your favorite spots on future trips. • Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace, free from the constraints of a group.
• Comprehensive Tour Experience: •The app provides a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated audio stories, scripts, images, videos, and recommendations for additional activities. • Enjoy a private experience without the crowds, ideal for personalized stops and photo opportunities.
• Ease of Use and Accessibility: • The app is hands-free and activates stories via GPS, offering support through call, chat, or email. • There is no need for a continuous cell or Wi-Fi connection as the GPS map works offline.
• Memorable Keepsakes: • Utilize the app’s images to create a photo book or share on social media, ensuring you have high-quality, crowd-free memories from your trip.
• Preparation: • After booking, download the app and the tour using a strong Wi-Fi connection. • Review the tour at home before your trip for a better experience.
• Starting the Tour: • Open the app upon arrival at your destination. • Select the appropriate tour based on your starting point. • Head to the starting location; the audio will begin automatically. • Follow the suggested route and adhere to the speed limit for an optimal experience. • By following these instructions and taking advantage of the app’s features, users can enjoy a personalized, flexible, and in-depth exploration of their destination at their own pace and convenience.
• Minimum Mobile OS Requirement: iOS 14 or later / Android 9 (Pie) or later. It is compatible with iPad models that have a GPS chip.
• CarPlay and Android Auto are not yet supported. Connect your phone via Bluetooth, USB, or Aux for audio. Use phone speakers if needed.

• Point Reyes National Seashore Self Guided Driving Audio Tour
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• Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
• Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
• Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
• Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
• Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
• Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
• Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
• Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!

• Foods & Drinks

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You’re not done yet! It’s time to set up the tour you purchased.

Follow these steps now, while in wifi/signal. Do NOT wait until your travel date or while onsite.

1. Find the tour setup instructions:

>> Email: search for the phrase “Your tour operator sent you a message” OR “Set up your Action Tour Guide self-guided tour now.” If it’s not in Inbox, check All Mail.

>> Viator App Messages: open the app, check Bookings, select View Voucher, and click on Contact Tour Operator

>> TripAdvisor App Messages:
open the app, check Account, select Messages

>> Text: check for a text from 415-980-4997

>> Can’t find it? Ask us to resend: https://actiontourguide.com/redeem/

2. Follow the set up instructions NOW, not later:

>> MUST do this before traveling to site. Requires WiFi/signal.

>> Do NOT wait until your travel date to access the tour for the first time. The tour is not tied to your travel date.

3. Not familiar with our self-guided audio tours? Watch this quick tutorial: https://actiontourguide.com/tutorial

⚠️ Important Note:
Your purchase is for the audio tour ONLY. It does not include entrance tickets to parks or attractions.

⚠️ CarPlay and Android Auto are not yet supported. Connect your phone via Bluetooth, USB, or Aux for audio. Use phone speakers if needed.

Have a question – We’re here to help! For quick answers, visit the app’s FAQ section or our website at actiontourguide.com/faq. If you need further assistance, please call us at +1 714-333-0534, chat with us online, or email us at support@actiontourguide.com. We’re committed to providing you with the support you need every step of the way!

Please be advised..

• This Tour is Provided by Adventures with Action.
• Tour Timezone & Starts at America/Los_Angeles.
• Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
• This Tour is Rated 3 Stars based on 5 valid reviews on VIATOR.
• Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
• Maximum 4 Travelers is accepted for booking.