Drakes Beach
Inverness, CA
Drakes Beach sits below white bluffs within Point Reyes National Seashore, with a visitor center that's worth calling ahead about since its hours vary. The calmer water here, sheltered somewhat by the curve of the bay, makes it a more approachable stop than the park's rougher ocean beaches.
The relatively sheltered water and white bluffs make it a genuinely approachable stop in a park mostly known for rougher beaches, though the visitor center's inconsistent hours are worth planning around.
How we score beachesCall ahead about visitor center hours if that's part of your plan, they're not consistent enough to count on without checking first.
Free parking is available at the lot.
The path from parking to the sand isn't documented in detail, so allow extra time on your first visit.
Dogs are not allowed at Drakes Beach.
Summer mornings run foggy before clearing, typical of the Point Reyes coast, with water staying cold year round.
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